Question

Which among the following statement(s) is/are correct about the Raiyatwari system:-
(A) Raiyat means cultivator.
(B) The actual cultivators were responsible for paying the tax.
(C) Zamindars play a dominant role.
(D) Colonial government dealt directly with the farmer.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (D) only
• B. (A), (B) and (C) only
• C. (A), (C) and (D) only
• D. (B), (C) and (D) only

Hint:

When studying land revenue systems (Zamindari, Raiyatwari, Mahalwari), focus on three key aspects: who owned the land, who paid the tax to the government, and the role of intermediaries. This will help you easily differentiate between them.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Raiyatwari system was a land revenue system introduced by the British in parts of India, primarily in the Madras and Bombay presidencies. It was one of the three major land tenure systems, alongside the Zamindari and Mahalwari systems. The core idea was to establish a direct relationship between the colonial state and the cultivator (ryot).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze each statement:
(A) Raiyat means cultivator: This is correct. The term 'Raiyat' (or 'Ryot') is derived from an Arabic word meaning peasant or cultivator. The system was named after them as it dealt directly with the cultivators.
(B) The actual cultivators were responsible for paying the tax: This is correct. Under the Raiyatwari system, the individual ryot who worked the land was recognized as the proprietor and was made directly responsible for paying the land revenue to the government.
(C) Zamindars play a dominant role: This is incorrect. The Raiyatwari system was specifically designed to eliminate intermediaries like Zamindars. The government collected tax directly from the ryots, unlike the Zamindari system where the Zamindar was the intermediary responsible for tax collection.
(D) Colonial government dealt directly with the farmer: This is correct. As mentioned above, the defining feature of this system was the direct settlement between the government and the ryot (farmer/cultivator).
Step 3: Final Answer:
Statements (A), (B), and (D) are correct descriptions of the Raiyatwari system, while statement (C) is incorrect. Therefore, the correct option includes (A), (B), and (D) only.