Question

Explain two land revenue administrative systems introduced by the British in colonial India. 

Hint:

Remember that both the Zamindari and Ryotwari systems resulted in collection of high taxes from cultivators, who were left in poverty.

Answer 1

Zamindari System: Under the Zamindari system, the British granted property rights to the Zamindars. They were now responsible for collecting taxes from the cultivators. This system made the zamindars very powerful. As a result of this system agricultural production stagnated, and large revenues were collected from cultivators.
Ryotwari System: Under the Ryotwari system, the cultivators or ‘raiyats’ were directly responsible for paying taxes. It also gave cultivators more incentive to invest in agriculture. This removed the zamindars as the middle-men.
Other relevant system: Other important land revenue systems were the Mahalwari system, and the Taluqdari system.