24 Dec, 2018 Day 36, GS 1, Indian History 104 Comments 0
3. How did British land policies affect the India’s rural landscape? Discuss.
ब्रिटिश भूमि की नीतियों ने भारत के ग्रामीण परिदृश्य को कैसे प्रभावित किया? चर्चा करें।
Introduction
British introduced various land policies like Permanent settlement, Ryotwari and Mahalwari systems and many other modifications that transformed the rural way of living from social systems to economy related areas.
Body
British policies and how they impacted rural landscape:
- High land revenue- Extraction of high revenue under all three systems led to growth of poverty and deterioration of agriculture.
- Debt burden- Inability of peasants to pay high land revenue drove the peasant to borrow money at high rates of interest from the moneylender and got the peasant deeper and deeper into debt till he parted with his land
- Commercialization of agriculture- The commercial non-food crops substituted the food grains that led to famines. Also, inequalities grew in the rural society as only rich farmers got benefits.
- Regional specialization- Commercialization led to regional specialization of crops based upon climatic conditions instead of food sustenance in every part of the country. Bombay presidency grew cotton, Bengal grew jute and Indigo, Bihar grew opium, Assam grew tea, Punjab grew wheat.
- New class of zamindars- Landed property of old zamindars was transferred to merchants and other moneyed classes that led to rack-renting and ejectment of peasants.
- Overcrowding in agriculture- Ruin of traditional industries and avenues of artisans overly crowded the agriculture.
- Changed land use- With increased need of infrastructure development, agriculture and forest lands were cleared.
- Increased subinfeudation- Absentee landlords whose main aim was to extract revenue without being responsible sublet the lands to others, increasing burden on peasants.
Conclusion:
The land policies adopted by British were for their own profit maximization and not for the benefit of Indian society. These policies later became a major factor in most of the revolts against British and played a major role in instigating the fight for independence.
Best answer: John nash
I am a dedicated scholar and enthusiast with a profound understanding of Indian history, particularly the intricate details surrounding British colonial policies and their impact on India's rural landscape. My expertise extends to the nuances of the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems, as well as the broader economic and social implications of these policies.
Now, delving into the content of the provided article dated December 24, 2018, focusing on Day 36, GS 1 of Indian History, the discussion revolves around the profound influence of British land policies on India's rural panorama.
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Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari Systems:
- Evidence: The article acknowledges the introduction of various land policies, such as the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems. These were pivotal frameworks implemented by the British to redefine land ownership and revenue collection.
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Impact on Agriculture and Economy:
- Evidence: The article details the repercussions of high land revenue extraction under all three systems. This led to increased poverty, the deterioration of agriculture, and a cycle of debt for peasants due to their inability to meet the high revenue demands.
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Commercialization of Agriculture:
- Evidence: The article discusses the shift towards commercial non-food crops, causing famines and inequalities. It points out that only wealthy farmers benefitted from this transformation, leading to disparities in rural society.
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Regional Specialization:
- Evidence: Commercialization resulted in regional specialization of crops, emphasizing economic interests over food sustenance. Examples include the growth of cotton in Bombay Presidency, jute and indigo in Bengal, opium in Bihar, tea in Assam, and wheat in Punjab.
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Emergence of New Zamindars:
- Evidence: The article highlights the transfer of land from traditional zamindars to merchants and the moneyed class. This led to rack-renting and the ejection of peasants, contributing to social and economic upheaval.
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Overcrowding in Agriculture and Changed Land Use:
- Evidence: Traditional industries and artisanal avenues declined, resulting in an overcrowded agriculture sector. Additionally, the increased need for infrastructure development led to the clearing of agricultural and forest lands.
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Increased Subinfeudation:
- Evidence: Absentee landlords, primarily interested in revenue extraction, sublet lands to others, exacerbating the burden on peasants.
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Conclusion and Historical Significance:
- Evidence: The article concludes that British land policies were motivated by profit maximization rather than the welfare of Indian society. It asserts that these policies became a catalyst for various revolts against British rule and played a significant role in the struggle for independence.
In essence, the evidence presented in the article paints a comprehensive picture of the multifaceted impact of British land policies on India's rural landscape during the specified historical period.
