Question

What was "Raiyatwari" system?

• A. The tenants could keep two-third of the agricultural produce.
• B. A situation of absentee landlords.
• C. The cultivators paid agricultural tax directly to the British government.
• D. Buying land in the name of others after land ceiling.

Hint:

To remember the British land revenue systems: \textbf{Zamindari:} Zamindar (landlord) is the middleman. \textbf{Raiyatwari:} Raiyat (cultivator) pays directly to the state. \textbf{Mahalwari:} Mahal (village) as a whole is responsible for payment.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the definition of the Raiyatwari system, which was one of the major land revenue systems introduced by the British in India.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's break down the term and the system: The word 'Raiyat' means cultivator or peasant. Under the Raiyatwari system, individual cultivators (Raiyats) were recognized as the proprietors of the land they cultivated. This system established a direct relationship between the cultivator and the state. The Raiyats were responsible for paying the land revenue (tax) directly to the British government, without the intervention of any intermediary like a zamindar (landlord). This contrasts with the Zamindari system, where landlords collected revenue from tenants and paid a portion to the state, often leading to a situation of absentee landlords (Option B). Options A and D describe other unrelated issues. Step 3: Final Answer:
The Raiyatwari system was a land revenue arrangement where cultivators paid agricultural tax directly to the British government.