Land Revenue Systems in British India: Zamindari, Ryotwari and Mahalwari

Land Revenue Systems Before British Rule

• Jagirs were alloted to Jagirdars
• Zamindars sub-ordinate to Jagirdars

Zamindari System

• Cornwallis : 1793 Permanent Settlement Act.
• @Permanent Settlement System
• Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Varanasi
• Zamindars: Owners+ Right to collect rent
• Rent divided into 11 parts
• 1/11 to Zamindars
• 10/11 to East India Company

Ryotwari System

• Thomas Munro1820
• Madras, Bombay, Assam, Coorg
• Peasants : Owners
• Revenue: Collected directly
• Rates: 50% for dry land & 60 % for irrigated lands

Mahalwari System

• 1833 Lord William Bentick.
• Central province, North Western Frontier Province, Agra, Punjab, Gangetic Valley
• Mahals-One or more villages
• Owners : peasants
• Revenue : collected by village committees.