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TIE PER
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT
IAEN! SET! LE4ENT
llIN BENGAL ^
AA STUDY OF ITS
STUfY OF ITS OPERATION
OPEIUT
1790-1819
1790-1819

S IR A J U L IS L A M ^ ca ;
Department of History
~ University of Dacca

f
First Edition
Edition:i
May 1979
B./A.
Β ./Ά . 1006
1006
Manuicript
Maniifcript
Text Book
Text Department
Book Department
Bangle Academy
Bangla Academy
Dacca.
Dacca,

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THE
T H E PERMANENT 5ETTLEMgNT
P E R M A N E N T SETTLEM IN BENGAL
EN T IN bySirajul
B E N G A L by Sirajul Islam,
Islam, published
publlihed
by Bangla * Academy, Dacca.
by Bangla Bangladesh. First Edition, May,
Daccá, Baigladesh. 1979..
May» 1979
 CONTENTS
Page
. P«ge
Pief ace
Preface VII
V II
Abberviations IX
IX
Introduction
Introduction XI
XI
:Chapters
Chapters
i. The Landed Society
Society in 1790
1790 1
1
ii. The Zamindars'
Zatnindara’ Reaction to thethe New
New System
System :
(1)
(i) Pressure for Revision of Regulations
Revision of Regulations 14
The Záinindars'
iii. The Reaction to
Zamindars’ Reaction to the
the New
New System
System:s
(ii) Pressure
(ii) Pressure for
for Coercive
Coercive Powers
Powers 48
iv. Revenue
iy- Revenue Sale
Sale Laws
Laws in
in Operation
Operation::
(i) The
(i) The Fall
Fall of
of the
the Great
Great Families
Families 76
v.
V. The Revenue
The Revenue Sale
Sale Laws
Lawsin
in Operations
Operations::
(ii)
(ii), The
The Transfer
Transferof ofZamindari
Zamindari Lands
Lands 144
vi. The Emergence
Emergence of of New
New Landed
Landed Families
Families 171
vii. Expectations and Achievements 191
viii.. The Life style
viii style of
of Zamindar
Zamindar class
class 228
IX. Conclusions 251
X.. Glossary
-X 257
Appendices
1. Jama of laiids advertised for 8ale
of lands sale and 260
actually aold,
sold, from
from 1793
1793 to
to 1819.
1819.
2. ■ Sources of the figures ia Table
figures in Table 10.
10. 261
3.- The value of
3. of landed
landed property 263
4. The estates purchsed by the
the Kandi
Kandi Family,
Family,Murshidabad 263
Murshidabad■263
5. The estates purchased
purchased by
by the
the Banarji
Banarji Family
Family 264
of Telinipara, Hughli
of
6. The estates
The estates purchased
purchased by
by the
the Narail
Narail Family, Jessore 265
7. The estates
estates purchased
purchased by
by the
the Manik
Manik Family,
Family, Dinajpur
Dinajpur 266
8. The estates purchased by the family
family of
of
Abhoy Charan Dutt of Calcutta
Abhoy Charan Calcutta 267
9. The estates
estates purchased
purchased by
by the
the Kasimbazar
Kasimbazar Family 267
10. The estates purchased by the
purchased by the Tagore Family 268
11..
u The estates purchased by
by the Pal Chaudhuri
Chaudhuri
Family of Ranaghat 269
 (vi)

12. The estates purchased

12. purchased by
by the
the Danishmand
Family of Murshadabad
Murshidabad 270
%7p
13
13. The
Theestates
estates purchased
purchased by
by the Haldar
Haidar Family, Hughli
Hughli 271
}4 The
14. Theestates
estatespurchased
purchased by Dwarkanath
Dwarkanath
of Singhor, Hughli
Babu of 272
.272

List oof
f Tables
Tables

1.
1. Twelve Great Families
Families of Bengal
Bengal 3
2.
2 DaccaDistrict
Dacca DistrictsgStatement
Statementofofselect
select zamiadars
zamindars and
separable taluqdars
separable taluqdars under their
their control
control 39
3. Statement of the collections
collections and balances of revenue,
1794-1799 57
4.
'4. The sales account of
of the Rajshahi Raj 82
5. Demand,collections
Demand, collectionsand
andbalances
balancesofof the
the Rajahahi
Rajshahi
;‘ Zamindari '0
' 89
6.
6.

7.
7.

,8.
8.
9.
9.
The Sales
The sales
account of
Sales account
sales account
The sales account
Select statement
statement of
sold them again
sold again
of the
the Dinajpur Raj
of the Nadia Raj
account of
account ofof the Birbhum
of persons
personswho
Raj

Raj
Raj
whopurcha8ed
purchased,Jan4s
lends and
and
I
119
.129
129
,; -1
156
,156
.' 1
95
.95

10.
10. The
The collector's
collector’ s descriptions of the professions of
descriptions of of the
purohasers of
purchasers of auction
auction lands
lands disposed
disposed of from 1794 to
1801 '' 159
11. Imports and
11. Imports and exports
exports through Calcutta
Calcutta Port,
Port,1813
1813-
1819, '
164
12. Chakaran lands
12. lands for
for the amla of the Dinajpur
Dinajpur Raj
Raj ' 206
'13.
13. Estimate of the
the expenses
expenses and
and profits
profits of the estate8
estates
purchased by Rani
purchased by Rani Triptira
Tripura Sundari
Sundari andand Rani
Rani
S.varasati
S Λ-arasati 0 '

' 209
14. Estimate of the expenses
14. expenses and
and profits
profits of the'
the estate of'
of
W'ahid Chowdhuri
Wahid Chowdhnri '
< . - ■ ■ · 0

' 211
15. Estimate
15. Estimateofofthe
theexpenses
expensesand
andprofits
profitsofof the
the estate'
estate
‘ of Mir Karimuddin
Karimuddin ,
. '

212
16. Nirkbundi
Nirkbundi of Taráf'Pullua,Burdwan
of Taraf Pullua, Burdwan ' 214
17. Rents in
in five
five select' villages'in Sherpür pargana
17.
Bibliography
select villages
' '
in Sherpur
0 "' '
'
' 215
273
0'
:000'0
'

*·’· Index
Index i : ■: · ■-,r: :·
'''b 279
 PREFACE"
Tius book haa
lTi|is'|ook grown out
ha^grqwn out ooff my
my thesis
thesiswhich
which was
wis approveä
appr6ve&
ii February
'ip 1972 for the
February 1^7^ the degree
degree of
οί Doctor of
o f Philosophy
Philosophy at
at the
the
School ooff Oriental
&ho'ol Oriental aaid
and African
African Studies,
Studies,University
University ooff London
London.
In spite of constant
In pressure from
constant ptessure from myfriends
friendsand
and well
vvell wishers
wishers
for its immediate
for pubilcâtion,1Ithoiightit
immediate publication, thdughtit prudent
prudent toto defer 'It it
for further research
research into thethe subject.
subject. A A precipitate publication,
publication,
in my
in view,isisworse
my view, worsethanthanno publicationatat all. In
nopublication In the
the light
light
of
o f new evidence
evidencethat that II have
have gathered
gatheredsince
since 1972,
1972, the
the thesis
thesis hashas
beh
•& efeh1vàry; thoroughly revised
! vfaryfi thoroughly revised andand reorganised.
reorganised. OneOne chapter
chapter
has been withdrawn, and
been withdrawn, and its stead a new
its stead new chapter
chapter has
has been
been
added. Three Three chapters
chapters have
have been
been renamed in accordance
accordance withwith
the latest revisions alterations. To
revisions and alterations, To eomprehend
eomprehend all all these
thest
changes
changes the the title
title of the thesis has also been changed.
changed.

In this book I have attempted first,

have attempted first,totolook
look at
at the state of
the state
society as it existed
landed society
the landed immediately before
existed immediately before the new new
system was put
system was put to
to operation, secondly,
secondly, to see see how
how the the landed
landed
classes reactedtotothe
classes reacted the new system of
new system o f permanent
permanent settlement,
thirdly, to
thirdly, to measure the changes
changes in the structure
structure ofof the
the zamindar
zamindar
class consequent
class consequent upon
upon the
the new
new system,
system, and
and finally, to estimate
the success
success and
and failure
failure ooff the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlement.
I must
must record my debt
record my debt of gratitude Mr. J. B,
to Mr.
gratitude to B. Harrison
Harrison
of the
the School
Schoolofof Oriental
Oriental andand African
African Studies,
Studies, University
University of
London,under
London, under whose
whose supervision
supervisionand
and guidance
guidance my
my Ph.
Ph. D.
D.
dissertation was
was written.
written. II am equallygrateful
am equally gratefultoto Dr.
Dr. Κ
K.. N.
N.
Chaudhuri
Chaudhuri oof the same
f the sameSchool,
School,whowhowaswassoso kind
kind toto supervise
supervise
my work at its
its final stage, I must acknowledge
final stage. acknowledge my my indebted-
indebted­
ness the Association
to the
ness to Association of o f Commonwealth
Commonwealth Universities for
awarding
awarding me meaascholarship
scholarship to tocomplete
completethethePh.
Ph. D,
D. course
course in
in
London. I express
express my my heart-felt gratitude toto all
allmy
my colleagues,
colleagues,
friends and well wishers who always pressed me to come
friends and well wishers who always pressed me to come out
out
 ( viii )

wkh
with the
the publication
publicationofo fthis
this:bOok.,
ibook. Without
Without their
their pressure
pressure my
endless hunt
endless hunt for perfection would not have possibly stopped
stopped yet.
yet
I am indebted to
to Dr. A.
A. M, Chowdhury, Profçssor of
Chowdhury, Professor o f ;History,
History,
Dacca University,
Dacca University,for
forthe
thetrouble
troublehehehas
hastaken
takeninin reading
reading the
manuscript and making
manuscript and making many
many useful
useful suggestions
suggestions. I thank
thank the
the
Bangla Academy
Academy for
for pubflshing
publishing the book.
book.

- (·-, · :Sirajul
Sirajul Islam.
Islam·

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 ABBREVIATIONS
ABBREVIATIO USED IN
N S USED IN THIS
THIS BOOK
BOOK

B. B.. R.
B .D Bangladesh District
Bangladesh District Records.
B. P.
B. P. P. Bengal: Past
Past and Presant.
Present.
B. O.
0. R. Board of
of Revenue.
Revenue.
B O.
B 0. R.
R. P.
P. Board of
Board of Revenue Proceedings.
Proceedings,
B. R. C.
B. R. C. Bengal Revenue Consultations.
0.. S.
D S. R. Dacca Secretariat Records.
Dacca Secretariat Records.
C. D>
C. A Court of
Court of Directors.
C. 0. W.
C. O. W. Court of
of Wards.
Wards.
C. O.
C. 0. W.
W . P. of Wards
Court of Wards Proceedings.
Proceedings.
C. J. P.
C. Clvii
Civil Judicial Proceedings.
G. G.
G. in C.
3. Governor General in in Council.
Council.
IL
H. Misc. S. Home Miscellaneous
Home Miscellaneous Series.
I1.0.
.O . R.
R. India Office
Office Records.
P. F.
P. Parliamentary Papers.
H. C..
H .C House ofof Commons.
Commons.
P. R.
R, Personal Records.
Records.
c.
S. C. Select Committee. ,
S. P. S. K,
K, Sambad Patre
Sambad Patre Sekaler Katha.
Katha.
. ’ ■ .] i :¥> t;n:X*'»S: 1

' ■■ n ii;» 3 N-s *χ· *'ϊγ·t·:;

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·;ι r ^ i :

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-? ,ί > ι C Ύ » t /, >

sfgnibiiyws'! g:': i > ; ■

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i -.:.) io-'i\svor.i
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1(_ :

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Bfi-mji aglsibii m ie (i foeomsK
 NTRODUCTION
IN TR O D U C TIO N
The permanent
The permanent zamiudari
zamiadari settlement
settlement waswas doubtless the
greatest land-mark
greatest land-maikinin the
the history of ega1 This
of Bengal, This settlement
settlement
created for
, created for the
the first
first time
time property in land and and also
also aa propertied
propertied
class in
class in the
the zaminclars
zamindars and and some
some other
other landed
landed interests
interests who
who
were hitherto
were hitherto considered
considered to to be
be merely
merely hereditary
hereditary agents of
government for
government for the
the collection
collection ofof rents
rents or revenues
revenues fromfrom the
ryots. There
ryots. There were
werestrong
strongpolitical
political and
and economic
economic motives
motives behind
the permanent settlement. Politically,
permanent settlement. Politically, it was considered
considered that
the confirmation
the confirmation of of the hereditary
hereditary rentrent collecting agents
as the sole proprietors of land land and perpetually
perpetuallyfixed
fixed government
government
demands on them
them.would
wouldbind
bindthe
the landholders
landholders to
to the government
government
which had
which had granted,
granted, and
and which
which alone
alone would
would maintain,
maintain, soso great
privilege.1 Economically
a privilege.' Economically it was expected
expected that
that the
the permanent
permanent
settlement
settlement would encourage the
would encourage the investment of capital in
investment of in land
land
and, therefore,
and, therefore, the growth of
the growth of aa middle class;; that
middle class that it
it would
would
lead to more
lead to more lenient
lenient and
and considerate
considerate treatment
treatment of
of the
thetenants
tenants
by the
by the landlords,
landlords, and
and would
would thus
thus promote
promote general
general prosperity.
prosperity.
That, an increase of commercial
commercial and agricultural
agricultural wealth
wealth would
would
lead to
lead to the
the increased
increasedability
abilityofofthe
thepopulation
populationtoto contribute
contribute to
to
general taxations
general taxations which
which would
would compensate
compensate the government's
government’s
sacrifice of aa prospective
sacrifice of prospective increase
increase of
of land revenue.2
. It:is
It is not
not however
however the
the intention
intention oF
of the
the present
present study
study to
to
investigate
investigate whether ornot
whether or notany
any agrarian
agrarian revolution,
revolution, as
as antici-
antici­
pated by
pated by the authors of the
authors of the permanent
permanent settlement,
settlement, took
took place
place
in the country. What
the country. What is intended here is to explore
is intended explore the
the

1 See, T, Law,
See, T, Law, 4A Sketch
Sketch of
o fsome
somelate
latearrangements
arrangements andand aaview
view of
o f the
the rising
rising
resources in Bengal,
resources in Bengal, para. 18,
18» p. 6 3;; E. Colebrook's
p. 63 Colebrook’s Mioute,
Minute, 2020 January
January
18C8, paras. 37.9;
1818, paras. 37-9; Mlnto
Minto Papers.
Papers. M338
M338 (no (no pagination) G. W
pagination) J G, W,, Pedder,
"The Historical Development
“ The Historical Development ooff the the different Systems of
different Settlement Systems of
India"., The
India” The Times,
Times, 7 Aprtl
Aprtl 1883,
1883, p.p,6,6, col,
coJ. 4.
4.
2 See,
S*e, G. G, in C.
C, to C.
C. D.
D. 12 April
April 1790,
1790, para.
para. 3.
3.General
General Revenue
Revenue Letter
Letter
E!4j38. G.
EM/38. G. G-
G. in
in C.
C, to
to C.
C. D.,
D.,19
19Septembea
Septembea 1792, para. 46,
1792, para, 46, General
General Revenue
Revenue
j4/638, p.p. 792.
Letter, E/4/638, 792. G. G. in G.
G. G. C. to C.
C. D.,
D.,6 March
6 March1793,
1793, para,
para, 17,
17,
GeneralReveuue
General Reveuue Letter
Letter E/tElt 4/2,
s 4/52,
 (xii)
( xii )

social implications
social implications of the system.
system. To be more specific,
this study
this studysets
setsout
outtototrace
tracethe
thechanges
changesinin the
the structure
structure and
and
constitution
constitution of of the
the landed
landed interests under
underthe
theoperation
operation of
of the
permanent settlement. The reason
permanent settlement. reason for
forsoso
circumscribing
circumscribing the
subjectisis the
subject the universal knowledge that
universal knowledge that no
no kind
kind of
of agrarian
agrarian
revolution ever took placeplace in Bengal
Bengal consequent
consequent upon that sys-sys­
tem, and in
tem, and in the
the absence
absenceofofthat
that much-talked
much-talked ofof revolution
revolution the
social significanceofofthe
social significance thesystem
8ystemhas
hasseemed
seemedto to have appeared
appeared
now as more important.
important The The elaborate
elaborate executive
executive and judicial
judicial
systems that
systems that were
were constructed to make
constructed to make the system
System work
work intro-
intro­
unprecedented social
duced an unprecedented social fluidity.
fluidity. In the
In the context of that
context of that
background, this
background, this study
study will
will investigate
investigatethe
the changes
changesinin the
the struc­
struc-
ture, character and habits of of the landed
landed interests during
during the
the first
first
generation of
generation of the permanent settlement.
settlement.
The expressions 'landedinterests’,
expressions‘landed interests', 'landed
‘landed society',
society’ , 'landed
‘ landed
classes', etc. contained
classes’, etc. contained aa large
large variety of occupational
occupational groupsgroups
such
such as as the
thezamindars,
zamindars, chaudhuris, taluqdars, patnidars,
ijaradars, and
ijaradars, and lastly
lastly the
the ryots. Each of
ryots. Each of the above
above interests
has aa number
has number of innerinner interests
interests possessing customary rights
possessing customary
and liabilities
and liabilitiesinin relation
relation toto their
their superior
superior interests.
interests. No body
has ever
has ever known
known all all the
the tenurial
tenurial varieties that existedexisted in in
every district
district of BeDgal. From
of Bengal. From the the acquisition
acquisition of the
the diwani
diwani
to the
to the abolition of the
abolition of the zamindari
zamindarisystem
system many
many men
nen and
and insti-
insti­
tutions had
tutions hadtried
triedtotoascertain
ascertain the
the puzzling
puzzling rights and
and liabilities
liabilities
of all
allgrades
gradesof
of landed
landed interests.
interests. But none had ever
ever succeeded
succeeded
in giving
giving us
us aa fuller
fuller knowledge
knowledge of ofthe
the problem
problem ofof rights inin
Bengal.1 The scope
Bengal.1 of this
scope of this study however
however has
has been
been strictly,
strictly,

I About
About the the complicated
complicated land tenures and land
laud tenures land revenue systems J.
revenue systems J. W.
W.
1(aye
Kaye remarks "Tbe land
remarks *I ‘*Tbe land revenue
revenue ooff India
India isis a very
verylarge
large subject.
subject. A A
man ooff more
more than
than ordinary
ordinary intelligence
Intelligence maymay confess,
confess, without
without discredit
discredit
that after
after thirty
thirty years
years of
o fstudy
studyhe hebut
bulimperfectly
imperfectlycomprehends
comprehends it, it, in
In
all its bearings and relations, I knowknow very
very fewfew men
men who
who havehave attained
attained
to anything
to beyond this imperfect comprehension, it
anything beyond it isis aa subject
.subject onon
which volumes might
which volumes might be
be written,
written, only
only to
to leave
leave itit as
as obscure
obscure asas before."
before."
See his,
See his. The
The Administration
Admitsistratlon of the East
o f the East India
India Company
Company; AAhistory
history ofof
Indian
Indian Progress.
Progress.,, P.162.
P.162.
 (( xiii
xiii ))

as has
as has been
been asserted
asserted earlier, confined
confined to the the social
social positions
positions
of the
of the landed
landed interests
interests without
without becoming'
becoming1entangled
entangled with
with the
controversy of
controversy of land
land rights.
rights. Again,
Again, the
the topic
topic -has been further
has befen
restricted only to
restricted only to those
those upper
upper strata of the
strata of this landed
landed interests
interests
on whom
whomproprietary
proprietary eights
rightswere
were conferred
conferred by by the
the system
system of
the permanent
permanent settlement
settlement and,
and, for
for this
this newly
newly created
createdpropri-
propri­
etary
etary class,
class, the
the term zamindar has
term «amindar has been
been used
used throughout
in the
to the text
textto
todenote
denote only
only the
the embodiment
embodiment of of the
the system
system rather
than
than to
to distinguish
distinguish the zarnindars
zamindars fromfrom all
all other
other groups
groups as
as
regards their rights
rights and
and liabilities.
liabilities.
The terminal
The terminal dates for the
the core
core of this study
study are
are1790
1790 and
and
1819. In examining attitudes
attitudes of
of mind,
mind, behaviour
behaviour patterns
patterns ahd
and
policies, however,the
policies, however, thetime
timehas
hasbeen
been extended
extended where
where necessary
necessary
back
back into
into 1770s
1770s and
and 1780s,
1780s, and
and on into 1820s and 1830s.'
1820s and 1830s. If
treated
treated with
with some
some flexibility,
flexibility, the
the period
period from
from 1790
1790 to
to 1819
1819
formsaa very
forms very satisfactory
satisfactoryunit
unit of time for
for historical
historical purposes.
purposes.
It may
It may be
besurprising
surprisingtotomany
manythat
thatinstead
instead of
of 1793,
1793, this study
study
should
should begin
begin from
from1790. True, the permanent settlement was
1790. True, was
promulgated
promulgated in 1793. But
in 1793. But the
the system
system itself
itself was
was actually
actually put
to operation
to operation in 1790
1790 in the name
name ofof the decennial
decennial settlement.
settlement.
Without
Without any alteration
alteration this
this decennial settlement was was just
just
confirmed as permanent in
confirmed as in 1793.
1793.
The
The year
year 1819,
1819, the
the other extreme endofof this
extreme end this study
study is
is aa
significant land-mark for
significant land-mark for the
the history
history of
of the
the permanent
permanent settle-
settle­
ment. Under the
Under the pressure
pressure of of the permanent
permanent settlement
settlement the
raja of
raja of -Burdwa-n devisedaa peculiar
Burdwen devised land tenure
peculiar land tenure called
called the
the
system. -His
jatni system.
paint His success
success had inspired
inspired -other
other zamindars
zamindars to to
his footsteps. The
follow hi
follow patni tenure
The paint tenure holders,
holders, in turn,
turn, had
had
created other
created other lesser
lesser rights
rights in
in -the same lines of
the same of their
their superior
superior
iandlord.
landlords. These developments
developments has hasoccasioned considerab'e
occasioned considerate
disordersin
disorders in the
the agrarian
agrarian relations.
relations. To tackle the patni
Jatni problems
problems
there was
was no law to guide the courts. In the
courts. In the face
face of
of legal
legal and
and
social complicacies
social ccmplicaciescreated
createdbybythe
thepatni
patni system, the government
government
was,
was, atat last, compelled
compelled to to enact the Regulation
enact the Regulation VViii
l l l of
of
1819.
1819, This Act
Act confirmed all these
confirmed all these mushrooming
mushrooming tenures
tenures as
«s
 (xiv)
(xhr)

legal institutions and

legal institutions and framed
framed thethe legal
legal basis of their rights
basis of rights
and liabilities.
and For all
liabilities. For all practical
practical purposes
purposes the
the patni system
was
was aa secoid
second permanent
permanent settlement
settlement between
between the
thezamindars
zamindars
and
and the
the patnidars. TheThe legalisation
legalisation of this
this system,
system, which
which
developed in defiance
developed in defianceof
ofthe
the existing law, practically
practically annihilated
annihilated
original objects
the original objects of the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlement; It was
never imagineçl
neyer imagined byby its authors that the
authors that the zamindars
zamindars could
so ingeniously
ingeniously shift their responsibilities
shift their responsibilities on on to
to others
others and
and
thereby defeating
defeating the
the whole
whole purpose
purpose of of the
the new
new system.
system. AeAs the
the
greatest modifier
modifier of the original constitution.
constitution ofof the
the permanent
permanent
settlement thethe Patni
PatniAct
Act of
of1819
1 8 itthus
thusforms
formsaavery
verysignificant
significant
milestone indicating the
milestone indicating the failure
failure of of the Cornwallis
Cornwallis system
create enlightened
to create enlightened leadership
leadership in in the body
body ofof zamindars.
zamindars.
The period
The period 1790.1819, therefore, forms
1790-1819, therefore, forms an an ideal unit
unit of
of time
time
for the study of
of the operation of the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlement.

It is odd
It odd that such
such aa study
study should
should so long
long have
have remained
remained
unattempted, since for
unattempted, since for about
about two
two hundred
hundred years
years the
the zamin.
zamin­
dars
dars ruled
ruled society
society byby virtue
viitue of their
their absolute
absolute ownership
ownership of
land and played
land and played aa tremendously important role in
tremendously important in the
the making
making
of Bengal's
Bengal’s social and economic
social and structure as
economic structure as we
we find it today.
find it today.
This neglect can partly be explained byby the character of research
into South
SouthAsian
Asian History
History in
in the
thepast
pastwhen
whenscholars
scholars were
were mostly
mostly
preoccupied with the history
preoccupied with history of
ofnationalism,
nationalism,community;
community and
and
communal relations,lives
communal relations, lives and
and times
times of personalities etó
etc*.
Another reason
Another reasonfor
forthe
the relative
relative neglect
neglect ofof the
the study of this
study of this
nature may
may be the unsatisfactory state of
unsatisfactory state of records. Unlike the
records. Unlike
landlords the Bengali
English landlords zamindars had
Bengali zamindars had never
never cared
cared
preserve their records after
to preserve after the their
the expiration of their
use. Withont
Without such family
family records
records it
it is literally impossible
is literally impossible to
seek out the
seek out the details of the
details of the activities,
activities, characters
characters and
and thoughts
thoughts
of the
of the zamindars who were
zamindars who were doubtless
doubtless the principal
principal characters
characters
of Bengal's social
Bengal’s social drama and without which
and without which such aa study must
study must
suffer
suffer from
from serious
serious pitfalls,
pitfalls, inasmuch
inasmuch as private characters
as private characters
thoughts will
and thoughts will have
have to analysed on
to be analysed on the
the basis
basis of
public records
public records only.
only. Besides
Besides character studies,
studies, one
one has
has to
to face
face
 ( xv )
in superable difficulties if he
difficulties if he wints
wants toto make
make an
an attempt
attempt to
to
study the econmic position of
eeonmic position of the zaminadars. The zamindars
zaminadars. The zamindars
our period
of our notorious for
period were notorious for suppression of facts.
No body
No bodyever
everknew
knewwhat
whatwas
wasthe
thetrue
true income
income of
of aa zamindar.
zam indar.
All records
A!! records about
about their
their incomes
incomes were
weredestroyed
destroyedimmediately
immediately
after their current use.
after
Keeping all
Keeping all these
these limitations
limitations in
in view attempt has
has been
been made
made
to study
study the
the landed
landed society
society under
under the
the new
new system. The major
system. The major
part of
part of this
this work
work isis based on records
based on records preserved
preservedatat the India
India
OfficeLibrary,
Office Library,London.
London.The
The gaps
gaps that
that remained
remained have
have been
been
filled in
largely filled in by
by the
the Bangladesh
Bangladesh district records
records now
now preserved
at the Dacca Secretariat Record
Dacca Secretariat Roomand
Record Room andother
other survey
survey records
records
preservedatat the
preserved the various
various district tntthafezkhanas in Bangladesh.
district muhafezkhanas Bangladesh.
Whatever
Whatever maymay be reason, it is
be the reason, terribly true
is terribly true that
that so
so far
far
uptodate and competent
upto date and studies of
competent studies of the landed
landed society
society under
under
the institutional
the institutionalsetting
settingofof the
the permanent
permanent settlement remain remain aa
remarkable
remarkable and serious
serious weakness
weakness in our historiography.
historiography. Until
Until
more exhaustive
more exhaustive andand authoritative
authoritative works
works areare produced
produced the
present venture, II hope,
hope, will
will help
helpto
tofill
fillthe
thedeficiency.
deficiency.
 CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER O NE

THE LANDEDSOCIETY
THE LANDED SOCIETY IN 1790
IN, 1790

The idea
The idea ooff perm
permanent settlement
anent settlem was the
ent was the subject
subject ooff serious
serious
debates
debates and
and disputations
disputations everever since
since its formulation
form ulation by by Philip
Philip
Francis in 1776.'
Francis 1776.1 A Att last
last the
theidea
ideatook
took its
itsconcrete
concrete shape
shape
when the decennial
in 1790 when decennial settlement
settlement waswas concluded
concluded with
w ith
the
the zamindars and taluqdars
zamindars and taluqdars with
with the
the declaration that ‘'the
declaration that the
assessment fixed
assessment fixed by
by the
the decennial
decennial settlement,
settlem ent, will
w ill be
be continued
continued
after the expiration
after the expirationoof the ten
f the ten years
years settlement,
settlement, and
and remain
remain
unalterable for ever
unalterable for provided such continuance
ever ;; provided continuance shall
shall meet
meet with
with
the
the approbation
approbation o of theHHon'ble
f the Courtoof
on ’ble Court f DDirectors, but not
irectors, but not
The
otherwise.’ ' 2 T
otherwise."2 h e approbation came in late 1792, and the
approbation came
decennialsettlement
decennial settlementwas
was accordingly
accordinglydeclared
declared ‘'unalterable
unalterable forfor
ever'
ev er’ in
in March 1793, The
March 1793. T h e rules
rules and
and regulations
regulations for
for the
the decennial
decennial
settlement wwere
settlement also incorporated
ere also incorporated into
intothe
the permanent
permanent settlement
settlement
system as
system as RRegulation
egulation 8 ofo f 1793. To study the
T o study the operation
operation ofo f the
permanent
permanent settlement
settlement itit is,
is, thus,
thus, more
m ore appropriate
appropriate toto take 1790
as the
as the base year rather
base year rather than 1793 when when the decennial
decennial settlement
was merely
was confirmed as
m erely confirmed as permanent.
About
A bout the
the possible
possibleeffects
effects of o f the
thepermanent
permanentsettlement
settlement fore-
fore­
casts
casts wwere
ere made
m ade byby both
both Cornwallis,
Cornw allis, the the ardent
ardentadvocate
advocate of of
the system
system ;; and Shore, its vehement
and Shore, vehement critic. The former
critic. The form er was
was
sanguine that
sanguine that great
great benefits
benefitswwouldould flowflowfrom
fromthethesystem
systembut
but the
the

1.
1. For the
For the origin
origin and
and development
development ofo f the
the idea
ideaofo fpermanent
permanentsettlement
settlement
se
seeRanajit
Ranajit Guha,
Guha,AARule
Rule ooff Property forr Bengal
Property fo Bengal·. An Essay
Essay on
on the Idea
Idea
o f Permanent Settlement.
of

2. 1. H, Haricgton,
J. H. Harington, An
An Analysis o f the Laws
Analysis of Laws and Regulations
Regulations Enacted
Enacted byby
the Governor General in
Governor General in Council
Council at
at Fort William
William in Bengal, (1821) vol. P. 177.
177.
 2 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

latter was
was apprehensive
apprehensive of o f such
such prospects.
prospects. Our
O ur line
line of
o f inves-
inves­
tigation
tigation shall
shall not
not be,
be,ofo fcourse,
course,toto
pronounce
pronouncewhose
whoseforecast
forecast
came true subsequently,
came subsequently, but buttotomake
makean anobjective
objective inquiry
inquiry into
into
the actual operation of o f the new
new system.
system. What W hat was
was its
its impact
impact onon
the structure, organisation
organisation andand econom
economy y o fofthe
the landed
latided society
society ?F
How far
How far the
the system succeeded
succeeded in achieving
achieving the the objects
objects for which
it was introduced ?F How
was introduced H ow farfar did
did itit contribute
contribute to to the stability
stability
or change
change in the
the landed
landed orders
orders ?? TTo estimate the
o estimate the overall effects
effects
oof the new
f the new system
systemwwe oughttotohave
e ought haveat at least
least a arough
roughIdea
idea as
as to
the nature and
and conditions
conditions oof
f the landed
landed interests
interests immediately
immediately
before the
before the system
system was put toto operation.
operation. In this section
section we
we shall,
thus, endeavour to have
endeavour to have aa glimpse
glimpseoof the Bengali
f the Bengali landed
landed society
society
a$ it existed in 1790.
a8 it 1790,

Composition
Cornposition

We
W e might
might choose
choose various ways
various ways of
o f classifying
classifying and sub­
sub..
dividing
dividing thethe different
different ranks
ranks and
and orders
orderswhich
whichtogether
togethermademade
up the
up the late
late eighteenth century landed
eighteenth century landed community.
community. But But our
purpose
purpose may may be be adequately servedifif we
adequately served w e just
just classify
classify them
them
into
into some
some broad composite groups
broad composite groups ofo f interests. From top to
interests. From
bottom itit was
bottom was aa massive
massive social
social pyramid.
pyramid. A Att the
the peak
peak ofo f it
were the great
were great zamindars
zamindars mostmost ofo fwhom
whomwere wereendowed
endowed with
the 'state
the state title-Raja
title—Raja or orMaharaja,
Maharaja, Their
T h eir zamindaris were w ere
extensive, their
their life-style
life· style was princely. The
was princely. T he splendour
splendour of o f their
their
household, their
household, their connection
connection with thetheMurshidabad D u rbar, their
Murshidabad Durbar,
power and
power and influence
influence drew
drew spontaneous loyalty and
spontaneous loyalty and devotion
devotion
from the
from the common people in whose
com m on people whose estimation
estimation these Rajas
seemed divinely
seemed divinely ordained
ordained to to rule
rule without restraint
restraint andand they
they
to be
to be ruled
ruled without
withoutcomplaint.
complaint. TheThe Table
Table below
below shows
shows thatthat
at
at the
the time
time of
o f the
thedecennial
decennial settlement
settlement more
more than
than half
half of
of
the
the total
total landrevenue
land-revenue ofof Bengal
Bengal was
was paid
paid by
by only
on ly aa dozen
dozen
of
o f these grand
grand families
families,
 The Lauded
Landed Society in 1790 3

TABLE
T A B LE 11

Twelve Great
Twelve Great Zamindaris
ZamindariHof
o Bengal.
Bengal

Total
T ota l Government
Government revenue
demand
dem on Bengal
and on Bengal in 1790
1790
Sicca Es.
Rs. 1,90,40,000
1,90,40,000

Si. Nanaes
SI. Names ooff Zamindaris Jama Percentage
Decennial Jarna Percentage of of
No. ((in
in thousands) total land
thousands ) total land Re R e­
venue ofo f Bengal
1. Burdwan
1. Burdwan Raj
R aj 32,66 1715
17Ί5
2. Rajshahi
2. Rajshahi Ra
R aj 22,50 1181
11-81
3. Dinajpur
3. Dinajpur Raj
Raj 14,84 0779
07-79
4. Nadia
4, Nadia Raj 8,54 0448
04-48
5. Birbhum
5, Birbhum Raj 6,30 0331
03-31
6. Bishnapur
Bishnapur Raj
Raj 4,00 02-10
0210
7. Eusufpur
Eusufpur (Jessore)
(Jessore) 3,03 0159
01-59
8. Rajuagar
Rajnagar (Dacca)
(Dacca) 3,00 0157
01*57
9. Lashkarpur (Rajshahi)
9. (Rajshahi) 1,89 .99
•99
10. Idrikpur (Rangpur)
10. 1,60 84
•84
11. Roushanabad
Roushanabad (Comilla)
(Comilla) 1,54 84
•84
12. Jahangirpur
Jahangirpur (Dinajpur)
(Dinajpur) 1,23 64
*64

Total=Sicca
T o ta l= Sicca Es.
Is. 10,11,3000 53117
53-11%

Immediately below
Immediately below the
the great
great zamindars
zamindars came
came inin rank and
and
status the middling group of zarnindars most of whom could
statua the middling group o f zamindars most o f whom could
claim the
claim the same
same high
highancestry
ancestryasasthose
thoseoof their
f th eir social
social superiors.
superiors.
Their
T h eir annual
annual gross incomes
gross incom fromland
es from land ranged,
ranged, let
let us say,
say,
from
from minimun
minimum twenty
tw entythousands
thousands to
to maximum
maximum one lakh
lakh rupees.
rupees.
They, in
They, in view
view of o f their
theirranks,
ranks,incomes,
incom es, and
and life-style,
life-style, could
could
live neither too
live to o exclusively
exclusively as as it
it was
was inin the
thecase
case ofo f great
greatzamin-
zamin­
dars, nor
nortoo
tooordinarily
ordinarilyas asititwas
wasininthe
thecase
caseof
o flanded
landed interests
interests
further below.
below. In this
In this regard
regard they
they may
may trudy
truely be
beconsidered
considered
 4 Permanent Settlement in
Permanent in Bengal
Bengal

as the
as the real
real middle
middle class
class among
among the
the landed
landed orders. From the
orders. From the
available documents
available documentsititisisnot
notpossible
possible to to quantifytheir
quantify their indivi­
indii-
dual size and strength,
size and strength. ( Regionally speaking, wwhile
R egionally speaking, the W
hile the Western
estern
Bengal
Bengal districts
districts were
w ere monopolistically
m onopolistically controlled
controlled by the
the great
zarnindars,the
zamindars, theEastern
Eastern Bengal
Bengal districts
districts were
w ere mostly
m ostly dominated
dominated
by the medium
by zamindars. One
medium zamindars. One peculiarity
peculiarity of
o f the
the Eastern
Eastern Bengal
Bengal
medium zamindaris
medium zarnindariswas
was.that
thatthey
they were
w ere mostly
· mostly consist
consist of
o f talu-
talu-
dan estates
dari estates which paid revenues
which paid revenues to
to Government through the
Government through
intermediaries of
o f zamindars,
zamindars,,;

Next
N to the middling
ext to middling class
class of
o f zamindars came the
zamindars came the numerous
numerous
petty zamindars
zamindars and
and chowdhunis
chowdhuris most of o f whom
whom were too insigni-
insigni­
ficant to
ficant to be zamindars. The districts of
be styled as zamindars. o f Chittagong
Chittagong and
and
Syihet
Sylhet werewere owned
owned particularly
particularly byby the
the very
very tiny
tiny zamindars
and chowdhuris. In 1787,
1787, the annual revenue
annual revenue demand
on Chittagong
on Chittagong was slightly above three
was slightly three lakhs
lakhs of o f rupees.
This
T h is ' revenue was shared
revenue was shared byby about
about two
two thousands
thousands of o f petty
petty
zamindars. 3 Vast
zamindars.3 Vast majority
majorityoof them were
f them were soso tiny
tiny that
that their
their
annual government
annual revenuedid
governm ent revenue didnot
not “"exceed
exceed the the sum
sum of o f 50
50
rupees,
rupees, many solow
many so lowasas22ororthree
three rupees
rupees and
and some
some less
less than
than
one rupee."4
one The Sylhet
rupee.” 4 The Sylhet landholders generally known known as as
cbowdhuriswere
chowdhuris wereiningeneral
generalfar
far m
more
ore insignificant than their
insignificant than
Chittagong fellows.
Chittagong fellow s. In 1790, villages ooff Sylhet
1790, 7327 villages Sylhet werew ere
held by an army
held arn.y of
o f twenty
tw enty five
five thousands
thousands of
o f chowdhuris.5
chowdhuris,6 Their
T heir
combined dues
combined duestoto government amounted to
government amounted to only
only four
four lakhs
lakhs of
of
rupees per annum.

3.
3, Chittagong
Chittagong Collector to Board
Collector to Board ofo f Revenue,
Revenue, 29 29May
May 1787,
17B7, Dacca
Dacca Secre-
Secre­
tariat Records
tariat Records(I(Hereafter
Hereaftercited
citedas asD.
D.S.S. R,
R. )) Chittagong, vol. 7, pp.
Chittagong, vol. PP.
13-14.
4. Chittagong
4. Collectortoto Board
Chittagong Collector Board ooff Revenue,
Revenue, 99 June 1787, D.
June 1787, D. S.
S. R.,
ChittagODg, vol. 7, p.
Chittagong, P. 42,
42,

5.
5. Extract of
o f aa letter
letter from
from the
theSylhet
SylhetCollactor,
Collaetor,2424October,
October,1790,
1790, D.
D. S.
S. R.,
R ,(
Chittagon8, Vol.
Chittagong, Vol. 18,
18, PP. 698.4.
698-4,
TheLandedSrciey'n
The Landed Society· in1790
1790 5

In rank andandstatus,
status,zainindars
zamindars werewere followed
follow ed by by the
the taluqdar
taluqdar
class.
class. During
During the Mughal
Mughal regime
regim e taluqdari
taluqdari rights were were created
created
by both
by both the
thegovernment
governm ent and and zamindars
zamindars for for various
various purposes.
purposes.
The
T h e government
government conferred
conferred taluqdari
taluqdari rights
rightstotofavoured
favoured indivi-
indivi­
duals. T They
h ey were
w ere known
known as huzuri taluqdars.
taluqdars. T They
h ey used
used to
pay
pay revenues
revenues toto gevernment
gevernm ent direct,
direct. A Among the taluqdars
m ong the taluqdars they
held the
held thehighest
highestposition
position in
in the
thesociety. Immediately below
society. Immediately below the
huzuri taluqdars
huzuri taluqdars were
werethe
the mazkuri
m azkuritaluqdars
taluqdarswho w hohadhaddistinct
distinct
rights
rights in land
land but
butpaid
paidrevenues
revenuesto to government
government through
through thethe
agencies of
agencies o f zamindars.
zamindars. T Theh e mazkuri
mazkuri taluqdars
taluqdars were
were ofo f two
two
categories—-kharija
broad categories hharija taluqdar
taluqdar and and patta taluqdar.
taluqdar. The
kharija taluqdars
taluqdars paid
paid revenues
revenuesthrough
throughthe thezamindars
zamindars either
either
by
by the
the state arrangement or through
statearrangement through voluntary agreement
between the
between the zamindar
zamindar andand the taluqdar.
taluqdar. The The patta
patta taluqdars
taluqdars
were
w ere created
created by by the
thezamindars
zamindars from from varioi.ls
various considerations,
considerations,
as, raising
such as,
such raising funds
funds by by sale
sale of
o fright,
right,clearing
clearingjungles
junglesfoxfor
cultivation, providing
providing relations friends, etc. The
relations and friends, The patta
patta
taluqdars enjoyed their taluqa rights on
taluqdars enjoyed on specific
specific conditions
conditions that
they would
they would paypay fixed
fixedrevenue
revenuetototheir
theiroverlords
overlordsTThe nazkurj
he mazkuri
taluqas
taluqas were
w ere particularly
particularly numerous
numerous in thethe coastal
coastal districts
districts of
of
There the
Bengal. There the zamindars gave patta
zamindars gave patta rights
rights at nominal
rents as
as inducements
inducements to to newcom
newcomers who would
ers who would clear
clear the
the deep
deep
jungles
jungles and bring them underunder plough.
plough.

The lowest
The lowest stratum
stratum of
o f the
the landed
landed society
society was
was formed
form ed by
by
the ryots
ryots or
or actual
actual cultivators
cultivators 0f
o f the
the soil.
soil. It was on
on the toil
toil of
of
this class
this that all
class that all the superior landed
the superior interests subsisted,
subsisted.
The ryots
The ryots were
w ere not not aahomogenous
homogenous class. They T hey mightm ight be
be
broadly classified
broadly classified into
into twotwogroups—
groups-khudkast
khudkast and and paikast. The
khudkast
khudkast w were the resident
ere the residentryots
ryotsenjoying
enjoyinghereditary
hereditaryoccupancy
occupancy '
rights paying
paying rents
rents at
atcustomary
customary rates.
rates. The
T h e paikast ryots
ryots were
were
non-occupancy temporaryryots
non-occupancy temporary ryotshaving
having no no fixed
fixed rights
rights in in land.
land.
They were
They were just
just tenants-at-wiU.
tenants-at-wilj. The lowest,
lowest class of o f ryots were
were
the adhiars andandbarga4ars
bargadarsororlandless
landlesspeasants
peasants who
w ho tilled
tilled other
people's lands on share crop
people’s crop basis.
basis.
6 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

R ights and
Rights and Privileges
P rivileg es

Under the M Mughal

ughal constitution, each group group ofo f landed
landed
interests had
had some
some kind ofo f customary
customary rights in land. land. What
W hat were
were
those rights?
those Could those
rights ? Could those bebe defined
defined andand discriminated?
discriminated ? The
English administrators
English administratorsthought
thoughtthatthatland,
land,asasinin England,
England, was was a
so]id property. But they were
solid w ere not certain
certain asas to who owned that
who owned that
landed property. TThe
landed h e zealous revenue officials
zealous revenue officialsdigged
digged into
into old
old
records to find
records to finddefinite
definiteanswers
answersororclues
cluesabout
aboutthe the ownership
ownership of of
land, Contradictory
land. Contradictory results
results came
cameoutout ooff their researches.
researches. Some
declared that
declared that State
Statewas
wasthe
the sovereign
sovereign owowner
ner ooff land.; ryots
ryots paid
their rents totothe
their rents the State
State through
through the
the hereditary
hereditary rent
rentcollecting
collecting
agents called
agents called zamindars.
zamindars. According
Accordingtotothem
them aa zamindari
zamindari was
was only
only
a “"conditional
a conditional office, annually renewable, and revocable on defal
office, annually defal­
cation"..
cation” But some
some others,
others, inin contradiction, declaredland
contradiction, declared land to
to be
be
the absolute property
property of
o f zamindars.°
zamindars.®

Our intention
intention here
here is
is not
not to
to open
open the infinitely
infinitely controversial
controversial
ownership
ownership question
question again, but to look way the
look at the way the Company's
Company’ s
government
governm ent had
had tried to to solve
solve the
the problem. The government
problem . The government
supplied the
supplied the Court
Court of
o f Directors
Directors with
with the
the heaps
heaps of
o f materials
materials
on
on land
land question.
question. The Court
Court gotgot lost in those records
and
and finally,
finally, discarded them as
discarded them as an “ uncontrollable cloud
an "uncontrollable cloud ofof
intricacy and confusion".
intricacy Instead ooff looking
confusion” . Instead looking at at the
the old
old records
records
forr guidance
fo governm ent was
guidance the government was advised
advised by by the
the Court
Court toto
adopt "a
adopt permanent system
“ a permanent compatiblewith
system compatible with thethe nature
nature ofof
our government,
our government, the actual
actual situation
situation oof the Company,
f the Company and and the
It was
inhabitants."77 It
case ooff the inhabitants.”
case was believed
believed by by the
the Company's
Com pany’ s
officialsthat
officials that only
only aa permanent
permanent settlement
settlement vesting
vesting the
the zamin.
zamin­
dars
dars with
with the
theabso]ute
absolute proprietary
proprietaryrights
rightsininland
landcould
could satisfy
satisfy

6, For detailed
detailed discussions on the
discussions on the subject
subject see
seeHarington,
Haringtoc,Analysis
Analysis of
of the
the
Lawsaed
Laws andRegulations,.
Regulations,. Vol. 111.
Vol. 111. (1821)
(1821) pp.227-418.
pp.227-418.

7,
7. Court of
Court o f Directors
Directors (hereafter cited as C.
(hereafter cited C. D,)
D .) to
to Governor
Governor General
General in
in
Council (hereafter cited
Council (hereafter cited as
as 0.
G.C.G.ininC.),
C.),1212April 1786, para. 3, British
April 1786, BritIsh
(hereafter cited
Parliamsotary Papers (hereafter
Parliamsntary cited as
as P.
P .P1',),
.), House
House of
o f Commons
Commons
Select Committee Report,
Select Committee Report, 1810
1810 (363),
(363). Vol.
V ol. 5, P, 156,
156.
 Fhe Landed
‘The Landed Society
Society in
in 179O
i f 90 1

all these requirements. The Court thus directed

directed the government
governm ent
in 1786 to give
1786 to give tip
up further
further revenue
revenue experiments
experiments andand make
make aa
settlement
settlement inin every
every practicable
practicable Instance
instance with
with the
the zamindars,
zamindars,
“"on
on the
the basis
basis of fixed and
o f a fixed and permanent
permanent Jumma.’
Jumma."8 ’ 8 Accepting·
Accepting
zamindars
zamindars as asowners
ownerso fofland
landthe the Court
Court further
further enjoined
enjoined that
that
“"the
the proprietor
proprietor must
must bebeleft
leftininthe
theundisturbed
undisturbed administration
administration
and enjoyment
enjoym ent of
o f his estate·”
estate."99

Even the simple

Even simple process
process of
o f declaring
declaring the zamindars
zamindars as
as
the proprietors
the proprietors ooff land and fixing their
their public
public dues
dues inin
perpetuity, required
perpetuity, required great
great deal
deal of
o f further
further local
local scrutiny
scrutiny into
into
their
their rights
rights and
and privileges,
privileges, relative
relative rights
rights of o fdifferent
different orders
orders
of
o f landed
landed interests,
interests. The T h e zamindars
zamindars werewere claiming
claim ing their
theircusto
custo­
mary
mary rights
rights toto levy
levy abwabs
abwabs and and mahtuts
mahtuts on on the ryotsryots over
and above
and above their
their asal
asaljatna
ja mwhich
a which was wasformerly
form erlyfixedfixedby by Todar
Todar
Mall Settlement.
Mall Settlement. Besides
Besides abwabs
abwabs and and mahtuts
mahtuts they they were
w ere also
also
asserting
asserting their traditional rights to levy occasional impostions
traditional rights to levy occasional impostions
under the
under the denomination
denomination of o f magan
maganororcontributions
contributionsat attimes
times of
of
social
social and religious
religious festivals
festivals and andceremonies,
-ceremonies, such such as,as, shradh,
shradh,
marriages,
marriages, pilgrimages,
pilgrim ages, etc. etc. Customs
Customs also also sanctioned
sanctioned them the
feudal
feudal privilege
privilege of o f asking
asking for for begar,
b eg a r, oror free
freemenial
menialservice
service
from
from thethe ryots
ryotsinin order
ordertotoconstruct
construct roads,
roads, canals,
canals, tanks,
tanks, and
and
other works
other works of o f public
public utility. The The zamindars
zamindars had bad the the duties
duties
to maintain
to maintain roads,
roads, bridges,
bridges, huts,huts, bazars,
bazars, ganjes,
ganjes, etc.
etc. and and in
return
return they
they were
w ere allowed
allowed totocollect
collectsayer
sayeror orinternal
internalcustoms
customs
duties, and
duties, and other
other taxes
taxes called
called rahadari
rahadari ororroad roadtax,tax,pulbandi
pulbandi
or tax for maintenance ooff bridges
he maintenance
for the bridges and dams, etc. The
dams, etc.
zamindars were also required to maintain
zamindars were also required to maintain law and
and order with
order with­
in their
their jurisdictions and for
jurisdictions and for that they
theywere
w ereallowed
allowed toto collect
collect
thanadari
thanadari or or police
police duty.
duty. InIn short,
short, the
the zaniindars
zamindars as as wew efind
find
them
them inin 1790
1790 were
w ere possessed
possessed ofo f numerous
numerous powers
powers and
and privi-
privi­
rights and
leges, rights and responsibilities.
responsibilities. No N o matter whether these
matter whether
were
w ere acquired
acquired byby them
them byby legal
legal ororillegal
illegalmeans
means; ;the
the reality
reality

8.
8. Ibid.
Ibid. Para. 54,
Para. 54, P.
P. 161.
161.
9.
9. Ibid.
Ibid. pa*a, $8,
Para, 58, P.
P. 162.
162.
 8
$ Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Permanent

was that
was that they
they had
had been
been exercising
exercising their
their powers
powers forfor quite
quite a
ion gg time past. The big problem before the Company's
Ion Company’ s govern-
govern­
ment was
ment was to
to decide
decidewhether
whetherorornot,
not,along
alongwith
with the
the permanent
permanent
settlement their infinite
settlement infinite powers
powers and
and privileges
privileges should
should also
also be
be
made permanent.
made permanent,

Econom ic Conditions
Economic C onditions

What
W hat was
was the
the economic
economic health of
health o f zamindars
zamindars whom
whom the
the
government
governm had now
ent had now decided
decided to
to instal
instal as
as the
thesole
soleproprietors
proprietors
oof
f land?
land ? Were
W e rethey economically
they economicallysolvent
solventenough
enoughto
to bear
bear the
the
burden ooff the new
burden new system?
system ? Were
W erethey
theyreally
reallyqualified
qualified as
as aa
class to
class to play
playthe
the role
role of
o f improving
im proving landlords
landlords as
as was
w as expected
expected
ooithem?
f them ?

Until 1786,
Until 1786, one
one after
after another
another revenue experiment was
launched
launched and
and again
again rejected
rejected always
always subordinating
subordinating the
the interests
interests
oof
f the
the zamindars
zamindars and
and ryots
ry otstoto
those
thoseofo fthe
thegovernment.
government. Every
Every
time, in search
time, in search of
o f more
more and
and more
more profit
profit for
for the
the Company,
zamindars were either dispossessed
zamindars were dispossessed or forced to
or forced to engage
engage at
at
ruinous
ruinous tenus. Result was
terms. Result was the
theeconomic
economic decay
decay at
atall
all spheres
spheres
The condition
o f life .10 The
of life.'0 condition into
intowhich
whichthe
thezamindars
zamindars were
were reduced
reduced
to, were
were aptly
aptly described
described bybyPhilip
Philip Francis.
Francis. In November
Novem ber 1775,
he wrote
he wrote to
to one
one of
o f his friends at home:
h o m e ; "The
" T h ezamindars,
zamindars,
from
from the
the Moment
M om ent they
they were
w ereconverted
converted into
intoPensioners,
Pensioners, have
have
gradually sunk into
gradually sunk into aa state
state of
o f Sloth,
Sloth, Stupidity,
Stupidity, Beggary
B eggary and
and
Being almost
contempt. Being almost universally
universally overwhelmed
overwhelmed with with debts.
debts,
and few of
and few o f them
them having
having any
any Knowledge
K now ledge of o f their
their affairs,
they
they oof
f course
course have
have lost
lost all
all Dignity
Dignity and
and Consequence
Consequence in the

10,
10. In 1775,
1775«, Warren Hastings
Hastings issued
issued a circular
circular letter
letter totoall
allthe
theMembers
Members ofof
the Provincial
the Provincial Councils
Councils inviting
inviting them
them to givegive their
their respective
respective opinions
opinions
as to
as to the
the effects
effects oof
f the Farming System. All
Farming System. All ooff them
them replied
replied that the
the
country
country was
was almost
almost ruined
ruined because
because of
o f the
the Farming
Farming System.
System. See Home
MiscellaneonsScries
Mlscellaneons Series((henceforth abbreviated to HMS).
henceforth abbreviated HMS ), vol. vol. 206,
206, pp
pp.
147-207.
The Landed
Landed Society in 1790
1700 9
9

Eyes oof
Eyes People. II am
f the People. am assured,
assured, and inclined
inclined to believe
believe
that the
that the greatest
greatest part
partoof the younger
f the younger generation are lik
generation are likely
ely to
be idiots
be idiots""11
· 5,11
Within
W first two
ithin the first tw o decades
decades of
o f British
British rule
rule Bengal
Bengal had
had
the experience
experience oof
f three
three major
m ajor famines
famines and
and eight
eight seasons
seasons of
of
scarcities. The
T h e major
major famines
famines were
w ere those
those of
o f 1770, 1784 and
1770, 1784
1787. In the great
great famine
famine of
o f 1770 "one
“ one fifth of
o f the inhabitants
inhabitants on
on
the most moderate
m oderate computation",
computation” , is is supposed
supposed toto have
have perished.12
perished.12
The
T h e other two famines were equally devastating.
tw o famines were equally devastating. On
On the basis
basis
of available
of available evidence
evidenceitit isis not
not possible
possible for
for us
us to make any quanti-
quanti­
tative analysisoof
tative analysis the dem
f the demographic changesand
ographic changes and their
their effects
effects on
on
the economy
econom y oof the landed
f the landed society.
society. Corriwal]is estimated that
Cornwallis estimated
due to loss
due to losso of livesininthose
f lives thosefam
famines about“"one
ines about third of
one third o f the
the
Company's territory in
Com pany’s territory in Hindoostan
Hindoostan is is now
now aa jungle
jungle inhabited
inhabited
only by
only by wild
wild beasts".13 Some
beasts"’ .13 Som regions,asas estimated
e regions, estimated by
by Taylor,
Taylor,
were
w ere "deprived
“ deprived oof three-fourths ooff their
f three-fourths their industrious
industrious inhabitants,
inhabitants,
who
w died or
ho died or emigrated,
emigrated, and
and the
the lands were
lands w in consequence
ere in consequence soon
soon
overrun with jungle,
overrun with jungle, infested
infested with
with tigers
tigers and
andhogs."14
hogs,” 14 These
calamities must
calamities must have
have reduced
reduced the zamindari
zamindari income
income to
to correspon-
correspon­
ding degrees, but government
ding governm ent demands
demands on
on them
them always
always remained
remained
more or
more or less constant or were
w ere further
further augmented.'5
augmented.15

The
T h e greatest
greatest problem
problem for
fo r the
the economic
economic life of
o f the country
country
at the
the time
time of
o f the
thedecennial
decennial settlement
settlement was
was the
the shortage
shortage of
of
silver currency. During the Mughal
M ughal times, an
an annual
annual remittance
remittance
oof one crore
f one crore oof
f rupees
rupees to Delhi,
D elhi, and
and enormous
enormous drain,
drain, indeed,
indeed,
was
was always
always replenished by very
replenished by very large
largereturns
returnsof
o fspecies
species through
through

11,
11. To
T o H.
H. Strachey,
Sirachey, 23
23 November
November 1775, quoted in
1775, quoted in 1.
R, Guha,
Guha, AARule
Ruleof
o f.
Property fo
Property forr Bengal; An
An Essay
Essay on the
the Idea
Idea of
o f Permanent
PermanentSettlement,
Settlement, p.
p. 121.
121.
12. Shore's
Shore’ s Minute
Minute on decennial
decennial settlement,
settlement, 18
18 Juno
June 1789,
1789, para,
para, 124,
124, Fifth,
Fifth
Report, Appendix 5.
Report,
13. Cornwaliis
Cornwallis Minute, 18
18 September
September 1788,
1788, Fifth Report,
Report, Appendix
Appendix 5.
14. James Taylor, A
A Sketch
Sketch of
o fthe
theTopography
Topography arid
arid Statistics of
o f Dacca, pp. 304-5,
304-5,
15.
15. Shore's
Shore’ s Minute,
Minute, 18
18 June
June 1780.
1780. Fifth
FifthReport,
Report,Appendix
Appendix 5.
5.
 10 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

extensive foreign
extensive foreignand
andinland
inlandtrade.
trade.'°
18 But from
from 1765,
1765, Company's
Company’ s
remittancetotoEurope,
remittance Europe, which
which was
was much
muchaagreater
greater drainage
drainage than
it was ever before,
was ever before, was
was never
never replenished
replenished by
by equivalent
equivalent return
return
of species. Since
o f species. then, "specie
Since then, "sp ecie was
was rarely
rarely imported
imported by
by the
the
foreign
foreign companies;
companies ; nor
nor brought
brought into
into Bengal
Bengal by
by them
them from
from other
other
parts ooff Hindoostan,
parts Hindoostan, in any considerable quantity.” 17 Instead,
considerable quantity."17
•'the
‘the exports
exports oof speciesfrom
f species from the
the country
country for
for the
the last
last twenty
twenty
five
five years have been
years have been great and particularly,
great ;; and particularly, during
during thethe last
last
ten oof
ten f that period."8 From Bengal
period. '’ 18 From Bengal specie
specie was
was exported
exported to to
answer China trade.
answer the China Great part of
trade. Great o f the sums
sums sent
sentby by bills
bills
of
o f the
the shroffs
shroffs to
to Bombay
Bombay and and Madras, travelled over over thethe
Peninsula in bags. Silver
Peninsula Silverbullion
bullion was
was also
also remitted
remitted by
by individuals
individuals
Europe. Owing
to Europe. O w ing to drainage of
to such continuous drainage o f species
species
Bengal, what was
Bengal, what was once
once called the basin
called the basin of
of world's
w orld’s silver.
silver,
was
was menacingly dried oof
menacingly dried f silver
silver currency.
currency. Gold
Gold coins
coins ’ wwere
ere
intrcduced toto ease
introduced ease the
the situation,
situation, but
but beyond
beyond Calcutta
Calcutta itit was
was
hardly popular.
hardly popular. T The
he shortage
shortage ofo f silver
silver currency
currency brought
brought all all
economicactivities
economic activitiestoto a standstill.
standstill. The
T h e ryots
ryots were
wereunable
unable to
to
pay their rents
pay their rents because
because their
theiragricultural
agriculturalproducts
products could
could not
not be
be
marketed.19
marketed.'9 Being
B eing unable
unable to
to collect
collect rents from rryots
rents from y o t s the
the
zamindars were compelled
zamindars were compelledtoto borrow
borrow m
money from the
oney from m a h a ja n s
mahajans
interests.20
at exorbitant interests.'°

The farming
The farming system,
system, famines,
famines, silver crisis,
crisis, all
all these
these external
external
forces contributedtoto the
forces contributed the rising
rising poverty
poverty of
o f zamindars.
zamindars. But But for
for
their impoverished state many internal causes were
impoverished state many internal causes were also also at work.
work.
Very
V few of
ery few o f the zairiindars
zamindars were qualified to manage
qualified to manage their affairs
efficiently. Against the immediate conclusion of
immediate conclusion o f permanent

16. See S.
See S. Bhattacharya,
Bhattacharya, The East India Company and the Economy
Company and Economy ooff Bengal:
Bengal:
Prom
From 1704 to 1740.
1740.
17.
17. Shore's
Shore’ s Minute,
Minute, 18
18 June 1789.
1789. FIfth
Fifth Report.
Report. Appendix
Appendix 5.
5.
IL
18. Ibid.
19. petition of
petition o f 20
20 Dacca
Dacca Zamindars
Zamindarsto toCollector,
Collector,M.
M .Day,
Day,10
10December
December 1739,
1789,
Dacca Collectorate Records,vol.
Collectorate Records, 'o1. 4,
4, p.
p . 89.
89.
20.
20. Ibid.
Fhe Landed Society in 1790
The 1790 11

settlement one ooff Shore's

settlement one Shore’ s argument
argument was was that
that the zamindars
“sin general are ill educated
in general are ill educated for this task, ignorant of
task, ignorant of the
thecommon
common
forms
form s of
o f business,
business, and of
o f the
themodes
m odes of
o f transacting
transacting it
i t ;; inatten­
inatten-
tive
tive of
o f the
the conducting
conducting of
o f it,
it, even
evenwhere
w heretheir
theirown
ow ninterests
interests
are immediately
immediately at stake."2'
stake,” 21 Narrating the
the zamindars'
zamindars’ incapacity
incapacity
Shore further
Shore further argued,
argued, “"Let
Let aa zamindar
zamindarbe be asked,
asked, what
what are
are the
rents, and
rents, andrules
rulesfor
fordemanding
demandingand andfixing
fixingthem
them, in his
, in his district
district
or in
in any part
part of it;; what
o f it what isisthe
theassessment
assessment ofo fany
anypergunnah
pergunnah ;
what isis the
what theparticular
particularproduce
produce of o f any
any pergunnah,
pergunnah, whether
whether that
produce has
produce has increased
increased or declined ;; what
or declined what manufactures
manufactures estab-
estab­
lished in it ;; in
lished in in short,
short, let
letthe
the question,
question, have
have any
any reference
reference to
to
the internal
the internal details
details of
o f the
the business
business and
and state
state oof
f the
the country,
country,
his replieswwould
his replies probably
ould probably be be thesame,
the same,asasifif he
he had
had never
never
entered into it, or he would
entered into would refer to his
refer to his d ew an or some
dewan som e office
officer
for inform ation.” 22
information."22

The contemporary
The contemporary fo folk
lk literature
literature also
also gives
gives more
more or
or less
less the
similar picture ooff the
similar picture the zamindari characters.
characters. For a zamindar it was
weighed
weighed to tobebequite
quite unbecoming
unbecomingand andundignified
undignifiedtoto wwork
ork and
mind
mind forfor details of o f zamindari management. The
zamindari management. T h e zamindari
zamindari
officials, andforforthat
officials, and thatmatter
matterthethetenantry
tenantryatatlarge,
large, wanted
wanted that
their zamindars shouldbebeproudly
zamindars should proudlyunmindful
unmindfuloof f estate affairs,
affairs,
and should
and should bebe rather concerned
concerned withw ith only
only consumptions
consumptions and and
ceremonial functions. To
ceremonial be flattered,
T o be flattered, soothed
soothed and
and served
served they
they
must employ
must em ploy asas many
manyservants
servantsasasthey
they could
couldafford,
afford,not
notas
as many
many
needed. The
as they actually needed. The ignorance
ignorance ofo f zamindars
zamindars and their
indifference to zamindari
indifference to zarnindariaffairs
affairsmade
madethem
them ruinously
ruinously dependent
on
on their arnla
anna who,
w h o, taking the advantage
advantage of o f zamindar's
zamindar’s situation,
situation,
always tried to enrich themselves
always tried themselves at the expense
expense of o f their masters.
masters.
This description is,oof
description is, course,particularly
f course, particularlytrue true fofor
r larger
larger zamin
zamin
dars. Because
Because ooff the
the unwieldy
unw ieldy extent
extent of
o f their
theirestates,
estates,backward
backward
communications, poor poor state
slate ofo f public
public safety system, they
found
found it extremely
extrem ely difficult to manage
difficult to manage their
their estates
estates directly
directly

21.
21. Shore's Minute,
Minute, 18
IS June
June 1789,
1789, para 269,
269, Fifth
Fifth Report,
Report, Appendix 5.
Appendix 5.

22.
22. Ibid,
Ibid, para, 270.
270.
 12 Permanent Settlement in Bengal

from the
from remote headquarters.
the remote headquarters. Thus
Thus they
they decentralised
decentralised the
the
letting the
management by letting to several
the estate to several farmers;
farmers ; the
farmers, again, made
farmers, again, made over
over their
their leases, in whole
leases, in w hole or inin part,
part,
to others,
others, who
w ho in turn, further
in turn, further sub-divided their
their farms
farms andand
rented them
rented them toto local
local speculators the lowest
speculators ; the lowest rung in the
rung in the rent
collecting ladder
collecting ladder being
being the
the village
village chief.
chief. To
T o offer
offer only
only one
one
instance,the
instance, the zamindar
zamindar oof f pargana
pergana Roushanabad
Roushanabad of o f Comilla
Comilla
district, was
district, was removed
removedfrom
fromthe
the actual
actual ryots
ryots by
by six
six degrees
degrees ooff rent
collecting tiers.2 The
3 T
tiers.23 h e smaller zamindars, on
smaller zamindars, on the
the other
other hand,
hand,
were free
were free from
from the
the evils
evils that
that sprang
sprang from
from the
themulti-tier
multi-tier rent
collecting
collecting system. Becauseofoftheir
system. Because their low
lowincomes
incomes they
they could
could not
afford
afford to maintain
maintain considerable
considerable establishments
establishments ;; consequently,
they themselves tried to
themselves tried to manage their ow
manage their own affairs without
n affairs without being
being
dependent on chains
chains oof
f intriguing ainla.
amla.

Being responsible
Being responsible to
to Government
Government for
for a tax equal
equal to nine-tenths
of
o f the expected rents oof
expected rents their estates,
f their estates, they
they were
w ere hardly left with
hardly left with
any surplus to compensate
compensate risk of o f bad harvests.
harvests. Colebroke
Colebroke is very
very
right
right in
in his
his assertion that “"in
assertion that in any
any calamity,
calamity, any
anyaccident,
accident, even
even
a delay in his recoveries
recoveries ooff rents, involves
involves aazamindar
zamindarinindifficul-.
difficul­
ties from which no
from which no economy
economy or or attention
attention can retrieve him,"24
him .” 24

Decennial
D ecennial Settlement
Settlem ent

As
A s against
against the
the above
above social
social and
andeconomic
economic background
background ofof
the landed societyoof
landed society Bengalweweshall
f Bengal shallnow
nowproceed
proceedtoto see
see how
how
the
the zaniindars
zamindars w were dealt with
ere dealt with under
under the
the new
new system.
system. The
The
GovernorGeneral
Governor Generalinin Council
Councilresolved
resolvedinin September, 1789, to
September, 1789,
conclude aa decennial
conclude decennial settlement
settlement immediately with the zarnindars,
immediately with zamindars,
taluqdars, and other
other landholders
landholders without
without making
making further scrutiny
scrutiny
into
into the resources of individual
resources o f individual landholders. As
A s regards adjust-
adjust­
ments oof
ments assessmentit itwas
f assessment was ordered
ordered to tomake
makethethejam
jama
a oof
f the
the

23. Pargans Roushanabad

Pargans Rousbanabad Papers
Papers at Comilla R.ajbari,
Rajbari, Comilla,
Comilla, Bund'es,
Bundles 1190
1190
(1197 B. S. 1789.
(1197 B. 1789, A. D).
4.
24. H.
Η . T.
T. Co1ebroke
Colebroke, Remarks on
on the Present
Present State
State of
ofthe
theHusbandry
Husbandry and
and
Commerce of Bengal, pp. 62-3.
Commerce
 The Landed
Landed Society
Society in
in 1790
1790 13

precedingyear
preceding year( (1196
1196B,B.
S ,S.)
) asas thesole
the solebasis
basis oof
f the decennial
decennial
assessment.
assessment. It was
was further
further resolved
resolved to separate
separate several
several categories
categories
oof
f taluqdars
taluqdars from
from the
the jurisdictions
jurisdictions oof
f zamindars
zamindars and
and make
make
settlement with
settlement with them
them independently.
independently. Besides, the
Besides, following
follow in g
restrictions were laid on
on the landholders25
landholders25 :—
:-
That the stipulated
That the stipulated revenue
revenuebebe paid
paid regularly
regularly into
into the
the
publió treasury, according to the
public treasury, the instalments
instalmentsspecified
specified
in the kistbundi in
in siccà
sicca rupees.
That paymentoof
That payment revenue be
f revenue be not
not witheld,
w itheld, or
ordelayed,
delayed,
on account oof
on account drought, inundation, encroachment
f drought, encroachment of of
rivers, mortality, depopulation, or any other account
depopulation, or any other account
whatever.
That
T hat no part oof
f the lands
lands included
included in
in the
thesettlement
settlement be
be
appropriated
appropriated toto religious,
religious,charitable
charitable oror other uses,
uses,
whereby
whereby they
they may
maybecome
becom e exempt
exem pt from
from the
thepublic
public
assessment ;; and
and that
that lands
lands actually
actually held
held exempt
exempt
from
from that assessment:
assessm ent: as as debuuar,
debuttar, brammuttar,
brammuttar,
,nahatran, ayrna, muddadmash,
mahatran, ayma, muddadmash,ppeeran, fakiran,
e e r an, fa k ir a n ,
or any denomination
or denomination of lahheraj, be
o f laklzeraj, be assessed
assessed as as
malguzari
m alguzari land, without the previous
land, without previous sanction
sanction of of
government.
That all embankments within the limits
embankments within limits of
o f the estates be
kept in repair.
kept repair. That
That nono exactions
exactions or or oppressive
oppressive
practices be
practices be committed
committed towards
towards the ryots,
ryots, and
and other
tenants;
tenants ;and
andthat
thatthey
theybe
benot
notdispossessed
dispossessed from
from their.
their
tenures, whilst they
they perform
perform the
the conditions
conditions of
o f them ;
and whilst
and whilst the terms of
o f their tenures
tenures be unexpired.
unexpired.
That receipts and
That receipts and discharges
dischargesbe
be regularly
regularly granted
granted for
for
all sums received
received from
from them.
The
T h e decennial
decennial settlement rules were
settlement rules were made
made permanent
permanent inin
March 1793.
March 1793.InInaddition,
addition, more
more new
new restrictions
restrictions were
were imposed
imposed
on zamindars
on zamindarsininreturn
returnoof the supposed
f the supposed benefits
benefits offered
offered by
by the
the
permanentsettlement.
permanent settlement.HHow didthe
ow did thezamindars
zamindrs react
react to
to these
these'
restrictive regulations ??
restrictive

25. Analysis ooff Laws

HariogtoD, Analysis
Harington, andRegulations.
Law and Regulations, pp.
pp. 251-258.
251-258.
 CHAPTER TW O

THE ZAMINDARS'
ZAMINDARS’ REACTION TO
TO THE
THE NEW
NEW
SYSTEM:
SYSTEM : (I)
(I) PRESSURE
PRESSURE FOR
FOR REVISION
REVISION
OF REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS

In spite
In spite oof the great
f the great mass
massoof writings about
f writings about the
the permanent
permanent
settlement
settlement in in Bengal, one question
Bengal, one has not yet
question has yet been
been asked.
asked.
That
T hat is,
is, did
did the
the zamindars
zamindars enthusiastically accept the
enthusiastically accept the permanent
settlement in its
settlement in its original
original form
form as.as proclaimed
proclaimed by
b y Cornwallis?
Cornwallis ?
Such
Such aa question
questionhashasnot
notbeen
beenposed
posedpresumably
presumablybecause
because oof
f the
axiomatic assumptions
axiomatic assumptions that,asasthe
that, the settlement
settlement had
had created
created a
privileged class
privileged class in
in the
thezamindars,
zamindars,the
thelatter,
latter,asasobvious
obviousbeneficia-
beneficia­
ries, could not but have welcomed
could not welcom ed the work of o f Cornwallis.
Cornwallis. This
chapter, however will
how ever w now raise
ill now raise this
this question,
question, and
and in
in answering,
answering,
it will
it try to
w ill try to show
show that
that the
the detailed
detailed terms, though
terms, though not
not the
principles, of the
principles, the permanent
permanent settlement
settlement utterly
utterly disappointed
disappointed
the zamindars, so that
zamindars, so that their
their initial reaction was
initial reaction was toto resist the
smooth operation
smooth operationoof thenew
f the newsystem
systemuntil
untiltheir
their grievances
grievances were
were
redressed.

The constitutional
The positionoof
constitutional position the zaniindars
f the zamindars in 1793, an
undQrstanding
understanding o f of which
which is essential
is essential if wife we
arearetotochart
chart out
out the
the
course
course oof theconflict
f the conflictbetween
betweenthem themandand the
the Government,
Government, waswas
defined in
defined in the
the Regulations
Regulations 1,1, VVIII,
III, and
and XVII
X V II of
o f 1793.
1793.

On 23 March 1793, Lord Cornwallisproclaimed

Lord Cornwallis proclaimedthat
that "at
“ at the
the
expirationoof
expiration the terms
f the terms of decennial J1 sett1ement
o f the [Qdecennial settlem ent, no
alteration wouldbebemade
alteration would madeinin the
the assessment
assessment which
which [zamindars
[ zamindars
bad ] respectively
had engaged to pay,
respectively engaged but that
pay, but that they,
they, and
and their
their
heirs and
and lawful successors,would
lawful successors, wouldbebe allowed
allowed to hold their
Zamindars Reaction to. the New System
to the System 15

estates at such
such assessment But
ever. ” 1 B
assessment for ever."1 ut in
in return forfor the
the
benefits which
benefits which the
the zamindars
zamindars would
would derive
derive from
from the
the fixed revenue
fixed revenue
demand, they were
demand, they w ere required
required to following
observe the follow
to observe ing rules
and regulations :

That in future the landholders wouldhave

landholders would have nnoo right to
to claim
claim
forr suspension
fo or remission
suspension or remissionon
on account
accountoof drought, inundations,
f drought, inundations,
or other
or that in
calamities, but that
other natural calamities, in the
the event
event of
o f any
any
landholder “"failing in the
failing in the punctual
punctual discharge
discharge oof
f the
the public
revenue...,aa sale
revenue..., saleoof the whole
f the w hole of
o f the lands
lands oof f the defaulter,
defaulter,
or such
such portion
portion of o f them as may
may be
be sufficient
sufficient to make good the
make good
arrear, w
arrear, will
i l l positively
p ositively and invariably
in variably take place."2
p l a c e ” 2.
It was
It was laid
laid down
down that
thatthe
thezamindars
zamindarswould
wouldhave
haveno
no legal
legal
right to
right to "distrain
“ distrain or
orsell
selllands,
lands,houses
housesororother
otherreal
real property
property
of
o f their under farmers
farmers and
and ryots,
ryots, or
or the taluqdars
taluqdars paying
paying revenue
revenue
them.” 3
through them."3
The
T h e zamindars were
w ere also
also prohibited
prohibited from distraining ploughs,
ploughs,
seed grains,
seed grains, implements or husbandry
implements or husbandry and
and the
the cattle
cattle actually
actually
trained to
trained to the plough.4
It was then enacted
was then enacted that
that the
the zamindars
zamindars must
mustwithdraw
withdraw the
the
attachment
attachment oof defaulters'property
f defaulters’ propertyifif they
they preferred
preferred to
to contest
contest
the distrainers'
distrainers’ demands
demands in law courts . 5
law courts
The
T h e zamindars w were
ere then strictly
strictly prohibited
prohibited from
from confining or
confining or
inflicting corporalpunishment
inflicting corporal punishment on on any
any defaulting
defaulting tenant
tenant or depen-
depen­
dent taluqdar to enforce
dent enforce the payment of o f arrears
arrears of
o f their
their demands.
demands.
"If
“ I f any
any landholder
landholder or farmer
farm er shall
shall offend
offend against this this prohibition,
prohibition,
the persons
the persons sosopunished
punishedororconfined
confinedshallshall be
beatat liberty
liberty either to
prosecute the
prosecute the offender
offenderfor
forassault
assaultoror imprisonment
imprisonment in in the
the Criminal
Court, or
Court, or to
to institute
instituteaasuit
suit against
against him
him in the diwany adawlut
diw any adawlut

1. Proclamation Article
Article III, section
section 4, Regulation
Regulation1,1793,
1,1793.
2. Proclamation Article
Article VI,
V I, see.
sec. 7,
7, Rogucation
Regulation 1,1 1793.
, 1793.
3.
3. Section 3, Regulation VII,
Section VII,1'293,
1793,
4. Section
4, 4, Regulation XVII, 1793.
Section 4, 1793.
5. Section 9, Regulation
Section 9, Rgulatioa X V II, 1793.
XVII1
 16 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

of
o f the
the zillah,
zillah, which
which court
court shall
shall award
award damages
damages against
against such
such
offender, accordingtotothe
offender, according thecircumstances
circumstanceso fofthe
the case,
case, with
with costs
costs
of
o f suits.”
suits."66
It was
was prescribed that no proprietor would
prescribed that w ould "impose
“ impose any
any new
new
abwab or
abtaab or mahtoot
mahtoot upon
uponthe
the ryots
ryotsunder
underany
any pretence
pretence whatever.
whatever.
Every
Every exaction
exaction oof this nature
f this nature shall
shall be
be punished
punished by
byaapenalty
penalty
equal to three times
tim es the amount
amount imposed.7
im posed.7
With
W ith a view to eliminating
eliminating existing
existing confusion
confusion and uncertainty
in consequence
in consequence oof f mmanifold impositions on
anifold impositions on the
the ryots
ryots the the zamin-
zamin­
dars were enjoined
dars were enjoined to issue pattas in in which
which they would would havehave to
to
specifically state the
specifically state the exact sum to be paid
exact sum paid by
by the r y o ts .8 It was
the ryots,8 was
also made obligatory
also made obligatoryon. on.the
thepart
partoof the zamindars to register the
f the
counterfoils
counterfoils oof the form
f the formss oof pattas in
f pattas in the district courts.®
courts.9

Finally, it was enacted

Finally, enacted that under the the system
system of o f the
the permanent
permanent
settlement,
settlem ent, the
the zamindars
zamindars would
w ould have to abdicate
abdicate their traditional
overlordshipover
overlordship overthe thetaluqdars,
taluqdars, w who,
ho, hitherto,
hitherto, paid
paid their
their reve-
reve­
nues totothe
nues the government
government throughthrough their
their mediation.
mediation. Henceforth
H enceforth
all independent
all independent taluqdars
taluqdarsandand some other categories
some other categories of o f taluqdar5
taluqdars
who
w ho were
were entitled
entitled to independence according
toindependence according to to justice
justice werewere
ordered toto be separated from
be separated from the
the jurisdiction
jurisdiction ofo f the zamindars.1
zamindars.1°0

Thus,
Thus, the
the permanent
permanent settlement gave the zamindars
settlement gave zamindars the
benefit ooff a permanently fixed
benefit fixed assessment
assessment oof
f government demand,
government demand,
but in
but in return
return took
tookaway
awaymany
manypowers
pow erspreviously
previouslyenjoyed
enjoyed by
by
Whatever
them. W may have
hatever may have been
been the philosophy and policy
the philosophy policy
behind the permanent
behind the permanent settlement,
settlement, the the zamindars
zamindars could
could scarcely
scarcely
reconcile themselvestotothe
reconcile themselves the idea
ideathat,
that, under
under the
the new system, they
system, they
were
were toto lose traditional powers
lose all their traditional powers and
and privileges,
privileges, powers
powers
which were a source not only
which were only of
o f additional
additional means butbut also
also of
o f their
social status
social statusand
andauthority.
authority. YYet,
et, atat the
the same
same time,
time, the
thezamindars
zamindars

6. Section 28,
Section 28, Regulation
Regulation XVII,
X V II, 1793.
1793.
7. Section 55. Regulation V
55. Regulation VIII,
III, 1793.
1793.
8. Clause 1, Section 57, Regulation V
VIII,
III, 1793.
1793.
9
9. Section
Section 58,
58, Regulation
Regulation VIII,
V III,1793.
1793.
10. Section
10. 5, Regulation VIII,
Section 5, Regulation VIII, 1793.
1793,
 Zamindars'
Zam indars5Reaction to the New
N ew System
System 17

were firmlytold
were firmly told that,
that, inin future,
future, no
noclemency
clem ency would
would be
be shown
shown
should they default
should default inintheir
theirrevenue
revenuepayments
paymentstotoGovernment,
Government,
whatever the
whatever the cause,
cause, natural
natural calamity
calamity included.
included. Rather,
Rather, they
they
would findtheir
would find their lands
lands “"positively
positively and and invariably”
invariably" brought to sale sale
for such default,
such a default.
zamindars reacted
The zamindars reacted sharply
sharply against
againstsuch suchaaconstitution.
constitution.
The.
The ■fixed assessment and
fixed assessment and the absolute ownership
the absolute ownership of o f land
land
conferred on
conferred on them
them by bythethenew newconstitution
constitutionscarcely
scarcelyreconciled
reconciled
them to to its
its passage.
passage. On the first
On the first point
point they
theycould
couldhardly
hardly place
place
much trust on
much trust on the
the promise
promise thatthat the
the government
governm ent demanddemand on them them
would remain
would remain fixed
fixed for ever. Their
for ever, T h eir past
past experience
experience made made them
too sceptical
too sceptical to to believe
believe inin such
such an an assurance.
assurance. As A s late
late as
as 1802,
1802, the
collectoro of
collector f M Mymensingh reportedthat,
ym ensingh reported that, ‘"[he
T h e had]
h ad ! not
not met
met with
with
any landholder
any landholder whom whom [he][ h e ]could
couldpersuade
persuadeof o f the
thepermanency
permanency of
such settlement
such settlementand and [h[he knewj3 that
e knew Mr. Tufton
that Mr. T u fton when
when collector
collector
here laboured
laboured but butininvain
vain totoconvince
convince them
themof o fit."hl
it.” 11And
A nd asas for
for
the second
second privilege,
privilege, they
they did didnotnotremember
remember when when they
they had
had not
enjoyed absolute
enjoyed absolute ownership
ownership in
in practice,
practice, whatever
whatever the
the theory.
theory.
What did vitally
W hat did vitallyconcern
concernthem
themwas
was the
the likelihood
likelihood that the
the new
new
constitution
constitution wwould enable them
ould enable them to keep
keep their estates permanently
in their own families. This
own families. This waswas what
whatreally
reallymattered,
mattered, and
and the
the
clause
clause which
which threatened
threatened them
them with
withthe
theautomatic
automaticsale
sale of
o f their
their
land inin case
case oof
f default was what just caught
was what caught their eye.
eye.
Under the circumstances,
Under the circumstances, their natural
natural reaction
reaction was
was to
to resist
resist
the smooth operation ooff the
sm ooth operation the new
new system
system soso as to save
save themselves
themselves
from ruin. Such
from resistance, ooff cource,
Such resistance, cource, did not take the shape of
did not of
organised m
an organised movement
ovem ent onontheir
their part
part to
to overthrow
overthrow British
British rule or
even to compel
compel thethe government
government to to introduce
introduce an
an alternative system
of
o f their own choice. As
own choice. A s small
small groups
groups or or as
as individuals
individuals their
their
resistance took the
resistance took the form
form ofo f petitions,
petitions,obstructions,
obstructions, defiance
defiance of
of
laws,
laws, collusions
collusions and
and frauds,
frauds, all
allofo fwhich
whichaimed
aimed atatneutralising
neutralising
the
the effects
effects oof
f the
the restrictive
restrictive regulations
regulations and
and at making
making the
the

ii.
II. Mymensiugh Collector totoLord
Mymensingh LordWe1lcsley
Welle*!ey, 9 January
January 1802,
1802, Civil
Civil Judicial
Proceeding, 88 July 1*02,
1*02, No,
N o, 106,
106» para,
para, 10,
10, pp. 147-57.
pp. 147-57.

2-
 18 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

government
governm revenue so
ent revenue so insecure
insecure and
and uncertain
uncertain as
as ultimately
ultimately to
force the governm
force the government to accede
ent to accedetoto their demands, Their main
demands, Their main
demands were fo
demands were for remissionsoof
r remissions governmentdemand
f government demandon on them
them at
times of
times o f natural
naturalcalamities,
calamities,reductions
reductionsofo fassessment,
assessment, disconti-
disconti­
nuation
nuation oof the policy
f the policyo fofseparation
separationo foftaluqas,
taluqas,and
and oof
f the patta
rules
rules and,
and, above
above all, for the
all, for the restoration
restoration of
o f their
their traditional
traditional
coercive powers
coercive pow over their tenants. H
ers over How
ow far did they
they succeed
succeed in
achieving their goals
achieving According to Holt Mackenzie, a contem-
goals ? According contem­
porary revenueexpert,
porary revenueexpert, thethe zamindars
zamindars had
hadbeen
been “"very
very successful
successful
in their resistance
resistance to all such
such measures,"
measures,'* stated
stated above.'2
above. 12

Remission
Rem ission Question
Q uestion

The Court ooff Director's

T h e Court Director’ s despatch
despatch ofo f 12
12 April
April 1786,
1786, which
which
laid down the
laid down the guiding
guiding principles
principles oof
f aa durable
durable and
and permanent
permanent
system ooff revenue
system revenue administration
administration directed the Government
directed the Government to
abandon the
abandon the policy
policy oof arbitrary increases
f arbitrary increases of
of revenue
revenue that resulted
resulted
in a huge
in amount oof
huge amount balances and
f balances and defalcations
defalcations every year in the
every year
past with
past with all
all their
their attending
attending evils
evils to
to the
the country
country and
and to
to the
the Com
Com ­
pany.13 The
pany.13 advised, "It is highly
The Court advised, highly desirable to establish
desirable to establish
a revenue system, that may
revenue system, not be subject
may not to these
subject to these great
great annual
annual
defalcations. 1iVe aresensible
W e are sensibletotothe
thezeal
zeal oof our servants
f our servants in en-
en­
deavouring at
deavouring at various
various times, since
since we
w e have possessed
possessed the Dewanee
D ewanee
to ejiect
effect an augmentation of o f Land Revenue. At
Land Revenue. the same
A t the same time
time
it would
would bebe bad
bad policy
policyininusus to
to swell
swell that
that article
article beyond
beyond its just
and reasonable bounds.” 14 The
reasonable bounds."14 T h e letter
letteremphasized that future
emphasized that future
assessments should
assessments should be
bemoderate
moderateand
andfixed
fixedand
andwhen
when it was fixed,
fixed,
the court
the court said,
said, "n
"noo plea
plea should be left
should be left for
for abatements,
abatements, and
and
remissions, but we
remissions, w e are also sensible that
also sensible that cases
cases may
may occur,
occur, where
where

II.
12. HoIt
Holt Mackenzie's
Mackenzie’ s evidence before the Parliamentary
evidence before Parliamentary Select
Select Committee,
Committee,
Parliamentary Rouse oof
papers, House
Parliamentary papers, Commons (hereafter
f Commons (hereaftercited
citedasasP.1'.?., li. C.)
P., H.
1631-2,
831-2, vol.
vol. II,
H, evidence
evidencep.p. 221,
221,Q.
Q. No, 2632.
No. 2632.
13.
13. court
Court of
of Directors
Directors (hereafter
(hereafter cited
cited as
as C.
C. D.)
D . ) to
to Governor
Governor (eneral
General in
in
CouncH(hereafter
Council (hercaftercited
citedas
as G.
G. G.
G. in C,),
C.), 12
12April
April 1786,
1786, ADD. MSS. 12571,
4DD. VS'S. 11571<
Wellesley Papers,
Welksley Papers, p.
p. 8.
8.
14. Ihid,
/Wd, para. 29,
29, p.
p. 10.
10,
 Zarinders'
Zanainders’Reaction
Reaction to
to the
theNew
New System
System 19
a zamindar
zamindar has
has actually
acu ally fallen
fallen in
in arrears from
from some
some peculiar
peculiar
calamityoof
calamity f aalocal
localnnature
a tu re; ;and
and that
that itit may
may then
then be
be advisable
advisable
to grant him a temporary respite of
to o f aa portion
portion of
o f his
his fixed
fixed revenue,
revenue,
instead ooff com
instead compelling himtoto com
pelling him complete
plete hishis engagement
engagement by by money
m oney
borrowed
borrowed atat a heavy interest,” 15 But
heavy interest."5 But Cornwallis
Cornwallis wentwent further.
the sake
For the sake ooff absolute
absolutecertainty
certaintyand
andsecurity
securityoof
f public
public revenue
he laid down,
down, contrary
contrary to
to the
the Court's
Court’ s suggestion,
suggestion, that
thatthe
thezamin-
zamin­
dars would
dars wouldbe bebound
boundtotopay
paytheir
their stipulated
stipulated amount
amount oof f revenue
revenue
punctually regardless
punctually regardless oof f any
any natural
natural or or other
other calamity.
calamity. TheThe
decennialengagement
decennial engagement required
required th the undertaking from
e undertaking from the
the zamin-
zamin­
dars
dars that
that they
they would "claim no remission from [their]
“ claim no rtheirj-
Jumrria,
Jumma,··ononaccount
account of
o f drought,
drought, inundation,
inundation, encroachments
encroachments and
and
depredationsoof
depredations rivers, death
f rivers, death or
or flight
flightoof [theirj ryots."6
f rtheir” ryots.’ ’ 1®

It was expected by the

expected by the Governm
Government
ent that the zamindars
zamindars would
would
derive so
derive somuch
muchbenefit
benefit from
fromthethenew
new system
system andand their
their profits
would be
would beso enlarged that "the
so enlarged “ the deficiencies
deficiencies oof bad seasons
f bad seasons[wwould]
ould]
on the whole
on the whole be
be more
more than counterbalanced by the
counterbalanced by the fruits
fruits of
of
years,” 17 In other
favourable years,"7 ether words,
words, the
the Government
Governm ent wanted
wanted
to make it absolutely
make it absolutely clear
clear to
to the
the zamindars
zamindars that
that henceforth,
henceforth, the
Government would remain
Government would remain satisfied
satisfied with
withthe
thefixed
fixed revenue
revenue and
and
would neither make
would neither make any
any claim
claim upon
upon the
the future
futureprofits
profits of
o f the
the
zamindarsnor
zamindars norwould
wouldbebeready
readytotobear
bear any
any losses incurred by
losses incurred
them.

The
T h e zamindars triedtoto persuade
zamindars tried persuadethe
the authorities that the
authorities that the idea
idea
ooff immediate
immediate improvement
improvementininthe thecountry’
country's agrarian economy
s agrarian economy in
consequenceso of
consequences the very
f the very fixation
fixation of
o f the
the public
public revenue
revenue was
was
illusory and
illusory andthat
that natural conditions wouid make
conditions would make such
such a rigid
rigid

15. JliW,
15. para, 34, p. 12.
Ibid, para, 12.
16. Kubuleag
16. Kubuleat oror engagement
engagomentoof the Raja
f the Raja ofo f Rajshahi, para. 4, enclosed
Rajshahi, para.
with collector's
with collector’s letrer, 16
16 Auguest
Auguest 1791,
1791,Bengal
BengalRevenue
Revenueconsultations,
Consultations,
(hereafter cited
(hereafter citedas
asB.
B.R.
R. C.),
C.), 22 September
September 1791,
1791, No.
No. 11,
11, P52/37.
P52/37.
17. T. Law.
17. Law, Correspondence
Correspondence ooff the
the Honourable
Honourable Court
Court of
o f D!r(ctors
Directors of
o f the
the East
India Companyand
India Company and ooff the Governor General
the Governor General in
in Couwil
Council respecting
respecting thethe
Permanent Settlement
Permanent Settlementoof land revenue,
f land revenue, p. 16.
16.
20 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

system unworkable. The

The zamindars
zamindarsoof Chittagong jointly
f Chittagong jointly pro-
pro­
tested that
tested that the
the local
local peculiarities
peculiarities there
there were
weresuch
such that
that without
without
occasional remissiongororabatements,
occasional remissione abatements, cultivation
cultivation was
was impossible.
impossible.
They pointed out
They pointed out that
that the
the crops
crops in
inChittagong,
Chittagong, which
which were
w ere
mainly produced
mainly produced in in the
the coastal
coastal areas,
areas, were
were frequently exposed
exposed to
cyclonic storms and
cyclonic storms and toto destructive
destructive flooding
floodingwith
with salt
salt water
water on
on the
one hand,
one hand, and
and to
to the
the ravages
ravagesooff elephants from the
elephants from the hills, on the
Besides,they
other.188 Besides,
other.1 they argued
argued that
that unlike
unlike other
other districts,
districts, an
an
extension ooff agriculture in Chittagong was
extension wasnot
notpossible
possiblewithout
without the
the
payment ooff extra revenue.
payment revenue. Because
Because all waste
waste lands,
lands, according
according to
an injunction
an injunction ofo f Hastings' era, belonged
Hastings’ era, belongedtotothe
the estate
estate of of Joynar-
Joynar-
Ghoshal, a banian of
yan Ghoshal, o f Herry
H erry V Vereist,
erelst, from
from whomwhom taluqdari
taluqdari
pattas had
had to
to be
be secured before any
secured before any such
suchland
land would
would be be brought
brought
under the plough.19
plou gh .19 Demanding remission on
Demanding remission on account
account ooff natural
calamities, they
calamities, they concluded
concludedtheir
their memorandum
memorandumthus thus :: ""If
I f anything
conducive to
conducive to our
our future
future prosperity
prosperity be written in the book of o f fate,
our complaint
our complaintwwill doubtlessbebeattended
ill doubtless attendedtoto; if not,
; if not, the
the dead
dead are
are
alwaysatat the
always the disposal
disposal ooff the living."20
living.” 20 The
T h e zamindars
zamindars of o f the
24-Parganas,
24— Parganas, on
on the
the other
other hand,
hand, did
did not beg
beg for
for justice like the
justice like the
Chittagong zamindars. Instead, they concertedly
concertedly boycotted
boycotted the
decennial settlement because
settlement because ooff the clauses.21
the no-remission clauses."
The
The noremission policywas
no remission policy wasruinous
ruinousforforthem
them because
because the
the dis-
dis­
trict of
trict o f the 24-Pargarias, thoughfertile,
2 4 -Parganas, though fertile, was
was periodically
periodically devas-
devas­
tated by
tated bythe
the furies
furies ooff the
the Damudar
Damudar river. Their firm
river. Their firm stand
stand
compelled
com pelled thethe Board
Boardtotorecommend
recommendtotothe theCouncil
Council for
for relaxing
relaxing
the rigidity
rigidity ofo f no-remission policy. The T h e Council,
Council, however,
however,
alithorisedthe
authorised theBoard
Boardtotoassure
assure them
them that
that “ in"inthe
theevent
event ofof any
any
seriouscalamity
serious calamityarising
arisingeither
either from
from inundation,
inundation, drought,
drought, or or

18.
38. Combined
Combined Memorandum
Memorandum from from the
the Zamindars
Zamindars ooff Chfttagong,
Chittagong, 29 April
Api!
1790, Quoted in H.
1790. H. 3.
J. S.
S. Cotton, Memorandum
Memorandum ononthe
theRevenue
Revenue History
History of
of
Chittangong,p.
Chittangong, p. 69.
69.
19.
19. ibid.
Ibid.

10.
0. Ibid.
Ibid.

21.
2J. Collectoroof
Collector the 24-Parganas
f the 24-ParganastotoBoardBoardoof Revenue(hereafter
f Revenue (hreafe cited
cited as
as
B..O0.. R.),
B R.), 17
17Nov.
Nov.1791,
1791, B., R. C., 23
B. R. 23 NOV. 1791, No,
Nov. 1791, No, 72, P52f37.
P52/37.
Zamindars'
2amindara’ Reaction to the New
New Systeni
System Si

other cause which Jjnight]

cause which [might] render the assessment
assessment oof their lands
f their lands
immoderate,the
immoderate, thecircumstances
circumsta aces o f of theirsituation
their situation[ [would]
would ] be be
duly attended to by Governm ent.” 22 But in spite
Government."23 spite ofo f this
this assurance
assurance
from the Council,
from the Council,thethe zamindars
zamindarsrefused
refusedtoto engage
engage unlessunless the
undertakingwas
undertaking waswithdrawn
withdrawnfrom from thethe engagement
engagement form form altoge-
altoge­
ther. They
They argued, “"should
should we execute such deeditit will
such deed w ill involve
involve
us in
in the utmost difficulty, andultimately
difficulty, and ultimately must
must inevitably
inevitably prove prove
ourruin."
our ruin.” They continued, “"we
They continued, are required
w e are required to to enter
enter intointo
engagements
engagements stating
stating thatthat without murmur or
without murmur or anyany pleaplea on on
accouat
account oof droughtororinundation,
f drought inundation,whether
whetherfrom from tootoo much
much rain,rain,
or the
or the banks
banks oof rivers being
f rivers being overflown, desertionoror death
overflown, desertion death of of
etc., we
ryots etc., shallbind
we shall bind ourselves
ourselves toto paypay ourour compleat
compleat (sic) (sic)
we
revenue ;; this w can by
e can by no
no means
means agree o .” 23 The collector,
agree tto."23 collector,
being
being exasperated,
exasperated, requested
requestedsanction
sanction toto punish
punish those
those audacious
audacious
zamindars
zamindars forfordisobedience
disobediencetoto the Counci1s
Council's orders.24
orders.24 But But the
Council, disapproving, preferred to offer assurances to the
Council, disapproving,
zamindars for
zamindars for the second tim e.25 A
second time.25 Att last
last they agreed to
they agreed to engage,
engage,
though the undertaking
though still included
undertaking was still included in in the
the bond. That
their trust
trust was
was wwell
ell placed
placed and
and that
that the
theCouncil
Council intended
intended to
faithfully to
faithfully to adhere
adhere to
to its
its promise,
promise, even
even though
though the
theno-remission
no-remission
clauses were renewed
clauses were renewed inin the proclamation
proclamation of the permanent
o f the permanent
settlement,was
settlement, wasproved
provedbybysubsequent
subsequentgrants
grants ooff remissions at
remissions at
times ofofcalamities,
times calamities,though
thoughthetheamount
amountgiven
givenbybyway
way oof
f relief
relief
was always
was always much
much below
below the
the actual losses. The raja of
losses. The of Nadia,
Nadia, for
for
example, claimed
example, claimed that
that he he lostlakhs
lost lakhso of rupees on
f rupees on account
account of
of
devastaingdrought
devast&ing droughtinin1793,
1793,butbutthe
theamount
amounto of remission
remission he
he go
got

22,
22. B. 0. R. to 0.
B. O. O.G.
G.in
inC.,
'C,.18
18Nov.
Nov. 1791,
1791, B.
B.1?.
R. C.,
C., 23
23Nov.
Nov.1791,
1791,No,
No,71,
71,
P52/37.

23. 24-Pargana Zamindars’

24-Pargaoa Zamjndars' petition, B.
B. R. 16 March 1792,
C., 16
B. C., 26, P52/42,
1792, No. 26,

24. 24-Pargana Collectortoto B.

24-Pargana Collector B.O.
0. R.,
R., 29
29 Feb.
Feb. 1792,
1792. B.
B. R. C., 16
16 March 1792,
1792,
No. 26,
26, P52/42.
P52/42.

25. G. 0.
G. in
inC.
C. totoB,
B.0.O.R..
R .,1616March
March1792,
1792, B.
B. R. C., 16
B. C,, March 1792,
16 March No.27,
1792, No. 2,
P52/42,
F52/42.
 22 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

amounted to onlyonly Rs.

Rs. 67954.26
67954.26 In order to raise the government
government
relief to
to the
the level
level ofo f actual
actual losses, the zamindars
zamindars often
often gave
gave false
false
returns.
returns, The
T h e raja
raja oof
f Burdwan,
Burdwan, for
for example,
example, demanded
demanded aa sus
sus­
pension oof
pension publicrevenue
f public revenueamounting
amountingtototw twelve thourand rupees
elve thousand rupees
on
on account
account oof f aa drought
drought in in one
oneoof hisparganas.
f his parganas. HeH e gave
gave to the
the
collectoraalist
collector listoof ryotstotowhom
f ryots whomhehegranted suspension oof
granted suspension f their
their
rents. But on
rents. But on verification
verificationthethecollector
collectorfound
foundthat
that many
many ryots
ryots
in the
the raja’
raja'ss suspension list had
suspension list had already: paid their
already paid their full
fu ll rents.
rents.
Fourteen ryots
Fourteen ryots admitted that the
admitted that the raja's
raja’ s officers collected from
officers collected from
them even
even excess
excess rents.27
rents.27

D ecennial Assessm
Decennial ent
Assessment

No detailed investigation
No detailed investigationinto
intothe
the resources
resourcesoof
f the zamindari
zamindari
estates was made
m ade before fixing
fixing the decennial jam a on
decennial jarnà them. The
on them. The
Court of Directofs believed that under the various plans tried
Court o f D irectors believed that under the various plans tried
out since
out 1765,adequate
since 1765, adequateinform
information
ation asastotothe
theresources
resourcesoof
f the
country hadbeen
country had been already
already acquired,
acquired, “"much
much, [£could
could j] not stilt
still
remain unexplored”
remain The Court
. 28 The
unexplored".28 Court apprehended
apprehended that
that further
local inquiries would
local inquiries would bebe “"open
open to numberless objections.” 29 The
numberless objections."29
government was thus
governm ent was thus advised
advised to strike
strike out
outananaverage
average ofof the
assessment from 1772
assessment from 1772 to
to 1786
1786 and
and use
u sethis
thisas
as the
thebasis
basis for
for the
the
decennial settlement.30
settlement.30 Cornwallis
C ornw allis further simplified this
formula
form by making
ula by thejama
making the jamaoof the previous
f the previous year 1196
1196 B.
B. S.
S.
as the
the basis
basis of settlem ent.31 To
o f settlement.3' T o this
thismode
modeofo fproceeding
proceeding John
John
Shore, the President
Shore, President of
o f the
the Board
Board of
o fRevenue,
R evenue,however,
however,objected.
objected.

26.
26. Nadia Collector to B.
Nadia Collector B. O.
0. R,, 2 February
R., 2 February 1793, B.I?,
1793, B. R, C., 22 February,
C., 22
1793,
1793, No.
No. 50.
50.

27.
27. Burdwan Collector
Burdwan Collector to B.
B. 0.
O. R ., 66 April 1792.
R., 1792, B.
B. I?,
R, C.,
C.,April
April 1792,
1292, N o,
No,
25, para.
25, para, 3.
3,
28. C.
25, C. D.
D. to
to G.
G, G.
G, in
in CC.. 12
12 April 1786, General
April 1786, General Revenue Letter, para.
Revenue Letter, para. 44,
44,
E/4/630.
Ef 4/ 630.

29.
29. Ibid.
IbId.

30.
30. Ibid.
IbId.

31. Special 0rder,

31, Bengal Spccial Orders, B.
B. R.
R. C.,
C.,23
23Nov. 1791, N
Nov. 1791, o. 66,
No. 66, pari. 1, P52/37.
par8, 1, p52/37.
Zamindars' Reactions
Zamindars’ Reactions to
to the
the1'iew
New SysLet
System

His argument
argument was wasthat
that the
the government's
governm ent’ s knowledge
know ledge respecting
respecting
the real
the real resources
resourcesoof thecountry
f the countrywaswasstill
still grossly
grossly imperfect
imperfect andand
because oof
because that im
f that imperfect knowledge,
perfect know the distribution
ledge, the distribution of
o f assess­
assess-
mentbetween
ment betweendifferent
different estates
estates in in
a adistrict
districtwaswasbound
bound to to be
be
notional, and
notional, and therefore, uneqtial.62
unequal.32 Faced with the
Faced with the prospect
prospect of of
further delay
delay and
and uncertainty
uncertainty which
whichShore
Shoreopened
openedup,up, the
the Court
Court
of Directors
of plumped finally
Directors plumped finally for
for the
the contrary views ooff Cornwa!lis
Cornwallis
who arguedthat
who argued thatthe
theknowledge
knowledgethat thathad
hadbeen
been acquired
acquired in in the
the
past twenty
past twentyfive
fiveyears
yearscould
couldhardly
hardlybebe improved
improved by
by further
further
researches.33
researches.33

Thus the assesment

assesment ooff the preceeding year, that is
proceeding year, is of
o f 1789-90,
178990,
was made
was made the
the basis
basis ooff the decennial settlement. In
the decennial In that
that year,
year,
the net
net jam
jainaa oof Bengal, Behar
f Bengal, Behar and Orissa,
Orissa, including
including sayer
sayer or
or
'internal custom duties,
internal custom duties, had
bad amounted
amounted to to twenty fivefive crores
crores and
and
nine lakhs of
nine o f rupees.84
rupees.34 T The
h e decennial
decennial settlement,
settlement, desp:te
despite the
the
deduction
deduction oof f sasayer
y er revenues, which
which had
had recently
recently heen
heen abolished,
abolished,
was still made
was still made at twenty five crores and
five crores and eight
eight lakhs ooff rupees.35
rupees.35
But the sa
But the sayer
yer revenues,
revenues, collected
collected and
and paid
paid byby the
the zamindars,
zamindars, it
should be
should noted, had
be noted, had amounted
amounted to some
some tenten lakhs
lakhs of rupees366
o f rupees.3
'The
'T h e revenue demandupon
revenue demand upon them
them was
was thus,
thus, in reality, raised
raised by
by
some nine lakhs
some nine lakhs oof rupees above
f rupees above the
the basic
basic level
level proposed
proposed by the
Court. TThe
h e Government's deficitoof
Government’s deficit nine lakhs
f nine lakhs ooff rupees
rupees in
in
consequenceoof
consequence the abolition
f the abolitionoof the sa
f the sayer
yer duties, was
was made up by by
a new imposition rasad. This was
called rasad.
imposition called was aaprogressive
progressive increase
increase
on the
on the original
original decennial
decennialassessment
assessmentwhichwhichwas wastoto last
last for
for three
three
from the beginning oof
years from f the decennial settlment. The amount
decennial settlment.
oof assessmentininthe
f assessment thelast
lastyear
yearoof the payment
f the paymentoof rasad was
f rasad was to
to be
be
the revenue
revenue fixed for ever. For
fixed for For example,
example, the
the Burdwan
Burdwan zamindari
zamindari
was originally
was originally settled R s. 29, 66,
settled at S. Rs. 66, 207
207 in 1791. 7 The
in 1791.3 T h e amount
amount

32.
32. J. Shore's
J. Shore's Minute, 18 June
Micute, 18 June 1789.
1789,Fit/i
Fith Report, Appendix5.5.
Report, ApiDendix
33 .
33. cC.. D.
D. to
to G. G . in
G. 0. in C.,
C., 19
19 Sspt. 1792, p.
Sept. 1792, p. 775,
775, E/4/638,
£141638.
34.
34. Ibid., p.
ibid.. p. 710,
710.
35.
35. Ibid., pp. 709-710.
IbkL, pp. 709-710.
36. Ibtd.i
36. 1bid,p. p. 711.
711.
37. B.
37. B. RR..CC,,
., 24
24 June
June 1791,
1791, No.
No. 11. P52/32.
P52/32.
 24 Permanent Settlement in bengal
Bengal

of rasad upon
o f rasad upon this sum was S.
sum was S. Rs.
Rs. 1,50,000
1,50,000 inin the first year,
the first
S. Rs.
Rs. 1,00,000
1,00,000 in the second
second year, and S.
S. Rs.1,50,000 in the third
Rs.1,50,000 in third
Thus three
year. Thus three lakhs
lakhs of rupees wwere
o f rupees ere added
added toto the
the basic
basic
decennial figure.388 So
decen n ial. figure.3 So the
the perpetual
perpetual jarna
jam a of
o f the
theBurdwan
Burdwan
zamindari stood
stood at S. Rs. 32,
S. Rs. 32, 66,207
66,207 which
which meant
meant about about tenten
percent increase upon the basic decennial jam
basic decennial jamaa ofo f the
the zaxnindari.
zamindari.
Thc$ugh
T therewas
hough there wasconsiderable
considerablevariation
variationininthe
therate
rateo fofrasad
rasad at
individual level, the
individual level, the average
average revenue
revenue demand
demand uponupon aa di district
strict was
was
always higherthan
always higher thanthat
that oof
f the basic
basic year
year1196
1196B.B.S./1789-90
S./1789-90
D .39
A , D.39
Thus, as
Thus, asaaresult
resultoof the rasa
f the rasadd policy,
policy, the
thedecennial
decennial assess-
assess­
ment became
became the the highest
highest demand
demandever evermade
madebefore
beforeand andthis
this the
Governor General in
Governor General in Council
Councilboastfully
boastfullyreported
reportedtoto the Court4°
C ou rt.40
The
T h e Court of o f Directors showed no
Directors showed noconcern,
concern,butbut rather
rather expressed
expressed
their pleasure
their pleasure that that the
the enhanced
enhanced assessment
assessment would
would be sufficient
sufficient
"not
“ not only
only forfor all
all the exigencies oof
the exigencies f government
governm ent but but for the
gradual extinction
gradual extinctionoof ourdebts
f our debtsabroad
abroadatatthe the same
same time.'4t
tim e.” 41 It
sounds
sounds as asififthe
the assessment
assessmentwas wasfixed
fixedaccording
according to tothe
theneeds
needs ooff
the government
governm ent rather rather than
than according zamindars’ ability
accordingtoto the zamindars
to pay A Ass wwill
ill bebe seen
seenlater
later the
the Government
Governm ent did succeed in
did succeed
securingits
securing its full
full pound
pound ooff flesh
fleshininthe
the years which
which followed
follow ed the
decennial settlement. The question is,
decennial is, however,
how ever, what
what waswas the
state ooff the
state the body
body from from which
whichitit was
was taken
talen ?? Were
W ere thethezsmindars
zamindars
paying what
capable ooff paying
capable what in in practice
practice was was the
the everever highest
highest
assessment ?? H How equitably had the assessment been distributed
ow equitably
among zamindars ? It
among the zamindars? has been
It has been already
already explained
explained in in the
the
preceding chapter how
chapter how indigent
indigent were
were the
the zamindars at the
zamindars at
time
time of
o f the The
the decennial settlement. T h e Court
Court of
o f Directors
Directors

38. ibid.
Ibid.
39. N. K. Sinha,
Sinha, The
The Economic History ooff Bengal, Vol. 11,
Economc Fl/story 11, p. 159.
159,
40. G. G.
G· in C.
C. to
to C,
C. D., General
General Revanue
Revenue Letter,
Letter, 10
10 August
August 1791,
179], para. 16,
16,
E/4/50.
El 4/50.
41. G. G. in
41. io C. to C. D
D.,„ General
General Revenue
Revenue Letter,
Letter, 19
19 Septoaiber
September 1792, para.
1792, para.
17,
17, E/4/638.
 amjndars' Reactions
Zamindars* eactions to
to the t4ew
Mew System 25
2

frankly
frankly admitted that the
admitted that the Government's
G overnm ent's frantic searchsearch for
for
higher
higher and
and higher
higher revenues
revenuesfrOm the acquision
from the acquision oof the diwani
f the diw ani
onwards, had
onwards, had allowed
allowed the country
country totobe
be "drained
“ drained by
by farmers,
farmers,
or. by the
or by the Tahsildars,
T ahsildars,sezawals,
sezaw als, and
and arneens
am eens of o fGovernment,
Governm ent,
none,ofof.whom
none whom[h[had
a d ] aay permanent
permanent interest inin its
its prosperity;
prosperity ;
the zamindars
zamindars [were many of
[ w e r e ] discontented ;; many o f them
them deprived
deprived
o f their
of lands, overw helm ed by.
overvhelmed by debts,
debts, or reduced to
beggary,··
beggary, ” 42
"42

The decennial
The decennial assessment
assessment of
o f 1790;
1790, which
w hich was
was made
made perma-
perm a­
nently fixed
nently fixed in
in 1793, was not
1793, was not only
on ly unbearably high in
unbearably high in the
the
context ooff the economic
context conditionsoof
econom ic conditions the zamindars
f the zamindars at
at that time,
but also highly
but also highly unequal
unequal in
in its
its distribution.
distribution. In some
som e cases
cases the
the
assessmentonontheir
assessment their property
property was
was “"very
very moderate,
m oderate, in
in others it
others it
was almost
was almost extortionate
extortionate ;; in many
many cases
cases engagements
engagements werewere
entered intofor
entered into for lands
lands that had
had nono existence,
existence, oror for
for lands
lands that
that
were
w estates.” 43 In the absence
includedinin other estates."45
ere included absence oof
f any
any survey
survey
or registers,
or registers, and
and owing
ow in g to
to the
the confusion
confusion in,
in, and
and subsequent
subsequent
abolitionoof
abolition the Kanango's
f the K a n u n go’ s office,
office, ititwas
was ananixnpossiblity
impossiblity for
for the
the
collector
collector toto exam
examine
ine in detail
detail thethereturns
returnsfiled
filed by
by the
the myriads
myriads
ooff small landholders. His
His main
main efforts
efforts were
w ere "directed
“ directed towards
towards
maintaining the amounts
maintaining the amounts ooff thethe assessment
assessment oof f the previous
year without examining
year without examining itsits distribution-such
distribution— such an anexamination
examination
being
being impossible in view
im possible in view ofo f the
the huge
hugeofof·
number
numberseparation
separation
of taluqa from
o f taluqa from the parent
parent estates.44
estates.44

In protest
protest against
against the
theunequal
unequaldistribution
distributionof
o fjatna
jam ahundred
hundred
of
o f petty
petty zamindars
zamindars of o f Dacca
Dacca deserted
deserted their
theirestates
estatesand
and many
many
mmore
ore refused
refused to to engage.45 It waswas estimated
estimated byby the
thecollector
collector
that four
that four thousand
thousand andand fourteen
fourteen zamindars
zamindars paying
paying revenue
revenue
ooff about
about two
tw o lakhs
lakhs of
o f rupees
rupees annually
annually refused
refused to
to accept
accept the
the
terms
terms offered
offered byby the
the decennial settlement,48
settlement,46 In
In 1793,
1793, the
the

42.
42. C- D. to
C. to G.
0. G. in C.
G. in General
General Revenue Letter, 12
Revenue Letter, 12 April
April 1786,
1786, para, 22,
22,
p. 339,
p. 339, E/4/630,
Ej4,630,

43.
'43. P. D.
P. Aacoli,
D. Ascoli, Early Revenue History ooff Bengal
Revenue History and the Fifth Report, p. 73,
Bengal and 73.
44. ibid. p.
Ibid. p. 73.
73.
26 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in ?engal
Bengal

total number
num ber of
o f estates in the Dacca
Dacca district
district was 14500.47 The
was 14500. The
forthright
forthright refusal
refusal to
to accept
acceptthethedecennial
decennialsettlement
settlement byby about
about
one third
one third ooff the
the zamindars
zamindarspaying
payingabout
abouton one
e fourth
fourth of
o f the
the total
total
revenue demand
revenue demand on on the
the district
district was,
w as, indeed,
indeed,aaserious
serious challenge
challenge
against
against the
the revenue
revenue policy
policy ofo f the
thegovernment.
government. Under the
Under
circumstances, the governm
circumstancies, the government had two
ent had possible alternatives. It
two possible
could either
could either defer
defer the
the conclusion
conclusion oof the decennial
f the decennial settlement
settlement for
for
indefinite period
indefinite period oror the
the unw
unwilling
illing landholders
landholders could
could be pensioned
pensioned
off by
off by bringing
bringing their
their estates
estates under
under khas or official
official management
till the expiry
expiry of
o f the
the decennial
decennial period
period in
in 1800.
1800. The government
governm ent
preferred
preferred thethe latter. But But the dispossessed proprietors tried
the dispossessed
their utmost
utmost to
to frustrate
frustrate such arrangements. Their
such arrangements. T h eir lath
lathials
ials or

clubmennot
clubmen notonly
only stirred
stirred the ryots to commotion,
com m otion, but even
even
beat up the officers of government when they visited, the
beat up the officers o f governm ent when they visited the
villages to collect rents.48
villages
Like
Like their
their Dacca
Dacca neighbours, large number
neighbours, large number of o f Tipperah
Tipperah
zamindarsalso
zamindars also refused
refused to
to accept
accept the
the decennial
decennial settlement
settlementoffer
offer
and
and wwcre,
ere, consequently, dispossessed ooff their
consequently, dispossessed their estates.
estates. ByBy way
of
o f passive resistance to
passive resistance to such
such dispossessions
dispossessionstheythey applied
applied theit
their
looal influencetoto make
local influence make the the khas management
m anagem ent aa failure.
failure. The
ryots were
ryot intimidated into
w ere intimidated into not paying
paying rents toto government
government andand
into keeping
keeping their
their lands fallow .49
lands fallow.49
Rangpur zamindars alsoalso objected
objected to
to the
the decennial
decennial assessment
assessment
policyininthe
policy the strongest
strongest terms.
terms. They
T h ey declined to engage
declined to engage if the
the

45,
.45. B. O.
B. 0. R.
R , to
to G.
G.G,G ,C..
C „ 25
25 Apriltpri1 1794,
1794, B. K. C..
B. R, C., 25
25 April
April 1794, No. 10,
1.794, No. 10,
P53/15. '
46.
46. Dacca Collector
Dacca Collector totOB.B.O.0, R
R.,., 10
10 April 1795.
1795, Board
Board ooff Revenue
Revenue Proceedings
Proceedings
(hereaftercited
(hereafter as B.
cited as B. O.
0. K.
R. P.)
p .) 16
16 April
April 1795,
1795, No. No. 11.
11. P72/42.
P7 2/42.
For details
details about
about thetheimp3verished
impoverished conditions
conditions of o f the
the Dacca
Dacca Zmindars
Zamindars
of
o f 1790s Sirajul Islam,
1790s see Sirajul Islam, 'The
‘ The operation
operation of o f the
theSun-sot
Sun-set Law
Law and Changes
Changes
in the Landed Society ooff Dacca Dacca District',
District’ ,1793-1817,
1793-1817, Journal
Journal ofo f the Asiatic
Asiatic
Society ooff Bangladesh vol. X
Bangladesh voi. XIX,
IX , No.
No. 1,
1, April,
April,1974.
1974.
47.
47. F. D.
D. Ascol,
Ascoli, Final
Final Report
Report onon the Survey and Settlement
the Survey Settlement in In Dacca
Dacca District
District
P, $4.
p, 54.
48. Dacca
DaccaCollector
Collectorto toB.
B. 0,
O.R.,R.,17 17Nov.
Nov.1796,
1796, B. 8. O.
0. K.
R. F, 22 Nov.
P, 22 Nov. 1796,
1796, No,
No,
26.
26.
49. B. O.K.
O. R. p.,
P.,15
15June
June1795,
1795,No,
No,16, 16,P73 1 1 ,and 23 June 1795,
P73 11,aud No. 19,
1795, No. 19, P73/1I.
P73/lI.
Zamindars
Zamindars* Ieacfions to the tew
Reactions to NewSystem
System 27

assessment was
assessment was not
not revised
revised according to the current
according to current actual
actual
resources of
resources o f their estates.
estates.559 They submitted that
T h ey submitted thatthe
theresources
resources
of the district
o f the district had
had much
much depreciated
depreciated inin recent
recent years,
years, due
due to the
flood and
flood and fam
famine
ine of
o f l787-83.
1 7 8 7 - 8 3 . They also refused
They also refused to
to pay
pay any
any
rasad which,
rasad which, they
they alleged,
alleged, waswas based
based on
on .aa quite
quite imaginary
imaginary
prospect
prospect of o f growth
growth in in the
the produce
produce of o f the country.52
country.52 The
collector being
collector, convinced ooff their
being convinced their just
just demands,
demands, recommended
recommended
to the
to the Board that aa proper
Board that proper investigation
investigation intointo thethe resource8
resources ofof
the district
district should precede a setflement.53.
settlement.53 The T h e Council
Council agreeing
to aa similar
similar recommendation
recommendation from from the Board
Board of o f Revenue
Revenue ordered
ordered
the cancellation
cancelJation oof the previous
f the previous settlement
settlem ent in favour
favour of
o f aa new
new
settlement to
settlement to be
be based
based on the
on the individual capacity of
o f the
the
zamindars.04
zamindars.54

Raja TTej
Raja e j Chandra
Chandra of urdwan accepted
o f Burdwan accepted the basic
basic decennial
decennial
assessment,but
assessment, but not
not the
the imposition
imposition of
of amounting
amounting to
rasad
three lakhs
three lakhs of
o f rupees.
rupees. He
H ehimself
him selfvisitei
visite 1Calcutta
Calcutta to
to convince
convincie
the Board
Board ofof his inability toto pay
his inability pay the
the ra sa d .66 The
rasad.55 T h e Board
Board
refused to
to comply
com ply wwith his plea and
ith his and called
called upon him to accept the the
terms offered
terms offeredunconditionally.
unconditionally.ButBut
thethe raja,toto the
raja, the very
very face
face
of the
of the members
members oof theBoard,
f the Board,refused
refusedtoto engage
engage ifif the
the rasad
rasad
was not
was not withdraw
withdrawn58n.50 HHis
is conduct
conduct was
was reported
reported to
toCornwall is
Cornwallis
who
w ho angrily
angrily ordered
ordered his immediate expulsion from the capital
his immediate expulsion from the capital
and held
and heldhim
him responsible
responsiblefor
for any
ally deficiency that might
deficiency that might occur
occur
due toto the delay
due delay caused
caused byby hmhim ininmaking
makingthe thesettlement.S'?
settlement.57
Though
T under this
h ou gh under this pressure,
pressure, the
the raja
raja agreed
agreed to
to engage,
engage, he later
adopted fraudulent
adopted fraudulent means
meanstotoobtain
obtain reductions.
reductions. In
In order
order to
to show
show

50. Rangour
Rangpur Collector to B,
Coll*ctor to B. O.
0. R
L,„ 99June
June 1790, B.O.
1790, B. 0, R.
R. P.,
P., 21.
21. June
June 1790,
1790,
P71/26.
P71126.
51.
51, Memorandum ooff Raogpur
Memorandum Rangpur Zamindars,
Zamindars, 22 January
January i790,
1790, Rangpur
Rangpur District
District
Records, V
Records, Vol. 27, pp.
ol. 27, pp. 37.38.
37.38. (D.
(D, S. R.).
52. Ibid.
Ibid.
53. Ibid.
Ibid.

54.
5*. B. O.
B· 0. R'
R·totoRangpur
RangpurCollector
Collector 33 July
July 1790,
1790, B. 0.
O. R.
R. P.,
P.,30 30July
July1790.
1790.
55.
55, B, R.
B, R. C..
C., 24
24 June
Juoe 1791,
1791, No.
No. 2,
2, P,
P. 52J32.
52/32.
56.
56, Ibid·
lbJd'

57.
57. G. G.
G. in
in C,
C. to
to B.
B. 0.
O.R.,
R.,B.B.R.R.C.,
C 24
, 24June
June1791,
1791,No,
No.3,3,P.P.52132.
52/32.
28 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

deficiencyoof
a deficiency assetsinin his
f assets his estate he
he let
let lands
lands to his
his underlings
underlings
at reduced
reduced jarna
jam a with
with verbal
verbal agreements
agreements that the balance
balance ofo f the
actual jam a should
jarna be paid
should be paid privately
privately to
to him
him without
withoutreceipt.68
receipt. 68
By this
By this method
method hehe created,
created, so
so the collector
collector alleged,
alleged, an artificial
artificial
shortfall
shortfall in his rent
rentroll
roll to
to the
the tune
tune of
o f S.
S, Rs. 1,42,981
1,42,981 inin three
three
years.69 Finally he
years.89 Finally he deliberately
deliberately withheld
withheld the
the biggest
biggest instalment
instalment
ooff the month
m onth of
of Poose,
P oose, (that isis the
the month
month for
for the tenth instalment
oof
f the
the revenue
revenue year)
year) amounting
amounting to
to seven
seven lakhs
lakhs of
of rupees
and transferred
and transferred the
the zamindari
zamindari totohis
hismother.6°
mother.60 This transfer
was
was interpreted
interpreted byby the
the collector as aa tactical
collector as tactical manoeuvre
manoeuvre on
on
the
the part
part of
o f the
the raja.
raja. "As
“ A s far
far as
a3 the
the Raja's
R aja's object
object can
can be
be
inferred
inferred from his conduct
from his conductinin the
the late transaction,"
transaction,” wrote
w rote collec-
collec­
tor
tor S.
S. Davis,
Davis, "it
“ it appears
appears to
to have
havebeen
beentotoembezzle
em bezzleas
asmuch
much
as he
as he could
could oof
f the
the rents,
rents, and
and leave
leave Government to look
Governm ent to look to
to
Ranny fo
the Ranny forr the balance which would happen
which would happen inin consequence;
consequence ;
this
this would
w ould not
not subject the Ranny
Ranny to any inconvenience;
to any inconvenience ;
for, being
for, being by
byher
hersex,
sex,exempted
exem ptedfrom
from imprisonment
imprisonmentor orcoercion
coercion
oof
f any
any kind,
kind, she
she would
would remain
remain undisturbed till the
undisturbed till the end
end of
of
the year
the year wwhile theRaja,
hile the Raja,nono longer
longer subject
subject to
to restraint,
restraint, would
would
be at
be at full liberty to
fu ll liberty to try
tryevery
everymeans
means he
he might
might think
thinkconducive
conducive
to the
to the reduction
reduction oof the assessment
f the assessmentononthe
thedistrict,
district, which
which appears
to
to me
me to
to have
have been
been his
his aim
aim ever
eversince
since he
heentered
entered into hs
into his
decennial
decennial engagement.61
engagement.81 But
But the
theGovernment,
Government, being
being determined
determined
not to be
not be outwitted
outw itted by
by such subterfuges, arrested
such subterfuges, arrested the
the raja
raja
and
and exiled
exiled him
him toto Chandannagar
Chandannagar till all the
till all the arrears
arrears had
had been
been
recovered
recovered and all his frauds
frauds exposed
exposed under the
the khas management

58.
58. Burdwan Collector
Burdwan Collector to
to B. 0.
O. B..,
R., 19. August 1894,
19 August 1894, B. R.
R. C.,
C., 29 1794,
29 Aug. 1794,
No. 15,
15, p.
P. 53/19,
53/19,
59. Burdwan Collector to B.
B . 0.
O B..
, R .19
19August
August1794,
1794, B.
B. R.
S . C.,
C., 29
29 Aug.
Aug, 1794.
1794,
No. 15, p.
p . 53/19.
53/19.
Burdwan Collector
60. Burdwan Collector to
to B.
B. 0.
O. B..,
R ., 28
28 January
January1794,
1794, B.
B. O.
0. R, P., 21
R, F., 21 January
January
1794,
1794, P.
p . 72/26,
72/26,

61. Burdwan CollectortotoB.

Burdwan Collector B.O.
0. R., 27
27 Feb
Feb 1794,
1794, B. 0.
O. R.
R. P. 14 March
F. 14 March 1794
1794
P. 72/28 No.5.
72/28 NO. 5.
Zamindars'
Zamindars’ Reaction
Reaction to
to the
the New
New System
System 29

o f his
of his zamindari.62
zanzindari.62 T prevent the
o prevent
TO the other
other zamindars
zamindars from
from
adoptingthe
adopting thefraudulent
fraudulent methods
methods oof
f Raja
R aja Tejchandra,
Tejchandra, aa Regula-
Regula­
tion was
tion was enacted abo)ibhing the practice
enacted abolibhing practice of
o f confining the
defaulting
defaulting zan'iindars. Instead, their property landed
zamindars. Instead, landed or other was
made liable
made liabletoto be
be promptly sold in public
prom ptly sold public auction
auction in
in order
order to
to
recover
recover the arrears from them.63 It was
from them.®8 also prescribed
was also prescribed that
that “"all
all
proprietomoof
proprietors land withholding
f land withholding the public
public revenue
revenue shall
shall bebe
as- fine,
liable, as fine, toto the
the payment
payment of
o f interest
interest on
onthe
theamount
amount of
of
the arrears
the at the
arrears at the rate
rate of
o f twelve
tw elve per
per cent
cent per
per annum
annum from
from
the day
dayon
on which
which it
it became
became due, to the date of
o f its
its discharge.’ ’ 64
discharge."64
raja of
The raja o f Nadia
Nadia alsoalso claimed
claimed aa reduction
reduction on on account
account o df
an inequitable
inequitable assessment,
assessment,but butunder
underofficial
official pressure
pressure he
he agreed
agreed
to engage.80 Even so
engage.85 Even so itit was
was discovered later that
discovered later that he
he had succee-
succee­
ded
ded in
in deceiving
deceiving the Government
Government by
by alienating 2,66,426,
bighas ooff land,
land, yielding an income therefrom of
incom e therefrom o f about one lakh of
of
rupees a year.6°
rupees year.66 Among
A m on g the principal
principal zamindars
zamindars who fought for a
reduction ooff the
reduction the assessment
assessment upon
upon them,
them,the
theraja
rajaofo fBishnapur
Bishnapur
alone succeeded
alone in securing
succeeded in securing any relief.87
relief.07
Since appeals
Since appeals to
to Government against inequalities
Governm ent against inequalities inin the
the
revenue assessmentor
revenue assessment oragainst
againstthe
theburden
burdenoof rasad met
f rasad m et virtually
virtually
with no success,
with no success,the
the zamindars
zamindarswere
weredrawn
drawntoto take
take matters
matters
into their own hands. In some cases, doubtless,
own hands. doubtless, the
the despairing
despairing
ths - revenue demand were
cries against ths w ere make-believe,
m ake-believe,

62. Burdwan Collector

Burdwan Collector to
to B.
B. O,
0, P.,
R., August
August1794,
1794, ii.
D. R.
R. C,,
C,, 29
29 August
August 1794,
1794,
No.
N o. 15,
15. P.
P, 53/19.
53/19. -

63. G. G.
G. in 6.
6. to B.
B. 0.
O.R,
R 14
, 14March
March1794,
1794,See,
See,West
WestBengal
Bengal District
DistrictRecords
Records
Murshidubad, Letters Received,
(New Series) Mw'shidubad, 1789-1803. S. K, Bose
Received, 1739-1803, Bose (ed.)
(ed.)
p. 159.
159.
64. G. G.
64, G. io
inCC to
to C.
C, D.,
D., 18
18Aug,
Aug, 1794,
1794, General
General Revenue
Revenue Letter,
Letter, para
para 8.,
8..
E. 14/54.
B. 14/54.
65. petition of
o f Raja
Raja Iswar
Iswar Chandra
Chandra ofo f Nadia,
Nadia, B.
B. R. ,28 October
C. ,28
R. C. October 1791,
1791, Nc,,
No,
4, p.
P.52/36.
52/36.
66. Nadia Collector
66. Collectortoto B.
B.O.0. R.,
R., ii
11April
April1817,
1817,B.B. R.
R. C.,
C., 27
27 June
June 187.
187. No.
No. 3.
3.
61. B. 0.
67. O. R,
R, to
toG.G.G.
G.in
inC..
C.,18
18 May
May 1795, B.RR.. CC,,
1795, B. 18 September
„ 18 September179%179, No.
11, PS3/3.
11, P53/3J.
30 Permanent Settlement in
in Benga}
Bengal·

part of
part o f an
an ingrained
ingrained habit
habit of
o fbargaining.
bargaining. But in
But in others
.others the
the
protests
protests wwere justified, the
ere justified, the burden
burden was too heavy,
was too heavy, and and deceit
deceit
or illegality
or illegalitywaswasa a necessary,
necessary, indeed
indeedthe the only,
only, defence
defence availa-
availa­
Me. Thus, aa great
ble. great many
many zamindars savetheir
zamindars tried to save their estates
estates by
by
nominally transferring them them to others.
others. About
A b ou t this
this method,
the Governor GeneralininCouncil
Governor General Councilwrote
wrotetotothe
the CCouit,
ouit, "We“ W e had
had
reason to
reason to believe from the instances
believe from instances which
which came
came before
before us that
they
they were
were fictitious
fictitious andand intended
intended to to answer
answer the the temporary
temporary
purposes ooff the
purposes the proprietor,
proprietor, who
w h o after
afterhaving
havinggreatly
greatly diminished
diminished
the assets
assets of
o f his
hisestate
estatebybymismanagement,
mismanagement, was was desirous
desirous ofof
evading future responsibility.
evading future responsibility. The
The institution
institution ofo f the
the Court
Court of
of
Wardswas
Wards wasintended
intendedasasa asecurity
securitytotothethe property
property inherited
inherited byby
minors and
minors and other
other individuals
individuals who w ho could
could notnot be be considered
considered
competent to
competent to the
theinanagement
management oof their estates,..,
f their estates..., but it was
was never
never
intended to allow
intended to allow landholders
landholderstoto transfer
transfer their
their estates
estates during
during
their ow n lives to their minor sons or other disquali6ed heirs,
their own lives totheir minor sons or other disqualified heirs,
such a permission
such permission wtuld
w ould have
have enabled
enabled every
everyindividual
individual who
who
had rendered his estate unprofitable by his misconduct to throw
had rendered his estate unprofitable by his misconduct to throw
the management
the management of it on on government,
governm ent, and and consequently
consequently to
compel themtoto submit
com pel them submittotoaaloss
loss oof
f revenue
revenue adequate
adequate to to the
the
deficiencyininthe
deficiency therevenue
revenueassets
assetsoof the land.”
f the land," 68
68 Such
Such arguments
against the zamindars
against the zamindarswwho transferred their
ho transferred their estates
estates to
to their
minor successors
minor successors during
during times does
their life times does not sound
convincing. Because
Because it it is
is quite
quite unlikely
unlikely that those those zamindars
zamindars
w ho had the ability to acquire their estates either before or
who had the ability to acquire their estates either before or
since the British
since the British rule
rule and
and steered
steered clear
clearofo fall
alldifficulties
difficulties ever
since
since would
would become so unw
becom e so unworthy alloof
orthy all f aasudden
sudden thatthat within
within aa
coupleo of
couple years oof
f years f the
the decennial
decennial settlement
settlement they they made
made their
estates deficient
deficient oof assets and
f assets and tried
tried to
to pass
pass the responsibility on
on to
the Government
Government by
by nominally transferring their
nominally transferring their estates to their
estates to their
minor successors, notwithstanding the
successors, notwithstanding the adverse social
social implications
implications
oof
f such
such an
an abdication,
abdication.When
W the authorities saw that an
hen the an

68.
68. G. G.
G. in
iaC.
C.totoC.C.
D.,D,Gensral
Gerral Revenue Letter, 1
aeveaue Letter, I December 1796, para.
Decinber 1796, para.
6 Π , E/4/S7.
617, E/4/57.
Zarnindars'
Zamindars’ Reaction to the
the New
New System
System 31

increasing number of
increasing number o f estates incapable
incapable oof
f paying
paying the government
government
revenue demand
revenue upon them
demand upon them were
were coming
com ing under
under the
the official
official
management and
management therby threatening
and therby threatening the security
security of
o f the
the public
public
revenue,
revenue, aa RRegulation
egulation waswas enacted,
enacted, limiting
lim iting the
the jurisdiction
jurisdiction of of
the Court
the of W
Court of Wards onlytoto those
ards only those disqualified
disqualified landholders
landholders who w ho
would
would inherit
inherit the estates
estates after
after the
thedeath ofotheir
death guardians.69
f their guardians.6®
But the
the authorities
authorities found
foundititimpossible
im possible to
to check
check all the artifices
artifices
that most
that most of the zamindars
o f the zamindars werew ere forced
forced to adopt
adopt with
with aaviewview
to ameliorating
ameliorating their
their conditions.
conditions. So,So, though
though thethe Regulations
Regulations
oof
f the
the decennial
decennial settlement
settlement abolished all
abolished all sayer
sayer duties,
duties, and
and
granted zaxnindars
zamindars aa reduction
reduction in
in governm
government demand as
ent demand as compe-
com pe­
nsation, zamindars
zamindars never
never stopped
stopped from
from collecting
collecting them
them ,70
.70

Separation
S eparation of o f Taluqas

UUnder
nder the the Mughal
Mughal constitution, the revenue collecting
agencies w
agencies were
ere notnot always
always of the rank
of the rank or or extent
extent implied
im plied by
by the
title zamindar, There
zamindar. There was was another class of minor landholders
class o f minor landholders
oof the same
f the same kindkind but
but o(o i lesser
lesser importance,
im portance, called
called Taluqdars,
Taluqdars,
that isis to
to say,
say, holders
holders c,f
pf taluqas, or or dependencies.
dependencies. A Att the
the time
time
oof the decennial
f the decennialsettlement,
settlement, broadly
broadly there
there were two
w ere tw o types
types of of
taluqdars
taluqdars> such such asasHHuzuri taluqdars and
u zu ri taluqdars and Mufassal
M ufassal taluqdars.
taluqdars.
Huzuri
H u zu ri taluqdars
taluqdars were those wwho
w ere those held their right
ho held right by
by immem-
immem­
orial possession
possession oof sanads from
f sanads from thethe zamindars
zamindars or or government
government and
whose
whose rightsrights were
w ereduly
dulyrecognised
recognisedby bythetheMughal
M ughalGovernment.
Government.
In that
In that case
case they
theywere
w erefully
fu llyindependent
independent of o f the
the influence
influence and
control
control oof any zamindar
f any zamindar and andtheytheywwere
ere termtermed
ed as as Huzuri
Huzuri taluq-
taluq­
dars,
dars, because they paid
because they paid their
their revenues
revenues directly
directly to Huzur
Huzur or
government.
governm ent. But the mufassal,
But also called
mufassal, also called MMazkuri,
azkuri, taluqdars,
were
w ere those
those who
w ho did
did not
not have
have any
anysuch
suchrecognition
recognition from
from the
the
M ughal G
Mughal Government and who
overnm ent and customarily
w ho custom paid their fixed
arily paid fixed

69. G. G.
G- in C. to C.
C. 1).,
D ., General
General Revenue Letter, 11 December
Revenue Letter, December17S6,
176, para.
para.
7. E/457.
7, E /4/57.
70.
70. G. G.
G. G. in
is C,
C, to
to C.
C, O.,
0,, 66March
March 1793,
1793, General
General Revenue Letter, para.
Revenue Letter, para. 24,
24,
EI4I2
E/4/!>2,also
, alsosee,
see.Merchant's
Merchant’ sPetition
PetitiontotoCouncil,
Council,1414August
August179S,D.R.
1795,0. R. C.
C.
28 August 1795,
1795, No.
No.1,1.P53,33,
P53133,
 32 Permanent Settlement in Bengal

revenues
revenues through
through the
themediation
mediation ofo f aasuperior
superiorzamindar.
zamindar. T Their
h eir
rights and
andliabilities
liabilitiesininrelation
relationtototheir
theirsuperior
superiorzaminc&rs
zamindars were
were
undefined and
undefined and widely
widely varied
varied from
from one one district
district to
to another.
another. So
far as the Huzuri or independent taluqdars were
independent taluqdars were concerned,
concerned, the
government founditit sim
government found simple to make
ple to make the
the decennial
decennial settlement
settlement
directly with them,
directly with them, fo
forr they
they were
w ere considered
considered equal
equal to
tozamindars
zamindars
in
in rights
rights and
and ranks,
ranks, though
though not
not in
in the
the extent
extent of
o f territorial
territorial
But what
possessions. But what policy
p olicy should
should the
the government
government adoptadopt
towards the m
towards the mazkuri
azkuri or dependent taluqdars ?? The
dependent taluqdars T h e problem
problem
before the government was whether to
before the government was whether to recognise
recognise them as
vassals ooff zamindars
zanrindars or
or to
to separate them
them from
from zamindar's
zamindar's control
control
and make settlement with
make settlement with them independently.
independently.
Thomas Law,
Thomas Law, w who firstearned
ho first earned his
his reputation
reput3tionas as a collector
collector
of
o f Bihar,
Bihar, then
then asas ananintellectual
intellectual guide
guide oof f Cornwallis,
Cornwallis, was
was
oof
f opinion
opinion that
that both
bothHuzuri
H u zu riand
andmufassal
mufassal taluqas
taluqas enjoyed
enjoyed the
same rights with
w ith two
two different
different names
names only 71 He
only 71. He advocated
advocated that
that
if the
themufassal
m u fa ssa ltaluqas
ta lu q a were not
s w ere notmade
madeindependent
independentby
by separa-
separa­
ting
ting them
them from
from the
the control
control of
o f their
their overlords, then
then "the
“ the
principal zamindars
principal zamindars [w[wouldj
ould] naturally endeavour
endeavour toto burthen
burthen thethe
inferior ones
inferior ones with
with aa view
view toto lighten
lighten their
their own
own estates
estates and
and
ultimately to
ultimately to force
force the
the sale
saleofothe
f theothers
otherstotothemselves., ’ 72
them selves.,,’"72
Like Law, Cornwallis
Cornw also found
allis also found no
no differences
differences in in rights
rights
between the zarnindars
between zamindars and and mufassal
mufassal taluqdars
taluqdars excepting
excepting the
the
fact that one
fact one was
was big big and
andinfluential
influentialand
andanother
anotherwaswassmall
small
and insignificant.73
insignificant.73 reinforced his
He reinforced his argument
argument about
about thethe
proprietary rights ooff the
proprietary rights the taluqdars
taluqdars by
by stating
stating that
that they
they acquired
acquired
their
their taluqas
ta lu q a s by
by purchase
purchase or
o r inheritance
inheritance oro r gift
g ift or
orby
by other
other
lawful
law ful means
means and and that
that the
theancestors
ancestorsofo fmany
many ofo fthem
them were
were
in
in possession
possession oof f their taluqas long before
their taluqas b efore the zamindars
jurisdictions in which
jurisdictions in they wwere
which they nowincluded
ere now includedwere
were form
formed.4
ed.74

71,
7 1, T.. Law's
T Law's Minute, 15 April
April 1790,
1790. H.
H. Misc.
Misc. S.,
S., Vol.
V ol.38413
384B (Part 2)
2) p. Li3,
U3,
fl.
72. T.
T . Law's Minute, IS
Law’ s Minute, 15 April
April 1790,
1790, H. Misc,
Misc, S.,
S., Vol.
Vol. 384B,
384B, part 2,
2, pp
pp,
193-4.
73. Corowallis
73. Cornwallis Minute, 2L April 1890
21 1890, II,
Π, Misc,
Misc, S.,
S „ Vol.
Vol. 384B,
384B, part
part 2,
2,
235.
p. 235,
IbId., p,
74, Ibid., p. 237.
237.
 Zainindars' Reaction to the
Zamindars’ the New
New System
System 33

He
H e went.
w ent oil,
on that
that ititwas
wasthe
thepolicy
p olicyof
o f the
theMughal
M ughalGovernment
Government
to collect
to from the taluqdars
collect rents from taluqdars and small zamindars
throub the
through the mediation
mediation oof. the large
f the large zamindars as aa matter
zamindars as matter of
of
convenience, because such arrangement
because such was attended
arrangement was attended with
w ith
less trouble and
less trouble and expence than it would
expence than w ould have
have been
been incurred
incurred
by taking
by taking separate
separate engagements
engagements from
from them.
them. Thus
Thus hehe concluded,
concluded,
"The
“ The rent
rent therefore aid by
therefore paid by the
the dependent
dependent Taluqdars
Taluqdars who w ho are
are
the proprietors
proprietors oof soil is not
the soil
f the ijot the
the rent of the zamindar
o f the zamindar but but
the rent
the rent ofo f governm ent, whichw hich itit is
governments
is obvious
obvious we have aa right
we have
to ôollect
to collect by:
by the
thehands
handsofo four
ou rownow noflicers
officersinstead
instead ofo f receiving
receiving
it as hitherto
hitherto through
through thethemediation
mediationofo the f thezarnindars
zamindarsshouldshould
the former
former, m mode appear to
ode appear to us
us mmost conductivetoto the
ost conductive the prosperity
prosperity
of
o f the
the country."75
country.” 76 One O ne month
m onth later, Coruwallis
Cornw allis wrotew rote another
another
minute
minute advocating
advocating thethe need
need forfo r separation
separation of o f the
the taluqas
taluqas fromfrom
the zamindari jurisdiction. He gave the
the zamindari jurisdiction. H e gave the following
follow in g grounds
grounds
for such
for separation.76 Firstly,
such separation.76 Firstly, he arguedargued that that totobring
bringagriagri­
cultural
cultural improvement
im provem ent toto the
thecountry,
country, the themonopoly
m onopoly control
control of of
land
land should
should be be demolished
dem olished and and thethe creation
creation of o fmanageable
manageable
economic
econom units must
ic units must bebe encouraged.
encouraged. T The
h e hiving
hiving offoff ofo f the
the
taluqas currently under
under their
their jurisdictions
jurisdictions was was to to be
be one
one means
means
to that end,:
to end. Secondly, Cornwallisargued
Secondly, Cornwallis argued that
that since
since the
the talnqdars
taluqdars
had been
had been made
made subordinate to the
the zarnindars
zamindars merely
m erely for
administrative convenience, it was
w as only
on ly simple
sim ple justice
justice to
to
recognise now that ininrespect
recognise now respectofo finherent
inherentrights
rightsthe
the taluqdars
taluqdars
were
w ere as independent as the zamindars.
zamindars. M Moreover, and this was
oreover, and was
his
his third
third point,
point, if that independence
independence was not established
established now,
now,
the zamindars
zamind ars w would use the finality
ould use finality of
o f the permanent
permanent settle-
settle­
ment and
ment and the
the withdrawal
withdrawal of o f government
governm ent from
from day
day to to day
day
involvement in revenue administration to
involvem ent in to override
override the customary
customary
rights ooff the
rights the taluqdars,
taluqdars, to treat
treat the
thetaluqas
taluqas as
as integral
integral parts
parts
cf
c f their zamindaris
zamindar is and
and to
to impose
im poseincreased
increased rents
rentsupon
upon them.
them.
Lastly,
Lastly, though zamindarsmmight
though zamindars treattaluqas
ight treat taluqas as
as part
part of
o f their
their

75. Cornwallis'
75, Minute, 21
Cornwallis’ Minute, 21 April
April 1790,
1790.H.
H.?fise.
Misc.S.S.Vol
Vol38413.
384B. part
part 2.
2. p. 238,
238.
(,otnwallis' Minute
76. Cornwallis* Minute on
on taluqas,
taluqas, 12
12 May
May 1790,
1790, B.
B. R.
R. C.
C. 12
12 May 1790,
1790, No.
No.
36, p.
P. 52/10.
52/10.
3—
 34 Permanent Settlement in Bengal

estates, government
estates, governm ent by byrespecting
respecting taluqdari
taluqdari rights
rights would
w ould find
find
itself debarred
debarred fromfrom selling
sellingthem
them when
when thethe superior
superior zanündar
zamindar
was
was in in default.
default. The Council
Council accordingly
accordingly resolved
resolved : “"that
that all
all
being actual proprietors
talookdars being
talookdara proprietors ofo f the
the lands
landscomprising
comprising
their talooks and
their talooks and who
who nownow pay
pay their rentsrents through
through the
mediation
mediation oof f aa zamindar
zamindar be be immediately
immediately separated from the
sepaiated from
authority of
jurisdiction and authority o f such zamindarsand
such zamindars and that
that the
the
rents of
rents o f the
the latter
latter be
be adjusted
adjusted exclusive
exclusive of o f the talooks so
the talooks so
separated."’ ”
separated,’ The following
The fo llo w in g categories of
o f talu gas were
taluqas were resolved
resolved
to be
be separated,
separated, 78
78 (1) taluqdars
taluqdars who
who had purchased
had purchased their
lands by
lands by private or public
private or public sale, or orobtained
obtained them
thembyby gifts
gifts from
from
the zamindars
the (2) taluqdars
zamindars;; (2) taluqdars w whose taluqas had
hose taluqas had been
been formed
form ed
prior to
to the zamindaris through which
the zamindaris they now
which they now paid
paid their
their
revenue ; (3) taluqdars
revenue; taluqdars whose
w hose lands
lands had
had never
never been
been placed
placed
under
under aa zamindar,
zamindar, and (4 ) taluqdars
and (4) taluqdars who
w ho held their taluqas
held their
under a special
special grant from the government.
government.

It is
is evident
evident thatthatbeing
beingimbibed
imbibedby bythe
theidea
ideaofo fimprovement
im provem ent
Cornwallis wantedtotobring
Cornwallis wanted bringaachange
changebothbothininthe
the ownership
ownership and and
distribution
distribution oof landed property
f landed propertyinin order to to imbue
imbue the stagnant
agrarian econom
agrarian economy y o fofthe
the country
country with
with aa new
new life
life andand vigour.
vigour.
Separationoof
Separation taluqaswas
f taluqas waschosen
chosentotobebeonlyonlyoneoneo of
f thethe several
several
weapons
weapons in in his
hishands
handstotobring
bringabout
aboutthe
the intended
intended change.
change. T The
he
legal arguments
argumentsthat thathehebrought
broughtinto
into the
thedefence
defence of o f his
his measure
measure
had its strength
had strength and weakness. It was
and weakness. was rightly
rightly argued
argued thatthat it
it
was m
was mereJy
erely aamatter
matteroof fiscalconvenience
f fiscal convenience thatunder
that under the the Mug.
M ug'
hale such
hals such categories
categories oof taluqdarshad
f taluqdars had been
been lumped
lumped in in with
with the
zamindars. The
T h e number
number of
o f taluqas
taluqas were
w ere so
so great
great and
and sadar
sadar
jama
jam a individually due so
individually due so small that direct
small that direct revenue
revenue transaction
transaction
would have
would have been
been inconvenient both to
inconvenient both to the
the government
government and to
and to
the taluqdars. As
A s an example,
example, one
one could
could point
point to
to the
the district
district of
of

77.
77. G. G.
G. G. in
in CC.'s
/s Resolution,
Reso7ution,1212May 1790, B.
May 1790, 8,R.R.C,C,1212May
May 1790, No. 37.
1790, No. 37.
P52/10.
p52/i0.

78, G.G.
G G.in
in C.'s
C.’s Resolution,
Resolution, 19
19 M ay 1790,
May B. R.
1790, B. R. C „ 19
C,, 19 May No. 35,
1790, No.
Ma' 1790, 35,
P52/12.
p52/1.
Za mindars' Reaction to the,
Zamindars’ the New System 35

Nadia, which
Nadia, which contained
contained some
som e four
lour hundred aluqdars, of
hundred taluqdars, o f which
which
only
on ly &ght- paidmore
e?ght paid morethan
thanone
onehundred
hundred rupees
rupees as
as revenue,
revenue, the
remainder
remainder paying
paying in
in some
som e casesas
cases as little as,.eght
as eight annas.7°
annas.79 T The
he
zamindar had
zamindar had been
been used,
used, perhaps
perhaps even
even required
required as a part of
o f their.
their,
duties, to collect
duties, to collect that
that revenue
revenue from
from these myriad taluqdars,
these myriad
receiving a commission for so doing
com m ission for doing 'from the M
from the Mughal
ughal authorities.
authorities,
But. lately, because
But lately, becauseoof thedecline
f the decline oof f Mughal
M ughal powerpow er andand the,the
confusion
confusion oof early British
f early B ritish rule,
rule, they
they hadhadbeenbeenableabletotoapply,
apply
their superior
their superior powerpow er either
either toto annex
annextaluqas
taluqasoutright,
outright,. or or to
to
exact larger
exact 'arger revenues
revenues from from them,
them , as
as though
though they they were
w ere propri
propri­
etors.of
etors o f those taluqas. Cornwallis
those taluqas. Cornwallis tooktook asas ananexample
example of o f this.
this
latter behaviour
latter behaviour the treatment of o f Hyder
H yder-All,
A li, aa large talu,qdar
taluqdar
at the
the hands
hands of o f the
the Burdwan
Burdwan raja.raja. In 1785,1785, the the raja had. had
raised the,
raised the original
original M Mughal
ughal revenue demand of Rs.
demand o f Rs. 24,00024,000
Rs, 27,000 and
to Rs. and had had imposed
imposed a further
further Rs. 1,000 as
a salami
salami or or acknowledgement.
acknowledgem ent. Still Still not
not being satisfiedthe
being satisfied the raja
raja
had seized.
seized. HHyder
yder AAll's estate accounts
li’ s estate accounts papers
papers in in order
order toto make
make
a valuation
valuation oof the taluqa
f the taluqa outright
outright in in preparation
preparation for for aa further
further
enhancement
enhancement oof the revenue
f the revenue demand.8°
demand. 80 But Cornwa1lis
Cornwallis failed
failed
to mentionthat
to mention that such
such an
an abuse
abuse ofo f powers
powers onon the
the part ooff the
zamindars was largely
zamindars was largely dictated by the
dictated by the British
British revenue
revenue policy
policy
prior
prior to the
the decennial
decennial settlement.
settlement. It It is
is well
w ell known that the
known that
zamindars were
w ere every year forced
every year forced to to pay
pay more
more and
and more
more
revenue
revenue toto government.
government. tjnder
Under such
suchpressing
pressingcircumstances
circumstances the
the
zamindars,ininturn,
zamindars, turn, applied
applied their
their superior
superior pow
power
er with equal
equal high
high
handedness toto pass
handedness pass some
someoof their burdens
f their burdens onon to
to their taluqdars.
The
T zamindars had,
h e zamindars had,indeed,
indeed, nono valid
valid answer
answer to Cornwallis'
Cornwallis’
arguments
arguments that
that there
there were
w erenumerous
numeroustaluqas
taluqaswhich
w hichwere
w ereformed-
formed'
long before
long principals came into being. These
before their principals T hese were
w ere known
known
as milkiat
m ilkiat taluqas.
taluqas. M Milkiat
ilkiat isis from
from the
the Arabic
A rabic word
word malik
malik
meaning
meaning sovereign
sovereign or king.
king. TheThe m milkiat taluqas were
ilkiat taluqas were the

79.
79. Nadia Collector
Collector to B. 0.
to B. O. R ., 19
R., 19 June 1790, B.
June 1790, B. R.
R. 0.,
O., 99 July
July 1790,
1790, No.
No.
2.
2, P52/14,
p52/14,
SO.
80. Cornwallis’ Minute,
Corawallis' Minute, 12
12 May 1790, B.
May 1790, B. R,
R. G
C., 12
12 May
May1790,
1790, No.
No.36,
36, p52/10.
p52/10.
36 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

remnants ofo f the ancient

aneient ruling
ruling families
families of
o f Bengal, These senior
Bengal. These
families had every
fam ilies had every right
right inin theory
theory toto become
becom e independent
by
b y separating themselves
separating them from the
selves from zamindars under
the zamindars under whom
whom
they were
they were placed
placed subsequently
subsequently for for administrative
administrative convenience.
convenience.
But
But the theory
theory of
o f their
their independent
independent status
status on
on the
the basis
basis of
of
their historicI
their historical rights
rightshad
hadbeen largely
been largelynullified
nullified by
bythe
the actual
actual
practice
practice oof
f the government in
the British government in Bengal.
Bengal. Until
U ntil the
the
decennial settlement
decennial settlement the
the taluqdars
taluqdars were
w ere never
never considered
considered by
the
the British
British as
as aa separate
separate class with proprietary
class with proprietary rights. In
every successive
every successive revenue
revenue experiment
experim ent before
before the decennial
settlement the zarnindars
settlement the zamindars had
had received
received 10
10 p. c. oof
p. c. f the
the radar
sadar
jarna
jam a as
as malikana
m alikana or
orproprietary
proprietaryallowance.
allowance. The
T h e taluqdars
taluqdars
received their
received their due
due allow
allowance from the zamindnrs.
ance from The
zamindars. T he ztmindars
zamindars
were
were held
held responsible
responsible for all deficiencies even
fo r all even when
w hen these'
these
originated inin the
originated the taluqas.1'
taluqas. e l The The zamindars
zamindars were
w ere permitted
permitted
to raise
to raise money
m oney to pay pay the publicpublic revenue
revenue byby mortgaging
mortgaging
taluqas.82 A
taluqas.8* Above
bove all, many
many zamindaris
zamindaris were
were publicly
publicly sold
sold in
the past
the past ininorder
order toto recover
recover revenue
revenue arrears,
arrears, and
andalong
along with
with
them
them were
were sold
sold their dependent taluqas as
dependent taluqas as if these
these were
w ere
the
the property
property of o f the
thezamiadars.83
zamindars.8* The The zamindars
zamindars thus
thuscould
could
quite
quite legitimately
legitim ately argue
argue thatthatififunder
underthe
theMughals
M ughals they
theyacted
acted
as' mere
as mere intermediaries
intermediaries between the governm governmentent and
and the
the
taluqdars, the practice
taluqdars, practice of
o f the
theBritish
Britishgovernment
government bestowed
bestowed onon
them
them the
the new
new rights
rights to
to hold
hold the
the taluqas
taluqas as
as integral
integral parts
parts
of
o f their
their zamindaris.
zamindaris. TheyT h e y could
could further
further argue
arguepossibly
possibly with
with
greater
greater force
force that
thatififthe
theMughal
Mughalconstitution
constitutionwaswas not
not allowed
allowed
to
to operate
operate regarding
regarding their
theirpolice,
police, military
m ilitaryand
andjudicial
judicial powers
powers
and
and privileges as they
privileges as they hitherto
hitherto enjoyed,
en joyed, then
then why
why should
should itit
be
be soso faithfully observed so far as as their
their relations
relations with
the taluqdars
taluqdars were
w ere concerned ?? W Wasas it because
because the
the British
British

8!.
81. Memorandum from the
Memorandum from the Zamindars
Zamindars of
o fMymensogb,
Mymens:ogb,13.
B, R.
R. C,,
C„ 11
11 June
June
170,
17j>0, N,
Ν » 9,
, 9,pp52/13.
52/13.
82. Ibid.
Ibid.
T.. Graham's
83. T Graham's (('Membu, B. O.
Member, B. 0. RL). )Minute,
Minute, B.
B, if. 11 June 1790,
C., 11
R. C,, 1790, No.
No.
13, p 52/13.
13,
Zamindars'
Zamindars* Reaction to the New
N ew System
System 37
3?

Government
Governm ent was use only
eager to use
was eager only that part
part of
o f the
the Mughal
Mughal
constitution whichsuited
constitution which suitedthe
theideas
ideasand
andinterests
interests ooff the
the British
British
best??
best
Cornwallis did however
Cornwallis did recognise that
however recognise that certain types of
o f taluqas
ought
ou not to
gh t not to be separated. He
be separated. H e maintained
maintained that the the taluqdars
taluqdars
who
w heldtheir
ho held theirtaluqas
taluqasbybypattas
pattasoror letter
letter ooff lease
lease from
from the
the
zamindars wwere
zamindars merely
ere m pattadars or perpetual leaseholders,
erely pattadars leaseholders, not
taluqdars and thus
taluqdars and thus not
not entitled
entitled to separation.
separation. In In such
suchcircums-
circums­
tances,
tances, he argted,
argued, the
thezamindars
zamindars diddid not
n otintend
intend originally
originally to
to part
part
with. his lands.84
with his lands.84 It.
It was thus laid
was thus down
laid dow that there
n that there should
should bebe no
no
separation
separation ooff the following types ooff taluqas
follow in g types taluqas :85
85
(a) Taluqas whoseowners
Taluqas whose ownershad hadstipulated
stipulated inin their
their engage
engage­
meats that they
ments that they would
w ou ld pay
pay their
their revenues
revenues through
through
, .zamindars
zamindars ;
(b) Taluqas w
Taluqas which were held
hich were heldinin perpetual
perpetual leasehold
leasehold from
from aa
zamindar ;
(c) and lastly,
and ju n gleb u ry taluqas, which
lastly, junglebury which were
were created
created
on
on condition junglelandswwill
condition that junglelands be cleared
ill be by the
cleared by the
taluqdars.

This
T h is was
was far
far from
from sufficient, how ever, to satisfy
however, satisfy the
zamindars
zamindars w who
ho strongly
strongly objected
objected to to the
the governments
governm ent's dealing
dealing
separately wwith
separately ith any
any category
category ofo f taluqas
taluqas over
over which
which during
during
the last century they climed
century they clim ed to
to have
have acquired
acquired custom ry rights.
custom try
Thus the
Thus the zamindars
zamindars oof Mymensingh,
f M ym ensingh, who w ho controlled about ten
controlled about ten
thousand separable taluqas
thousand protested .· "The
taluqas protested “ The talookdars
talookdars to
.to whose
whose
forefathers our ancestors
forefathers our ancestors granted
granted pottahs
pottahs for
for the
the lands
lands they
they
hold,
hold, who
w h o have
havebeen
beenalways
alwayssubject
subjecttotoand
andnever
never independent
independent
oof
f their
theirzamindars
zamindars are
arenow
now atatonce,
once,contrary
contrarytoto the
the established
established
and
and invariable
invariable custom
custom observed by the former
observed by form er rulers
rulers of
o f the
the

84. Cornwaltis'
Cornwallis’ Minute,
Minute, 21
21 April
April 1790,
1790, H, S „ vol.
Misc.S.,
H. Misc, 384Bpart
vol. 384B part 2, pp.
251-2.
8$. D.. G
85. D G.. in C.'s Resolution,
Resolution, 12
12 May
May 1790.
1790, B.
B. R. C , 19
R. C., 19 May 1790, No.
May 1790, No. 35,
35,
p 52/12.
38 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
n Bengal
Bengal

empire and the English

empire and English government
governm ent till this moment,
till this moment, to be
removed fromunder
rem oved from underthe
the wing
wing oof
f their natural parent,
parent,to
to shake
shake
off
off the control oof
the control f the hereditary
hereditary superiors, andtoto be
superiors, and be set
set upup
as principals themselves. This
principals themselves. has alarmed
This has the minds
alarmed the minds ofo f the
the
people
people who w ho break
break outin
out incomplaints
complaints of o fthe
theinjustice
injusticeofo f govern
govern­
About their
m ent,’ ’ 88 About
ment."86 their dissatisfaction,
dissatisfaction, the
theCollector
C ollector wrote
wrote that
the publication
publication oof the resolution
f the resolutionoof theCouncil
f the Councilfofor the separa
r the separa­
tion
tion of
o f taluqas
taluqas had
had"created
“ createduniversal
universaldissatisfaction
dissatisfaction among
among
the zamindars,
zamindars, who w ho [considered] orders as
[con sidered] the orders as an
an infringement
infringement
on
on those
those rights
rights and privileges which
and privileges which custom
custom and ancient
usage had
usage had established
established andand which this Government
which this Governm ent by by long
long
confirmed,” 87
recognition had confirmed."8
recognition

Raja Ramkrishna
Raja Ramkrishna of
o f Rajshahi
Rajshahi appealed
appealed to
to the
theGovernor
Governor
General
General in Council to revoke
Council to revoke its resolution fo r separation
resolution for separation of
of
taluqas. He
H e said
said that
that hi
his ancestors and his
ancestors and his mother
mother Rani
Rani
Bhavani raised mmoney
Bhavani raised oney atat different
differenttimes
times by
by creating
creating dependent
dependent
taluqas
taluqas and
and now these taluqas
now if these taluqas were
w ere separated,
separated, then
then he
would
would bebe unjustly
unjustly deprieved of o f about
about one fourth of o f his
zamindari.88
zamindari.88 In In fact
fact the sadar jam a of
sadr jarna o f the
the taluqas
taluqas within
w ithin
his zamindari
zamindari amounted
amounted to to S.S.Rs.
Rs.371000
371000and and all
all of
o f them
them were
were
89 But
separated.89
separated. But the
the sharpest reaction came from
sharpest reaction from Dacca,
Dacca,
where
w here the
the separation
separation of
o f taluqas
taluqas had
haddevastating
devastating effects
effects on
almost
almost all the
the principal
principal zamindars.
zamindars. T The
he table below
below will
show how
show how severely
severely the Dacca
Dacca zamindars
zamindars were affected by
w ere affected
the policy
policy of
o f separation of
o f taluqas.°°
taluqas.00

86. Memorandum
Memorandum ooff the the Mymensiugh Zamiadars enclosed
Mymensingh Zamindars enclosed with
with Collector's
Collector’ s
letter to B.
letter to B. O.
0. R.,
R., 26
26 May 190,
l"/90, B.
B. R.
R. C., 11 June 1790,
C.. 11 1790, No.
N o. 9,
9, pp 52/13.
52/13.
87. Mymensiogh CollectortotoB.
Mymensingh Collector B.O.0. R., 26 May
May 1790,
1790, B. R.. C., 11
11 June 1790,
No.
N o. 9,
9, pp 52/13.
52/13.
88. RaJa Ramkrishna's Patition,
Raja Ramkrishna’s Petition, B.
B. R,
X. C., 28 Octobsr
C., 28 0tobr 1791,
1791,No.
No.3636(petition
(petition
one), p 52/36.
52/36,
89. Rajshahi Commissioner
89. Rajshahi Commissionertoto B. B. O.
0. R. 2626 May
May 1792
1792 B.B. R. C., 15
R. C., 15 June
1792, No. 19, pp 52/45,
1792, No. 52i45, also
also Rajshahi
Rajshahi Commissioner
Commissioner to to B.
B. 0.
O. B..
R. 55 June
. 1793, B.
B. R. C., 5 July 1793, No. 15,
R. C., 15, pp 5314.
53/4.
90, Dacca
90. Collectortoto B.
Dacca Collector B. O.
0. B..,
R., 25
25 May
May 1790,
1790, B.
B. O. R, P.,
0. R. 4 June
P., 4 June 1790
1790
(number nil),
oil), p 71/26.
71/26.
Zaniindars' Reaction
Zamindars’ to the New Systeni
Reaction to System 39
TABLE 2
Select Zamindars and Separable
Separable Taluqas
Talaqas
Under Their Control.
Control*

Princinal
Principal No.
No. of
of Total
Jama of
Jaiaa of Jarna
Jama oof
f
zamindaris Thiuqas
Talaqas
sepirable
separable
Jaina taluqas
Jama
zamindari
lands
S. Rn.
Rs. S. Rn.
Rs. S. Rs.
Is.
Pargana Jalalpur
Pargana Jalaipur 2148 87001 76001 11000
„ Chandradip 400 0450
90450 72725 17725
„ Bikrampur 268 27652 25642 2010
„ Rajnagar 400 293673 201118 92555
Tupeh Mysundi
Mysundi 501 18004 14004 4000
Pargana Isakabad,
Isakabad 200 3700 2000 1700
Tupeh
T u peh Hydrabad
Hydrabad 200 1985 750 1235

It shows
It shows that four
lou r fifths
fifths of
of these
these seven
seven parganas
parganas were
were owned
ow ned
only by
only by taluqdars
taluqdars whose
whose separations
separations must
must have
have reduced
reduced the
the
once
once considerable zamiridars
zamindars to insignificance. Precisely 14,500
insignificance. Precisely 14,500
taluqas
taluqas were
w ere separated
separated from from thethe original
original 394
394 zamiadars
zamindars of of
district.9' It
Dacca district.91
Dacca It was
was in in great
great agony
agony that
that the
the zanijndar
zamindar
of
o f Jalalpur,
Jalaipur, who
w ho had
had lost
lostalmost
almost the
thewhole
w holeofofhis
hisonce
once great
great
zamindari, complained,
zamindari, complained, < "If it had
4If it had been
been foreseen,
foreseen, that
that gover-
gover­
ning
ning power
pow er were
w ere totoItive
h iv eseparated
separatedthethetalookdars
talookdars from
from the
the
zamindaries, noone
zamindaries, no one wwould
ould have paid
paid so
so much
much for
for the
the purchase
purchase
oof zamindari nor
f zamindari nor would pottahss have
w ould pottah have been granted toto talookdars
talookdars
by any
by any on e,5,92 In Jessore, 3444 taluqas were
one."92 were separated
separated
from 122 zamindaris.93
from 122 zamIndaris,98

9L
91. F. D. AscoH, Final Report
D. Ascoli, Report on
on the
the Surrey
Surveyand
andSetliement
SettlementOperations
Operationsin
inthe
the
District ooff Dacea,
Dacca} p.
p. 54.
4.

92,
92. Petition
petitiono of f the
the Zamiodar
Zamiadar oof Jalaipur, B.
f JalaIpr B, R>C., 23 June
C .,23 1790, No.
June 1790. No, 5.
5.
p 52/14.
p 52/14,

93.
93. M. A- Momcn,
j, A. Final Report on the
Momen, Final the Survey
Survey and
and Settlement
Settlement Operations
Operations In
in the
the
District of
o f Jessore, p. 96.
Jessore p. 96.
40 engaI
Permanent Settlement in Bengal
In spite
spite oof zamindars'resistance
f zamindars’ resistancetotothe
the policy
policy of
o f separation
separation
oof taluqas the
f taluqas the government
governmentcontinued
continuedtoto follow
follow the
the policy
policy faith-
faith­
fully till the closing years of the
fu lly till the eighteenth
eighteenth century.
century. T The
he
working
w orking oof the policy
f the was reviewed
policy was reviewedinin 1801,
1801,and
andititwas
was found
found to
have created considerable social tension
considerable social tension which
which was
was one
one contribu-
contribu­
tory factor for
tory factor for the
the fall
fall of law and
o f law and order
order situation
situation in
in the country-
country­
Furthermore,
side. Furtherm outoof
ore, out thetaluqa
f the taluqa policy
policy had
had emerged
emerged tens
of thousands
of thousandsoof verytiny
f very tinytaluqa
taluqa estates
estates in every district.
every To
To
administer these
administer these estates district establishments
establishments had
had to be
increased. Moreover, such aa policy
M oreover, such policy tended
tended to decrease the
to decrease
public
public revenue,
revenue, because,
because, many
many of these estates
o f these estates were
were so so tiny
and so oddly
oddly situated
situated that revenue demands on
on them
them
hardly
hardly equalled
equalled their
their collection
collection charges.
charges. T The
he government
governm ent of of
Wellesley,
W which was
ellesley , which was involved
involved in in expensive
expensive wars,
wars, was was notnot
in aaposition
in position totospare
sparea apenny
penny forforthe
theincrease
increase of
o f collector's
collector’ s
establishments, nor
establishments, nor could afford dim
could it afford diminution
inution inin the
the public
revenue. He He was
was badly
badly inin need
needofo steady
f steadysupply
supplyofo fmoney
money
to finance
to finance his
his expansionist
expansionist warswars andand also
also support
support fromfrom the
ruling classes
classes totokeep
keep the
the home
hom e front quiet. Thus
front quiet. after much
Thus after much
deliberations, the
the policy
policy of
o f separation
separation of
o f taluqas
taluqas was
was abandoned
abandoned
and zamindars
and zamindars were
w ere assured
assured of
o f no
no further
further government
governm ent inter-
inter­
vention into their affairs.9
vention into 4
affairs.9'

Patta
Patta Problem
Problem
The
T unequitabledistribution
h e unequitable distributionofofthe
the state
state revenue
revenue demand,
demand,
coupled with
coupled w sales for
ith sales for default,
default, and
andseparation
separationof
o f taluqas
taluqas both
both
threatened
threatened the
the security
security of the zamindars
o f the zamindars from outside. A
from outside. A
further measure, RegulationVVIII
measure, Regulation III oof
f 1793,
1793, which
which prohibited the
levying of unauthorised abwabs or
o f unauthorised or ceases
cesses and
and required
required the
the
conclusionoof
conclusion written agreements
f written agreements w with
ith the ryots, setting out
the ryots,
definite terms
definite terms and
and conditions
conditionsupon
uponwhich
whichthey
they w
were
ere to hold
hold from
from
the zamindars,
the zamindars, threatened
threatened zamindars
zamindars from
from within.
within. W When
h en the
government
governm ent tried to enforce
enforce the Regulation VIII,1793-commonly
Regulation V III,1793— commonly

94.
94. Regulation 1, 1801.
Regulation 1, 1801.
Zamindars' Reaction
2amindara’ Reactkn to the
the New
New Systeni
System 41
41.

known
known as patta law,
as patta law, there was
was further uprOar from
further uproar from the
zarnindars.
zamindars. 5
Under the
Under the existing
existingsystem,
system, the
the zamlndars'
zamindars’ demands
deinands on
on their
ryots wwere
ryois not governed
ere not governedbyby any
any fixed
fixed rule.
rule. T The
he ryots
ryots never
never
knew exactly how
knew exactly howmuch
muchthey
theywould
wouldhave
havetoto pay
pay to
to their
their master,
over and
over and above
above the
the asal
asalorororiginal
originaljama
jamafixed
fixed by
by Todar
T odar Mal
M ai
settlement.95
settlement.®5 A Above
bove thethe asal
asal jama
jama they
they were
were made
made to to pay
pay
numerous variable
numerous variable cesses
ceases called
called abwabs.
abwabs,
There
T here was
was a cess for
for almost
almost everything : a cess
cess for
for collection
collection
expenses,
expenses, aa cess for police
cess for police duties,
duties, aa cess
cess for
fo r roads,
roads, new
new houses,
houses,
hats or
hats or small
smallshopping
shoppingcentre
centreand
andbazars
bazarsororcommercial
commercial centre,
centre,
a cess
a cess on
on all
alloccasions
occasions that happened
happened in in the
thezamindari
zamindari family,
fam ily,
euch as
euch as births,
births, deaths,
deaths, marriages,
marriages, festivals,
festivals, aa pilgrimage to
pilgrim age to
the
the Ganges,
G anges, or
or holy
holy cities
citiessuch
suchasas
Banares,
Banares,Brindaban,
Brindaban, Pun,
Puri,
etc.96 All
etc,®6 A ll these
these ceases
cesses were added to
w ere added to thethe asal
asal jatna,
jama, the
the
grand
grand totals
totals being as high
being as high as
as the
the ryot
ry o t could bear without
could bear without
being
being ruined or drawn
drawn to
to desertion.97
desertion.87
It must
must be
be noted
noted here
here that
that the
thezamindars
zamindars had
had non o right
right
to demand
to demand m more than the
ore than the asal jama
asal jam or the
a or the jarna
jam a that
that was
was
originally fixed
originally fixed by
by Todar
Todar Mal
M ai in
in 1588.
1588. All
A ll demands over
demands over
and
and above
above that
that asal
asal jaina
jam a were
w eretotobe
beconsidered
considered as
as abwabs
abwabs
or temporary cesses. The
temporary ceases. T h e zamindars
zamindars obviously tried to
obviously tried to keep
keep
pace with
pace w ith the
the increased
increased price
price and
andproductivity
productivity and
and also
also with
with
increased governm
increased government
ent demands on them
demands on themselves by levying abwabs
selves by
under different
under different heads.
heads. But unlimited
unlimited scope
scope fo
forr levying
levying abwabs
abwabs
tended to make
tended make the
thezamindars
zamindarsoppressive
oppressive towards
towards their
their ryots.
ryots.
It was to stop
was to stop this
this kind
kindoof oppression for
f oppression for ever
ever that
that Cornwallis
Cornwallis
wanted to
wanted to subject
subject the
the zamindars
zamindars to
to some
som e definite rules, the
definite rules, the
gist of
o f which
w hich isisas
asfollows
follow sg98
I98

Dacca collector
95. Dacca
95. collector to
to B.
B. O.
0. R,,
R „ 27
27 May
May 1790.
1790, D.
D. S.
S. R.,
R., Dacca
Dacca vol.
vol. 7,
7, p.
p. 18.
18.
96. J. Westland,
Westland, 4
Λ Report
Report on
onthe District 0of
the District / Jessore, p. 97.
97. Ibid.
Ibid.

98.
98. Sections 54-61,
Sections 54-61.Regulation
RegulationVVIII,
III, 1793.
1793,
 42 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

(1)
(1) All
A proprietors must
ll proprietors must consolidate
consolidate their demands
demands upon
the ryots
ryots into
into one single
single sum
sum above
above which
which they
they were
were
from collecting
strictly prohibited from any further abwabs.
collecting any abwabs.
(2) Every exactionabove
E very exaction abovethe
the consolidated
consolidated jam
jarna
a should
should be
be
punished in the diwani court.
punished in the diw ani court.
very proprietor must issue
Every
(3) E issue a
a patta
pa tta or deeddeed of
of
agreement to
agreement to each
each ryot
ryot which
which should specify all
should specify all the
terms
terms and
and conditions o f the
conditions of the lease
lease which
which must
must notnot
be agreed for more than ten years.
be agreed for m ore than ten years, T The
h e ppatta
a tta must
must
lay down
lay downthe
therent
rentpayable
payableper
perbigha
bighaand
andquality
qualityoof f the
land.
land,

(4)
<4) The
T he coünterfoils
counterfoils oof
f ppatta
a tta of
o f which
which the
thegovernment
government
supplied
supplied aa prescribed
prescribed form
form, must be
, must be registered
registered in the
the
district courts.
courts.
(5) Pattas ofo f khudkast
khudkast ryots
ryots must
must not
not be
be cancelled.
cancelled,
(6) Landholders prosecuting
(6 ) Landholders prosecuting claims for rent
claims for rent which
w hich had not
been consolidated
been consolidated into
into one
one demand set out
demand set out in
in the
Patta
pa tta would
would be unsuited, with costs
costs and damages.
• * r

It was
was one
one thing
thing for
for the
the Council
C ouncil toto decree
decree the
the use
use of
regular
regular pattas and
and the
the registration
registration of
o f their
theirterms
term sand
and quite
quite
another to
another to secure
secure obedience
obedience to it. The
T h e relationship
relationship between
betw een
the zamindars
the and the
zamindars and the ryots
ryots was
was governed
governed by
by the
the unwritten
unwritten
laws of
laws o f customs
custom s and
and usages
usages ofo f the
the country.
country. Any
A n y constitu
constitu­
tional innovation brought in
brought to disturb their
their traditional
relations was
relations was sure
sure totocreate
create suspicion
suspicion and
anddoubt
d ou b tamong
among them.
them.
Thus from
Thus from the
the districts
districts came back
came back stream
a stream ooff reports
from the
from the collectors stating the the objections raised and
objections raised and the the
difficulties encountered.
difficulties encountered, In In July
July 1793,
1793, the Collector
C ollector of
o f Chitta-
Chitta­
gong
gong reported
reported that that he tried to
he tried enforce the
to enforce the rules,
rules, but
but he he
failed to
totaly failed
totaly to do
do so
so because
because ofo f the
th enon-coperation
non-coperation of o f the
the
la He wrote
n d h o ld e r s," He
landholders.°9 wrote that
thatthe
thezamindars
zamindarspleaded
pleaded inability
inability

99. Chittagong Collector

99. Chittagoag Collector to
to B.
8. O. R., 20
0. R. 20 July
July 1793,
1793,8.
B.Q.
Q, R.R.1'., 28 February
P., 28
1794, No.
1794, 14, pp 72/27.
No. 14, 72/27.
 Zamindars'
Zamindars’ Reaction
Reaction to
to the
the?.Iew
New System
System 43

to adhere
to adhere to
to the
the CCouncil's orderslor
ouncil’ s orders forintroducing
introducingpatta
patta "alleging
“ alleging
that
that the number
the greater num ber of
o f the
the zamindars,
zamindars, and
and talookdars
talookdars
in this
in this province,
province, from
from poverty
poverty and
and ignorance
ignorance have
have never
never been
been
accustomedtoto keep
accustomed keep any accounts,’ ’ 100 The
any accounts."100 The zamindars
zamindars from
from
Rangpur inin a body
Rangpur body petitioned that any
petitioned that any innovation
innovation in the
in the
established custom
established customary rules governing
ary rules governing their
their relationship
relationship with
with
their ryots
their ry o ts would
w ould alarm
alarm the
the latter
latterand
andimpel
im pelthem
themto
to leave
leave
the district.'0'
the The Raja
district.101 The R aja of
o f Nadia
Nadia expressed
expressed his inability
his inability
to compel
to -the ryots
com pel -the ry o ts to
toaccept
acceptpattas because
pattas becausethey,
they,according
according
to the raja, were
to w ere all
all at one
on e against
against the
the patta
p a ttarules.102
rules,10* T The
h e ryots
apprehended that the
apprehended that theacceptance
acceptance of o f pattas
pattaswould
w ould destroy
destroy their
their
permanent occupancy
permanent occupancyrigh rights; after the
ts ; after the expiry
expiry ooff the
the lease
lease the
zamindars
zamindars could either evict
could either evict the
the ry
ryots byrefusing
o ts by refusing toto renew
renew the the
pattas, or
or the
the issue
issueoof their renewal
f their renewal mightm ight bebe used
used as
as aa lever
lever
to enhance rents.
rents. The collector
The collector oof Nadia thus
f Nadia thus wrote
wrote :: "The
“ The
ryots
ry ots object that at
object that at the
the expiration
expiration ooff the
the lease,
lease, either
eitherthey
they or
or
their heirs will
w ill be subject to sa1anee
salam ee or present to
to the landholder
before a new
before new pottah
pottah will
w illbe
begranted
granted them
themor orturned
turned them
them out
out
of their mehaul
o f their inehaulatathis
his pleasure."°5
pleasure.” 103 T The
h e Collector
Collector of Rajshahi
Rajshahi
himself
him self tried
tried his
hisbestbesttotoconvince
convince the
theryots
ry o tsof
o fthe
theadvantages
advantages of
of
pattta
pa tas but failed
s but failed toto persuade
persuadethem.
them.“ "In oneinstance’
In one instance", he wrote
’ , he wrote
"the
“ the parties
parties being
being in in attendance
attendance the
the subject
subject was
was discussed
discussed before
me,
me, andand the
theryots
r y o tsdeclared
declaredthemselves
themselvesreadyreadyto toaccept
accept pottahs
pottaks
in the terms to which
term s to which the the zeminder
zeminder declared
declared he restricted
restricted his
demands ; but but I understand
understand that, on on their
their return to the the inofussal
mofussal
they again
they again refused
refusea the the pottahs
pottahs tendered.”
tendered."°4 104

. 100. ibid.
100. Ibid.
101. Collector to
101. Rangpur Collector to B.
B.O.0. R
R.,,, 17 August 1793,
17 August 1793, B.
8. O.
0. R,
R, P., 28 February
P., 28
' 1794, No. 3.
1794, NO. 3,
102. Raja
1 102. aaja Iswar
Iswar Cbandra
ChaDdra oo If Nadia
Nadia to toCollector,
Collector,enclosed
enclosedwith
with Collector's
Collector’s
letter, 27
letter, 27 June
June 1793,
1793, B. 0. R. p.,
B. O. P ., 28
28February
February1794,
1794,No.
No.6,6,enclosure
enclosure
No. 5,
5, para
para 3,
3, pp 72/27.
72/27,
103. Nadia Collector
103. Nadia to B.
Collector to B. O.
0. R.,27
R .,2 ? June 1793,
1793, B.
B. o. R. p..
O. a. P., 28
28 FebruarY
February
1794, No.
1794, No.6,
6, pp 72/27.
72/27.
104 Rajshabi
104, CollectortotoB.BO.
Rajshahi Collector 0 RR 28
„ 28October
October1793,
1793, B
B. O. R, P,
0 R, P.,28
28 FebruarY
February
1794, No. 20,
1794, No. 20, para
para 7, pp 72/27.
72/27.
44 Permanent Settlement in
Permanent in Bengal
Bengal

It is certain
certainthat
thatthe
thepatta
patta rules
rules were
w ere disliked
disliked by
by both
both the
the
zarnindarsand
zamindars andtheir
theirryots,
ryats, w
who
h o offered
offered aa combined
combined opposition
opposition
to their successful
to successful implementation. T The
he zamindars
zamindars opposed
opposed for
several reasons. Firstly, it was
several reasons. was said
said that
that Ininthe
theProvince
Province of
of
Bengal “"near
Bengal two-thirdsoof
near two-thirds the lands
f the lands [-w
[-was]
a s ] cultivated
cultivated by
by under
under
ryots, who [h
ryots, who [had] no connection
a d ] no connection at all with
at all with thetheproprietors
proprietors or or
even with
w ith farmers them selves.5' 105 The great majority
farmers themselves."105 m ajority of
o f these
these
under-ryots
under-ryots w were
ere either
either landless
landless labourers
labourers or or paikast
paikast or or non-
non­
resident temporary ryots. They
tem porary ryots. T hey cultivated lands mostly
cultivated lands mostly for
for one
one
season. If the crops failed, they
crops failed, they left
left for
for another
another place,
place, and
and ifif
they got
they got favourable
favourable harvests,
harvests,then
thenthey
they engaged
engaged themselves
them selves for
the next seasonal crops.'°° They
seasonal crops.100 T h ey were
w ere least
least disposed
disposed to
to come
com e
to written agreementswith
written agreements withaazamindar
zarnindarfor foraa difinite
difinite period
period of of
time with the
time with the obligation
obligation oof paying aa definite
f paying definite amount
amount of o f rents.
rents.
Any
A n y attempt
attempt to to force
forcethem
them to to bring
bringthemselves
them selves under
under written
written
agreements wwith
agreements ith the
the proprietors
proprietors would
would alarm
alarm them
them and
and drive
drive
desertion. Moreover,
them to desertion. other than
M oreover, other than the
the most
most settled
settled and
and
populous areas, the cultivation
populous areas, cultivation in other zones was always
zones was always variable
variable
due toto the
due the migratory nature ooff the
m igratory nature the cultivators.
cultivators. AA particular
particular
village, if itit,could
village, if couldattract
attractmmigratory cultivating labourers,
igratory cultivating labourers, could
could
pay, for exam
pay, for example, five hundred
ple, five hundred rupees
rupees inin one
oneyear,
year, but the
the very
very
next year the
next year the revenue
revenue might
might fall
fall far
far below
below thethe former
form er mark
mark or
or
it might
it might go
g o further
further up
up with
with the
the departure or arrival
departure or arrival oof
f a
a
considerable number of
considerable number o f cultivating
cultivating labourers. Hence itit was
labourers. Hence was
impossible
impossible onon the
the part of
o f the
thezaminders
zaminders totoinsist
insistupon
upon them
them
accepting paua. If
accepting patta. If he
he did
did soso he
hewas
was sure
suretotolose
losemost
most of
o f his
his
paikaslit ryots.
paikasht Secondly, the m
ryots. Secondly, more
ore imimportant
portant reason for
zamindars'
zamindars* reluctance
reluctance to
to distribute paua was
distribute patta was their
their lack
lack of
of
confidenceininthe
confidence thenew
newsystem
systemandandininthe
the promises
promisesoof the autho.
f the autho­
They were
rities. They were required
required to
to register
registercompulsorily all the
com pulsorily ail
counterfoils
counterfoils oof the pattas
f the pattas in
in the
thedistrict
districtcourts.
courts. FFrom
rom these

105.
105. Tipperah Collector totoB.
Tipperah Collector B. 0.
O.B.,
R „ 27
27 June
June 1793,
1793,8.B.0.
O.R,
R. P.
P., 28
28 February
February
1794, No.
1794, No. 33,
33, pp 72/27.
72/27.
106. Ibid.
106. ibId.
Zamindars'
Zamindars’ Reaôtion to the New
Reaction to New System 45

papers,
papers, thethe Government
G overnm ent was was capable
capable of o fknowing
know ingeverything
everything
about the state of
about zamindari. Such
o f zamindarL Such information
inform ation the the zamindars
zamindark
were
w ere not ready
ready to to suppiy.
supply, Η H.. T.T . Forster,
Forster, the
theCollector
C ollector of of
Tipperah, rightly
Tipperah, rightlyobserved
observed: : “ "If
I f II might
might be be permitted
permitted to to assign
assign
whatIIthink
what thinkisisthetherealrealcause
causeononthe the part
part of
o f the
thelandholders
landholders
for not granting
for not granting pottah
pottahs-I
s— I should
should not not hesitate
hesitate to to Say
say that
that it
is want
is want ofo f confidence
confidence in the theRegulations,
R egulations, or rather rather the the
permanency
permanency oof the Decennial
f the Decennial Settlement
Settlement itself. T They
h e y are,
are,
therefore,
therefore, afraid
afraid of o f exposing
exposing thethe true
true state
state of
o f their
theirzamindars
zamindars
lest
lest an
an unfair
unfair advantage
advantage may hereafter be
m ay hereafter be taken
taken of o f them.
them.
The
T h e peremptoriness
peremptoriness oof f the orders,
orders, in inall
allprobability
probability tendstends toto
rather
rather strengthen
strengthen theirtheir apprehensions
apprehensions of o f government
governm ent havinghaving
some private object
some private object in
in view
view than
than to
to inspire
inspire them with
withconfidence
confidence
in their
their good
good faith.” 107 Thirdly,
faith?'107 T h irdly, as lease
lease could
could be
be granted
granted
for aa maximum
for maximum of o f ten
tenyears
yearsonly,
only, the
the large
large zamindars
zamindars found
found
difliculttotofind
it difficult findfarmers
farmersand
andrenters
renters at
at advantageous
advantageous terms.
terms.
Few
F ew people
people were
were likely
likely to come
com e to
to invest
invest their
their capital
capital for
for
short term lease. Morecver,
lease. M under short
oreover, under short term
term lease,
lease, the
the farmers
farmers
were
w ere least inclined to invest
inclined to their capital
invest their capital and
and improve
im prove the
the
lands under their
lands under their control
controlandand atat the end
end of
o f the
thelease
leasethey
they
tended to take
tended take totorack-renting.
rack-renting.
The
T he ryots
ryots refused
refused to
to receive
receive pattas
p a lta s because
because they
they could
hardly believe,
hardly believe, in
in the first place, that
first place, that the
thezamindars
zamindars would
would
refrain
refrain fromfrom imposing
im posing any
any more
m ore abw abs after consolidating
abwabs consolidating
all of
all o f their
theirdemands
demandsintointoone
onesingle
singleamount.
amount. Secondly,
Secondly, most
most
of
o f the
the principal
principal ryots
ryots occupied
occupied m more lands than
ore lands than they
they were
w ere
authorised
authorised to h old.108 A
hold.108 Any
n y measurement their holdings
m easurement ooff their holdings
in compliance
in compliance with
with patta
patta rules,
rules, would
would expose
expose their
their secret
secret gains
gains
and make them liable to pay more.
and make them liable to pay more. Hence
H ence they
they were
w ere ready
ready to
to
prefer "the
“ the risk
risk of
o f suffering exactions than
suffering exactions than come
com e under
under specific
specific
engagements and
engagements and have
have their
their lands m easured.’ ’ 109
measured."109

1G7.Tipperah
107. Tpperah Collector
Collector toto 13, 0, R.,
B. O, R., 27
27 JuDe
June 1793,
1793, B.
B. O. R. P., 28
0. R. 28 February
1794, No.
1794, No. 33,
33, p 72/27.
72/27.
108. See
108. SeeN.N.K.
K. Sinha,
Sinha vol.
vol. II,
jj, pp.
pp. 131-33.
131-33.
109. TipperahCollector
109. Tipperah CollectortotoB.13,O.0.R.,
R.,2727June
Jure1793,
1793,B,B.
O.0R.
R.P.,
P., 28 February
February
1794, No. 33,
33, pp 72/27.
72/27.
46 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

Both the
Both the zamindars
zamindars and the ryots
and the ryots wwere
ere thus united
united against
against
the introduction
introduction oof
f aa uniform
uniformand
andstate
state supervised
supervisedpapatta
tta system.
system.
In the
In the face
face of
o f their
theircombined
combined opposition, the government
governm ent
seemed to
seemed to have
have abandoned
abandoned the
the idea
ideaofoits
f itsrigid enforcement.
rigid enforcement.
From 1795
From 1795 onwards, no discussion
onwards, no discussion regarding
regarding the enforcement
enforcement
ooff the
the Patta
P attaRegulation
Regulationhad hadbeen
beenrecorded
recorded in in thetheproceedings
proceedings
of
o f the
the Board
Bo^rd ofo fRevenue.
Revenue. The resistance from from the zamindars
zamindars
and
and the the ryots
ryotswas
wasnotnotthe only
the onlyforce
forcethat
thatmademadethe theRegulation
Regulation
a dead
a dead letter.
letter. Another
A n oth er important factor was was the the government's
governm ent’s
realisation that that land
land itself
itself was
was the
theample
ample securitysecurity for for the
the
safety of
safety o f the
the public
public revenue.
revenue» After
A fter all,
all, though
though the PaSta Patta
Regulation was
Regulation was enacted
enacted professedly
professedly to protectprotect the therespective
respective
interests oof
interests f the
the zamindars
zamindars and and the ryots,
ry o ts, itit was
was evident
evident that
that
the evil
the evil against
against which
whichthe theregulation
regulationwas wasespecially
especiallyintended
intended
to
to provide
provide waswas the
the permanent
permanent diminution
diminution oof f the
the recources
ooff government,
government, whichwhich would
w ould bebethe
theconsequence
consequenceof o fthe
theland-
land­
holders
holders reserving
reserving aa rent
rent insufficient
insufficient forfor the
thedischarge
discharge of o fthe.
the
public revenue.
public It was
revenue. It was apprehended that landholders, landholders, "if “ if
vested
vested withwith an an unlimited
unlimited power
pow er ofo f discretion
discretion of o f fixing
fixing th&the
amount
amount oof f rent
rent and
and the
theterm
termofo fthethelease,
lease, wouldwouldabuseabuse that
that
power, and
power, and wwould eithergrant
ould either grant im
imprudent leasesatat very
prudent leases very reduced
reduced
rents,
rents, for
for aa perpetual
perpetual oror iat
iat least
least a along
longterm
termwith
withthe
the view
view
of
o f obtaining
obtaining an immediate
im m ediate supply
supply of o f funds,
funds, oror might
m ight grant
grant
such leases
such leases collusively
collusively for
for the purpose
purpose of o fcreating
creatingbeneficial
beneficial
estates for
estates for themselves
themselves under
under borrowed names,or
borrow ed names, or for relations,
relations,
Iavourites and
favourites and dependents."11°
dependents.” 110 But under
But under the
the operation of
operation of
the permanent
the permanent settlement
settlem ent the zamindars were
the zamindars w ere allowed
allow ed to
to go
go
up and
up and down
down the scale
scale of
o f the
the societ'
society so
sofreely
freely that
that "there
“ there
[wasi
[was] no longer
lon ger any sufficient motive for
sufficient motive for holding·
holding the
the landholders
landholders
and
and tenantry
tenantry ofo fthe
thecountry
country in
in this
thissort
sortof
o f pupilage,
pupilage, prescribing
prescribing
them
them the manner
manner and and form
form oof their reciprocal
f their reciprocal engagements."lhl
engagem ents.’ ’111

110.
110. HH.T.
.T . Colebrooke's
Colebrooke’ s minute,
minute, 11 May 1812, C,J,
May 1812, C,J.P,,
P, 1I May 1812, No.7,
May 1812, No. 7
p 148/75.
p 148/7$.

Ibid.
111. Thid.
211,
Zaminders'
Zaminders’ Reaction to the
the New
New System
System 47

It was
was thus
thus suggested
suggested byby the
the Diwani
D iw an i Adalat
A d a la t to
to give
give the
the
zamindars the fulle3t liberty to regulate their relations
zamindars the fullest liberty to regulate their relations with with
their tenants accordingtoto best
tenants according best mutual
mutual interests. Accordingly,
the
the Regulation
Regulation V V of
of 1812
1812 was
was enacted.
enacted. TheThe Regulation
Regulation laid
laid
down that the
down that the previous
previous rules
rules limiting,
limiting, the period
period of
of leases
leases to ten
years were "hereby
years were “ hereby rescinded,
rescinded, and proprietors
proprietors of of land [werel
[were]
competent to
competent to grant
grant leases
leasesfor
forwhatevei\'
whateverperiod thèy may
period'they mayseem
seem
proper and at
proper and at whatever
whatever rent."IU
rept.” 11? Next,
Next, the zamindars
zamindars were
were
to
to be
be no
no longer
longer required
required to observe
observe thethe official
official prescribed
prescribed
forms of ppattas."3
a tta s .113 '

J:’·" .i ' -’S'iS"' - ;v Vi'· I'J/'y/ii; -i.;» . i

■■v’T .9.'?. ■;·! ■ ■
. ."ii.M.ij f ■s
'· ! ·'■! ‘i- · ; - 1 v --r:» ;C ,3 ΐΓ ;;:? ν " i. : :uiu >;ήφ ? ;{ y ..: .ικ .
' . . 1>·■■·■·
. t „~ri rs-yvfe·'.·■ > -jj>;■U.·=:rt··’·-'·
’0r .’· r:r.T:.- .1.·;c ^'t-3!·.ri';r:v· . ?
..·'■·'· . .i.ri;-.. ; ft - j . n, i- --i/rs
' ■■ - · '· i ; i ■ /·.’ · T iT " '. ' I '· ’ ; - it *■ , \ j

-; ’· i. ;ΐ ίν '-r-\ .■ , ■'<:·, ■·.·■■

·- ■· .·■ ' . ·: - ' \--yi .:l .'ir v ; -ΐυ
'■■■·. -i ' '■ r . ---,.-1’ ■' .o'trf
! . ' V■; '
' · ·■--</' ί :iC :
. ■ ' ■ ' : ■ "T.JSt ■;

112. Section
112. Section 2, Regulation V,V0 1812.
3. Sction
1J3. Section 3,
3, Regulation y,, 1q12,
Regulation V 1812,
 cJ-IAPTER
C H A P T E R TTHREE
HREE

THE ZAMINDARS'
ZAMINDARS' REACTION
REACTION
TO THE
TO THE NEW
NEW SYSTEM
SYSTEM :
(2) PRESSURE
(2) PRESSURE FOR
FOR COERCIVE
COERCIVE POWERS
POWERS

in the
In the preceding chapter we
preceding chapter we have
have discussed
discussed how how success
success­
fully the zamindars
fully the zamindars put up their their grievances
grievances before
before the thegovern-
govern­
ment. We
ment. Wehave
have seen
seen how,
how, under
under their
their pressure,
pressure, the the authorities
authorities
were constrained
were constrained totoreviserevise and
and repeal
repeal many
many of of the
the restrictive
restrictive
laws. Their
laws, Their objectives, however,were
objectives, however, were notnot oniy
only to get rigid rigid
revenue laws
revenue laws flexible
flexible in in their
their favour,
favour, butbat also
also to to be
be rearmed
rearmed
again with
again with the
thetraditional
traditional coercive
coercive powers
powers over
over their
their tenantry.
tenantry.
The permanent
permanent settlement
settlement systemsystem had hadplaced
placed thethe government
government
and the
and the zamindars
zamindars on on aa very
very different
different footing
footing when when itit camecame to
the collection
the collection of of land
land revenue;
revenue ; itit could,
could, indeed,
indeed, reasonably
reasonably be be
said
said that
that they
theywerewere notnotgoverned
governedbybythe thesame
sameprinciple
principle of of law.
law.
Governmentwas
Government was exempt
exempt from from thethe operation
operation of of the ordinary
ordinary
judicial process
judicial process in regardregard totoitsitscollection
collectionof ofrevenue
revenue from from the
zamindars. It possessed
possessed summary
summary powerspowers for the the recovery
recovery of of
arrears by
its arrears by selling
selling the landslands or other property
property of of the
the defauh
defaul­
ting zamindars;
ting zamindars ; but but for
for the
the recovery
recovery of ofthe
thesame
sane
I
arrears
arrears from from
their unclertenants,
undertenants, the zanaindarshad
the zamindars hadtoto gogo to courts
courts and and
legally
legally establish their claims
establish their claims there
there against
against their
their defaulaters.
defaulaters.
The ryots
The ryots werewere given
given the rights
rights to challenge
challenge the unjust unjustclaimsclaims
of zamindars
zamindars in in the
the civil
civil ccourt;
o u rt; any
any violence
violence onon their
their persons
persons on on
the part of zamindars
zamindara was was also
alsomade
madeaapunishable
punishable crime.crime. Such
sudden departure
a sudden departure fromfrom the traditional
traditional methods
methodsof ofrent
rentcollec-
collec­
tion was, indeed
tion wa3, indeed revolting
revolting for for zamindars,
zamindars, particularly
particularly the the large
large
zaniindarswho,
zamindars who,by bythethevery
very nature
nature ofof their
their extensive
extensive estates,estates,
Zamin dars’
Zamin dars' Reaction
Reaction to
to the New System 49
had to
had to build
build upup aa multi-tier-power
multi-tier-powerstructure
structure basing.
basing its its bottom
bottom
on intimidation,
on intimidation, force and coercion. coercion. The The Cornwallis
Cornwallis Code Code
had
had certainly
certainly emboldened
emboldened the the locally influential renters
locally influential renters and and
farmers
farmers toto resist
resist thethe unjust
unjust zamindari
zamindari demands.
demands. Many Many even,even,
taking the advantage
advantage of of the
the delatory
delatory legal
legalsystem,
system,contumaciously
contumaciously
withheld theirtheir dues
dues forcing
forcing the
the zamindars
zamindars to to expensive
expensive litigations.
litigations.
The result was the pile-up of undecided revenue suits
The result was the pile-up o f undecided revenue suits in
the courts. The Burdwarj
the courts. Burdwan Collector reported in February
1795that
1795 thatsoso many
many revenue
revenue suitssuits had
had beenbeen filed
filed inin the last
nine
nine months
months that that if no no more
more cause
cause was entertained and
ten causeswere
ten causes weredecided
decidedeveryeveryday dayall all round
round the the year, then
"the period
“the period requisite
requisite for it to clear off off its present
present load
load of of busi-
busi­
wou1d] be
ness [Vould] be nono less
lessthan
than between
between eighteight and
andninenine years
years j...”
;..."i1
That
That the the courts
courts in in other
other districts
districts alsoalso were
were underunder similar
pressure
pressure isis evident
evident fromfrom the Fifth Fifth Report
Report whichwhich remarked
remarked :
“"In
In the Caurts
Courts of of Civil
Civil Judicature,
Judicature, the the accumulation
accumulation of causes causes
undecided, had
undecided, had proceeded
proceeded to to such
such anan extent,
extent, as as almost
almost toto put
put aa
stop to
stop to the Cøurts justice ;; or at least, to
Courts of justice to leave
leave to to aa zamindar
zamindar
little
little prospect
prospect of of the
thedecisions
decisions ofofa suit,
a suit,instituted
institutedtotorecover
recover
payment
payment of of his
hisrent,
rent, before
before his own own land,
land, by by the
the more
more expedi-
expedi­
tious mode of procedure, established against against himhim by by government,
government,
was liable to
was liable to be
be brought
broughttotosale saleinin liquidation
liquidation of of an
an outstanding
outstanding
balance."22 It was
balance.” was tragic
tragic that
that the
thegovernment
government undertcok
undertook no no
responsibilityfor
responsibility for the
the revenue
revenue suits though these
suits though these were
were the
outcome of
outcome of the
the new
new constitution
constitution and were pending pending in the govern-
govern­
ment’s courts
ment's government's own
courts ; whereas, government’s own demands
demands were were
realised
realised by by the
the summary
summary process process of of sale
sale of of the
the defaulter's
defaulter’s
property.
The
The zamindars
zamindars never ceasedtoto protest
never ceased protest against
against such
such double
double
grievances were
standard of justice until their grievances were redressed.
redressed.
The
The principal
principal zamindars were obviously
zamindars were in the
obviously in the van
van ofof such
such
protest
protest movement, becauseititwas
movement, because was they
they who
who stood
stood for
for power
power

1.
1. Burdwan Collector
Burdwan Collector to
to B.
B. O.
0. R.,
R ., 27
27 Feb. 1795, para 4,
Fob. 1795, 4, B. R. C.,
C., 27
27 March
March
1795, NNo.
1795, 29, pp 53/28.
o. 29, 53/28.
2. P. P. The Fifth Report,
The Fifth Report, 1812, vol. 7,
1812, vol. 7, Report, p.
p. 55.
55.
4-
4—
50
SO Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

and authorityinin the

and authority the traditional structure of
traditional structure of the
the society
society andand
it was
was they
they who
who faced
faced thethe greatest
greatest challenge
challenge from from thethe new
new
system. It is is remarkable
remarkablethat that these
these traditional
traditional rulers rulers applied
applied
themselves
themselves not not to compel
compel the government to renounce
the government renounce its its
despoticprivilege
despotic privilegeand andcome
comeunder underthe therule
rule of of law,
law, butbut to
to
regain
regain their
their own
own despotic
despotic powers
powers overover their
their inferiors,
inferiors, that
they
they had
had lost
lost under
under the the newnewsystem.
system. The raja raja of of Rajshahi
Rajshahi
thus argued
thus argued thatthat without
without the the useuse ofoftraditional
traditional methodsmethods of
eoercion itit was
coercion was impossible
impossible to recover recover rents
rents fromfromthe thedefaul-
defaul­
ters. He intimated that in
He intimated in case
case of failure in payment
of failure payment of of
rents, thethe defau-lters
defaulters ininthe thepastpastwere
were "confined
“confined and and fettered
fettered ;
and ifif this [failed]
and [failed] of of obtaining
obtaining the the realization
realization of the the public
public
revenue, corporal punishment [was] inflicted. No person
[received] indulgence,
[received] indulgence, but but all all persons,
persons, without distinction
twere]
£were] confined,
confined, pressed,
pressed, andand beaten,
beaten, and and every
every means means taken
to
to collect
collect the revenue
revenue fromfrom them, without favour
them, without favour to any any
one *; and
one and the houses
houses and and effects
effects of of these
these in in balance
balance [were]
[were]
attached
attached and and held
held in in sequestration,
sequestration, till till the
the fullfulldischarge
discharge of of
the
the arrears,
arrears, due,
due, when
when they they [were]
[w ere]released
released again."3
again.” 3 In a
subsequent memornndum
subsequent memorandum he he reiterated
reiterated that that in in thethe absence
absence
of all
all these
these summary
summary powerspowers he he was
was going
going to to be be ruined
ruined atat
the hands
the hands of his his farmers,
farmers, renters
renters andand jo jot d a rs or powerful
te edars powerful
ryots.4 The raja of of Birbhum
Birbhum similarly
similarly complained
complained that thathis hisofficers
officers
were unable
unable toto distrain
distrain the property of the defaulters defaulters under the
new
new Regulation
Regulation and and without
withouteffective distraining power,
effective distraining power, he he
said, it was was impossible
impossible to to collect
collect rents
rents fromfrom the the defaulting
defaulting
tenants.5 In consideration
tenants.6 consideration of of all representations the
all these representations
Board recommended
Board recommendedthe theCouncil
Counciltoto give give moremore power power to the the
zamindars at least
zamindars least toto enable
enable themthem to to distrain
distrain the the defaulters'
defaulters’

3. Raja Rarnkrishna
Raja Ramkrishna to to 13. 0. P..,
B. O. R ., enclosed
enclosed with
with Collector's
Collector’s letter, 2121 June
June
1792. B. R.
1792. B. B. CC..
.. 20
20 July
July 1792,
1792, No.
N o . 15,
15, pp52147.
52/47.
Raja Ramkrishna
4. Raja Ramkrishna to to B.
B. O.
0. P..,
R ., enc1sed
enclosed with withCollector's
C ollector’s letter,
letter, 15
15 March
March
1795.No.
1795. No.16,
16,pp53/i.
53/1.
Raja Zaman
55,. Raja Zaman Khan’s
Khan's petition
petition to
to B.
B. O,0, P..,
R „ enclosed C ollector’s letter,
with Collector's
enclosed with
26 March
26 March 1795,
1795,B.;R,
B.R. C., S5 April 1793,
J7?3, No.
N o. 6,
6, pp 53(1.
53/1.
 Zamindárs' Reaeticfii
Zamindars’ 'ReatiOh to the
the New
New System
System 51
property more
property effectively- Under
more effectively. Under thethe new Regulations, as
new .Regulations, as
stated earlier, the
stated earlier, the zamindars
zamindars had
had nono power
power to
to distrain
distrain any
any
property ifif the
property the zamindars'
zamindars’ demands
demands were
were contested
contested bbyy the
coarts. But
defaulters in the courts.
defaulters But the
the Board's
Board’s recommendatin
recommendation
was turned down
was turned dowji by by the
the Council
Coineil which
which believed
believedthat
that the
the existing
regulations were,sufficient
regulations were, sufficienttotosafeguard
safeguardthe
the interests of all,
interests of all the
partes.8
parties.6 ItItis,is,however,
however, doubtful
doubtful whether
whether the
the Council
Council was
was right
judgetnent so
in its judgement so far interests of
far as the interests of the
the principal
zamindars were
zamindars were concerned. These zamiridars,
concerned. These zamindars, in view of the
view of
unmanageable size size of their estatcs
of their estates managed
managed them
them through
through
numerous farmers ad
'numerous and sub-f arthers. Now, the question
sub-farmers.
of these
these farmers
farmers wa not considered
was not as a separate
considered as separate group
group of
of
landed interest when
landed interest when the regulations
regulations of
of the permanent
permanent settle-
settle­
merit formulated.7 So the relations between the
ment were formulated.7
zaminclars
zamindars and farmers were regulated,
and their . farmers regulated by by the
the same
same
law
law asas was
was applicable
applicable to to ordinary ryots.ryots. Consequently,
Consequently, the
large zatnindars
zamindars faced some practical difficulties in in the
the
collection of of rents
rents from
from which
which the. smaller
the-sm aller zarnindars
zamindars werewere
comparatively free. For,
comparatively For, while
while the smaller zamindars
the smaller zamindars who
personally
personally managed their estates
managed their estates could
could easily
easily make
make their
their ryots
ryots
pay by
pay by persuation,
persuation, intimidation
intimidation and andforce,
force, the
the same
same could
could not
not
be done
done to
to the
thefarmers
farmerswho whobeing
being proud
proud of 0f their social
social influence
influence
and wealth,
and wealth, never
never hesitated
hesitated to to challenge
challenge the thezarriindars
zamindars in
law, courts ifif they
law, courts they exceeded
exceeded the the limits
limits set
set byby law,
law. And as
justice wss
Justice was almost
almost denied
denied by byits
itsindefinite
indefinite delay,
delay, the
the cunning
cunning
and ambitious
and ambitious farmers
farmers could
could cause
cause theirtheir principals'
principals’ lands
lands to
be
be sold
sold by
by with-holding
with-holding their dues from from payment.8
payment.8 The
principal zamindars,
principal zamindars, therefore,
therefore, ^ere rere moremore resolute
resolute and
andvocal
vocal
in their
in their agitation
agitationagainst
againstthe thenew
newzamindari
zamindar!regulations
regulations than
than
the medium
medium and petty landholders.
landholders.

6.
6, G.
G . G.
G. in
in C.'s
C.*sResolution
Resolution upon
upon 13.
B. 0.
O. R.'s
R.*s letter
letter dated
dated 1 April 1793,
1793,
B. R.
B. C .( 55 April 1793,
R* C., No,
1793, N o , 5,
5, pp 53/1.
53/1.
7.
7, See, the
See, the Proclamation
Proclamation of
o f the permanent
permanent settlement,
settlement, 22 22 March 1793,
1793* R.
Clarks,
C lairs, Zamindari Regulations* p.
Zamindari Regulations, p. 9,
9,
8, Nadia
8, CollectorίοtoBB.O.
Nadia Collector 0. R.,
R., 2121 July
July 1800,
1800,S8,, 00.. R,..
R . P ,9
P.,2525July
July 1800,
1800, No.
No.
43,
43, p74/14.
p 74/14*
52 Permanent S ittlement
ttleinent hi
in Bengal
Bengal

Thus in
Thus in spite
spite ofοί the Council's refusal to extend the
the Council’s
zamindari powers, the principal
principal families
families put on constant pressure
on
on the
the authorities
authorities to to change
change their their minds
minds inin their favour.
The raja
The raja of ofBurdwan,
Burdwan, thus thus argued
argued in in January
January 1794:
1794 : "It“ It must
must
have
have proceeded
proceeded from from thethe oversight, rather than from
rather than
oversight1 from anyany just
just
and avowed
and principle, that
avowed principle, that there
there should
should bebe established
established two two
methods
methods of judicial
judicial process under the
process under the same
samegovernment,
government, the
one summary
one summary and and efficient
efficient for the satisfaction
satisfaction ofofits
itsown
own claims,
claims,
the other
the other tardy
tardy and and uncertain
uncertain in in regard
regard totothethesatisfaction
satisfaction
of claims
claims due due toto its subjects,
subjects, moremore especially
especially in in aa case
case like
like
the present,
present, wherewhere ability to discharge the one demand demand
necessarilydepends
necessarily dependsononthe the other
other demand
demand being
being previously
realised."9 Collector S.S. Davis,
realised.” ® Collector Davis,the thefuture
futureauthor
authorofof the
the Bengal
Bengal
portion ofof the
portion the Fifth
Fifth Report,
Report, fully
fullysupported
supported thethe logic
logicof of the
the
raja's
raja’s arguments.10,
arguments.10 The The raja of Nadia in March March 1794 represented
that the
the present
presentregulations
regulationsplacedplacedhim him in
inaafatal
fatal predicament
predicament
since
since hehe was
was unable
unable to to collect
collecthishisrents
rents due
due to
to the contumacy
contumacy of of
farmers.11 Jban
his renters and farmers.1'
his Jjban Lal,
Lai, the sarburkar or manager
of the
of the raja
rajaofofBishnapur,
Bishnapur,reported
reportedininFebruary,
February,17951795 that
that the
the
raja was
raja was about
about to to be
be ruined
ruined in the the hands
hands ofof hishis farmers.
farmers.
They did
They did not
not care
care to.to pay
pay their
theirduesduespunctually,
punctually,since since they
they
knew
knew thatthat thethe raja
raja hadhad no power to coerce them to pay
power to coerce them to pay
and
and the
the court
court hadhad nono means
means to justice by
to render justice by prompt
prompt
decisions. Hence, he
decisions. Hence, he continued,
continued, theythey safely
safely withheld
withheld the payment
their dues
of their dues and andmoved
moved freely
freely withwith impunity)2
impunity.12 Reviewing
the report of of Jiban
Jiban Lal,
La],Collector
Collector S. S. Davis
Davis wrote :: "Independent
“Independent
of the
of the credit
credit due
due totoananintelligent
intelligentpersonperson as
as the
the survracaur
survracattr

9, The raja
The rajaoof Burdwan wrote
f Burdwan wrote toto Collector
Collector S.
S. Davis.
Davis. His arguments
arguments were
were
the Collector's
inserted in the letter to B.
Collector’s letter B- 0.
O.R.,
R ., dated
dated99January
January 1794,
1794,
B, 0.
B, O. R.
R. P,,
P „21
21January
January1794
1794Cno
(no Dumber),
number), p 72/26.
72/26,
10.
10. Ibid.
Ibid.

I11.
t. raja
raja ooff Nadia
Nadia to
to B.
B. O.
0. R.,
R ., 26
26 March
March 1794,
1794. B. 0. R.
B. O. P.,
R. P ., 28
28 March
March 1794,
1794,
No.
N o. 26,
26, p 72/2
72/ 2 .
12.
32. Jiban
Jiban La!
Lai to
to Burd wan Collector,
Burdwan C ollector, enclosed
enclosed with
with Collector's
Collector’s letter to
B. 0,
B. R·, B.· R·
O, R., R. C., Februaty 1795,
27 February
C., 27 No,
1795, N o , 29,
29, pp 53/28,
53/28,
2amindars Reaction
Zamindars* Reaction to the New
N ew System
System 53

appears
appears toto be,
be, wha
who can
can have
have no
no interest
interest ininmisrepresenting
misrepresenting
the circumstances
the stated, II have
circumstances stated, have reason
reason to to believe
believe from
from mymy
own
own experience
experience in other parts parts. of
of the district,
district, and
and more
more
especially from the
especially from the part
partI amI amnow
nowin,in,that
thatthetheinconvenience,
inconvenience,
delays and
delays and obstructions,
obstructions, do do really
really exist
exist ;; that
that the
the grievance
is increasing,
is increasing, and
and that
that unless
unless effectual means be taken
effectual means taken to,
to,
remove or diminish
remove diminish it,it, embarrassments
embarrassments must must ensue
ensue that
that will
will
eventually involve
eventually involve thethe public
public interest
interest in loss of revenue.”
revenue."3 13
S. Davis's
S. Davis’s conversion
conversion to to the
the cause
cause ofof the
thezamjndars
zamindars was was
aa solid
solid gain
gain for
for them. As the collector
collector of of the
the greatest
revenue paying
revenue paying district,
district, Burdwan,
Burdwan, and and also
alsoasasthe
thecommissioner
commissioner
of
of Bishnapur
Bishnapur at the the same
same time,
time, he hehad
had much
much greater
greater weight
weight
and
and influence
influence on the thecentral
central authorities
authorities than any any other
other district
district
officer. H Hee could
could well
well convince
convince the the Board
Board that unlessunless early
measures were were taken
taken to to remove
remove zaruindars'
zamindars’ difficulties in
the collection
collection ofof rents from the
rents from the tenants,
tenants, it would
would "eventually
“eventually
involve
involve the the public
public interest
interest in in loss
loss of of revenue."
revenue.” The The Board
Board
thus wrote
thus wrote to thethe Council
Council :; "As “ As thetheconclusions
conclusions which
which the the
Collector
Collector [S.[S. Davis]
Davisj has has endeavoured
endeavoured to establish appear
to establish appear to to be
be
natural result of the circumstance
the natural circumstance stated statedinin his
his letter,
letter,
and
and as as we
we have
have no no reason
reason to to doubt
doubt the
the truth
truth oror accuracy
accuracy
of
of the
the facts adduced
adduced by him, him, we we think it our our duty
duty to to
express our
express our concurrence
concurrence in in the sentiments delivered by
him, considered in in their
their relation
relation to to the
the public revenuerevenue;;
but what
but what appears
appears to to 'us
us toto render
render the the object
object of
of his
his address
address
the more worthy of
more worthy of attention
attentionis. is. that
that judging
judging from
fromthethe represen
represen­
tations which have
tations which have at at different
different timestimes come under our
come under our con-
con­
sideration
sideration from most most ofofthe thecollectors,
collectors, as as welt
well as the principal
principal
landholders, particularly
landholders, particularly inin the Bengal Bengal Provinces,
Provinces, we we are
are led
led
to apprehend
apprehend thatthat the thesame
sameinconvenience
inconvenience is is pretty
pretty generally
generally
felt throughout
throughout the the country.”
country."4 14 The Board,Board,however,
however, diddid not
not

13,
13. Ibid.
Ibid.

14.
14. B. O.
0. R . totoG.
It. G.G.
G. in
inCC.,
„ 1717 March 1795, B·
March 1795, B' R
R.. C ., 27
C., 27 March 1795, para
March 1795, pgra 2,
2,

N o. 28,
No. 21, pp 53/2$.
53/2«.
54 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

suggestthis
suggest thistime
timefor
forgranting
grantingmoremore powers
powers to to the
the zamindars.
zamindars.
Instead, they
Instead, they suggested
suggested forfor e3tablishing more courts
establishing more courts to to expedite
justice.” 15 But the
justice."5 the Council,
Council, though
though fully
fullyconvinced
convinced of the difficul-
difficul­
ties faced by the zamindars
zamindars on on account delayed justice, was
account of delayed was not not
prepared to
prepared to solve
solve the
the problem
problem by by expanding
expanding the the judiciary
judiciary as as
suggested Such expansion
Board.16 Such
suggested by the Board.'6 expansion involved
involved considerable
considerable
increase
increase in the administrative, expenditure leading
administrative, expenditure leading to to no corres-
corres­
ponding increase in
ponding increase in government revenue. In
government revenue. In an an attempt
attempt to
remove
remove the zamindars difficulties
difficulties in
'in collecting
collecting rents as as well
well asas to
keep the administrative expenditure at
keep the administrative expenditure at its
its present
present level,
level, the
the
Council decided.toto arm
Council decided arm the
the zamindars
zamindars with ith some mote more effective
effective
powers
powers to enforce
enforce payment
payment of revenue due to them them from from their
their
renters, and
farmers, .renters, and dependent
dependent taluqdars, r y o t s etc.17 The
taluqdars, ryots etc,'7

Regulation XXXV
Regulation .XXXV that that was
was passed
passed consequently
consequently in in March
March 17951795
laid down
down the,
the, following
following rules
rules concerning
concerning zamindari
zamindari powers.
powers :18 :18

- i) After the
the expiration
expirationofofthe
the fifth
fifth day
dayofofthe
thedue
duedemand
demand
the proprietors
proprietors oror their
theirdeputed
deputedagents
agentswere
wereempowered
empowered
to distrain the property
property of the
the defaulters.
defaulters. But the actual
actual
saleof
sale of the.distrained
the distrained property
property was was to
to be conducted
conducted by by
, the local government
government officials,
officials, '

ii) The proprietors

proprietors could
could apply'
apply toto the
the district
district judge
judge for
for the
defaulters' confinement:
defaulters’ confinement iliftheytheyfailed
failedtotopay
paytheir
their out-
out­
standing due's within
standing dues within three days of the notice.
The proprietors
iii) The proprietors andand other
other rent
rent receiving
receiving interests
interests now
now
having suits depending in courts
courts for
for arrears were declared
to be
to be at
at liberty
libertytoto withdraw
withdrawsuch such suits
suits and
and toto proceed
proceed
against the person from whom whom they may claim claim the
the arrear,
arrear,
in the
the manner
manner above
above mentioned.
mentioned,

15.
15. Ibid.,
Ibid., para 4.
4.

16.
16. Board’s
Board's Minute, 27 March 1795, paras. 27-32,
March 1795, B. RR.. CC.,
2732, 13, ., 27
27 March 1795,
March 1795,

N o- 30,
No. 30, pp 53J28,
53/28,
17.
17, See preamble
Preamble to
to Regulation
Regulation X XX Vofo f1795.
XXXV 1795.
18. Section
1, Section 5-18,
5-18, Regulation
Regulation XXXXV,
X X V , 1795.
1795. ;
 eaction to
Zamindars' Reaction
Zamindars’ to the New system
System

iv) On making
On making the the summary
summary inve8tigation,
investigation, the judge
judge should
should
decide on
decide on merits
meritsof ofeach
eachcase
case whether
whether or not
not the
the defaul-
defaul­
ter should
should bebe confined
confinedororshould
should leave
leavethe
the proprietor
proprietor to
institute aa regular
institute regularsuit
suit in
in the
the adalat
adalat for
for the amount
amount of
his demand.
demand,

v) The confinement
The confinement of ofthe
the defaulter
defaulter should
should not
not be
be consi-
consi­
dered to.preclude
dered to precludethe theproprietor
proprietororor farmer from
from distrai-
distrai­
ning the personal
ning personal property
property of the
the defaulter for the
defaulter for the
recovery
recovery ofofthe
the arrears
arrears for
for which
which hehe might
might have
have been
been
imprisonedor
imprisoned or for
for any
any other
other arrear.

vi) Persons imprisoned

Persons would be
imprisoned would beatat liberty
liberty to institute
institute a
regular suit
suitagainst
againstthetheperson
personatatwhose
whose instance
instance he
he was
was
imprisonedand
imprisoned andififititwas
was found
found that
that he was
was unjustly
unjustly
heavy damages
imprisoned heavy would be
damages would be awarded
awarded to to the
the
proprietor.

A close look
A close look at
at the
the above
above rules that the
rules would reveal that the
Regulation, though considerably increasing the the zamjndarj
zamindari
powers,
powers, was was least
least likely
likely to please the zamindars.
please the zamindars. NowNow they they
could attach
could attach the
the defaulters’
defaulters' property
property ; true.
true. But for its actual
actual sale
they would have depend on
have to depend on the government
government officers.
officers. For the
confinementof
confinement ofthe
the defaulters,
defaulters, they could only request the court.
could only court.
It was
was the Judge
judge who who would
would decide
decide whether or not the defaulter
defaulter
was to be be confined.
confined. Even Even ifif he
he was
was confined, he could
confined, he could equally
equally
harass the
harass the zamindar
zamindar by by instituting
instituting aa regular
regular civil suit from
civil suit from
inside the jail.
jail. ButBut as
as will
willbebe seen,
seen, this
this regulation
regulation waswas only
only
their initial success. The zamindars
initialsuccess. zamindars soon launched their second second
phase of their campaign
campaign to get get still
still more
more coercive
coercive powers. Though
their constant
constant pressure
pressureuntil
untilnow now effected
effectedsignifcant
signifcant change
change in
the minds
minds of of the
the authorities, the government still fondlyfondly clung to
the idea
idea ofof the
the Cornwallis
Cornwallis era era that
that the
the zamindars
zamindars were
were oppre-
oppre­
ssors and
ssors and the
the general peasantry
peasantry werewere oppressed.
oppressed. It gave
gave evident
atisf actiontotothe
satisfaction the governor
governor General
GeneralininCouncil
Councilthat
thatitit was
was the
56 Permanent Settlement in
iPermanent in Bengal
Bengal
zamindarsand
zamindars and not
not the ryots
ryots who
who now
nowraised
raisedcomplaints
complaints ofof
oppression. He He thus
thuscomplacently
complacently reported
reported toto thethe Court
Court of
of
Directors that “"the
Directors that the very complaints
complaints of zamindars
zamindars against
against their
ryots evinces
ryots evinces that the the great
greatbody
bodyof
ofthe
the people
people employed
employed in
the cultivation
cultivation ofof the
thelands,
lands,now
nowexperience
experienceample
ample protection
protection
from the laws
from the laws and that they they are
areno
nolonger
longer subject
subjectto tothe
the arbi-
arbi­
trary exactions,
exactions, by
by which
which their industry
industry was
was formerly
formerly depres5ed.
depressed.
To afford them this
afford them this protection,
protection, was
was one
one of the primary
primary object5
objects
of the
the Regulations,
Regulations, the the atain.ment
attainment of it being indispensable
indispensable to to
future security
the future securityof ofthe
thepublic
publicrevenue,
revenue,and
and the
the prosperity
prosperity ofof
the country
the countryatatlarge.”
large."9 19

l3ut
But such
such optimistic receded as
optimistic idealism gradually receded as the.
the
difficultiesoror obstinacies
difficulties of the zamitidars
obstinacies of zamindars were
were reflected
reflected in
the figures
figures for
forgovernment's
government’srevenue
revenuecollections.
collections. The security
and certainty
and of the revenue
certainty of revenue had
had been
been one
one ofofthe
theprincipal
principal
objectives
objectives ofof the
the permanent
permanent settlement
settlement and
and aa full
fullcollection
collection
was
was vitally
vitally important in view
important in view of
of the
the chronic
chronic trade
trade deficits
deficits
government’s expensive involvement in the
and government's the Deccan
Deccan
The accompanying
politics.20 The table shows
accompanying table shows how
how uncertain the
uncertain the
land
land revenue
revenue yield
yield became, with large
became, with large sums having to be
sums having be
recovered by sales of
of lands.
lands.

19. G. G.
G. ininC.
C .toto
C.C,
D.,DGeneral Revenue
.t General RevenueLetter, 15 15
L etter, May 1795.
May 1795.para
para 3,
3,
E /4/54.
E14/54.

20.
20. See C.
See C. H.
H. Philip,
Philip, The East India
The East India Company,
Company,pp.
pp.154-55
154-55, ,AA. Tripathi, Trade
. Tripathi, Trade
and Finance In the
Finance in the Bengal
Bengal Presidency,
Presidency, p. 17.

I
 TABLE 3
Statement of
of the
the Collections
Collections and
and Balances
Balances of
Revenue, 1794-5-1798-9
1794-5—1798-9

Amount of balance
balance Balances recovered
Years (rounded into by sales of
thousand) lands
S. Rs. S. Rs.
1794-5
17945 31,43,000
31,43,000 7,66,000
1695-6
1695-6 28,69,000 2,35,000
2,35,000
1796-7
17967 34,61,000
34,61,000 11,16,000
1797-8
17978 38,80,000
38,80,000 21,12,000
21,12,000
1798-9 38,36,000
38,36,000 36,15,000
36,15,000

171,89,000
171,89,000 78,44,000

Sources:
Sources :
a , 22
B. R. C.,
B. 22 April
April 1796, No. 59,
1796, No. 59, P.
P. 53/43.
53/43.
B. R, C , 11
R. C., 11 August 1797,
1797, No.
No. 15,
15, P.P. 53/52.
53/52.
B.
B. R. C., 23 February 1798,
R C., No. 15,
1798, No. 15, p.
P. 53/55,
53/55,
B. R. C.,
B. R. 20 August 1799,
C., 20 1799, No. 5. P54/4.
No. 5. P54/4.
B. R.
B. a , 77 November 1799,
R . C., 1799, No.
No. 8,8, P.
P. 54/6.
54/6.
It is therefore certain that from
therefore certain from 1794-5 to 1798-9 the
average annual balances of revenue represented about
19 p.
19 p. c. of the
c. of the whole,
whole, about p. c,
about 99 p. c, of
of which
which were
wererecovered
recovered
by
by selling
selling the
the lands
lands of the
the proprietors,
proprietors, andand the
the rest
restof
of the
the
balance were
balance were partly
partly written
written off
off asasirrecoverable.
irrecoverable. It is not
is not
certain, however, how
certain, however, how much
much revenue was struck off off as
irrecoverable every
irrecoverable every year. The Board, of course,
The Board, course, reported,
though giving
though figure, that
giving no figure, that the
the annual
annual loss
loss of
of revenue
account of
on account of irrecoverable
irrecoverable balances
balances waswas quite substantial.81
substantial.2' -

21. B. O.
21. B. 0. RR.. to
to G.
G. G.
G. in
in C.,
C.,2626July
July1799.
1799,BB.
. RR.
. C.,
C.,29
29 A uguit 1799,
Augufi 1799, para,
para. 4,
4,
N
No.o. 3,
3, P54/4.
58 ?ermanent Settlement
Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

It is doubtless
doubtless that, while while unequal
unequal assessment, natural
calamities,
calamities, mismanagement,
mismanagement, family family disputes,
disputes, judicial
judicial delays,
delays,
etc.
etc. contributed
contributed to the the huge
hugeannual
annualbalances
balancesofofrevenue,
revenue, the the
sItuation was
situation was specialty
specially aggravated
aggravated beyondbeyond endurance
endurance for for the
the
government by
government by the zamindars'
zamindars’ stubborn
stubborn resistance
resistance to makingmaking
the system
the system unworkable.
unworkable. They They could
could never accept accept aa sy8tem
system
that brandished
that brandished the the axeaxe ofof sale
sale over
over their
their heads,
heads, ready
ready to
descend
descend and and destroy
destroy them them if if the smallest arrear accrued, accrued,
no matter
matterfrom
from what
what cause.
cause. The The families
families which
which were liableliable to
be dispossessed
be dispossessedif ifininarrear
arrear at
at aa smart
smart stroke
strokeofof an an auctioneer's
auctioneer's
hammer, took
hammer, took several
several generations,
generations, eveneven centuries,
centuries, to establish
establish
their position in the society. Throughout that period they ruled
society. Throughout
the society
society asas established
established members
members of of the
the country's
country’saristocracies.
aristocracies.
The
The scions
scions of these
these families
families obviously thought it almost by
obviously thought
instinct that
instinct that they
they werewere bornborn toto rule.
rule. Hence
Hence whenwhen their landslands
were
were publicly
publicly soldsold forfor arrears,
arrears, theythey were
were notnot only
onlydeprived
deprived
of their
of their means
meansofoflivelihood,
livelihood, butbut also
also of
of their
their social
social leadership
leadership
and supremacy.
supremacy. Thus Thus it is quitenatural
is quite natural that
that they, in order
they, in order
to preserve
preserve their traditional authority and
traditional authority power, would
and power, would resist
resist
the operation of of the
the new
new system.
system.
It has
has been
been already stated how
already stated how the
the zamindars tried at
zamindars tried at
first to ventilate their
first their grievances
grievances through
through petitions. Subsequently,
when the Regulation
when the Regulation XXXVXXXV of of 1795,
1795, that
that was
was passed
passed in
in
ccnsequence
consequence of of their repeated
repeated petitions
petitions for for more
more powers,
failed
failed to satisfy
satisfy them,
them, they
they moved
moved out out ofoftheir
theirpetitioners'
petitioners’
position and
position and took
took to.
to other
other methods,
methods, including
including violence,
violence, in
order
order to get
get their
theirgrievances
grievances redressed,
redressed. The The zamindars
zamindars had
had
confrontations withthe
confrontations with the authorities
authoritiesatat two
twomain
main stages
stages from
from the
dates of
dates of their
their default
default to
to actual
actual transfer
transfer of
of their
their lands
lands forfor
such
such default.
default. First, when
whenthe
thezamindars
zamindars were
were asked
asked to
to deliver
the zamindari
the zamindari accounts for the
accounts for the allocation of jama
allocation of jama toto the
the lots
lots
under sale, and
under sale, and second,
second, when
when their
their lands
landswere
wereactually
actually trans-
trans­
ferred to new
new men.
men.
To begin
To begin with,
with, the
the first
first confrontation,
confrontation, the
the government,
in the
the absence
absence of
of detailed
detailed records,
records in
in the
the collectorate,
eollectorate, was
Zamindars' 1eaction to the New
Zamindars’ Reaction New system
System 59

always dependent
always dependent on on thethezamindari
zamindariaccounts
accounts forfor the
the allocation
allocation
of
of jama
jama to particular portion
to aa particular portionofof an an estate
estate to to bebe sold
sold forlor
arrears. ButBut the
the zarnindars
zamindars consistently
consistently refused
refused totoco-operate
co-operate
with
with thethe government
government by by releasing
releasing theirestate
their estate accounts
accounts though
though
they
they were
were legally
legally bound
bound totodo do so.
so, To citea.
cite a typical
typical example
example
the
the rani
rani of of Burdwan
Burdwan fell fell in aa balance
balanceof. of about
about seven
seven lakhs
lakhs
of rupees
of rupees in 17945.
1794*5, In In order
order toto recover
recover that balance balance by
selling her lands,
selling lands, the
theCollector
Collector requisitioned
requisitioned the necessary
zan'iindari
zamindari papers.
papers. But But the the rani's officers reported
rani's officers reported that that all
those
those papers
papers wanted
wantedby bythetheCollector
Collectorwereweredeposited
deposited at at Amboa,
Amboa,
the summer
the summer residence
residence of of the
the rani.
rani. On application
application to to Amboa,
Amboa,
it was informed
it was informed that all those papers
papers had
had been
been sent
sent to
again.22 The
Burdwan again.22 The BoardBoard then
then ordered
ordered that she she mustmust
submit
submit thethe papers
papers requisitioned
requisitioned by by the
the Collector
Collector within
within ten ten
days failing
days which aa daily
failing which daily fine
fine of
of one
onethousand
thousandrupees rupeeswas was
to be
to be imposed
imposed on on her.25
her,23 But But when
when the the papers
papers werewere not
still
still coming forth, the
coming forth, the Collector recalled sixty
Collector recalled sixty ppatwaris
a tw a r is or
village accountants
village accountants to to come
come with with their
their accounts
accounts ; but of them them
only
only twotwo presented their papers,
presented their papers, andand the
the rest
restfled
fledfrom
from their
their
villages.2' The Collector
villages.24 Collector then
then himself
himself visited
visited Amboa
Amboa to persuade
persuade
the rani
the rani to deliver the
to deliver the papers
papers without
without further
further delay.
delay. The
rani wanted further time time to to compile
compile the necessary accounts. The
necessary accounts.
time was
time was given,
given,butbuttotothe
theutter
utter disappointment
disappointment of of the govern.
govern­
ment, the papers delivered
ment, the papers delivered after so much
much pain
pain were
were all
all
unnecessary.25 The
unnecessary.25 The Council
Council then ordered ordered thethe attachment
attachment of of
the whole
the whole zamindari
zamindari and and seizure
seizure of of all the zamindari
zamindari papers
papers

BurdwanCollector
22. Burdwan CollectortotoB.B.O,0,RR , 25
25 April
April 1794. B. JR
1794, B. R.. C,
C. 2 May
May 1974,
1974,
No,
N o. 24, P53/16,
23.
23. Burdwan
Burdwan Collector
Collector to
to B.
B. 0.
O ,R.,
R .,5 5May
May1794,
1794, 8.
B.R.
R.C., 2323 May
May 17)4k
Π )4$ No,
N o,
No.
N o. 5, P53/16.
P53/16.
24. Burdwan Collectortoto B.
Burdwan Collector 13.O.0.R.,
L, 55 May
May 1794, B. R.
1794, B. R. aC.,, 23 May 1794,
23 May 1794, No,
N o,
5,
5SP53/16.
25. Burdwan Collector
Burdwan Collector to
to B.
B. O.
0. R.,
R ,, 13
13 May
M ay 1794,
1794, B.
B , R,
R , C.,
C ., 30
30 May
May 1794,
1794, No.
No.
20. P53/Il,
20. P53/I7,
60
6O ?ermanent
Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
without being
without being further
furtherbeguiled
beguiled by
by the
the rani.26
rani.26 Such stratagem,
strategem,
which was practised by all categories
which was practised by all categories of of zamindars,
zamindars, bigbig oror
small, in different
small, different forms,
forms, largely
largely frustrated
frustrated the
the authorities
authorities in
their plans
their to recover
plans to the arrears
recover the arrears byby aa prompt
prompt sale
sale of
of the
the
defaulters’lands.27
defaulters' lands.27
The Government was faced faced with still greater
greater difficulties
difficulties when
the lands of the
lands of the defaulting
defaulting proprietors were sold
proprietors were sold toto recover
recover the the
arrears from
arrears from them.
them. The The auction
auction purchasers
purchasers foundfound it difficult,
often impossible,
often impossible,tototake
take possession
possession of of their auction
auction lands
lands from
from
the
the former
former proprietors
proprietors who who applied
applied their
their local
local influence
influence to to
oust them
oust them as as interlopers.28 The The established
established families,
families, who who
obviously commanded
obviously commanded sentimental
sentimental attachment
attachment and respectrespect from
from
the large section
section of ofthe
the society,
society, let loose
loose their
their die-hard
die-hardsuppor-
suppor­
ters against
ters against the
the new men. In
new men. In order
order to to bring
bring them
them to to their
their
knees,
knees, aa series
series ofof manufactured
manufactured civil civil and criminal
criminal casescases weswas
filed
filed against them and
against them and the
the village
village leaders
leaderswereweretoldtoldnot
nottoto pay
pay
iheir rents to them. As
their for example,
As for example, the thezamindar
zamindar of of the
the raja
raja
of Chandradip
of Chandradip of of Bakarganj,
Bakarganj, who who claimed
claimed hishis origin
origin from the the
moon
moon and and who
who paidpaid about
about oneone lakh
lakh rupees
rupees asasGovernment
Government
tevenue
revenue at the time
time ofof the
the permanent
permanent settllement,
settlem ent, was wassoldsold for
for
arrears to three
threeDacea
Dacca merchants
merchants in 1798. But at
in 1798. at the instance
instance
of the
of the raja, the principal
principal ryots
ryots refused
refused to to express
express their
their loyalty
loyalty
to them
them and
and filed
flied suit
suit after
after suit
suit against
against themthemalleging
alleging torture
torture

26. G. G.
G- G. inin C,
C , totoB.B.O O
R..
. R6,.June 1794,
6 June B.B.R.R.C.,C .,6 June
1794, 6 June1794
1794 No,
N o . 3,
3,
P53/17.
27. See, B.B.O.0.RR.,
See, ., totoG.
G. G.G.ininCC..
.. 11Ii April
April1794,
1794,B BO.0. RR.. C
C,,, , 11
11 April
April 1794.
1794,
No.
N o. 30, P72/29.Board’s
30, P72/29. Board's resolution,
resolution, 24 24 Nov.
N ov. 1794.
1794, BB. 0. R.
. O. R . P..
P.. 1 Dec.
D ec.
1797.
1797, No,N o, 1, P73/26. Hariogtoo's
1, P73,26. Harington's Minute,
Minute, 2 July 1799, B. R.
July 1799, R . C,
C,
29 Aug.
29 A ug. 1799,
1799, NNo. 54 /4 . Bullet's
5, PP54/4.
o . 5, B ullet’s second
second and third minutes,minutes, 22 July
July
1799.
1799. B.B. RR.. C-,
C -, 29
29 Aug.
Aug. 1799,
1799, H No,o, 5,
5, P54/4.
P54/4.

28. See, Harington’s

See, Harington's Minute,
M inute, 22 July
July 1797,
1797, B.
B. R,
R. C., 29 29 Aug.
Aug. 1799.
1799. N No.
o , 5,
Carstairs, Human
P54/4. R. Carstairs, B'umanNature
NatureIninRural
RuralIndia,
India,pp. 287-308. B. M.
pp.287—308.
Whitcome
Whitcome has has also
also shown
shown that original
original proprietors
proprietors of o f the
the north-west
north-west
Provinnes prevented the
Provinnes prevented the auction
auction purchasers
purchasers from
from taking poss.ssion ooff
taking possession
their lands
their lands by
by force,
force. Agrarian
Agrarianconditions
conditions ininthe
theNorth-West
N orth-W est Provinces
Provinces
1860,1900,
1860.1900. (P(Ph,
h, DD.. Thesis).
T hesis).
Zarnic1ars' Reaction to the
Zamindars’ the New
New System
System 61

and unlawful demands,

and-unlawful Heavily aggrieved
demands. Heavily aggrieved they wrotewrote to the
to,the
Board, “"I't
Board, appears to
ft appears to us
us that
that what
what we
we intended
intended as as aapurchase
purchase
lands has
of lands has only
only been the purchase
purchase ofof disputes,
disputes inin the Faujdari
and the
and the Dewany Adaluts, and
Dewany Adaluts, and Cøurts
Courts ofof Appeals;
Appeals ; andand not
not
obtaining possession,we
obtaining possession, weare
are' going
goingtoto be
be ruined."
ruined,” 2929 Under
Under
these circumstances,many
these circumstances, manynew new zamindars
zamindars whowho could
could neither
neither
afford continuous litigations
afford continuous litigations nor
nor could exert enough
could exert enough physical
physical
force to
force to compel
compel thethe tenants
tenants to switch
switch over their loyalty from the
themselves either
old houses to themse!ves either retired
retired from'
from land
land by by trans-
trans­
ferring
ferring it to to others
others oror made compromise with the former
made compromise
proprietors.
The resistance of
The resistance ofthe
the zamindars
zamindars and and their
their supporters
supporters thus
thus
created great administrative
created great administrative problems
problems forfor the
the government
government and and
madethe
made the public
public revenue
revenue as as uncertain
uncertain as as before
before thethedecennial
decennial
settlement. In 17981798 9, the total
9, the total jama
jamaofoflands
landssold
sold for
for arrears
arrears
amounted
amounted to to S.
S. Rs.
Rs. 3685400
3685400 or or about
about 20
20 p. p, c. of the
c. of the whole
whole
land revenue
revenue of Bengal.30 The government
of Bengal.3° government suffered
suffered both
both
temporary and
temporary and permanent losses
losses from such
such transfer.
transfer. WhenWhen the
sale price
sale price of
of an
an estate
estate was
was less
less than the arrears, the government
government
was compelled
was compelledtotoforego
foregothe thebalances
balancesofofthe the arrears
arrears since
since no
no
more lands or other other property
property of the former former proprietor
proprietor
might bebe available
available for
for sale.31
sale,31 ButBut when,
when, byby intrigues
intrigues between
between
proprietor and outside
proprietor and outside competitors
competitors oror eollectorate
collectorate officers
ocers or
or
both, no bids
both, no bidswere
were received
received for
for an
an estate at a sale
estate at for arrears
sale for arrears
or revenue,
or the estate
revenue, the estate was ordinarily
ordinarily resettled
resettled by
by government
government
at a lower
lower revenue.
revenue. This causeda
caused apermanent
permanent diminution
diminution in in the
revenue, The
revenue. The permanent
permanent diminution in in the
the revenue also
occured when aa proprietor
occured when proprietor collusively
collusively overrated
overrated some
some portion
portion
of his estate
estate and
and caused be sold
caused it to be sold through
through public
public sale,
sale, since
since

19.
29. Petition
Petition of
o f Paniatty
Paoiatly and
and Dula
DulalSing
Sing to
to B 0.
O.R,,
R ,,11,
B. 00.. R. P.,
R. P., 15
15 April
April

1599,
1599, N No.
o. 55, P74j10
P74/10
B. RR.
30. B. C., 77November
. C., Nv ber 1799, 1799, NNo. 8, P54/6.
o. 8, P54/6.
31. F.
F . D.
D . Ascoli,
Ascoli, p.78,
p .7 8 ,also
alsoHarington's
Harington’sfirst
firstminute,
minute,22July
July1799,
1799, B.
B. B..
R. C.
29
29 AAugust
ugust 1799,
1799. NNo.o. 5,
5, P59/4.
p59/4.
 62 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

ultimately such overburdened lots had

overburdened lots had to
to be
be resettled at
resettled
equitable jama.82
ja m a f2
Confronted by
Confronted bythese
these problems,
problems, the the government
government had had just
just two
two
equitable alternatives
equitable alternatives ififthethesale
salelaws
lawswerewerenot nottoto be
be annulled
annulled
Either itit could
altogether. Either could give
give up upitsitsownownsummary
summarypowers
powers
over the zamindars,
over the zamindars,and andgo gototothe
the ordinary
ordinary courtscourts for
for the
the satis-
satis­
faction of its
faction of its claims
claims as did the zamindars,
zamindars, or or ititcould
could so
so expand
expand
the
the system
system of of courts
courts and and make
make them them so so efficient
efficient that
that the
the
zamindars could
zamindars could get prompt
prompt decisions
decisions of of their
theirrevenue
revenue suits,
suits.
The government,
The government, however,
however, felt felt that
that itit could
could afford
afford neither
neither ofof
these two alternatives. The first method method must must make make the
the public
public
revenue rather more
revenue more uncertain
uncertain andand insecure.
insecure. But the the govern-
govern­
ment's costly
ment’s costly involvement
involvement in in the
the Deccan
Deccan politics
politics with
with aa view
view
to containing Mysore king,
containing the Mysore king, Tipu
Tipu Sultan, and and also
also the
the chronic
chronic
trade deficits, made itit imperative
deficits, made imperative on the part part ofof government
government to to
secure the
secure the land
land revenue,
revenue, the mainstay of
the mainstay of the Company's
Company’s
finance
finance atat any cost.83 For
any cost. For thethe same financialfinancial reason
reason thethe
government could
government could hardly
hardly afford
afford to increase
increase the the administrative
administrative
expenditure by by expanding
expanding the the judiciary
judiciarysignificantly.
significantly.
There was,
There was, ofof course,
course, aathird
thirdcourse
coursewhich
whichinvolved
involved nono
extra cost
extra cost to
to the
thegovernment
government and andwhich
whichcould
could satisfy
satisfy both
both
the pnties,
the parties, though
though at the the cost
cost ofof the
the rights
rights of of the
the third
third
party,
party, the
the ryats.
ryots , That was to grant to to the
the zamindars
zamindars summary
summary
powers over
powers over their tenants
tenants equal
equal inintheir
theirefficiency
efficiency totothose
those
which
which the government exercised
exercised against
against the
the zainindars.
zamindars. Under
the circumstances,
the circumstances, the the authorities
authorities chose the third
chose the third course
course andand
appointed J. H. Harington,
Harington, the registrar of the NizamatNizamat Ada1at
Adalat
and also
and also a member
member of of the
the Board
Board of of Revenue
Revenue at at the
the same
same
time, to findfindout
outthe
the means
means that
that could
couldbring
bringthethecurrent
current crisis
crisis
to an end.
end.

32.
32. Haringtons
Harington-s first minute,
first minute, 22 July
July 1799,
1799,B13,
, R.R.C.,
C.,29
29 August 1799,
August 1799,

N o.
No, 5.
5, P54/4.

33.
33, S .e, A.A,Trpathi,
So, Trpalhi,Trade
Tradeand
andFinance
Finance
ininthe
theBengal
BengalPresidency
Presidency p.p. 17.
17.
 Zamindars'Reaction
Zamindars’ Reaction to the New System 63

Harington was one

Harington was one of
of thäse
those few
fewofficers
officers who
whoadvocated
advocated
the
the strengthening of the
strengthening of the hands
hands of of the
the zamindars
zamindars as early
early
as
as 1792.
1792. When
When Commissioner
Commissioner of of Rajshahi
Rajshahi in 1792,
1792, he had
had
written
written toto the
theBoard
Boardthat thatsome
somereal
realmeans,
means,other
otherthan
thanrecourse
recourse
to established
established courts
courts of of justice
justice was
was,'indispensably
/indispensably requisite
requisite
to
to enable
enable the landholders
landholders and and renters
renters to their just
to realise their just
dues
dues from
from thethe rryots.34
y o ts .3 * He believed
He believed that it was
that it was the
the habit
habit
of the
of the ryots
r y o t s not
not toto pay
pay rents unlessunlessforced
forcedtotodo doso.55
so.35 He
argued:: "In
argued “ In England
England it has has been
been found
found necessary
necessary to to allow
allow
landlords to
landlords to distrain
distrain and and sell
sellunder
underrestrictions,
restrictions, thethepersonal
personal
chattels of
chattels of their
their tenants
tenants for forthethespeedy
speedyrecovery-
recovery of of arrears
arrears
of rent;
of r e n t · and
and perhaps
perhaps aasimilar
similarauthority
authority totothe thelandholders
landholders
and
and renters
renters in this country
in this country may may be be the least
least objectionable
power
power that that can can be be entrusted
entrusted to to them."3°
them,” 36 His conviction
conviction was
further deepened
further deepened by by the
the subsequent developments,
developments, and and in in
1799,
1799, as. as he he declared
declared in in his
his minute,
minute, he felt felt that
that ititwas
was his
his
first
first duty
duty on on hishis taking
taking- seat
seaton onthe theBoard
Board totofind find on
onthese
these
lines
lines aa solution
solutionofofthe thelanded
landedcrisis
crisis and
and the
the consequent
consequent losses
losses
of the
the public
public revenue.37
revenue,37 *He He maintained
maintained that laws, laws, even
even if if
these
these had had aimed aimed atatanswering
answeringthe themost
most benevolent
benevolent purposes
purposes
required
required to be be changed
changed according
according totochanging
changingcircumstances,
circumstances.
He argued,
He argued, "such “sucha achange
change has,
has, II believe, already taken
believe, already taken place
place
with respect
with respect to to the
theryots
ryotsand other
and otherundertenants,
undertenants,who whoinstead
instead
of being
of being the the weaker
weakerparty, party,asastheytheywere
werewhen
whenthe thezemindars
zemindars
exercised
exercised almost arbitrary powers, powers, are now now (according
(according to general
general
opinion) become
opinion) becomethe the stronger
stronger party,
party, under
under the
the suppert
support of of the
the
courts of
courts of justice.*’38
justice."38 Accordingly,
Accordingly, he he drew
drew up
up aa draft Regulation

34.
34. J, H.
H . Harington,
Harington, the
theRajshahi
Rajshahi Commissioner,
Commissioner, to B,
B, 0.
O.R,,
R.,23
2JJune
June1792.
1792.
B . R.
B, R . C,,
C„ 20 July
July 1792,
1792, No,
N o, 15,
15, P51/47.
P52/47.
35.
35. Ibid.
Ibid.

36.
36. Ibid,
Ibid.

37.
37, Harington's
Harington’s first
first minute, 22 July
July 1799. pare, 1,
1799. par», 1, BB,, R.
R. C,29
C , 29Aug.
Aug, 1799.
1799, No.
N o.
5, p54/4,
P54/4,
38.
38, Harington's first
Harington’s first mlnuue,
mlnuue, 2 July 1799,
2 July 1799,psra,
pra. 4,
4, B
B.. R.
R . C,, 29 Aug. 1799,
C „ 29
No. 5.
Mo. 5, p54j4.
P54/4.
64 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

to restore
restore power.equilibrium
power-equilibriumbetween betweenthe thezamindars
zamindars and and other
subordinate landed
subordinate landed interests,
interests. itsIts contents,
contents, so so far
far as
as the
the powers
powers
of the
thezamindars
zamindarswere wereconcerned
concerned cancan be summed
summed up as followsfollows:s
That thetheproprietors,
proprietors,dependent
dependenttaluqdars
taluqdarsandand farmers
farmers were
were
to bebeempowered
empowered to to arrest
arrest and
and detain
detain their
their respective
respective defaulters
defaulters
if they
they were
weresuspected
suspectedtotobebepreparing
preparingtotoabscond.
abscond.39 When
their cases
their cases were
were underunder judicial
judicial investigation,
investigation, theythey would
would be
at liberty
liberty to attach and . sell their defaulters’
. defaulters' property
without waiting
without waiting for for judicial decisions.40. The
judicial decisions.40 The tenants
tenants with
occupancy
occupancy and and other
other leaseholders
leaseholders could
could be evicted if they
be evicted
failed
failed to clear
clear offoff their
theirpast
pastyear's
year’sdues.41
dues.41 The proprietors
and other
and other rent
rentreceiving
receivinginterests
interestscould
could summon,
summon, even even compel
compel
the attendance
attendance of of their
their defaulting
defaulting tenants
tenants atattheir
theiroffices.4
offices.48
In
In reviewing
reviewing this this draft
draft Regulation, Graham, Graham, the the acting
acting
presidentofofthe
president the Board
Board of of Revenue,
Revenue, commented
commented that that for
for the
the
insecurityofofthe
insecurity thepublic
public revenue zamindars’ difficulties
revenue the zamindars' difficulties in
collecting their rents might
collecting their might bebe one
one important
important factor,
factor, butbut their
own contumacious conduct was definitely
own contumacious conduct was .definitely another. another. He, there-
there­
fore, suggested
fore, suggested that that since
since security
securityof ofthe
thepublic
public revenue
revenue was was
the main object
object ofof this
this Regulation,
Regulation, "no“no measures
measures can can bebe adopted
adopted
which shall
which shall prove
prove moremore efficacious
efficacious towards the accomplishment
accomplishment
of that
that object
object than
than that
that ofof rendering
rendering defauling
defauling proprietors
proprietors of of
land liable to confinement
confinement as as prescribed
prescribed inin Regulation
Regulation XIX A.D. A.D.
1793
1793 since
since rescinded
rescinded by by Regulation 1794.” 43 Buller and
XII, 1794."
Regulation XII,
Hatch, the other
Hatch, other two two members
members of of the
the. Board,
Board, supported

39. Clause
Clause 1.1. section
section1515o fof(he
the draft
draft Regulation,
R egulation, 199,
1/99, B.
B, R,
.R,C.
C. 29
29 Aug.
Aug.
1799, No,
1799, N o, 4, p54/4
p54/4
40. Clause
Clause 6,
6 , section
section 15
15of
o f the
the draft
draft Regulation
Regulation 1799,
1799, B. R. C., 29
B. R. 29 Aug.
Aug.
179,
1759. No.4,
N o. 4,P5414.
P54/4,
Clause?,
41. Clause section15
7 , section 15o of the draft Regulation
f the Regulation 1799, B . RR.. CC.,
1799, B. 29 Aug.
. , 29
11799. No.
7 9 9 .N 0 .44,.PP54/4.
5 4 /4 .
4.. Clause8,8, section
47. Clause section15
15o of the draft
f the draft Regulation
Regulation 17)9,
1799, B. R.. C.,
B. R C,, 29 Aug.
Aug.
1799, NNo,4,
1799, o , 4, p5414.
p 54/4.
43. Graham's rst minute
Graham’s first minute on
on the
the Regulation,
Regulation,B·
B. RR.. CC., 29 Aug.
„ 29 Aug.’99,
'99, NNo,
o , 5,
p.i 54/4,
54/4.
Zarnindars' Reaction to the New
Zamindars’ New System 65
Graham’s suggestion
Graham's for the
suggestion for the confinement
confinement of the defaulting
zamindars. Challenging Harington's conclusion
Challenging Harington’s that the
conclusion that the present
present
heavy balances
heavy were ascribable
balances were ascribable to
to the
the inability
inabilityof
of the
the zainindars
zamindars
to
to recover
recover their
their dues
dues from
from their
theirtenants.
tenants.Buller
Bullerremarked
remarked :
"On this point
"On this thereforeI I think
point therefore think it necessary
necessary to observe
observe that
although
although II certainly
certainly think the balances
balances are
are in part
part ascribable
ascribable to
that cause
that cause II am
amstill
stillperfectly
perfectlyconvinced
convincedthat that they
they do do notnot in
a less degree
degree arise
arise from
from contumacy
contumacy and and ill faith
faith on on thethe part
part
of
of the
the landholders."44
landholders.*’44 He He cited the example
cited the example ofof the the rani
rani of
Burdwan who,
Burdwan who, he he maintained,
maintained, allowed
allowed the whole whole of of her
vast zamindarI
vast zamindari to to bebe sold but again again bought
bought in bena,ni. benami.
In an earlier
In earlier minute
minute he he concluded
concluded that that without
without confining
confining the
zamindars Harington's Regulation
zamindars Harington’s Regulationcould couldnever
never “operate
"operate to deter deter
a repetition
repetition of collusion, whilst these
collusion, whilst these people [w ere] left
people [werej left in
in
the enjoyment
the enjoyment of of the
the fruits
fruits of
of their fraud."45
fraud.” 43 Hatch maintained
maintained
that the zainindars
zamindars always
always represented their their difficulties
difficulties in highlyhighly
exaggeratedforms
exaggerated formsand and itit would
would “"be be a dangerous
dangerous mistakemistake to to
accept their viewpoints
viewpoints literally.”
literally."4646
But the
But the Council
Council was was not readyready to accept
accept their
theirrecommen-
recommen­
dation toto confine
dation confine the the zamindars
zamindars in in case
case of
of default.
default. Such Such a
measure was
measure thought by
was thought by the
the Council
Council to be bothboth "unnecessary
“ unnecessary
and impolitic"47
impolitic/’47 It was was felt
felt to
to be
be unnecessary
unnecessary because
because the the
zainindars were
zamindars were agitating
agitating forfor summary
summary powers
powers and andonceonce they
they
vested with those
were vested those powers
powerstheytheywould
wouldhave
haveno no new
new ground
ground
to with-hold
to with-hold thethe government
government demandsdemands upon
upon them. Moreover,
Moreover,
as men
as menofof rank
rank andand status,
status, the
the zamindars
zamindars were were the the natural
natural
leaders of of the
the society. confinement, the authorities
society. Their confinement,
apprehended,
apprehended, would wouldnot not only
only incite
incite their
their followers
followers to to disturb
disturb
the peace,
the peace, but
but aIo
also lead
lead toto the
the arrest
arrest of
of the
the rising
rising value
value ofof
the landed
landed property.
property. For, many manylandholders
landholders in in that
that case
case,would
would

44. BuIler's third

Buller’s third minute, B. R, C.,
B, R. C ., 29
29 August
August 1799,
1799, No.
N o. 5,
5, p54/4,
P54/4,
45. Bufler's sevoad
Buller’s second minute, B. B. B.
R. C.,
minuted 29 August
C., 29 A ugust 1799,
1799, No.N o ,5,P54/4.
5.P54/4.
46. Hatch's
Hatch’s second
second minute,
minute, B. R. C., 29
B. R. 29 AUgUSt
August 1799,
1799, NoN o 5.
5, p54/4.
P54/4.
47. Council's
Council’s Resolution,
R esolution, 29
29 August
August 1799k
1799, C C.. .1. F,,„ 29
J. P 29 August
August 1799
1799 No.
1, P147/42.
P 147/42.
55-.
-
66 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

flee
flee from
from land
land in
in order
ordertotoavoid
avoidthe
thedisgrace
disgraceofofimprisonment,
imprisonment,
and
and few outsiderswould
few outsiders wouldtrytrytotoget
get entry
entry into
into land
land for
for the
the
same reason. The
The Council
Council thus
thus rejected
rejected the
therecommendation
recommendation
of Graham, Buller and
Graham, Buller and I-latch
Hatch for the the confinement
confinement of of the
zamindars inin balance
zamindars balance and
and approved
approved of of the
the draft
draft Regulation
Regulation
of Harington
of Harington as
as it was
was presented
presented andand duly
dulyenacted
enactedasasRegu-
Regu­
lation VII, 1799.48
lation 1799.48

The
The Regulation
Regulation VII,
VII, 1799,
1799, popularly known as Haftarn
popularly known Haftam
or seventh,
seventh, thus threw
threw the
the idealism
idealism of
ofCornwallis
Cornwallis overboard.
overboard.
This iron law
This iron law made the ryots
made the ryots mere
meretenants-at-will.
tenants-at-will. That
That was
was
never The
never intention of
the intention of Cornwallis
Cornwallis who
who believed that it was
believed that was
only the'
only zamindarswho
the zamindars whowere
were in position to oppress
position to oppress the
the other
other
landed interests. So
;landed So hehe diddid not
notremain
remain satisfied
satisfied with
with thethe
abolition of
abolition of all
all the feudalistic
feudalistic powers
powers and privileges. He
also made
also plain in
made it plain in his
his proclamation
proclamation of the the permanent
permanent settle-
settle­
ment thatthat if the present regulations
the present regulations proved
proved insufficient
insufficient to to
protect
protect the interests
interests of of the ryots,
ryots, then
thenthe thegovernment
government would would
always have the
always have the right
right to to interfere
interfere in in favour
favour of the the ryots.
ryots. HeHe
proclaimed,
proclaimed, “"It It being
being the duty of of the
the ruling
ruling power
power to toprotect
protect
all classes
all classes ofof people,
people, and and more
more particularly
particularly those
those whowho from
from
their
their situation
situation areare mostmost helpless,
helpless, thethe Governor
Governor General
General in in
Council will,
Council will, whenever
whenever he he may
may seem
seem it it proper,
proper, enact
enact such
such
Regulatons as
Regulations as he may think necessary
may think necessary for for the protection
and welfare
and welfare of the the dependent talookdars, ryots,
dependent talookdars, ryots, and
and other
other
cultivators
cultivators of of the
the soil
soil ;·and
and nono zemindar,
zemindar, independent
independent talookdar
talookdar
or other
other actual
actual proprietor
proprietor of of land,
land, shall
shall be be entitled
entitled on on this
this
account
account to to make
make any any objection
objection to the the discharge
discharge of of the
the fixed
fixed
assessment whichthey
assessment which theyhave
have agreed
agreed to pay."49 It was
to pay.’'49 was indeed
indeed
ironic that
ironic that such
suchprinciple
principleofofpolicy
policywaswasapplied
applied quite
quite reversely
reversely
within six years
years of of the
the proclamation
proclamation of of Cornwallis.
Cornwallis.

43. Council's reso1uton,

Council’s resolution, 29
29 August
August 1799,
1799, C. P. 29
C. J. P. 29 \ugus
August1799,
1799, No.
N o. 1,
1,
P147/42.
P147/42,
49’ Proclamation
49 ArticleVVIII,
Proclamation Article III, Clause
Clause t, See R.
I, See R. CI4rks,
Clarks, Bengal
Benga\ Zamindary
Zatnindary
Regulation, p. 10.
Regulation, 10.
 Zamindars'
Zamindars’ Reaction
Reaction to
to the
the New
New System
System m
67

Did
Did thethe :ryots
ryots deserve
deserve suchsuch punitive
punitive treatment?
treatment ? As A3has.has
been said
been earlier, the
said earlier, the zainindars
zamindars alwaysalways complained
complained of theia their,
inability to
inability to collect
collect rents
rentsfrom
fromthethefarmers,
farmers, renters
renters and
and jotedar.s
jotedars
who
who contumaciously with-held public
contumaciously with-held public revenue
revenue and and of having
having
no means
no means of of recovering arrears from
recovering arrears from .,,them other than
them other than by by
dilatory
dilatory judicial suits But
judicial suits. But they
they . rarely
rarely complained
complained against
Harington himself
the ryots. Harington himself remarked
remarked that "the “ the powers
given
given to the landholders . and farmers by Regulation
the landholders and farmers by Regulation 17, 17, 1793
1793
and 35, 1795
and 1795 to todistrain
distrainthe crop
the cropandandother
otherpersonal
personalproperty
property
of their
their under
under tenants
tenants areareiningeneral
generaleffectual
effectualandandsufficient
sufficient
when
when the the arrear
arrear is is due
due from
from thetheimmediate
immediate cultivators
cultivators of
the
the soil,
soil, oror such
such under
under tenants
tenants as as have
have the
the crop
crop inin their
possession;
possession; but but they
they arearefound
found altogether
altogetherinsufficient
insufficient for
for the
the
recovery
recovery of arrears of the rent
of the arrears rent due
due fromfrom the
the other
other
intermediate tenants between
intermediate tenants between the the proprietor
proprietor and and cultivator,
cultivator,
who
who have
have no no crop,
crop, and
and veryvery little
little other personal
personal property
property
that can
can bebe attached."5°
attached.” 50 But But no
no consideration
consideration was was paid to to the
ryot's known
ryot’s known behaviour
behaviour whenwhen he he drafted
drafted the
the Regulation.
Regulation. The
contumacious intermediaries and
contumacious intermediaries and the
the docile
docile and
andhelpless
helpless ryots
ryota
were treated alike
were treated alike when
when thethe zamindars
zamindarsand andother
other rent
rent receivers
receivers
were vested with summarysummary powers.
powers.
The
The operation
operation of of this
thisiron-law
iron-lawsubsequently
subsequentlyproved
proved toto be
be
so
so oppressive
oppressive to to the peasantry that
the peasantry that thethe judicial
judicial department
department
came
came forward
forward totorecommend
recommendthe therevenue
revenueauthorities
authoritiesto tomodify
modify
this law
this law on
on humanitarian
humanitarian grounds,
grounds. As As proofs of its oppressive
oppressive
operation, the
operation, the Sadar
Sadar Diwani
D iw a n i Adalat
A d a la t forwarded,
forwarded, in in early
early 1811.
1811,
some representative reports from the district judges as to the
some representative reports from the district judges as to the
ruinous
ruinous effects of this
effects of this law
law on onthethepeasantry,
peasantry, to
to the
theBoard
Board ofof
Reyenue
Revenue for for consideration,51 But ruinous
consideration,51 But ruinous though though it was for
was for
the
the peasantry, this law
peasantry, this law guaranteed
guaranteed the the greatest
greatest security
security of
the public
public revenue
revenue andand th:at
that unexampled
unexampled punctuality
punctuality was was the
the

50.
5ϋ, Harington's first minute,
Harington’s first minute, 26
26July
Juty1799,
1799,para
para2,2,B.8.R.
ILC„
C., 29
29 August
August 1799
1799
No.
N o. 5. p54/3.
p54/4.
51. The Registrar,
,51. Registrar, Sadar
SadarDiwani
DiwanjAdalat
AdalattotoB.B,O.
0. RR,,
., 77 June
June 181
1811,I, B.
8. O.
0. R,
R, P.,
P.,
7 June 1811,
1811, No.
N o. 106,
106, p76/56,
p?6/56.
68 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

argument of many
argument many revenue
revenue authorities
authorities against
against any
any alteration
alteration
in the present
present regulations.
regulations. But Dowdsweil,
Dowdswell, the the Acting
Acting President
President
of the Board who was probably
probably thethe solitary
solitary figure
figure in
in the revenue
revenue
department in
department in favour
favour of reform,
reform, argued that the
argued that the attainment
attainment
of the
the punctuality of revenuerevenue collections
collections was 'certain1y a
was ‘‘certainly
great and
great and important
important object. It evidently is not however
the only
only object.
object. Until
Until wewe can
can combine
combine withwith ititthe
the security
security
of the
the peasantry
peasantryfromfromillicit
illicitand
and burthensome
burthensome exactions,
exactions, until
until
we can
we can remove the apprehension whichIIknow
apprehension which know are entertained
entertained
that the
the ryots
ryots are not unfrequently
unfrequently drivendriven byby the
the oppressions
oppressions
of the
the zamindars
zamindars and and farmers
farmers andand their
their local
local agents
agents toto the
the
commission
commission ofofthe the worst
worst ofof crimes, dacoity, the
crimes, dacoity, the purpose
purpose of of
our revenue
revenuelaws
lawsmust
mustbe bedeemed
deemed to to have
have been
been very
very imperfectly
imperfectly
accomplished."52
accomplished.” 62
Being divided
divided in opinions over
in their opinions over the question of
reforms,
reforms, the the members
members of of the
the Board agreed to act
Board agreed act on
on the
the
basis
basis ofof the
the views the district
views of the district collectors
collectors who
who were
weresupposed
supposed
to
to bebe most
most competent
competent to to comment
comment on on the operation of the
operation of the
fia fta m law. Hence
Haftanz Hence aa circular letter was
circular letter was issued
issued toto all
all the
the
collectors calling upon them them to give their most
to give most impartial
impartial
opinions on
opinions on the
the Regulation
Regulation 7. 7. They were directed
directed that judgment
judgment
was not
was not to to be
be"founded
“ founded onon thetheinformation
informationobtainable
obtainable from
from
a few
few opulent
opulent individuals but from local and personal
communication
communication with with the
the class
class of people, the
of people, the peasantry
peasantry forfor
whose
whose benefits
benefits the present
present enquiry
enquiry has
hasbeen
beenundertaken."53
undertaken.” 83
All the collectors without exception reported that being being
protected by the
protected by the Regulations,
Regulations, the zamindars, farmers
farmers and
and
their agents were oppressing their ..helpless ryots most
.helpless ryots most
outrageously.5'
outrageously.8* The The Collector
Collector of Dinajpur, for examle,
examle, reported,

52.
52, heRegiStrarOfSadar
T he Registrar o f SadarDiwani
DiwaniAdalat
Adalatto
toB.O.R..,
B.O .R ., 77 June
June 1811,
1811, B. O. R , P.,
O.R.P.,
7 June 1811,
1811, No.
N o. 106,
106, p76/56.
p76/56 ,
53. Board's
53. Board’s circular
circular letter to Collectors,
Collectors, 7 June 1811, 8. O.
1811, B. 0. R.
R. P.,
P.,77June
June1811,
3811,
N o. 108, p76/56.
No. 108, p76!56.
54. Bengal district Collectors to
54. to B.
B. 0.
O. R
a;> B.
B. 0. R. P.,
O . R. P ., 31
31 December
December
1811,
1811, NNos. 2-15,P.77/1.
os. 2-15, p.77/I.
 Reaction to the New System
Zamindars' Reaction System 69
"I
“ I have only to add
have only that the
add that peasantry in this district
the peasantry
complains loudly and grievously
loudly and grievously ofof the
the oppressions of the
oppressions of
zemindars
zemindars and
and their
their officers, in regard
officers, in regard to
tosurplus
surplusexactions,
exactions,
abwaubs, deductions
abwaubs, deductions andanddistmints
distraints—-that
that II understand
understand half
half of
of
the complaints
the complaints in in the
the Fougdaree
Fouzdaree are are by
by ryotis
ryotts against
against the
the
zamindaree arnia for
zamindaree amla false imprisonment
for false imprisonment and and other
other duress
duress in
order to compel
order to compel payments,
payments, oror to
to obtain
obtain security
security oror bonds
bonds from
from
them, and that at
them, and at present
present the
the people
people are
are precluded,
precluded, by
by the
the
poverty from
poverty from prosecuting
prosecutingfor
fortheir
their grievances
grievances with
with any
any prospect
prospect
of success,” 55
success,"55

The revenue
The revenue authorities
authorities werewere evidently
evidently disturbed
disturbed by by thethe
reports
reports ofof the
the collectors
collectors and and judges,
judges, which
which putput them
them in such
such aa
dilemma
dilemma that that they could neither ignore the
they could the peril
peril of
of thethe
peasantry under the operation
peasantry under operation of of the
the existing
existing rules,
rules, nor
nor could
could
they afford
they liberal reform
afford liberal reform that might might threaten
threaten the
the security
security
of the
the public
public revenue
revenue again, Under the circumstances,
again. Under circumstances, they they
followed
followed the the middle path. They
middle path. They thus observed that
thus observed that while
while
the
the problem
problem created
created by by the
the Regulation
Regulation 7 shouldshould be remedied,
remedied,
"great
“great caution
caution therefore
therefore must must be beobserved
observed not not to relax
relax tootoo
muchon
much onaasudden
suddenininfavour
favour of of the ryots, lest
the ryots, lest we
we should
should run run
into the
into the other
other extreme,
extreme, and and afford
afford to to them,
them, by by an
an abuse
abuse of of
the protection which the law
the protection which the law affords, affords, the means of with-holding
means of with-holding
payments
payments of oftheir
their just
just rents,"
rents.’356 Accusing the judicial
56 Accusing judicial depar-
depar­
tment which little bothered
which little about financial
bothered about financialproblems,
problems, they
they said,
said,
"from
“ from the reports from officers in the judicial
from the officers judicial department,
department,
which havebeen
which have been forwarded
forwardedtoto us, us, itit would
would appear
appear that
that they
they
had only considered the evils arising from
had only considered the evils arising from the oppression
oppression on the
zamindars ;; without taking
part of the zamindars taking intointoconsideration
consideration what
what
may
may bebe expected
expectedononthe the other
other side
side ofof the
the question."57
question.” 37 The
collectorswere
collectors werenotnot similarly
similarly accused
accusedbecause
becausethe the majority
majority of ol

55. Dinajpur Collector

Dinajpur to BB.. O
C ollector to 0.. B..,
R ., 10
10 July
July 1811,
1811, B,
B , 0.
Q.R.R .p.,
P .,31
31December
December
1811,No,
1811. No, 5,5. P77/1.
P77!!.
56.
56, 0. R... to
B. O.
B. G, in C.,
to Q0.. G. C ., 3131 December
December 1811,
1811, para 2. 2. C.C, .T/ . P.,
P ., 11MaY
May
1812,NNo.
1812, o. 22., PP148/75.
148/75.
57. Ibid,, para
Ibid,, pare 3. 3.
 .70 Perniament Settlement in Bengal
Permament

them, though
them, though vocal
vocal of
of zamindari
zamindari oppressiOn,
oppression, expressed
expressed appre-
appre­
hénéion that the
hension that thesudden
suddenwithdrawal
withdrawalof ofthe
the Act
Act 77 might
might make
make
.the collections of land revenue
the collections unpunctual.88 They suggested
revenue unpunctuaL58 suggested aa
litle
little reform
reform of of the
the Act
Act rather
rather than
than itsitstotsl
total annulment.
annulment.
The Governor-General
Governor-General in in Council accepted the recommenda-
Council accepted recomtnenda-
:tion
“tion ofof the
the Beard
Bcard for forlimited
limited reform
reform and and enacted
enacted Regulation
Regulation 55
of 1812. The
of The Act Act laid
laid down
down that that the zamindarszamindars could could no no
longer sell
longer sell the
the defaulters'
defaulters’ property
property without without reference
reference to to the
the
1eiore they
Court. Before they proceeded
proceeded to to distress
distress the the property
property of of the
the
defaulting tenants they
defaulting tenants they were
were required
required to 'serve the
to "serve the tenants
tenants
with aa written
with written demand
demandfor forthe
the amount
amount of it accompanied accompanied with with
Jumma Wasil
a Jumma W asil J3auki
Bauki (demand,
( demand, collections
collections and and balance),
balance ),
exhibiting
exhibiting the the grounds
grounds on which the the demand
demand is so so made.”
made."59 6® It
was
was also
also laid
laid down
down that "ploughs
“ploughs and and otherother implements
implements of of
husbandry,
husbandry, bullocks
bullocks and otherother cat iles employed
cattles employed in in agriculture,.
agriculture,.
together with
together with tools
tools ofof artisans,
artisans, shall
shall not not be subject
subject to to distress
distress
and sale
sale on
on account
account of of arrears of rentrent"80 Lastly, the zàmindars
’’60 Lastly, zamindars
were enjoined
were enjoined under
under heavy
heavy penalty
penalty to to withdraw
withdraw the the distress
distress
if their demands
demands were were contested
contestedby bytheir
their tenants
tenants in in the courts.61
courts.61
The imposition
imposition of ofthis
thisrestraint
restrainton onthethe distraining
distraining power power of of the
the
zamindars
zamindars was,was, however,
however, moremore thanthan offset
offset by by the
the withdrawal
withdrawal of
other restrictions
, other restrictions on on them
them in in respect
respect of of thethe management
management of of
- their soil. As has
theirsoil. has been
been described
described earlier,
earlier, the the samesame Act,
Act, that
that
Regulation V
. is Regulation V ofof 1812,
1812, empowered
empowered the the zamindars
zainindars to to lease
lease out
their land
land for
for any
any unlimited
unlimited period,
period, insteadinstead of for only only maxi-
maxi­
mum
mum ten tenyears
years under
under the former
former rules,rules, that that isis. Regulation 14 14
1793. The Act also
' of 1793. also empowered
empoweredthem them to to regulate the rate rate of
of
: rent by any criterion of their Moreover, as
own.62 Moreover,
own.62 as the
the zainindars
zamindars
"and
^ and other superior landed
other superior landed interestS
interests were were still still vested
vested withwith the
the

58. Bengal
Bengal district Collectorstoto B-
district Collectors B. O.
0. IL
R. ;; BB,, 0.
O. R.
R . P. 31 Decenber
P. 31 December 1811,
1811,
Nos 2-15,
Nos.’ P77/h '
2-15. P77/1, -

59. Section
Section 13, Regulation V
13, Regulation V.1812,
. 1812. C
C J. P.. P .. 11May
May 1812,
1812. No.8,
N o.8. P148/75
P148/75
Sectico 14,
60 Section 1egulation V. 1812,
14, Regulation C.. J. P..
1812, C P.i 11 May
May 1812,
1812, N
No,
o. 8, p148/75.
P148/75.
Section 15,
61. Section Regulation V.
15. Regulation V. 1812,
1812,C,C,J,J. Pp.,
., 11 May
May 1812,
1812, NNo.
o . 8, P148/75.
P148/75.
62, Section 2, Regulation
62. Regulation V.
V, 1812.
1812.
Zamindar& Reaction to
Zammdara’ Reaction to the Ne
New System n
71

summary
summary powers
powers of summoning,
summoning, confining
confining and evictingevicting their
defaulting tenants, the mere
defaulting mere ban onon their summary
summary distraint
distraint of
of
their defaulter's
defaulter’s property
propertywas
wasnot
notlikely
likelytotoaffect
affect the theparamount
paramount
position of the
position of the zamindars to extort
zamindars to extort their ryots,
ry o ts ,ififnot
notthe
therela-
rela­
tively stronger intermediaries.
The next
The next phase
phase of of the
thegrowth
growthofofzamindari
zamindari powerspowers was was
concernedwith
concerned withtheir
their liberty
liberty to create
create perpetual
perpetual intermediary
intermediary
landed interests between
landed interests between themselves
themselves and and the
the actual
actual cultivators.
cultivators.
This
This isis the
the story
story ofof the
the origin
originandanddevelopment
developmentof ofthe
the famous
famous
system. Patni, aa Bengali
patni system. Bengaliterm, term, isis defined
defined by by Η. H. H.
H.
Wilson
Wilson as as aa "tenure
“tenureby bywhich
whichthetheoccupant
occupantholdsholds of
of aa zamindar
zamindar
a portion
portion of of the zamindari
zamindari in in perpetuity,
perpetuity, with with thethe right
right ofof
hereditary succession,
hereditary suócession,and andofofletting
letting or or selling
selling thethe whole
whole or or
part asas long
long as a stipulated
stipulated amount
amountofofrent rentisispaid
paidtotothe
thezarnin-
zamin­
dar, who
dar, who retains
retains thethe power
power of of sale
sale for
for arrears,
arrears,andand is is entitled
entitled
to aa regulated
to regulated fee feeororfinefine upon
upon anyany transfer."63
transfer.” ®3 The system system
was first introduced
was first introducedby bythe
theraja
rajaofofBurdwan.
Burdwan. He He felt
felt that
that under
under
the regulation
the regulation of of the
the permanent
permanent settlement,
settlement, it was wasnot not possible
possible
to save
to save hishis zamindari
zamindari from from dismemberment
dismemberment by by traditional
traditional
methods
methods of ofmanagement.
management. He He realised
realised that if he he farmed
farmed out his his
zamindari,
zamindari, the the farmers
farmers rackrented
rack-rented and and impoverished
impoverished the the ryots
ryots
at the end
end of of their
their lease
lease ;; while,
while, if if he managed it himself
he managed himself his his
ainla
ainla oror officers
officers embezzled
embezzledthe the rents
rents and
and inin collusion
collusion with with the
chiefs, alienated
village chiefs, alienated lands fraudulently.84
fraudulently.04 To get rid rid ofof these
these
ruinous
ruinous evils,
evils, the
the raja
raja dividedhis
divided hisgreatgreatzamindari
zamindari into intothous-
thous­
ands
ands of lots lots each yielding an
each yielding an average
average jama jama of about two
of about two
thousand rupees.63 Each
thousand rupees.85 Eachofofthese
these lots
lots was
was called
called patni
patni taluqa
taluqa
and its
and its holder
holder pat p a tnnidar
id a r to
to whom
whom he he applied
applied the the same
same rules
rules
and regulations
and regulations which which Government
Government applied applied to to him.
him. In other
words, he
words, made a second
he made permanent settlement
second permanent settlement with with hishis
patnidrs
patnidarsatata aperpetually
perpetuallyfixed fixed jama.
jama.

63. H.. H.
Η H . Wilson,
W ilson,AAGlossry
Glossry ofo fJudicial
Judicialand
andRevenue
Revenue Terms...,
Term s..., p. 410.
410.
64. prinsep's Repott
PriDsep’s Report ono othe
thepatni
patoitenure,
tenure, 12
12 July
July 1819,
1819, para. 5, C. 1. P?..
C. J, ., 88
October 1819,
October 1819, No.
N o. 35,
35, pp 149/65.
149/6«.
65. Jbid.,No.
Ibid., N o . 37
37
η
72 Permanent Settlenient
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

Suchan
Such an unexpected
unexpected move moveononthe the part
part of of the raja, though though
against
against the the spirit and and letter letterof ofthe the permanent
permanent settlement, settlement, not not
only saved the
only saved the rajaraja fromfrom ruin, ruin, but also also contributed
contributed to further
enlargement of of his
his already
already unmanageably
unmanageably large zamindari. zamindari. Out Out
of the massive
massive capital capital that that he acquired
acquired by by selling
selling ppatni a t n i taluqas,
taluqas,
he purchasedthe
he purchased the whole
whole of of the the Bishnapur
Bishnapur zamindari,zamindari, parts parts of
the Nadia,
the Nadia, Birbhum
Birbhum and and Rajshahi
Rajshahi zamindaris zamindaris and and manymany otherother
lots
lots inin other
other districts.86
districts.68 But But the the raja
raja was was soon soon out out of luck luck
when following
when following his his footsteps,
footsteps, his his ppatnidars
a t n i d a r s started
started creating
creating
ddar
a r or second
second patnidArp a t n i d i r andand dar-patnidar
d a r - p a t n i d a r creating
creatingthird thirdpatni-
p a tn i-
dar
d a r and
and so on. on. The The rajaraja himself
himselfdescribed described the the situation
situation in in1819
1819
thus: "After some
thus: “After some 'time the the patnidars,
p a t n i d a r s , prompted
prompted by byan anavari-
avari­
cious desire
cious desire to to augment
augment their theirown ownprofits,
profits,granted
grantedsub-leases
sub-leases
on ttheir
h e n ppatni-mahals
a t n i · m a h a l s to toddur-putni renters,these
u r - p u t n i renters, these persons
persons again again
adopting
adopting the the same same line line ofofconduct, conduct, let let outouttheir
theirDur-putnees
D u r -p u tn e e s
to others,
others, and andsosoon, on,as asfarfaras asthree,
three,four fourororfive fiveunder-renters.
under-renters.
Now
Now when when five five people
people ecpect expect to to derive
derivedistinctdistinctprofitsprofits fromfrom
the
the samesame nehals
m e h a l s it is perfectly perfectly needless needless to explain how
distressed
distressed and and miserable
miserablethe the situation
situationofof the the ryots. must be
r y o t s must be ;
many of
many of the
the mehals
m e h a l s in
in consequence
consequence became
became deserted
deserted and
and
waste,
waste, and and the the amount
amount of of the the collection
collection has has also alsonecessarily
necessarily
decreased.Wherever
decreased. Whereverthe thepputneedar lastinin the
u t n e e d , a r last the series,
series, falls into into
arrears and
arrears and isis unable
unable to to discharge
discharge his his rents,
rents, the same same must must be
the case with all
case with all the
the other
other renters, succesively, succesively, inclusive inclusive of of the
the
original
original pputneedar."°7
u t n e e d a r . ” 67

Now,
Now, asideaside from from ryot's r y o t ' s distress,
distress,zauiindars'
zamindars’ ability ability to pay
the government
the governmentrevenue revenuedepended dependedononthat thatofof fivefiveoror six six other
other
landed orders. If any any one one in in thethechainchain for for one
one reason
reason or or other
other
failed
failed to pay, affected all
pay, itit affected all the the otherother superior.
superior patnidars p a tn id a r s
up toto andand including
including the the zamindar
zamindarhimself, himself. When When the the Govern-
Govern­
ment
ment attempted
attempted to to collect arrears
arrears of of revenue,
revenue, the the Courts,
Courts,

66.
66. ibid.
Ibid.

67,
67. Raja
Raja ooff Burdwan
BurdwantotoSadar
SadarDiwani
DiwariiAdalat,
Adalat,C .C.J. I.P P.,
., 8 8October
October 1819
1819 N
No.
o.
30, pp149J66.
30, l4> /66.
Zamindars
Zamindars* Reaction
Reaction to the
the New
New System
System n

lacking any
lacking any express
express law law to guide
guide them, gave conflicting
conflicting verdicts
verdicts
about where
about where the the rights
rights and and obligations
obligations of these these new
new tenure
tenure
lay.88 Superior
holders lay.88
holders Superior tenure holders holders foundfound themselves
themselves in in
aa similar
similar plight,
plight, so so that
that between
between 1817-and
1817 and 1819 1819 the the raja
raja of
of
Burdwan accumulated ninteen lakhs lakhs ofof rupees.
rupees worth of unsettled
claims
claims uponupon his patnidars.62 With
his patnidars.8° With his his private resources
exhausted and
exhausted and unable
unable to to secure
secure prompt
prompt redress
redress through
through the
courts
courts he he fell
fell into
into arrears
arrears in in his
his turn,
turn, owing
owing aa balance
balance of of S.
S. Rs.
Rs.
372,lO1 to
3,72,101 to Government
Government by by 1818-19.70
181819.° GovernmentGovernment inin turn
then
then found
found itself
itselfinindifficulties,
difficulties, for
for when
when the raja'sraja’s lands
lands were
were
advertisedfor
advertised for sale,
sale, thethe whole
whole bodybody of patnidars who who were
to be
be affected-
affected by by thethe salesale vigorously petitioned for
vigorously petitioned for aa halt
halt
to the process. They
the process. They arguedargued thatthat they
they had had invested
invested their
capital
capital inin buying
buying thesethese taluqas
taluqas andand thatthat they
they werewerenotnotres-
res­
ponsible for the raja's
ponsible raja’s arrears.
arrears. UnderUnder their
their concerted
concerted pressure
the
the sale
sale had
had ultimately
ultimately to to be
be put
put off71
off.71 In In the
the meantime,
meantime,
the raja's
the raja’s balances
balances to Government
Government were were mounting fast. He
said
said that
that hehewas
wasunable
unable to to dispose
dispose of the defaulting
defaulting patn idars ’
patnidars'
lands, because
lands, because all all tho8e
those subordinate
subordinate patnidars in in the
the chain
chain
of tenure
of tenure holders
holders who who had had paid
paid offoff their
theirdues
dues protested
protested andand
prevented
prevented the purchasers
purchasers from from taking
takingpossession.72
possession.78 At last,
in May
in May 1819,
1819, the theGovernment
Government- had been been driven
driven to to aa full
full
review
review of of the
the novel
novel situation
situation caused
caused by by thethe creation
creation of of patni
patni
tenures. The The Board
Board of Revenue-
Revenue first rst considered
considered possible
possible legal
legal
remedies,for
remedies, for they
they heldheld that
that all p a tn i tenures which
all the patni which had
been
been created
created before
before Act Act 5, 1812 were illegal and
1812 were and could
could properly
properly
be declared null and void.73 But as they reported any
be declared null and void.73 But as they reported anysuch
such
action must seriously
action must seriously injureinjure thethe public
public revenues,
revenues, forfor the dar-
dar-

68. B.
68, B . 0.
O. R.
R.to
toG.
G .U.
G .inC.
in C.1 1May
May1819,
1819,B.
B.B..
R . C,
C. 44 May
M ay 1819,
1819, No,
N o , 8,
8, p5818.
P58/8.
69. Ibid.
70. Ibid.
71. Ibid.
7L
72.
72. Rjaof
Raja oBirdwan to to
f Burdwan Sadar Diwani
Sadar DiwaaiAdalat,
Adalat.C.
C .I.I.P.,
P .,8 8Oct.
O ct.1819,
1819,No,
N o , 30,
30,
p149/66.
p 149/66.
73. B. a. to G.
0 a.
B. O G . G.
G . in
in C,,
C .,B.
B-R.
R .C.,
C .,44May
May 1819,
1819, No.
N o. 8,
8, para, 10. P58/8.
10. P 5 8 /8 .
 74
Ϋ4 Permatient Settlement in Bengal
Permanent

patnidars
p a tn idar .s threatened
threatened that
that any
any move
move toto annul
annul their
their tenures
tenures
would plunge the
would plunge the district
district into
into confusion,74 The Board
confusion,74 The Board was
was
therefore driven
therefore driven to to recommend
recommendthe thereform
reformofofdar-patni
dar-patni tenures
tenures
than any
rather than any attempt to declaredeclare them
them altogether annulled.75
annulled.75

Accordinglythe
Accordingly theCouncil
Councildeputed
deputedR.R.T,T.Prinsep,
Prinsep, the superin-
superin­
remembrancer of
tendent and remembrancer of legal
legal affairs, to Burdwan,
"for
“for the special purposes
the special purposes of of conducting
conducting aa full full andand careful
careful
investigationinto
investigation into thethe nature,
nature, number,
number, and and circumstances
circumstances of of
the various
various classes
classes of the undertenants, in in the
the Burdwan
Burdwan Zamin-
Zamin-
Prinsep went
dary.’’7® Prinsep
dary."78 went to to Burdwan
Burdwan on on 2929 MayMay 1819,1819, and
and
submitted
submitted his his report
report and draft Regulation
and draft Regulation on on 12 JulyJuly 1819.
1819.
In his report
In his report hehe observed
observed thatthat any
any move
move to to alter
alter the
the status
status
quo wouldinevitably
quo would inevitablybeberesisted
resistedbybythe theinjured
injured patnidars
p.unidars to
the detriment
the detriment of ofthethepublic
publicrevenue
revenueand andlawlaw andandorder
order inin the
the
country.77
country.77 On
On thethebasis
basisofofhishis findings
findingshehedrew drewup up aa draft
Regulation
Regulation whichwhichwas wasapproved
approvedby by the
the Council
Council without
without altera-
altera­
tion
tion andand enacted
enacted as as Ragulations
Regulations 88 of of 1819.
1819. The' The following
were the the main
mainprovisions
provisions of of the Regulation.77
Regulation.77
First, all leases
leases and and engagements with under tenure
holders,for
holders, foraa term
term of of years,
years, or or in perpetuity, granted
in perpetuity, granted by
zarnindarswere
zamindars weredeclared
declaredvalid,
valid, even
even if they had been executed
if they had been executed
before
before 1812 1812 while
while the the ten year limitlimit was
was inin force.78
force.78 Second,
all patni
all patni tenures
tenures were were heritable
heritable and and transferable by sale,
gift or
gift or otherwise,
otherwise, at at the
the discretion
discretion of of the holder
holder and and hehe would
would
be
be treated
treated in in the
the Court
Court asas ifif he
he was
was thethe zamindar.79
zamindar.79 Third,Fhird,
- patnidars
patnidars were were at at liberty
liberty totolet
letoutouttheir
theirland
landininanyanymanner
manner
they might
, they might deemdeem most most conducive
conducive to to their interest.80
interest.80 Fourth,

74. Ibid,
ibid, para,
para. 21.
21.
75. Ibid. para, 10.
Ibid. 10.
76. G. G-
G. G. in C.. to B.
in C B. 0.
O.R.,
R .,13
13May
May1819,
1819, C,
C ,I.
J ,P.,
P , , SOctober
8 October1819,
1819, t"'o,
No.
31, p149/66.
p l49/66.
77,
77. Prii:isep's Report on
Priasep’s Report on the Patni Tenures,
the Patni Tenures, 1212 July
July 1819,
1819, C, J. P, 8
C, J. P ., 8
Oct. pl8l9,
Oct. p l8 1 9 , No,
N o.35,
35, 149/67.
149/67.
78,
73, Regulation 8, 1819,
8, 1819.
79. Clause 1, See.
Clause See. 3, 1819.
1819.
60.
O. Clause
Clause 2, 2, Sec.
Sec. 3, 1819,
1819.
 Zamindars' Reaction to the New
Zamindars* New System 75

ease of arrear
in case arrear occuring
oceuring upon
upon any
any tenure,
tenure, it it was
was liable
liable to
to
be brought
be brought to to sale
sale byby public
public auction.
auction. Fifth, the holders
Fifth, the holders of of
all patni
all patni taluqas
taluqas of third, fourth
of third, fourth or
or anyany more
more degree
degree were
were
declared to
declared to have
have acquired
acquired all the rights
rightsand andimmunities
immunities attached
attached
to patni taluqa of the firstfirst degree..
degree.
Thus, while under the former former Regulations, viz., Regulations
Regulations, viz.)
35 of
35 of 1795
1795; ;77ofof17991799; and 55 of 1812,
; and 1812, the the zamindars
zamindars got got the
feudalistic powerstoto distrain,
feudalistic powers distrain, arrest,
arrest, confine
confine andand evict
evict their
their
defaultingtenants
defaulting tenantsand andtoto determine
determinethe therats
rateofof rent
rent byby any
any
criterion
criterion ofof their
their own,
own, thethepresent
presentPatni
Patni ActAct empowered
empowered them them
create their
to create their ownown prototype
prototype permanent
permanent landedlanded interests
rthemselves
themselves holding
holding the position
position of paramount chiefs. This
Act
Act fully
fully secured
secured their
theircollections
collections of
of revenue
revenue from
from their patni-
patni-
inasmuch as the
dars, inasmuch the defaulting
defaulting patni
patni tenures
tenures were
were made
made
liable to
liable to be
be sold
sold in public
public auction, in in the
the same
same manner
manner as
auction1 as
the land of the defaulting
defaulting zarnirtdars
zamindars was being sold.

*h-..2V· ' ■· : ■: ■. ·· ■·; ■ i . f : U ! . ΐ ; ! ’ - 7: -Λ ί

V “ "··; .. '. i ί>.ί, ; 7 Υ ' - / ύ . , -/π -Κ ■ ·.*■■;-■! Η ■

Γ'.i ~· :? ' : · ; ' ί

,. <ν.·ν Γ-'" r'··':h ;

ί
 CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER F OUR

THE REVENUE SALE

THE REVENUE SALE LAWS
LAWS IN
IN OPERATION
OPERATION
(I)
(I)THE
THEFALL
FALLOF
OFTHE
THEGREAT
GREAT FAMILIES
FAMILIES
This chapter considers
This chapter the territorial
considers the territorial aristorcracies
aristorcracies in in their
worst days days of when the
crisià when
of crisis the great
great families
families of of Bengal,
who had
who had taken
taken some some hundred
hundred yearsyears oror more
more to achieve achieve their
their
paramount position,
paramount position, suddenly
suddenly foundfound their estates
estates dismembered
dismembered
within the
within the first
first decade
decade of of the
the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlement. These
ggrands
r a n d s sseigneurs, the rajas
e i g n e u r s , the rajas ofof Burdwan,
Burdwan, Rajshahi,
Rajshahi, Dinajpur,
Dinajpur,
Nadia, Birbhum, Bishnapur, Bishnapur, etc. etc. were controlling
controlling precisely
precisely
half of
half of the
the landed
landed property
property of Bengal
Bengal at at the
the time
time of of the
the perma-
perma­
nent settlement. They had earlier suffered suffered great distress
distress during
the early British experiment experimentin inrevenue
revenueassessment
assessmentand andcollec-
collec­
tion. But But until
until the the 1790s
1790s their
their wealth,
wealth, influence
influence and and lifestyle
lifestyle
still distinguished
still distinguished them them from
from thethe inferior
inferior ranks of the the landed
landed
society
society and andenabled
enabledthem themtotosupport
supporta agreat
greatrrajbari
a j b a r i or the great
palace of
palace of aa raja,
raja, andand toto employ
employ itit as aa centre
centre of of social
social influence.
influence.
is intended
It is intendedhere heretotoexamine
examinethe thefactors
factorsthat that forced
forced them them to
be the victims
victims of the Revenue Sale Laws. Laws.
What
W hat was was the the British
British attitude
attitudetowards
towards the the unequal
unequal distri-
distri­
butionofoflanded
bution landedpropertyproperty? Did they
? Did they think itit politicpolitic to allow
allow
the monopolistic
monopolisticcontrol controlofofland
landafter
after they
they had created property
in land
in land?? ItIt seems
seems that that from
from the the very
very beginning
beginning of of the
the British
British
rule in
rule in Bengal
Bengal these these territorial
territorialpotentates
potentateswere werecommonly
commonly aa
target for attack. As As early
early as
as 1772, Alexander Dow,
1772, Alexander Dow, one one of the
earliest British
British historians
historians to write about about India,
India, preached
preached to to the
authorities the need to impose impose aa ceiling
ceiling onon the
the size
size of of individual
individual
holdingsby
holdings bybreaking
breakingupupthe theestates
estatesofof the the great
great families.'
families.1

1. SseRR·Guha,
LSee Rule ooff Property
G u h i,Rule l',opertyfo r Bengal,
for P. 38.
Bengal, p.
Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in Operation
Operation 77

Hastings
Hastings and and Harwell
Barwell were were likewise
likewise in in favour
favour of of the
the split-up
split-lip
of these families both for political
political and financial reasons.2 Philip
financial reasons.2
Francis
Francis tootoo desired
desired the same same thing but from from a adifferent
differentmotive.
motive.
His
His rivals
rivals were
were motivated
motivated by by political
political expediency,
expediency, for for "the
“ the
proprietors of the very very extensive
extensive zamindaries
zamindari e s-- possess
possess influence
influence
which they
which they employ
employ in opposition
opposition to Government,
Government, and and in in case
case
of war they mightmight even
even become formidable, as was the case
become formidable, case in
times,” 3 Francis,
former times."3
former Francis, on on thethe other
otherhand, hand,emphasized
emphasized the
economic importance of easily manageable small
economic importance holdings. “"The
small holdings. The
preserving
preserving the the little Zarnindaries entire would
little Zamindaries would certainly
certainly be be
attended
attended withwith many
manyconveniences,*
conveniences," ’ hehewrote,
wrote,{fbut "but this
this is
is not
not
an objectofof near
an object near so
so much
much importance
importance as as dividing
dividing the the great
great
ones."4'
ones·5 ' 4 In 1786
1786 Robert Kyd, Kyd, the the Military
Military Secretary
Secretary to to Govern-
Govern*
ment, urged the
ment, urged the authorities
authorities totodestroy
destroythe thelanded
landedmonopoly
monopoly for
both political
political andand economic
economic considerations.
considerations. He He wrote
wrote that
that the
power and
power and authority
authority of of thethe great
greatterritorial
territorialhouseshousesmust must be be
circumscribed**so
circumscribed 1'soasastotorender
render their
their wealth
wealth and andiniluence
influence less
less
dangerous to the
dangerous the governing
governing power, power, whether
whether on on any
any crisis
crisis of
of
foreign invasion, default
foreign invasion, default in in the
the members
members of of the
the administration
administration
itself, to the
itself, to the perversion
perversion of justice
justice or or peculation
peculation of of the
the public
public
revenue
revenue by by the
the corrupti
corrupti ufluence
nfluence of of the
the wealth
wealth now nowpossessed
possessed
by the landholders."5
landholders.’*5
The writings
The writings of of all
allthese
theseofficers
officersand andadministrators
administrators who who
advocated the
advocated the abolition
abolitionof of the
the monopoly
motopoly of of landed
landed property must
have
have influenced
influenced the the Court
Court of of Directors
Directors to to think
thinkalongalong the
the same
same
lines. TheyThey apprehended
apprehended that that at at some
some appropriate
appropriate time time these
great families
great families might
might create
createa agravegravefinancial
financial or or political
political crisis,
crisis,
either
either by byspontaneous
spontaneous risingsrisingsoror by by playing
playing into into thethe hands
hands of
an invading
invading force. They accordingly advised the Bengal

2
2 /M A pp.. 107.
ibId. 107.
3 Quoted
Quoted in
in Ibid. The author
ibid. The author did
did not
s o t mention
m ention whose statement was
was it,
it,
Harwell's or Hastings.
Barwell's
4 philip Francis
Philip Francis to toC.
C,W.
W»B.
B. Rous,
Rous, 2222 June
June 1776. Quoted in
1776, Quoted in R. Guha,
p.
P , 107.
107.
5 B... KICyd
R Papers,MMSS.
yd Papers, BUR.FF 95,
SS. BUR. 95, pp
pp 114-5,
114-5, para 2.
2,
78 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
Government
Government totokeep keep them
them under constant surveillance, "The
constant surveillance. “The
history
history ofofevery
every province
provinceininIndia,”
India," they
they argued,
argued, "shows
“ shows that
that
confederacy of
a confederacy
a of the zarnindars
zamindars is attended
attended withwith dangerous
You must,
effects. You must,therefore
thereforebebealways
alwayson onyour
your guard
guard against
against
any intrigues
intrigues they
theymight
mightform,
form,ororany
anysymptoms
symptomsofofdisaffection
disaffection
towards
towards this
this country."6
country.” 6 Such
Suchapprehension
apprehensionwas wasnot,
not, of
ofcourse,
course,
without foundation.
without foundation. In In 1757,
1757, the principal
principal zamindars
zamindars joined
joined
the British
the British forces to overthrow
forces to overthrow Sirajuddowla,
Sirajuddowla,and and again
again they
they
joine.d hands
joined hands with
with the
the Emperor
Emperor ShahShah Atam
A lam when
when he he marched
marched
down
down to to Bengal
Bengal inin 1760
1760totore-assert
reassert his
his authority
authority there.7
there.7
With the arrival
With arrival of
of Cornwallis,
Cornwallis, political considerations
receded into
receded into the
the background,
background, but the the need
need toto dismember
dismember the
great estates
estates on economic ground
on economic ground waswas more
more keenly ielt. telt.
Cornwallis's
Cornwallis’s ideaidea was
was to consolidate British
to consolidate British rule in in Bengal
Bengal
through aa regenerated
through regenerated and and revitalised
revitalised zamindar
zamindar class class who
who
would increase
would increase the
the wealth
wealth and
and prosperity
prosperity of of the
the country
country by
measures.8 For such
various improving measures.8 improvements he
such improvements
relied heavilyon
relied heavily on the small
small zamindars.
zamindars. He He believed that the
believed that the
overgrown zamindarsasasaa group
overgrown zamindars group were were extravagant,
extravagant, incapable
incapable
lazy, whereas
and lazy, whereas the smaller
smaller zamindars
zamindars werewere mindful
mindful of of
improvement of of their
their estates.9
estates.9 Hence he adopted three
methods
methods to to expedite
expedite the
the subdivision
subdivision of of the
the larger
larger zamindaris,
zamindaris.
Firstly, he
he abolished
abolished the customary rule of primogeniture among among
the great
great families. He felt
families. He that the
felt that Regulation that
the new Regulation
abolished primogeniture
abolished primogeniturewould
wouldbebe “productive
"productiveofof thethe desired
desired
effect
effect in due
due course
courseofoftime,
time,asasititisis to
to be
be presumed
presumed that manymany

6,
6. C. D.
C. D. toto G.
G.G.
G. in
in C.,
C .t General
General Revenue
Revenue Letter, 12 April
Letter, 12 April 1786,
1786, para.
para.
43, p. 351/4/630.
351/4/630.
7,
7. See, A.
See, A. Broome,
Broome, History
History ooff the
the Rise and Progres$
R ise and o f the Bengal
Progress of Bengal Army
Army
'vol. l.p
vol. 1. pp. 181, 15*2.
p . 181, 319-20;; S.
U'2, 319-20 S. C. Hill,
H ill, Bengal
BengalinIn 1756-57.
17S6-S7. vol.
vol. 11,
11,
pp, 418-9.
pp, 418.9.General
GeneralLetter
Letter from
from Bengal,
Bengal, No.
N o. 9A,
9A , pp.229-30 (I. 0.
pp.229-30 (I. O. B.,,
R .,
Parliamentary Branch).
8,
8. For details
details see,
see, R
R.Guha,
Gutaa,Rule
RuleOf
o fProperty
Property for
fo r Bengal
B engalpp.
pp.167.173.
167-173,
9, See, Cornwallis to B,
See, Cornwallis B. 0.
0 , B.,,
R„ 33 February
February 1790
1790 , W.
W, K.
K. Firmiagcr
Firmioger (wd.),
(wd.).
The Fifth
The Fifth Reporti
Report, vol, 11,
11, p,53O.
p,530.
Revenue Sale
Sale Laws
Laws in Operatton
Operation 79

of the principal
principallandholders
landholders from from motives
motivesofof affection
affection toto their
children
children or or with
with aa view
viewtoto conform
conform to the dictates
dictates of ofthe
the law,
law,
[would]
[would! divide
divide their property among their
property among their sons
sons oror heirs,
heirs, or
or by
by
makingno
making nowill,
will, leave
leave itit to
to devolve
devolve to to them
them in the proportions
proportions
which they may
which they maybe respectivelyentilled
be respectively entilledtotoinherit,”
inherit."0
1®Secondly,
Secondly,
Regulations were
Regulations were enacted
enacted to to separate
separate different
different categories
categories of of
taluqas from
taluqas from their
their parent
parent zamindari
zamindari estates.11
estates.11 The separation
separation
of taluqas,
taluqas , he he wrote
wrote,would
would"not “ notonly
onlypromote
promote the
theimprovement
improvement
of the
of the talooks
talooks butbutalso
also operate
operateto tothe
theprosperity
prosperityof of the
the counrty
counrty
large....IItt [would]
at large [w ouldj tendtend totosubdivide
subdivide the thegreat
greatzamindaries
zamindaries
the evils
the evils arising
arisingfrom from the
the extent
extent of which/had/long
which/had/long been been felt
in various shapes..."213Thirdly,
various shapes,..” Thirdly,heheenacted
enactedsome
somelaws,
laws,commonly
commonly
knownasasSunset
known SunsetLaws,Laws,whichwhichlaidlaid down
down forfor immediate
immediate and and
invariable sale of
invariable sale of the revenue
revenue defaulter's
defaulter’s lands. All these
legal provisions
provisions were intended
intended to to secure
secure to
to the
the zamindars
zamindars "the
fruits of
fruits ofindustry
industryandand economy,"
economy,’’ he he wrote,
wrote, "and“ and at
at the
the same
same
time leave
time leave them
them toto experience
experiencethe the consequence
consequence of of idleness
idleness andand
extravagance ;; they
they must
must either
eitherrender
renderthemselves
themselves capable
capable ofof
transactingtheir
transacting theirown
own business,
business, or ortheir
their necessities
necessities will
will oblige
them
them toto dispose
disposeofoftheir
theirlands
landstotoothers,
others, who
who will
will cultivate
cultivate andand
improve them.”
improve them."13
13
Cornwalli's idea of
Cornwalli’s idea improvement through
of improvement through small
small holdings
holdings
was no
was no original
original concept
concept of of his
his own.
own. InIn eighteenth
eighteenth century
century
England and
England and also
also in
inFrance
Francethethe appearance
appearance of of small
smallholdings
holdings
was
was recognized
recognized asas ananessential
essentialcondition
condition ofof capitalistic
capitalistic enter-
enter­
prise in
prise in agriculture.''
agriculture.14 Above
Above abstract
abstract theory,
theory, it waswas also
also
oommon experience
common experiencethat
that agricultural
agricultural improvement
improvement in in eighteenth
eighteenth
century England
century England had been been "the
“ the work
work of
of aa number
number of of pioneers
pioneers

10. G. 0.
G, Q. in
in C.
C. C. to C.
C. to C, D.,
D ., 66 March
March 1793, General Revenue Letter.
1793, para 8, General Letter,
E/452 pp292-3.
F/452 pp292-3.
11. For details,
details, see
see Cbapter
Chapter two, p.50-59.
p.50-59.
12. Cornwallis'SMinute,
Cornwallis’s Minute,12
12May
May1790,
1790,BBR, C.,12
.R , C .,12 May 1790
1790 No.36,!,52/12.
N o.36,p52/12.
13. Cornwallis
13, Cornwallis to B. 0.
O. ft.,
R .,33February
February1790,
1790,Firminger
Firminger (ed)
(ed ) p.530.
P . 530.
14.
14. See, R,
See, R. G«ha, Rule ooff Properly
Guha, Rule P roperty fo r Bengal
for p. 107.
&n:alP. 107.
80 Permanent Settlement
Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
and publicists,
and publicists, country
country gentlemen,
gentlemen, owner owner occupier
occupier andl andl arge
tenant farmers, rather than than large landholders,”
landholders."15 15
Hence both
Hence both abstract theory and practical experience warranted
the elimination
elimination of the the concenLration
concentration of of landed
landed property
property in
a few hands. Such a concentration
concentration was thought thought to to be
bedetrimen-
detrimen­
tal toto the
theinterests
interestsofofthethe country
countryasaswellwellasas ofofthe
thecompany.
company.
Because, ifif half
Because, half thethe country,
country, under under the control
control of of a few
old proprietors
old proprietors who were by
who were by no no means
means distinguished
distinguished for for their
ability and
ability and enterprise,
enterprise, remained
remained outside
outside the orbit
orbit ofof progress
progress
then
then the the whole
wholeobjectobjectof of
thethepermanent
permanentsettlement
settlementwas wasbound
bound
to be
be defeated.
defeated. That in in turn
turn would
would meanmean that, that, for
for the
the
Government's financial
Government’s financial sacrifice
sacrifice in in perpetually
perpetually fixing land revenue
fixing land
demand upon the the zamindars,
zamindars, no no recom pence by
recompence by way
way ofof additional
additional
tax yield
yield from
fromincreased
increasedeconomic
economic activity
activity could
could be be expected.
expected.
Stagnation in agricultural production must, therefore,
Stagnation therefore, be
removed
removed by by breaking
breaking up up these
these unwieldy
unwieldy greatgreat estates
estates into
into
economic units. In their dispatch of 19 September
economic September 1792 1792 which
which
contained
contained the the formal orders for
formal orders for the
the conclusion
conclusionof of the
the permanent
permanent
settlement, the the Court
Court of Directors strongly recommended
such a policy,
such policy, observing
observing that that “'upon
upon a system
system of of permanent
permanent
possession and
possession and still
still more
moreofoffixed
fixed taxation,
taxation, the
the inconveniences
inconveniences
of
of them
them [might]
[[might] be be expected
expected to to be
bemoremorerealrealandandserious.
serious.
Whenever therefore the claims
Whenever therefore claims of of justice [didJ not
justice [did] not interfere
interfere
it must
must be be extremely
extremely desirable
desirable to to promote sub-divisions of
promote sub-divisions
the property
property in in the
the soil "s
.......
soil........’’ie
It isis thus
thus abundantly
abundantly clear
clear that both the the Home
Home and and
the
the Supreme
Supreme Governments
Governments were were atat one
one in wishing
wishing to to level
level
out the
out the gross
gross inequality
inequality in
in the
thedistribution
distributionofofland
land ininBengal.
Bengal.
Hence
Hence Government's
Government’s clear
clear stand against the monopolistic
zamindari
zamindari families
families must
must bebe taken into account
account when
when we we study
study
the circumstances
circumstances through
through which
which the great
great families were
were ruined
ruined
within
within aa decade,
decade, subsequent to to the
the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlement.

15.
15. G. E.
E. M English Landed
ingay, English
Mingay, LandedSociety
SicieIy in the Eighteenth Century,
the Eighteenth C'niury, p.
p. 171
171
16.
16. C. D.
C. D , to
to G.
G . G.
G . in General
in C.,
C., RevenueLetter,
General Revenue Letter,19
19Sept.
Sept.1792,
1792,para
pata 2,
2, pp.
pp.
7 7.1,
7 7-8, P/4/638.
P /4/638.
Revenue Sale Laws in Operation
Operation 81

The official
official policy dismember the territorial magnates,
policy to dismember
whenever
whenever itit was
was possible
possible legally, does
does not,
not, however,
however, exonerate
exonerate
the zamindars
zamindars from their own
from their own faults
faults contributing
contributing to their
their
fall. Under the new
Under the new system,
system, every proprietor was
every proprietor was free
free to
thrive by
thrive by hard
hard work,
work, economy
economy and
and able
able management or to
management or to
perish through extravagance
extravagance and mismanagement. Cornwallis's
mismanagement. Cornwallis’»
idea of improvement
idea improvement required
required themto;
them to throw
throw off
off the garb
garb of
of
a reigning
reigning raja
raja and wear the
and wear the badge of a ruling
badge of ruling manager
instead. The
The question,
question, thus,
thus, was
was how
how readily
readily would
would these
these
rajas move
move fromfrom ancestry
ancestryto enterprise. The following
toenterprise. following pages
pages
will
will try to
to establish
establish how
how they
they behaved
behaved under
under the
the operation
operation
new system
of the new system andand what
what their fortunes were.

The Rajshahi
The Rajshahi Raj
Ra)
In 1788, in in her
her oldold age,
age, rani
raniBhavani
Bhavani ofofRajshalii
Rajshahi trans.
trans­
ferred the zamindari
ferred zamindari to to her son raja Ramkrishna,
adopted son
her adopted Ramkrishna,
then forty
forty years
years old.17
old.17 In 179], 179], the decennial
decennial selttlement
setttlement waswas
concluded with him
concluded him at at a jana jam a ofof Rs.
Rs. 22,50,200.18
22,50,200.18 Ever
since the decennial
since the decennial settlement,
settlement, the theRajshahi
Rajshahizamindari,
zamindari, which
which
was the second
was second biggest
biggest in in Bengal,
Bengal, had
had been
been suffering
suffering from
from
three pernicious
pernicious problems
problems :: overassessment, mismanagement
mismanagement and and
the intrigues
intrigues of officers. Under the operation
ainla or officers.
of amla operation of of these
these
causes, the dismemberment
causes, dismemberment of of the zamindari started immediately
immediately
after the
after the raja's decennial engagement. Before
raja’sdecennial Before thethe dawn
dawn of of
the next
next century,
century, the the entire
entirezamindary
zamindary hadhad been
beentransferred
transferred
to fresh
fresh hands. following table
hands. The following table shows
shows how how slice
slice after
slice
slice was
was sold
sold until
until the
thelast
last remnant
remnantof ofthethezamindari
zamindari camecame
to anan end
end inin 1800. The first column of
first column of the
the table
table shows
shows the
jama
jama of of the
the different
different portions
portions into into which
which the
the zamindari
zamindari was was
parcelled
parcelled out out and
and sold
sold andand the
the second
second column gives the
column gives the sale
sale

17. Rani Bhavani’s

Rani Bhavani's petition
petition to
to G. G. in C..
C ., B.
B. R
R.. C,
C. 20 August, 1788,
20 August, p. *81,
1788, p. 881,
P51/22.
P 51/22.
18. Rajshahi CollectortotoB.B.O.0. RR.,
Rajshahi Collector 16August
., 16 August1791.
1791.J3-$.RR,
« CC,,
i, 22 Sept.
Sept.
1791,NNo.
1791, o. l11; p52/35,
l j P52/35,

6-
82 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal
price of
price of every
every parcel
parcel indicating
indicating market
market price
price and
and its
its variation,
variation.
The third
The third column
column gives
gives thethe sources.
sources. AsAs lands
lands were sold in
were sold
numerons small
numerosis small lots
lots selected
selected fromfrom many
many different
different parganas
at random
random the
thenames
namesof of the
themahais
mahals or
or revenue
revenue divisions
divisions could
could
not conveniently
conveniently bebe inserted
inserted,against
against the
the jam
jamaa of
of lands
lands sold.
sold.
The names
The names ofof mahals,
mahals, however,
however, cancan bebe spotted
spotted from
from sales
sales
reports as indicated in the
the third
third column.
column.

TABLE 4.
4
The sales
sales account
account of
of the Rajshahi Raj
Sadar jama
jama Amount Dates
of lands realised of . Sources
sold
Bold at sales sales
Rounded to Rounded to
nearest nearest
100 S.
100 S. Rs.
Rs. 100 S. Rs.
1163 1060 4
4 June 1793
1793 B.
B. 0.
O. R.
R. P.,
P., 5 June 1793,
1793,
no number, p72/17
no
284 674 14 „
,, B. „
B. 0. R. P., 2 July 1793,
0 . R.
,,

no number, p72/18.
2594 2594 27 Apr. 1795
1795 B.
B, 0.
O, R. P.,
P., 11 May 1795,
May 1795,
Nos. 8,9.10,
8,9.10, p72/43.
p72/43.
143
143 190
190 B.O.R.P., 30 June 1795,'
29 June ,,„ B.O.R.P.,30 1795,
No. 121, p. 72/44.
121, p. 72/44.
104 100
100 1 Aug.
Aug. ,,„ B.
B. 0.
0 , R. P., 44 Aug,
R. P., Ang, 1795,
1795,
No. 40,
40, p.
p. 72/46.
72/46.
1919 510
510 10 Sept. „,, B.O.R.P., 11 Sept. 1795, 1795,'
No. 1, p. 72/46.
609 413 13 Oct. ,; B. B. O.R.P., 29 Dec. 1795,
No. 44-46, p.
No. 44-46, p. 72/50.
72/50.
102 172 31 Mar. 1796
31 B.O.R.P., 1 April 1796,
1796 B.0.R.P., 1796,
No. 10, p.
No. 10, p. 73/3.
73/3.
289 452 27 June ,,„ B B..OO.R.P., 28 June 1796,
.R .P ., 28 1796,
No. 2, p.
No. 2, p. 73/5.
73/5.
 TABLE
TABLE 4 (cont.)
(cont.)

- Sadar Jama Amount Dates

of lands realised of ' Sources
sold at sales sales

Rounded Rounded
Rounded Rounded
to nearest
nearest to
to nearest
nearest
100 S. Rs.
100 S. Rs. 100
100 S. Rs.
Rs.
97 145 27 May 17971797 B .O .R .P., 30
B.O.R.P., 30 May 1797,
1797,
- No. 29, p. 73/19.
No. 73/19.-

81 34 ,,
99 ,,
99 ,,99 B.O.R.P., 30 30 May
May 1797,
1797,
No. 33, p. 73/19.
73/19.
137 74 ,,
99 ,,
9» ,,t* B.O .R.P., 66 June 1797,
B.O.R.P., 1797,
No. 7, p. 73/20.
No.
738 1280 11 July
July ,,„ B. B .OO.R.P., July 1797,
.R .P ., 7 July 1797,
App. A. P. 73/21.
73/21.
231 350 24 „,, „,, B.
B. 0.
O. R.P.,
R.P., 2828 July 1797,
App. A.,A., p.
p. 73/21.
73/21.
65 29 5 Aug. „ ,, B.O.R.P., 11 11 Aug. 1797,
1797,
App. A., p. p. 73/22.
108 116 14 Sept. 1797
14 1797 B. B. O.R.P., 22 Sept,1797,
Sept,, 1797,
No, 17,
No. 17, P73/23.
P73/23.
80 72 15 Oct. ,,„
15 B. O.
0. R, P„ P,, 3 Nov., 1797,
App, A,,A„ P73/25,
P73/25,
54 26 44 Jan.
Jan. 1798 B. O.R, P,, 16
O,R, P., 16 Jan,
Jan , 1798,
1798,
No.
No. 15 15 A,
A, P73/28.
P73/28.
46 50 6 July 1798 B. O. 0. R.P.,
R.P., 1616 July 1798,
1798,
App, C., C,, P73/34.
P73/34.
306 132 10 July ,,„
10 B, 0.
B R. P., 20
0 . R. 20 July
July 1798,
1798,
App. A., P73/34
P73/34
248 95 23 July ,,„
23 B, O.
B. 0. R P,, 7 Aug.
R.. P„ Aug. 1798,
1798,
App.
App. C„,C, P73/35.
P73/35.
47 75 23 Sept. ,, B.
23 ,, B, 0.
O. RR,, P., 22 Oct..
Oct. 1798,
1798,
App,
App. B. P73/37.
P73/37.
400 251 12 Nov.
Nov. „ B. ,, Q.R. P., 23Nov.
B. O.R. 23 Nov. 1798,
1798,
No. 17, P73/39.
696 464 10 Feb. 17991799 B. 0. R.P.,
B. O. R.P., 15 Feb. 1799,
1799,
No. 27, P73/43.
No. P73/43,
815 260 25
25 Feb.
Feb. ,,„ B.O.R.P.,
B.O.R.P., 12 12 March
March 1799,
1799,
No. 53,
53, P73/44.
P73/44.
221 99 12 March
March ,,„ B. O.
B. 0. R.
R. P., 22 April
April 1799.
1799.
App. E,E, P73/45.
P73/45,
 TABLE
TABLE 44 cont.)
(cont.)
Sadar Jama Amount
Amount Dates
of lands
lands realised of Sources
sold at sales sales
Rounded Rounded
to nearest to nearest
100 S, Rs. 100 S, Rs,
100S,
669. 603 23 „
,, „
,, B,
B. O. P.. 5 April
R. P..
0. R. April 1799.
1799.
No, 1, P73/45.
No. P73/45.
992 611 18 May
May ., S . 0.
B. 0. R.
R. F,, 21 May 1799,
P., 21 1799,
j App. A., P73/47.
P73/47.
630 304 10
10 June ,,„ B. 0 . R.
B. 0. P., 25 June 1799,
R. P., 1799,
No. 82, P73/49,
No. P73/49.
270 241 20 July ,f
,, B. 0.
B. 0 . R. P., 23 Aug. 1799,
R. P., 1799,
App.
App. A.,A., P73/Si.
P73/51.
67 23 »
,, M
,, >)
,, B. 0.
B. 0 . R. P., 23 Aug. 1799
R. P., 1799
App.
App. A.,A., P.73/51.
P. 73/51.
413 160 6 July
July 1799
1799 B. O.
B. 0, R P„ 30 July 1799,
R,, F,, 1799,
No, 27, P73/50.
P73/50.
311 697 0 . K.
B , 0,
B, P „ 2 Aug, 1799
R. F,, 1799
App, A, A, P73/51.
P73/51.
112 72 28
28 Aug,
Aug, ,,„ B, 0.
B. 0 . R. P„ 10
R , F,, 10 Sept, 1799,
1799,
No. 55, P73/52,
P73/52,
4M
4f11 139 28 Aug.
28 Aug, ,,„ B,
Β, Ο0,, R. P., 13 Sept, 1799,
R , P.., 1799,
No, 37»
No. 37, P73/52,
254 230 19 Oct. ,,„ B. 0.
O. K R P.,
P.,55Nov,
Nov,1799,
1799,
No, 1, P74/1.
No, 1, P74/i,
14 5 7 May
May 1800
1800 B.
B. 00,, R P „ 13 May 1800,
R,. F,,

15*71,000 12,80*200
15,71,000 12,80,200 App, B, P74/23,
The decennial
decennial jama
jama ofof the
the zarnindari
zatnindari = SS., Rs.
Rs, 22,50,200
22,50,200
Deduct Jama
Deduct Jama of of lands
lands publicly
publicly sold
sold S.
S. Rs.
Rs* 15,71,000
15,71,000
Jama of
Jama of lands
lands privately
privately sold
sold 2,73,9001
2,73,900lff
Jama of taluqas separated 3,71,00020
3,71,000s0
22,15,900
The remaining jama of the estate 34,000

19,
19. Rasbahi
Rajshahi Collector to 13,
Collector to B .O0.
. R.,
R„ 29
29 March
March 1795,
1795, 8.
S. R
R.. C..
C., 17 April
April
1795, NNo.
1795, 4A,. P53/29.
o, 4A P53/29.
» 20 RahshahiCommissioner
20, Rahshahi Commissioner to Bto
.OB 0R
, R 26MMIY
, 26 1792B liR.RCC,, 15
iy 1792, lun'
15 Juo3
1792 No
1792, N o.19,
19*P52145
P52/45 . Rahsbahi
Rahshahi Commissioner
Commissioner totoB,13O.0RR,, 55 Juno
June,
1793, B.
B< R. C., 5 July
R . C., July 1793, No.
1793, N o. 15,
IS , P53/4.
P53/4.
levenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws in Operation
Laws in Operaton m

As the
As the resources
resources ofof the
the zamindari
zamindari had had never
never been
beeninvesti-
investi­
gated minutely,
gated minutely, itit is very difficult
difficult to
to state categorically
categorically whether
or not
or not the the zamindari was was rightly
rightly assessed. The original
decennial assessment
decennial assessment exclusive
exclusive of of all
all deductions
deductions on on different
different
accounts
accounts was was S. S. Rs. 20,27,200.z l To
Rs.20,27,200.21 this sum
To this sum was
was added
added aa
rasad
fa sa d of
of S. Rs. 2,25,000.22
2,25,000.22 Hence
Hence thethe permanent
permanent assessment
assessment of
the zamindari
zamindari was was fixed
fixed at S.S. Rs.
Rs. 22,50,200.
22,50,200. The The average
average
annual collection
annual collectionof ofthe
the estate
estate from
from 1778-9
1778-9 to 1788-9
1788-9 amounted
amounted
to S.
S. Rs.
Rs. 21,24,400.23
21,24,400.28 The The gap
gap between
between the the known
known revenue
revenue
yield and
yield and the
the assessment
assessment waswasfurther
further widened
widened by the withdrawal
withdrawal
compensationofof the customary
without compensation customary allowance
allowance of of batta
on the
on the payment
payment in currency. The
sicca currency.
in sicca The raja
raja had
had derived
derived an an
annual income
annual incomeofofaboutabout one
one lakh
lakhof of rupees
rupees on account
account ofof batta
batta
and there
and there hadhad never
never been
been anyany hint
hint ininthe
thedecennial
decennial agreement
agreement
that it would
would subsequently
subsequently be be resumed
resumed without
without compensation.2'
compensation.24
Thus
Thus ifif toto the
the gap
gap between
between pastpast revenue
revenue yield
yield and
and the
the1791.
1791
assessment
assessment isis addedadded thethe loss
loss of the batca
batta allowance,
allowance, thethe raja
raja
may be
may be seen
seen toto have
have been overburdened
overburdened by by the
the decennial
decennial settle-
settle­
ment by aboutabout two lakhs
lakhs of rupees a year.
Raja Ramkrishna
Raja Ramkrishna at at first
first refused
refused to
to accept
accept the
the settlement and
persisted throwing every obstacle
persisted in throwing and impediment
obstacle and impediment in in the way
way
of the
of the execution ofthe
execution of settlement. But ultimately
the settlement. ultimately heheacceded
acceded
to itit with
to with a note
note of
of protest. He wrote
protest. He wrote to to the
the Council,
Council, "the
“the
assessment isis augmented
assessment augmented and
and the
the increase
increase required
required to
to be
be made
made
good
good in in 33 years only. Although
years only. Although to to realize
realize soso heavy
heavy aa jumma
jumma
in so
in so limited
limited aa period
period seems
seems impracticable, yet yet to
to labour
under government would
displeasure of government
under the displeasure would be be still
still more
more
distressing.” 2625

21. Rajshabi
Rajshahi Collector
Collector to B
B.. O.
0. R.
R· 15
15 March
March 1795,
1795, B, 0, R.
B. O, R . P., 15 August
P ., 15
1795, No.
1795, N o. nil,
nil, pp 7114?.
71/42.
22.
22. ibw
Ibid
23. Rajshahi Collector
Rajshahi Collector toto B.
B. O.
0. R.,
R ., 16
16 June 1789,
1789, B.
B. 0.
O. R.
R. P., 18 June
P ., 18 June 1789,
1789,
No.
N o. nil.
nil.
B. O.
24. B. 0. RR., to
to G.
G. G.
G. in
in C.,
C., 2424 March
March 1795,, B.
B . R. C,,
1795w C „ 10 1795, NNo.?,
10 April 1795, o. 7.
25, Raja
25. RaJaRamkrishna
RamkrishnatotoGU. G.ininCC.,
. G. 28 May
., 28 May1790,
1790,quoted
quoted ininNN.. K.
K, Siaha,
Sinha,
vo'. 2,pp,
vol. 2 , pp. 156-7.
156-7.
86 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Permaneat
Luthese
In thesecircumstances
circumstancesititwas
wasnot
not surprising
surprising to
to find
find that
that raja
Ramkrishna losttwo
Ramkrishna lost twoofofhis
hisbig
big parganas bearing
bearing jarna
jam a of
of about
about
one lakb
one lakh and
and fifty
fifty thousand
thousand rupees within aa year
rupees within after his
year after his
decennial engagement.28
decennial engagement.26This, This,however,
however,did did not
not relieve
relieve himhim
from further distress. Every Every year arrears
arrears were
were accumulating.
accumulating. In In
July 1795, his outstanding arrears
1795, his arrears amounted
amounted to to S.Rs.
SRs. 5,39,Ø5427
5,39,054.27
Stating his
Stating his difficulties,
difficulties, the the raja
raja wrote
wrote to thethe Council
Council "From
“From
the heavyheavy Jummah
Jummah and andinvolved
involved revenue
revenueofofmy myzemindary,
zemindary,
I have
have several
several years
years granted
granted Muzcoree
M uzcoree Talooks,
Talooks, and and made
made
conditional sales
conditional salestotoraise
raise money
moneywhich
which hashas been paid to
been paid to make
make
good the
good the deficiencies
deficiencies of revenue,
revenue, and
and many
manyvaluable
valuable portions
portions
of my lands have
my lands have been
been sold
sold byby public
public sale.”
sale."21 He then
2· He then appealed
appealed
for the
for the abatement
abatement of of assessment
assessment on account
account ofof baila
baa abolished
abolished
and excessive
excessive rrasad29
a s a d -se
The
The repeated
repeated representations
representations of of raja Ramkrishna
Ramkrishna ventilaventila­
ting his
ting- his difficulties
difficulties in in paying
paying public
public revenue
revenue and and his
his chronic
chronie
arrears,
arrears, led led to aa full
full scale
scale discussion
discussion in in the
the Council
Council about
about
the affairs
the affairs of his his zamindari.
zamindari. For guidanceguidance of of the
the Council
Council
opinionswere
opinions weresought
soughtfrom fromthe the collector
collectorandand from
from thethe Board
Board,
The Collector,
Collector,giving
givinghis hisreport
reportininfavour
favourofofthe
the raja said
said that
his zamindari
his zamindariwas was overrated
overratedby by at
at least half the
least half the amount
amount of of
rrasad
a s a d imposed
imposed on him. He
on him. He wrote,
wrote, "The
“ The increase
increase [rasad
rasad J]
appearstotohave
appears have beenbeen calculated
calculated on on resources
resources expected
expected fromfrom
improved cultivation,
improved cultivation, but in half
in half the zemindary, iniprovement
zemindary, improvement
couldadd
could addnothing
nothingtotothe the rents
rents recoverable
recoverable by by the zemindar,
zemindar,
for he
for he could not demand
could not demand an an advanced
advanced rentrent from
from Talookdars
Talookdars
whether dependent
whether dependent or or independent."36
independent/’30 Basing his opinion opinion onon

26. See first two

See first two sales
sales in
in Table
Table 4, PP 124.
124.
27. Rajshahi Collector
Rajshahi Collectortoto B. B.O0.. R.,
R ., 27 July 1795.
27 July 1795, B.
B . R,
R , C., 14 August
C „ 14 August 1795,
1795,
N o. 4.
No. 4. p
p 53/33.
53/33.
28. Rajshahi Collector to to B.
B . 0.
O.R.,
R ., 14
14August
August1795,
1795, enclosure
enclosure N No.
o. 8,
8,
B. O.
B. 0. R.R. PP.,., 18
18 August 1795, no. 8,
1795, no. 8, p 72/46.
7 2 /4 6 .
29. Ibid.
29. IbId.

Collector to B13,
Rajshahi Collector
30. Rajshahi . O0.. R. 29 March
R , 29 March 1795,
1795, para 4. 4, B. RR.. C.,
C ., 17
April 1795,
1795, N No.4
o.4 AA,, Ρ53/29»
P53/29.
 tevenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in
in Operation
Operation

the zamindari
the zamindarirecords,
records,hehesaid saidthatthathalf
half ofof his
his zamindari
zamindari was was
held by taluqdars
held by taluqdars fromfrom whomwhom “"the the zemindar
zemindar could could not not byby their
tenures,
tenures, nor by by the
theregulations
regulationsfor forthethe permanent
permanent settlement
settlement
[[Regulation
Regulation VIII, See. See. 51. 51 J3 demand
demand an an increase;
increase; and and thethe
portionofofthe
portion thezemindary
zemindarythetherent rentcould
couldnot notbe be advanced
advanced ((on on
account of
account of the
the expected
expected improvement)
improvement) amounting amounting at least least to
to
S. Ra.
Rs. 10,33,177
10,33,177 ; the increase of 2,50,000 rupees on
2,50,000 rupees on thethe Sudur
Sudur
Jamma
Jamma fell on the remainder
remainder of the zemindary,
zemindary, in the proportionproportion
of 44 annas
of annas inin the
the rupee
rupee nearly.”
nearly."3' 31 Graham,
Graham, the the Acting
Acting Presi-
Presl·
dent of the
dent the Board
Board of Revenue supported the collector's collector’s
incontrovertible. ” He said, “"...the
reasoning as “"incontrovertible.' ...the other
members
members of of thetheBoard
Boardwill willconcur
concurin in opinion
opinion withwith me,
me, that an an
encrease
encrease of offour
fourannas
annasininthe therupee,
rupee,oror in in other
other words
words of offive
five
and twenty
and twentyper percent
centupon
upon the the actual
actual produce
produce of of an
an extensive
extensive
zemindary,
zemindary, is more more thanthanunder
underany anycircumstances
circumstances there there could
could
be any prospect
prospect of of realizing
realizing in in the short span span ofof four
four years
years 32
"In
“In short,
short, "he“ he said,
said, "it “it would
would appear
appear to to meme thatthatGovern-
Govern­
ment looked
looked to to aa provision
provisionfor forthe
the payment
payment of of the russud from
improvementthroughout
improvement throughoutthe thewhole
wholeorornearlynearly the the whole
whole of the the
zemindar's estate, so
zemindar’s estate, so that
that taking
taking the the Jumma of of 1197 [1789-90]
1197 [1789-90J
in round
in round numbers
numbers at at Rupees 21,78,000, and
Ripees 21,78,000, and thethe russud
russud rupees
rupees
2,50,000, the increase
2,50,000, wouldbe
increase would beatat the
the rate
rate of
of about
about 11 11 percent,
percent,
instead
instead of of which
whichtotorerev'ert
pert totothe the observations
observations containedcontained in the
collector's letter, it
collector’s it would
would appearappear that that the the operation
operation of of the
the
russud in such of the mehauls 7nehauls as as the zemindar
zemindar couldcouJd extend
extend its.its.
effectstoto has
effects has been
been inin the
the proportion
proportionofof nearly nearlytwenty
twenty five five per-
per­
cent." 33 But
cent.” But his
his views
views werewere opposed
opposed by by other
other members
members of of the
Board. Yanderheyden
Board. Vanderheydenwas wasofofthe the view that "total “ totalwant
wantofofcapa-
capa­
city oror energy
energy in inthe
the zamindar5’
zamindar" was was thethe cause
cause forfor his
his balances.
balances.
He said,
He said, “"after
after relinquishing
relinquishing the the whole
wholeof ofthe
the russud
russud since the
since the
commencementofofthethesettlement
commencement settlementoror 6,55,0006,55,000 rupeesrupees and and the
the

31. Graham's first minute on the Rajshaki

Graham’s Rajshahi zamiadari,
zamindari, 10
10 April 1795,
1795, B
B,, R.
R. C
C,,
17 AApril
17 pril 1795, No-
1795, N 4A,, PP53/29.
o- 4A 53/29.
32. Ibid.
33. Ibid.
88 Permanent Sett'ement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

whole of the claim

whole of for Batta
claim for Batta as
as stated by himself,
himself, 2,86,618,
2,86,618, there
would be
•would be still
still a deficiency
deficiencyofofassets
assetssince
sincethe
the conclusion
conclusion of the
settlementofofnear
settlement near 55 lakhs
lakhs of of Rupees."34
Rupees.’’8* His His opinion
opinion was
was
supported by
supported by G.G. Hatch,
Hatch, thethe third
third member
member of of the
the Board.35
Board.35
Buller, the the fourth
fourth member,
member, said, said, "I have no
“ I have no hesitation
hesitation inin
declaringititasasmy
declaring myopinion
opinionthat that the
the present
present defalcation
defalcation araises
araises
not from there
not from there having
having been
been originally
originally a deficiency
deficiency of assets,
assets,
bt from
but fromthe theimbecility
imbecility and andentire
entiremismanagement
mismanagement of the the
zemindar...” 88 The
zemindar..."38 The Governor
Governor General
General in in Council
Council accepted
accepted
the views
views of of the
the majority
majority members
members of of the
the Board.
Board. He He said,
said, “"II
do not
not seeseethat
thatthetheGovernment
Governmentisisbound boundto tomake
makeallowances
allowances
for
for the incapacity or mismanagement of the zemindar, both
the incapacity or mismanagement of the zemindar, both
of
of which
which I believe
believe do do exist
exist in-
in a veryvery great
great degree, From
all that II can
all that can learn
learn of of the
the character and conduct conduct of of the
the
zamindar,
zamindar, I Ibelieve
believehim himtoto bebe very
very dissipated
dissipated andand inatten-
inatten­
tive to
tive to the
the duties
duties of ofhis
hissituation
situation and andthat
thatthe
theembarrassments
embarrassments
under which
under which he he labours
labours areare principally
principallyimputable
imputable to to his
his own
own
misconduct.’’37 Moreover,
misconduct."37 Moreover, the the Government
Government was was well
well aware
aware
of the
of the fact
fact that
that ifif any
any reductions
reductions on on the
the original
original assessment
assessment
were made,
were made, then the the whole
wholebody bodyof ofzamindars
zamindars would
would be be led
led
to present
to present claims,
claims, UnderUnder such circumstances, John Shore
such circumstances.
maintained,
maintained, “"the permanency of
the permanency of the
the assessment
assessment wouldwould be be
shaken
shaken throughout
throughout the country.*·'38 Hence it was resolved
the country."38 resolved that
the raja
raja should
should not not bebe granted
granted any any abatement
abatement of of assessment
assessment
and his
and his arrears
arrears should
should be be recovered
recovered by selling his lands. lands.*9
When
When repeated
repeated appeals
appeals forfor the
the reductions
reductions of of assessment
assessment
failedtotoproduce
failed produceany anyresult
resultandandseveral
severalofof thethe parganas
parganas hadhad

34. Vanderheyden's first

Vandcrheydcn’s first minute,
minute, 17
17 April
April 1795,
1795, B.
B .B,
S ,C.,
C .,17
17April
April1795,
1795,
No.
N o. 4A,
4A, P53129.
P53/29. - - -

35. Ibid. - -

36. Buller's
Buller-s Minute,
M inute, 1717 April 1791, B .. R
April 1791, C ., 17 April 1795,
R. C.. 1795, No,
N o. 4A,
4A. P53/29.
P53/29.
37.
37, G. G.
G. G. inin C C.'s
.’s Minute,
M inute, 1717 April 1791, B, B, RR.. C.,
C., 17 17 April 1795,
April 1795,
No.
N o , 5,
5, P53/29.
P 53/29. -

38. Ibid.
39. G.
G. G.0, inin C.
C. 'a
>s resolution,
resolution, 17
I f April 1795, B.
April 1795, B. B.
R . C.,
C „ 17
17 April
April 1795,
1795.
No,
N o , 6,
6, P53/29.
P53/29.
Ievenue
lie venue Sale
Sale Laws
Laws Ia
in OperatIon
Operation 89

already been
already been sold
sold for
for révenué
revenue arrears,
arrears,the theraja
raja adopted
adopted nega-
nega­
tivemeans
tive means in order
order to
to save
save the
the zamindari.
zamindari. As minor's minor’s property
under the
themanagement
management of of the
the Court
Court of Wards was
of Wards was not liable
liable to
be
be sold
sold for
for arrears,
arrears, raja
raja Ramkrishna
Ramkrishna transferred
transferred thethe whole
whole
of the zamindari
of the zamindaribybya adeed
deedofofgift
gift toto his
his fifteen
fifteen year
year old son,
son,
Kurnar Bishwanath in
Kumar Bishwanath in August 1795.40 Under the management
August 1795,40 management
of the Court of Wards
Wards fromfrom 1202 to 1204 B. S., (that is, is, from
from
1795—6 to 1797-8),
1795-6 1797—8), the the zatnindari
zamindari ran ran upup aa gigantic
gigantic debit
debit
balance of Rs. 9,61,260.
balance 9,61,26ο.41 The details are as follows: follows :

TABLE 55
TABLE
Demands, Collections
Collections and Balances
of the Rajshahi Zamindari
( 1202 -1 2 0 4 B. S.)
(1202-1204 S.)
Districts Mahals Years demand Collection Balance
S. R.
R. S.R. S.R.
Rajshahi Bettoria 1202 6,83,887
6,83,887 4,88,590
4,88,590 1,95,297
1,95,297
1203
1203 6,43,508
6,43,508 4,38,805
4,38,805 2,04,703
2,04,703
1204 5,83,295
5,83,295 4,24,304 1,58,991
1,58,991
Murshidabad Neez 1202
1202 2,40,476
2,40,476 2,21,090
2,21,090 19,386
19,386
1203
Chackla 1203 2,25,507
2,25,507 1,97,099
1,97,099 28,608
28,608
Rajshahi 1204 1,43,796
1,43,796 84,287
84,287 59,509
59,509
Nadia Shajeal 1202 1,11,951
1,11,951 1,03,346
1,03,346 |8,605
8,605
1003
1003 1,29,236
1,29,236 1,03,305
1,03,305 26,030
1204
1204 1,29,236
1,29,236 1,07,346
1,07,346 21,880
21,880
Jessore 1202
Bhusna 1202 3,28,986
3.28,986 2,82,736
2,82,736 46,249
1203
1203 2,84,118
2,84,118 1,70,312
1,70,312 1,13,805
1,13,805
1204
1204 2,84,118
2,84,118 2,05,934
2,05,934 78,183
78,183

Total from
from 1202
1202 to 1204
1204 37,88,320
37,88,320 28,27,059 9,61,260
Source:s B. R. C.,
Source 17 August 1798,
C , 17 1798, No. 18, P53/57.
P53/57.

40,
40. B. O,
0, R. P ., 18
P., 18 August
August 1795,
1795, N o, 8,
No, 8, P72/26,
P72j26.
41,
41. B. O.
B. 0. R.
K. to
to G
G.. G.
G. in
ioC.,
C., 10
10 August
AUgust 1798, para,
para. 20,
1798k
20, B.B,R.R.C'..
C.. 17
17 August
1798, N o . 17,
1798,No. 1 7 .PP53/57,
5 3 /5 7 .
 t'ermanent Settlement in bengal
Permanent Bengal

The Government's failure to

Government’s failure to collect
collect the
the substantial
substantial amount
amount
demands in
of its demands in spite
spite of
of the use of all
all administrative
administrative machinery
machinery
at its disposal makes
its disposal makes itit abundantly
abundantly clear
clear that
that the resources
resources of
the zamindari were unequal
zamindari were unequal to assessment.
assessment.
The last phase
The last phase of ofthe
the zamindari
zamindari was was most tragic.
tragic. In April
1798, raja
1798, raja Biswanath
Biswanath attained
attained his majority. The
his majority. The Court
Court of of
Wards proposed
Wards proposedtoto hand hand over
over thethe zamindari
zamindari to tohim,
him, but
but he
he
refused to
refused to accept
accept thethezamindari
zamindari unless
unlessreductions
reductions inin revenue
revenue
demand were made.42 But the the Board,
Board, refusing
refusing to to admit
admit
any overassessment,
any overassessment, handed handed over over the management of of the
the
zamindari without
zamindari withouttaking
taking anyany engagement
engagement from him him and
and made
made
him responsible
him responsiblefor forall henceforth.43 For some
all arrears henceforth.43 some time,
time,
the zamindari
the zamindari waswas leftleft without
without any any caretaker.
caretaker. At At last
last the
the
bewildered raja took
bewildered raja tookover
overthethemanagement
managementatat the end end of
of1798,
1798,
but within
but within one
one year
year under
underhis hismanagement
management the thewhole
whole of of the
zamindari was sold for arrears.44
zamindari arrears.44 In In consideration
consideration of of his
his past
past
rank and
rank and status and present indigence, the Government
indigence, the Government granted
granted
him aa subsistence
him subsistence allowance
allowance of of eight
eight hundred
hundred rupees per
month inin18O5.
1805,* 5
It is thus
thus abundently
abundently clear
clear that
thatoverassessment
overassessment made
made the
the
zamindari helpless.
zamindari The raja
helpless. The raja stood
stood little
little chance
chance of
of getting
getting
rid of
of continued
continueddebit
debit balances
balances and
and the consequent,
consequent, sale of
of his
his
lands. But overassessment was certainly certainly not the whole
truth behind
truth the dissolution
behind the dissolution ofof the zamindari. The raja’s raja's
own character
own character was
was also
alsoaasignificant
significant contributory
contributory factor.
factor. As
a believer in the Vaishnabha cult cult which
which preached
preached love
love for
for the
Supreme Beinginstead
Supreme Being insteadofoffor
forthe
theworld,
world, raja
raja Ramkrishna
Ramkrishna waswas
always engrossedin,
always engrossed in,spiritual
spiritualmeditation
meditation oblivious
oblivious of
of zamindari
zamindari

42.
42. B
B.. R.
K. C„
c,, I1 June
June 1798»
1798, N o , 9,
No, 9, PS3/56.
P53156.

43. G . G.
43. G. G. in
in C.,
C., to
to BB.
. O.
0.RR.,
., 2626June
June1798,
1798,B.B.R.
R. C., 13
13July
July 1798,
1798, N o , 10,
No, 10,
P53/57.
44.
44. See, Table
See, Table 4,
4,
45. G
G.. G.
G. in ., to
in CC., to C, „ General
C, D0,, GeneralRevenue
Revenue LLetter,
etter, 1515MMay
ay 1806,
1806, EE/4/69,
/4/69,
levenue
Revenue Sate
Sale Laws
Laws in
in Operat!on
Operation §1
Whatever leisure
affairs,48 Whatever
affairs.48 leisure time
time he
he managed
managed to to bave
have after
after
meditationand
meditation andother
otherreligious
religiousduties,
duties,hehe tried
tried to
to use
use it iii
in
composingpopular
composing popular vaishnabha
vaishnabha songs
songs which
which earned
earned him
him the
title 'Raja-saint'
‘Raja-saint’of
of Bengal.47
Bengal.47 Krishna Indra Roy,Roy, aa contemporary
contemporary
zamindar of
zamindar of Bolihar
Bolihar in Rajshahi,
Rajshahi, wrote
wrote about
about himhim in
in verse:
verse :
“"Maharaja Ramkrishna always
Maharaja Ramkrishna always kept himself busy with with religious
religious
duties without
duties without keeping
keeping anyany eye
eye on
onhis
hiszamindari
zamindariaffairs.
affairs. In
consequence,
consequence, hehelost
losthis
hiszamindari
zamindariinin short
short time.
time. Every body body
knows it.”48
knows it."48 .
His utter indifference
His indifference towards
towards the the zamindari
zamindarimanagement
management
made
made himhim absolutely
absolutely dependent
dependent on on his amla
am la who
who gradually
gradually
becameso
became sopowerful
powerful that
that the raja lost all control
control over
over them.
them. In
1792, beingdesperate,
1792, being desperate,he he petitioned
petitioned the council
council to savesave him
him
from his
from hisovermighty
overmightyam amla.
la. The content
content ofofthe
thepetition
petition would
would
indicate how
indicate bow his
his officers,
officers,inin league
league with
with Collectorate
Collectorateofficials,
officials,
misused their situations
misused their situationsfor for the
the advancement
advancement of of their
their ownown
families. He wrote,
families. He wrote,“".- by the
*■ by the intrigues
intrigues of Chaund
Chaund Takoor
Takoor [Coll-
^Coll­
ector'sdiwan]
ector’s diwan]andandothers
othersI Iwas
wasunable
unabletoto obtain
obtain admission
admission in in
the zamindary concerns...Ram
concerns... RamKishore
KishoreRoyRoydewan
dewan[raja’s
[rajá's diwan]
diwan}
having, thro the
having, thro the patronage
patronage of of the
the said
said Takoor,
Takoor, obtained
obtained control
control
over the zamindarry,
over fixed certain
zamindarry, fixed certain profitable
profitable mohauls
mohaula at at an
an
under valuation,
under valuation,andandcaused
causedthemthem toto be
be given
given to to his
his relations
relations
and dependents
and dependents; fraudulentlyand
; fraudulently and artfully
artfully making
making himself
himself thethe
actual possessor. My
actual possessor. mother was
My mother wasinin constant
constant anxiety
anxiety to to make
make
him settle his accounts,
him accounts, but could not by reason of of the
the protection,
protection,
which
which hehe received
received from
from Chaund Takoor. The
Chaund Takoor. The said
said Dewan,
Dewan, in in
conjunction with
conjunction with Chaund Takoor, having having given
given the
the appointments
appointments
of Chuckladers,
of Aumeens, Naibs,
Chuckladers, Aumeens, Naibs, etc. in in the
the sudder
sudder and and
mofussil,tototheir
mofussil, theirown
ownbrothers
brothers andand relations,
relations, threw
threw thetaffairs
th e4affairs

46. See,
See, Kalinath
Kalinath Roy
R oy Chowdhury,
Chowdhury, AAHistory
H istoryofoRafrhahi
f Rajshahi(Bengali
(BengaliText),
Text),
p. 185,
185, Vera.
Vera. Tract.
Tract. 1885,
47. see, Dinesh
See, D inesh Chandra
Chandra Sen, A
A History
H istory ooff Bengali Language Literature,
Language and Literature,
p. 721.
721, J4

48. See,
S ee, Kalinath
Kalinath Roy howdhuty, AA History
R oy Chowdhury, H istory of
o f Rajshahl
Rajshahi (( Bengali
Bengali TText),
e x t),
pp. 183-4.
pp. 183—4.
02 ?ermament Settlement in Bengat
l?ermament Bengal

thereof into confusion

thereof confusion and and taking
taking deductions
deductions on on thethe Jumma
Jumma
of their own talooks, they
own talooks, they overassessed
overassessed the the other ryots,
ryots, who who on on
this account
account made constant complaints and claniours,.. clamours,..”49 "
The raja’s
The raja's statement
statement gives gives a vivid
vivid picture
picture ofof the
the manage-
manage-
ment
ment condition
condition ofof the ramshackle
ramshackle zamindari.
zamindari. It also
also hints
hints at
aa struggle
strugglefor for power
power in in the
the Rajbari
Rajbari among
among the officers. It is
theofficers.
quite unusual that the raja, being so much detached from
quite unusual that the raja, being so much detached fropi the
actual management,
actual management,should shouldbebesoso muchmuch in in the
the know
know of of the
the
corruption
corruption of of his
his officers.
officers. This suggests that he
This suggests he was was being
being
briefed
briefed by bysome
some other
other rival
rival group
groupof ofofficers.
officers. It is is significant
significant
that, in his petition, while
while he repeatedly
repeatedly mentioned
mentioned the the mischief
mischief
done
done by by Ramkishore
Ramkishore diwan diwan andand his
his creatures,
creatures, hehe was was silent
silent
about his
about histwo
two deputy
deputy diwans,
diwans, Kali
Kali Shankar
Shankar Roy Roy and and Bairam
Balram
Roy, both
Roy, both ofof whom
whom purchased
purchased the the greater
greater part
part ofof the
the raja's
raja’s
zaniindari
zamindari and and founded
founded the familiesfamilies of NarailNarail and and Tarash
Tarash
respectively.50
respectively.50
It is probablethat
is probable that Kali
Kali Shankar
Shankar Roy Roy hadhad got
got hold
hold of of the
the
raja in 1792 and
in 1792 was trying
and was trying to oust
oust thethe rival
rival group
groupwhichwhich was was
headed
headed by by Ramkishore.
Ramkishore. According
According to Kalinath
Kalinath RoyRoy Chowdhury
Chowdhury
Kali Sharikar succeeded in
Shankar succeeded in making
making himself
himself the guide, philosopher
and
and friend
friend ofof the
the raja.51
raja.51 ThisThis Story sounds true, because
story sounds because
Ramkishore's
Ramkishore’s name nameis isnotnotfound
foundininrecords
recordsafter
after that petition
petition
and when
and when thethe zamindari
zamindari went went under
under the the Court
Court ofofWards
Wards in in
1795-6, the di d iw a n of the zarnindari
wan zamindari was was found
found to be be Kali Shan-
Shan­
kar Roy, not Ramkishore.
Ramkishore. Kali Shankar seemed seemed to have exerted exerted
so much influence
so much influenceononthe the raja
raja that he he became
became the the farmer
farmer of
pargana Bhusna,
Bhusna, in in addition
addition to to being
being the ddiwaniw a n of the raja.52
raja.52
In 1795-6, when the
1795 6, when the Estate
Estate went
went under
under the the Court
Court of of Wards,
Wards,

49. Raja Ramkrishna’s

Raja Ramkrishna's petition
petition to
to Council,
Council, B
B.. R. C „ 4 May
R . C,, May 1792, No.
1792, N o. 32,
32,
p 52/44.
P
50. For Kali
Kali Shankar's
Shankar’s purchases;
purchases,' see
see Appendix
Appendix F.
F . for;
for :Bairam
Balram Roy.
R oy, see
see
Kalinath RRoy
Kalinath Chowdhury, History
oy Chowdhury, H istory ooff Rajshahi,
R ajshahi, pp.
pp. 39-40.
39-40.
51. Kalioath Roy
Kalinath Roy Chowdhury,
Chowdhury, H
History
istory ooff Rojshaht,
Rajshahi, p.
p. 164.
164.
52. Ibid.
Revenue Sale Laws in Opèratiôn
Operation 93

Kali Shankar
Kali Shankar waswas dismissed
dismissed by bythe
the Court
Court for
lor established
established fraud,
fraud,
embezzlement and
embezzlement and defalcation.53
defalcation.53 But But byby then
then muchmuch of of the
the
damage to
damage to the zamindari had already been beeii done.
Raja Biswanath
Raja Biswanath triedtried to save
save some
some parts of of his
hiszamindari
zamindari
through benarnj purchases.
through benami purchases. Thus Thus hebe bought
bought pargarza
p a rgan a Naldi
Naldi
and Santore, which bore bore a combined
combined ja jama of about one
m a of one lakh
lakh ofof
rupees, in
rupees, in the
the names
names of his peons;
o f;his peons; butbutultimately
ultimately thesethese had
had
be disposed
to be disposedofofininorder
ordertoto clear
clear off debts.54 Other benarni
off debts.54 benami
purchases which he
purchases which he managed
managedtoto retain
retain were Cheena
Cheena Dhukhia,
Dhukhia,
Dhees Wazirpur,
Dhees Wazirpur,Phuttea
Phutteaand andArparah
Arparabinin Nadia
Nadia district,
district, the
combinedjajama
combined m a ofof whieh
which amounted
amounted twenty
twenty thousand
thousand rupees.55
rupees.55
All this caine came to light when the nominal purchasers,
who were his1
who were histown
ownpeons,
peons,refused
refused subsequently
subsequeutlytoto hand hand themthem
over to
over tohim.
him.Ultimately
Ultimatelythese thesewere
wererestored
restoredtoto him.
him. He He maymay
have made
have made other benami purchases,
other benarni purchases, but but inin the
the absence
absence of of
any
any other legal
legal disputes,
disputes, it is not not possible
possible to to ascertain
ascertain this.this.
His grandmother,
His grandmother,rani rani Bhavani,
Bhavani, purchased
purchasedthree three parganas
parganas in in
her own
own name.
name. TheseThese werewere Huda Hurer Para,
Huda Hurer Para, Tarraf
Tarraf Dakhin
Dakhin
Jowar and
Jowar and Huda
Huda Barnagar
Barnagar in in Murshidabad
Murshidabad district.56
district.5 6 Their
combined
combined jajama stood at
m a stood at S*
S. Rs.
Rs. 33,706,
33,706, These
These benarni
benami purchases,
purchases,
together with
with the purchases
purchases of of rani
rani Bhavani, saved this
Bhavani, saved this historic
historic
extinction. In 1819,
family from total extinction.
family the sadar
1819, the sadar jaina of the
jam a of the
zarninclari
zamindari on on all
all accounts
accounts amounted
amounted to Rs. Rs. 88,006.
88,006,

The
The Dinajpur Raj
The decennial
The decennial settlement
settlement ofof the Dinajpur the third
Dinajpur raj, the third
zamindari in
largest zamindari in Bengal,
Bengal,was
wasconcluded
concludedininJuly
July 1790,
1790, while
while
raja Radhanath
Radhanath was
was still
still a minor. Ramkanta Roy,
minor. Ramkanta Roy, his
his official
official

53,
53. B. G
B. .R . toG
O.R. to GG.G.ininC.,
C n 31 M ay 176,
31 May 17 i6 , B.B*B.C.
i?. C.1818June
June1795,
1796, No.
No.49,
49,
P 53/44.
p 53/44.
54, 3. W
54 J. estland, AA Report
Westland, Reportononthe D istrict of
the District o f Jessore.
Jessore, p.
P. 125.
55. O. B.
55. B. 0. R. p.,
P .f 24
24 July
July 1801,
1801, N os. 16217,
Nos. 16217, pp74/33,
74/33, also
also B. B. 0.
O, B.
R. P.,
P., 2 Sep..
Sep­
tember 1803,
tember 1803, NNo.o . 37,
37, PP 75/18.
75/18.
56.
56, B. O.
0. RB.
. PF,,
., 3030MayMay 1797,
1797,NNo.
o. 29,
29,PP73/17
73/17;; B,B.O .0.R .B.PP.,
., 3030MMay
ay 1797,
1797 ,
N o, 23.
No. 23, pp73/17;
73/17 ;B.B.0.O.B.R.P.,P ,s 2 August 1799, App.
August 1799, App. A.,A ., F 73/51,
P 73f51.
94 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

guardian and
and manager of the zamindari,
zamindari, signed
signed the
the engagement
engagement
on his behalf. The assessment,
assessment, based
based on
on the
the average
average collections
collections
of the past
pastten
tenyears
yearswaswasfixed
fixedatatS.S.Rs.Rs.
14,84,OOO.
14,84,000.57
For the next seven years, while
seven years, while allall the principal
principal zamindaris
zamindaris
of Bengal
Bengalwerewerecollapsing
collapsingunderunder thetheruthless
ruthlessoperation
operationof of the
sale
rale laws, commonlyknown
laws, commonly knownasas“ "sunset-laws",
sunset-laws” , the the Dinajpur
Dinajpur rajraj
alone stood unassailed. Not Not aa single
single advertisement
advertisementfor for the
the sale
sale
of any
any part
part of
ofthis
thiszamindari
zamindariappeared
appearedinin the Gazette
Gazette till the
1797. Then,
end of 1797. however, when
Then, however, when the the crisis in the the land
land
market caused
caused by bythe
the spate
spate of
of sales
sales was
was already
already coming
coming fastfast to
to
a close, mostamazingly
close, most amazinglythe theDinajpur
Dinajpur raj,raj, with
with its
its unique
unique record
record
of stability, suddenly crashed. In In the
the course
course of fifteen
fifteen months
months
from thedate
from the dateofofthe
thefirst
firstsale announcementthe
sale announcement the whole
whole of of the
zamindari
zamindari hadhad been
been sold
sold for
for recovery
recovery of arrears. The following
of arrears. following
table will show raja first
that the raja
show that tasted the
first tasted the bitterness
bitterness of of sale
sale
proceedings
proceedings onon 3030April
April1798
1798 and andthat
thatbyby2929 July
July 1799
1799 the
last remnant of his lands
lands had been
been disposed
disposed of.

57,
57. See, Table 1, p,
See, p. 3.
3,
 TABLE 6
TABLE
The Sales
The Sales account
account of
of the
the Dinajpur
Dinajpui Raj
AmountDates
Amounts of Amount Datesofof
sadar raisedbybysales
eadar jama raised sales Sources
of lands sold land
landsales
sales
Rounded to Rounded to
nearest nearest
nearest
100 S. Rs.
Rs. 100 5.
S. Rs.
1165 1193 5May
5 May 1798
1798 B. 0.
B. 0 . R.
R. F., 11
P., 11 May 1798,
1798,
App. B, B, P73/32.
1297 1171 8May
8 May I,,
B. 0.
B.f 0 . R. P., 15 May May 1798,
1798,
App. D, P73/32.
547 401 25 May 99,, B.B. 0.
O. R.R. P., 29 June 1798,
P., 29 1798,
App. C, P73/33.
242 201 6 June ,,J» B. 0 . R.
B. 0. P., 15 June 1798,
R . P., 1798,
App. B, P73/33.
558 533 7 July ,,1» B. 0.0 . R. 16 July
P., 16
R. F., July 1798,
1798,
App. A, P73/34.
App. P73/34.
,427
.427. 152 20 July ,,99 B. 0.O. R. 20 July 1798,
P., 20
R. P., 1798,
No. 1, P73/34.
No.
566 180 28 July »,,* B. 0.0 . R. P., 7 August
R. P., August 1798,
1798,
No. 25, P73/35.
No.
1864 1035 16 March
March 1799 B. 0.
O. R. P., 22 April 1799,
R. F., 1799,
App. Q, P73/45.
App.
503 84 20 March ,,99 B. 00.. R. P., 55 April
April 1799,
1799,
App. C, C, P73/45.
P73/45.
529 429 10 April 99,, B. 0 . R.
B. 0. R. F., 10 May 1799,
P., 10 1799,
App. F, P73/46.
P73/46.
57 14 18 April 99,, B. 0 . R.
B. 0. R, F., 17 May 1799,
P., 17
App. E, P73/47.
P73/47.
66 22 29 April >9,, B. 0.
O. R. P., 14 May 1799,
R. F.,
App. A, P73/47.
1879 * 883 14 May 99,, B. B. 00.. R. P., 14 14 May 1799,
1799,
App. B, P73/47.
P73/47,
 TABLE 66 (Cont.)
( Cont. )
Amount Dates
Amounts of Amount Dates of
of
sadar jama raised by
raised by sales
sales Sources
of lands sold
sold land sales
sales
Rounded to Rounded to
nearest nearest
100 S..
S. Rs. 100 S. Rs
Rs
783 212 18 May „,, B. O. R.
B. 0. R. P., 11 June 1799,
P., 11 1799,
App. L, P73/49.
644 256 26 May ,,
,, B. O. R.
B. 0. R. P., 11 June 1799,
P., 11 1799,
P.73/49.
P.73)49.
550 364 June 1799
8 June 0. R. P.
1799 B. O. P. 28
28 June
June 1799,
1799,
App. J, P73/49.
P73/49.
1075 734 6 July ,,„ B. 00.. R. P.,P., 30
30 July
July 1799,
1799,
App. F, P73/SO.
P73/50.
436 435 9 July ,,„ B.B .O0.. R. P.P. 30
30 July
July 1799,
1799,
App. G, P73/30.
773 241 20 July „ B, O.
,, 0. R. P. 23 August1799,
Augustl799,
App.
App. A2,A2, P73/Si.
P73/51.
28 28 19 August,, B. O.0. R. P., 3OAugustl999,
30Augustl999,
No. P73/51.
No. 4, P73/51.
717 625 20 August,, B. 0.O. R. P., 22 August 1800
R. P., 1800
App. C, P74/23.
App.
14,70,600
1470,6O0 9,19,800 5 May 1798
1798
to 20 Aug. 1799
The decennial jama of
decennial jama of the zamindari=S.Rs.
zamindari = S.Rs. 14,84,000
14,84,000
Deduct Jama of lands sold
sold =
= 14,70,600
Remains to the zamindari
zamindari bearing
bearing an
annual jama =S.Rs.
= S.Rs. 13,400

It will be obvious from

be obvious from the above table first
above table that, while
first that, while the
rate atat which
which sales proceeded was
sales proceeded was extraordinrily
extraordinrily rapid,rapid, the
amounts realised
amounts realisedwere
were also
also extraordinarily
extraordinarily low. Even after
low. Even after the
wholeofofthe
whole the zamindari
zamindari hadhad been
been sold
sold itit was
was not
not possible
possible to
off just two
clear off two seasons' arrear8-the raja
seasons’ arrears—the raja was left still owing
Revenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in
in Operation
Operation 97

Rs. 90,400.
Rs. 90,400.58 8 Indeed,
Indeed, in in the
theabsence
absence of of any
any other
otherasset
assetpossessed
possessed
by the raja, the
the Board
Board proceeded
proceeded to order the sale sale of
of the buildings
buildings
R ajbarifi* But
of the Rajbari,5° But thethe raja's
raja’s palace
palace waswas already
already under
under
the court's attachment waiting
court’s attachment waiting to to be
be disposed
disposed of in satisfaction
satisfaction
of aa decree
of decree passed
passed in favour favour of of the
the Calcutta
Calcutta moneylender,
Banarashi Ghosh, against
Banarashi Ghosh, against the raja.eO At last, the raja's
the raja,60
'"ward-robe,
‘ward robe, many horses and
many horses and elephants
elephants and thousands of
and thousands
cows
cows and and buffaloes,
buffaloes, etc., goods goods andand chattels,
chattels, and household
household
properties, were sold
properties, sold at at public
public sale."61
sale.” 61 In In the
the meantime,
hundreds
hundreds of of his
his creditors
creditors sued suedhim himtotorecoverS
recover their
theirunpaid
unpaid
loans,
loans, butbut hehe had
had nono money
money even even totopay payhishisofficers.62
officers.62 The
ruined
ruined rja
rajadiddidnot
not long
longsurvive
survive the theshock
shockofofbankruptcy
bankruptcy andand
died
died on on 26
26 January
January 1800 1800 at at the
theage ageofoftwenty-four
twenty-four only,only, '*in
such
such a state
state of of poverty
poverty as astotobebe keptkepta prisoner
a prisonerininhishisown
own
house by
house byhis
his creditors
creditorswho who werewere bent
bent upon
upon seizing
seising himhim and
and
throwing him him into
into the
the common
common jail,"63
jail.” 68
precipitous fall of this historic
Such a precipitous
Such historic family
familywas was certainly
certainly
pathetic. Its Its most. immediate cause
most immediate cause was was aa severe drought
in 1798,
in 1798, and
and the the consequent
consequent debit balance of
debit balance of about
about eight
eight
lakhs
lakhs of rupees,
rupees, for for the
the recovery
recovery of which the
of which the whole
whole of of
the zamindari
zamindari was was sold. Describing the effects
sold. Describing effects of the drought
drought
the collector reportedinin the
collector reported the same
same letter
letter that
that "the
“ the crops
had been
had been totally
totally burnt up up and
anddestroyed",
destroyed”,and andadded,
added, "many
“ many

58. Dinajpur Collector to

DiGajpur Collector to B.
B. O0.. R.,
R ., 11
11 Feb,
F eb, 18C0,18CO3
B. O. 14 Feb. 1600,
R . R.P .,P, 14
B. 0. 1600,
No.
N o. 17, P73/i ; Dinajpur
17, P73/7 Dinajpur Collector
C ollector ίοto B,
B. O.
0. R.,
R „ 88 March
March 1800* B. O
1800k B. .R . P.
O.R. P.
18
IS March 1800,
1800, No.
N o, 35.
35, P7318.
P73/8.
59. Boards orders,
Board's orders, B.
B , 0.
<?. R'
R ‘ P.,
P.. 55 August
August 1800, N o . 35, P74/14.
NO.
60. Dinajur
DinajpurCollector
Collector to
to B. 0. R ., 7 March 1800,
O . R., 1800, B.B. <?. R . F,,
0. R. 18 March,
P»> 18
1SCO
1SC0 NNo, 35, P73/8,
o, 35» P73i8.
61,
61. Raja's petition
Raja’s petition to G.
G. G.
G. lu
iuC.,
C ., B. R. C u 6 November
R* C., November 1800,
1800, No.
N o. 14
14
p54/14.
P54/14.
62.
62. Collcetor to
Collector to B.
B. O.
0. L1 28 November 1800,
R .| 28 1800, B.
B. 0.
O. R. i \ , 99 December 1800,
R . P., 1800,
No.
N o. 9, P74120.
F74/20.
63. Collector toto B.
Collector B. O0., R.,
R ., 14
14 April
April 1798,
1798, B.
B .Q0.R.P.,
.R .P ., 24 April 1798,
1798, No.
P73131,
25. P?3y31,
25,

7-
7 -
98 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

ryots
ryots have deserted and
have deserted andgone
gonetoto other
other districts
districts in consequence
consequence
of their
of their inability
inability to to pay
pay upup the
the balance
balance due due from
from them."
them.”
Becauseof
Because ofthethe relative
relativeshortage
shortageofofcultivators
cultivatorsininrelation
relationtoto the
the
land available
land availableininDinajpur,
Dinajpur, the the economic
economic relationship
relationship between
between
landlord
landlord andand labour
labour hadhad always
always been
been in favour of the latter.
favour of
Hence,
Hence, the use use of
of any
any force
force on
on the
the part
part of the
the raja
raja to
to oblige
oblige
the ryots
the ryots toto pay
pay atat times
times ofofscarcity
scarcity led them to "quit
led them “ quit
thir houses
their houses andand run away.'64
a w ay /'64 In thisthis dilemma
dilemma raja Radhanath
Radhanath
could
could only petition
petition the
theBoard,
Board,asking
askingthat
that"whatever
"whateverbalance
balance
may occur in the present Bengal year, 1204 B. S., may be
may occur in the present Bengal year, 1204 B. S., may be
added to
added to the
the revenues
revenuesofofthe thetwo
twoensuing
ensuing years
years byby russud ,” 65
russucL"°5
But the
But the Board
Board never
never investigated
investigated the effects
effects of
of the drought
drought
and no suspension
suspension of of revenue
revenue waswas granted
granted toto the raja.
Sannyasi and
Sannyasi andFFakir raidsininthe
akir raids thewake
wakeofof the
the great drought
drought -

further aggravated
aggravated thethe difficulties of raja raja Radhanath,
Radhanath, who who
informedthe
informed thegovernment
governmentthat thatmost
most
ol ofhis
hisparganas
parganas hadhad been
been
depopulated, due
depopulated, due to
to their
their "plundering
‘‘plunderingthethehouses
houses of
of the
the ryots
ryots
and taking
and taking away
away the
the revenue
revenue from
from the
the Katcharis
K atcharis andand also
also
of
of murdering
murdering andand wounding
wounding the inhabitants, burning their
inhabitants, burning
houses and carrying
houses carrying them to the hills.” The collector
®8 The
hills."60 collector also
also
gave
gave the
the same
same opinion
opinion about
about the Fakir raiders, "who plunder
raiders, ‘‘who plunder
the ryots of their
ryots of their property
property andand by
by various
various means
means extort
extort money
money
from them."°7
them.” 67
It is
is certain
certain that
that the
the combined
combined effects of the
effects of the drought
drought andand
Fa1ir raids
Fakir raids very
very greatly
greatly dislocated the exchequer
dislocated the exchequer of of the raja.
But it is inconceivable
But that these
inconceivable that these two
twofactorg
factors alone
alone could
could have
ruined
ruined the the zamindari
zamindari root
root and
and branch
branch inin the
the course
course of
offifteen
fifteen

64.
64. The
The Raja's
Raja’s petition
petition to
to B. 0.
B. O. B.. O.
R ., B 0. R.
JR. P,
P ,1313March
March1798,
1798, No.25
N o. 25
P73/30.
P73/30,
65. Ibid.
66. The
T he Rajt's
Raja’spetition
petitionto
toB.B. 0.
O.R,R B.
, B0. R.RP.
. O. 2323
. P. March
March1799,
1799,No.
N o.11 *
11,
p7:/4.
Ρ ?7·ί4.For detai3
For of othe
details FaKir
f the and
F a sir andSanoyasi
Sannyasiactivities,
activities, see
see Jamini
Jamini
Mohan Ghsh,
Mohan Ghosh,S2nnysi and
Sannyasi FakEr
and FakirRaiders
RaidersininBengal.
Bengal,
67. C iileJior tto 3.0.
C.IIetor B. Ο. 1-,
'1., 23
23 Mrci
M u ch179),
179?, B.
B. 0.
O. R,
R , P., 2 Aprfl
April 1799,
1799,
No.
N o. 10
10 P73/45.
P73/45,
Revenue Sale
Sale Laws
Laws in Operation 99

months.
months. AA decade of stability
decade of stability in
in the
the management of the
management of the estate
estate
and of regular payments of the revenue
revenue demand
demand should
should normally
normally
have made
have made the the raja
raja strong
strong enough
enough totowithstand
withstand one oneor
or two
two
natura]
natural calamities.
calamities. In fact, however, the
fact, however, the stability
stabilityandandfinancial
financial
strength of the Dinajpur Raj Raj was
was unreal
unreal : the raja never
never perso-
perso­
nally enjoyed
nally enjoyed the the fruits
fruits of that stability and strength
stability and strength and and was
was
never free
free to
to regulate
regulate his affairs
affairsindependently.
independently. There is strong
reason to believe
reason believe that his his ofilcers,
officers, protected
protected by the the Collector,
Collector,
had misapprapriated
misappropriated all all the
the surplus
surplus profits
profits of
of the
the zamindari
zamindari
and
and then
then ultimately
ultimately plotted
plotted toto divide the best
divide the best part
part ofof the
the
zamindari among
among themselves through public public sales.
sales.
The origin of these
these developments
developments goes goes back
back to
to aa considerable
considerable
past. Paja
Raja Boidhanath,
Boidhanath, the lastlast vigorous
vigorous zamindar
zaniindar of of Dinajpur.
Dinajpur,
died without a son
died son in 1780. His wife,
in 1780, wife, rani
rani Sarasati,
Sarasati, adopted
adopted aa
three-year-old
three-year-old boy, boy, Radhanath,
Radhanath, who who waswas declared
declared by by Warren
Warren
Hastings on
Hastings on 31
31 July 1780 to be the successor
successor to raja Boidhanath.
Boidhanath.
After
A fter that
thatdate
datethethezamindari
zamindari waswasmanaged
managedby byJanaki
Janald Ram,
Ram, a
brother of
brother of rarli
raiii Sarasati.
Sarasati. In 1786, when G.
1786, when G. Hatch
Hatch came
came as the
first Collector
first Collector of of the
the district, Janaki Ram fell into aa heavy
Janaki Ram heavy debit
balance
balance forfor which
which he he was forced
forced to abdicate. In a debt
to abdicate. debt case,
case,
he was imprisoned
imprisoned in in Calcutta
Calcutta where he died died in
in 1790.
1790.
Ousting
Ousting thethe rani's
rani’s brother,
brother, G.
G. Hatch
Hatch himself
himself took
took over
over the
the
management
management of the zamindari.
zamindari. He Heappointed
appointed Ramkanta
RamkantaRoy, Roy, aa
relation of Radhanath,
relation Radhanath, as manager
manager of the zamindari
zamindari andand also
also the
guardian of the raja. In
guardian In order
order to
to ensure
ensure better
betteradministration
administration
the vast
of the vast zamindari, divided it into
zamindari, Hatch divided into sixtyfour
sixtyfour blocks,
blocks,
each under aa TTalisildar
each under ahsildar or Collect'r,
Collector, who who collected
collected from
from six
six to
to
ten thousand rupees, receiving
receiving55p.p.c.c, commission
commission on the actual
on the
collections.68 All the sixty-four Tahsildars
CO]iCtjOflS, Tahsildarswho whowere
were obviously
obviously
the pivots of the
pivots of the zamindari’s
zamindari's administration,
administration, werewereappointed
appointed by by
Hatch on
on the
the recommendation
recommendation of of Ramkanta
Ramkanta Roy.69Roy.69 The Hatch

68. E V V.. Wcstmacott, The Territorial

Wcstmacott. ‘The TerritorialAristocracies
AristocraciesofoJ3enga1 : The
f B en gal: Tha
Dnjpur
D;m jpur Raj',
R aj’, The
The Calcutta
CsIcatia Review§ Vol. 55,
Review Vol. 55, 1872,
1872, p,
p, 21&,
218,
69.
69. lU d.
Ibid.
100 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
arrangements worked
arrangements worked successfully in the
successfully in the regular
regular collection
collection of
of
rents and payments
rents and payments of
of public
public revenues. But in
revenues. But in spite
spite of
of the
the
success of the
success of the system,
system, rani Sarasati
Sarasati could
could not
not accept
accept it as
salutary to
salutary Aggrieved by
to her. Aggrieved by the
the harsh
harsh treatment
treatment metedmeted out
out
to her brother and various
various other
other reforms
reforms in in which
whichthe theold
oldloyal
loyal
servants were removed,
removed, the the dowager
dowager rani rani constantly
constantly maintained
maintained
aa stubborn
stubborn defiance
defiancetowards
towardsthe the Government,
Government, Hatch Hatch andand his
his
favourite, Ramkanta
favourite, Ramkanta Roy. Roy. At At the
the time
time ofof the
the conclusion
conclusion of the the
decennial settlement,
decennial settlement, she took took away
away Radhanath
Radhanath from Ramkanta's
Ramkanta’s
guardianshipand
guardianship andkept
kepthim
himininherher own
own apartment
apartment as asaahostage.
hostage.
She also
also took
took possession
possession of the seal seal of the raja.
raja. In spite of the
repeated requests
repeated requests from
from the Government,
Government, she she stubbornly
stubbornly refused
refused
to release
to release the the seal
seal and her son
and her son until
until her grievances were
her grievances
redrssed.70 As a punishment
redressed,70 punishmentfor forher
heropenopendefiance
defianceof ofGovern-
Govern­
ment orders raril Sarasati
orders rani Sarasatiwas was exiled
exiled from
from Dinajpur
DinajpurtotoGovind-
Govind-
pur.71 The
pur.'11 The reasons
reasons for for her
her discontent
discontent are areaptly
aptlydescribed
described by by
E. V.
V. WWestmacott:
estmacott: “"The The Ranee's
Ranee’s feelings
feelings of of. hostility
hostility against
the British
the pardonable- Her husband
rule are pardonable.
British rule husband for for twenty
twenty years
years
reigned almost
almost as an an independent
independent prince,
prince, andand after his death, her
brother Janokee
Janokee Ram Ram had maintained
maintained an equalequal state,
state. Suddenly
her brother was called upon
was called upon toto pay
pay his
his revenue
revenue withwith aa punctua-
punctua­
lity never
lity never known before, and
known before, andonondefault
default waswas sent
sent in custody
custody to
Calcutta, and
Calcutta, and she
she never
never sawsaw himhim again.
again. The collections
collections ofof
the estate
the estate were
weretaken
takenentirely
entirelyout out ofof the
the hands
hands of the the family,
family,
and
and even the expense
even the expense of of repairs
repairs ofof the
the Rajbaree,
Rajbaree, and and thethe
monthly wages
monthly wagesofofthetheservants,
servants,were
were defrayed
defrayed by by Government
Government
officers,without
officers, without reference
reference to wishes. The herd
to her wishes. herd ofofbaffaloes
baffaloes
belongingtotothe
belonging theRajbaree
Rajbareewas wassent
sent to
to the
the uncultivated
uncultivated part part
tixe district
of the district as
as aa public nuisance,
nuisance, and
and many
many ofof the
the consecrated
consecrated
cattle
cattle were sold. The
were sold, The ranee
ranee was
was not
not even
evenallowed
allowedto to take
take
care adopted son,
care of her adopted son,nine
nine oror ten
ten years
years old,
old, but
but he
he was
was made
made

10.
P70. Colkctor to
Collector to B.
B . 0,
O.ft.
R.29
29January
January J790,
1790, B.
B . 0,
O, R. P. 44 February 1790
R. P. 1790
No. nil, PplI21.
N o. nil, 1/21.
71 .
71. B.
b . 0.
O. R.
R . to
to G.
G. G.
G. in
in
C·,
C. 4 February 1790, B.
B . 0,
O,1?,
R , F,,
P ., 44February
February
1790. No.
N o. nil, P71/21.
P71/21.
Revenue Sale Laws in Operation 101

over for education

over for education to
to the
the manager,
manager, Ram
Ram Kanta
Kanta Roy.
Roy. for
forwhom
whom
she had
she had aastrong
strongpersonal
personalaversion,..she
aversion,..shewas
wasnaturally
naturally in
in no
no
temper to
temper to look
look onon Mr.Mr. Hatch's
Hatch’s reforms
reforms as as beneficial
beneficial or or toto
acquiesce
acquiesce in in the action
action of thethe Government."72
Government.” 72 While While she she was
was
in exile at Govindpur about seventy seventy milesmiles north
north of of the Dinajpur
Dinajpur
town, Ramkanta
town, Ramkanta Roy, Roy, at at the
theinstance
instanceofofHatch,
Hatch,removed
removed all all
the. old
the old servants
servants loyal loyal to the the rani
raniand
andinintheir
theirplaces
placeshis
hisown
own
men were
men were appointed.73
appointed.73 In Iii protest against
against such
such developments
developments
rani Sarasati threatened self self immoation.
immolation. She complained
complained : “As "As
Ramkanta is
Ramkanta is my
my enemy,
enemy,also alsothe the enemy
enemy of of the
the zamindary,
zamindary, and
desires my
desires my life,
life, and
and asas he
he has
has now
now almost
almost brought
brought me me to
to death-
death-
door,
door, I am prepared to put put auan end
end toto my
my own
own existence."
existence.” 74
Under this
Under this background
background of of the
the relationship
relationship between
between ranirani
Sarasati
Sarasati andand the government,
government, raja raja Radhanath
Radhanath took took over
over thethe
direct management
direct management of of the
the zamindari
zamindariinin January,
January, 1792.1792. It waswas
not expected
not expected that Radhanath would
that Radhanath would forgive Ramknta Roy
forgive Ramkmta Roy
who
who so actively
actively collaborated
collaborated with with Hatch
Hatch in in purging
purging the old old
servants,
servants, resumption
resumption of ofrent-free
rent-freelandsand,
landsand,on on top
top ofof all, in
the internment
internment of of his
his mother
motheratatGovindpur.
Govindpur. But his his relation-
relation­
ship
ship with
with Ramkanta
Ramkanta Roy Roy remained
remained cordial on the
cordial on the surface
surface until
until
the departure
the departure of of his
his patron,
patron, Hatch,Hatch, inin March
March 1793. Soon
after his
after his departure
departure the the raja
raja appointed two muharrirs muharrirs or or
writers to
writers to minutely
minutely check check all all the
the accounts
accounts of ofthethe Roy
Roy and
and his
man who
who were
were charged
charged by by him
himwith with large
large scale
scale embezzlement.5
embezzlement.75
The Roy
The Roy must
must havehave realised
realised the the sure
sure danger
danger behind
behind such
such a
move on
move on the
the part
part of
of the raja. He convinced
the raja. convinced the the new
new Collector,
Collector,

72. E. V. Westmacott,
E. V. W estmacott, 'The Aristocracy of
‘T he Territorial Aristocracy o f Bengal.
Bengal. The
The
Dioajepoor raj.’ The
Dinajepoor raj.' T he Calcutta
Calcutta Review' Vol.
Vol. 55,
55, 1872.
1872. pp.
pp. 220—1.
220-1.
73. B.
73. B. O. R . to
0. R. to G.
G, G.G. ininC,,
C,,44 February,
February, 1790,
1790, B.
B . 0.
O. R. P., 44 Feb.
R . P., Feb. 1790,
1790,
No.
N o. nil P71/21
P71/21
74. Rani
Rani toto B.
B. O.
0. R.R , 26 Januery
Januery 1791. B. 0. O. R. P., 26
R . P., 26 January
January 1791,1791k

P71/55. G. G. Hatch
Hatch joined
joined the
the Board
Boardof
o fRevenue
Revenue as
as its
its fourth
fourth member
member
after his
his departure
departure from
from Dinajpur.
Dinajpur.
75. Co1lector' Proceedings, 17
Collectors'Proceedings, 17 Sept.
S?pt. 1795, B.
B. R.
R. C,, 11 April 1794,
C ,, 11 1794, NNo.9,
o. 9,
P53/15.
P53115.
102 permanent Settlement in Bengal
Permanent Bengal

J. Eliot, that
thatthe
theappointment
appointment of
of the
the two
two muharrirs
muharrirstotoinves-
inves­
tigate the accounts
tigate the accounts was
was the first
first step
step towards
towards overthrowing
overthrowing
the system
system which
which had
had hitherto
hitherto ensured
ensured the
the punctual
punctual collection
collection
of the
of the public revenues. Since
public revenues. Since the punctual
punctual collection
collection of of the
revenues wasthe
revenues was the principal
principal aim of the
aim of the government's
government’s revenue
revenue
policy, and
policy, and the most important critarion
most important critarion for
for judging
judging the effici-
effici­
ency
ency ofofaaCollector,
Collector,Eliot
Eliotwas
waseasily
easily persuaded
persuadedtoto think
think that
that
the Hatch system
system which
whichwas
wasa aresounding
resoundingsuccess
success in
in the
the collec-
collec­
tion of
tion of rents
rents fromfrom the the inferior
inferior interests
interests in in the
thepast
pastmustmust bebe
against any alteration. While the author
defended against
defended author of of the
the system
system
himselfsat
himself Saton on the
the Board
Board as as aa member,
member, Eliot Eliot did
did not
not have
have to to
take
take much
much pain pain to to make
make the theauthorities
authoritiesbelieve
believe thatthataareturn
return
of the rani's
rani’s oldoldofficers
officers through any any change
change in in the system
system must must
jeopardise the
jeopardise the security of the public
public revenues.
revenues. The Council thus
gave
gave thethe statutory
statutory sanction
sanction toto the
the Hatch
Hatch arrangements
arrangements by by aa
declaration which
declaration which ran : "You ‘‘You [the
[the Board]
Board]immediately
immediately order order
the Collector
the Collector to to acquaint
acquaint the the rajah
rajah that
thatwewe prohibit
prohibit him him from
from
altering in
altering in any
any respect
respect the the sudder and and mofussul
mofussul arrangements
arrangements
made
made by by thethe late Collector,
Collector, or or removing
removing or depriving
depriving of
authority,
authority, any of of tie olflcers appointedbyby him
officers appointed him for
for the
the manage-
manage­
ment of
ment of the
the collections
collections and and the
the conduct
conduct of the the business
business of of
the zamindarry
the zamindarry who whowere wereininoffice
office at at
thethetime
timeofof his
his departure
departure
Dinajpur.’’76 Such
from Dinajpur."6 Such blatant
blatant interference
interference in in the
the internal
internal
affairs of
affairs of aa zamindari
zamindari was was indeed
indeedunexampled.
unexampled. Like Radhanath,
the raja of of Rajshahi
Rajshahi was was at saddLed with
at first saddled with Collector
Collector
Henckell’s arrangements. But after
Henokell's arrangements, after the execution of
the execution of the
dece nial
decer nial settlement,
settlement, the the raja
raja refused
refused to to accept
accept thetheofficers
officers
appointed by Henckell,
Henckell. The The Council
Council then then allowed
allowedthe the raja
raja toto
settle his zamindari
zamindari “with'with whomsoever
whomsoever and and in
in such
such manner
manner as as he
he
may think
may think proper
proper under
under the general Regulations."77
Regulations.” 77
The Council'sorders
The Council’s ordersmade
madethe
theraja
raja of
of Dinajpur
Dinajpur a helpless
helpless
cypher in the
cypher in the hands
hands of
ofhis
hisamla
amlawho
whowere
werenow
nowfree
freetoto run
run the
the

76,
76. G. G.
G. G . in
in C.
C. to
toB.
B.O,
0,RIL,
„ 2727September
September 1793,
1793, para
para 3,
3, BB.
. O0,
, RR, P.
P. 1I Oct.
1793, P72/21,
1793, P72/H.
77,
77, G. G.
0. G. in C. to
InC. to B.
B. O.
0. RR.,
., BB.. R.
R . C,,
C „ 20
20 April
April 1792,
1792, N o . 16,
No. 16, P 52/43.
P52/43.
1evenue Sale
Revenue Sal© Laws in OperatIon
Operation 103

zamindari quite
zamindari quite independently
independently of of the
the raja.
raja. Their realreal master
master was
iamkanta Roy,
Eamkanta Roy, the the diwan,
diwan, not Radhanath, Radhanath, the the zamindar.
zamindar.
Two months after this order, the raja complained to
the Board
Board gs "Ramcant
“ Ramcant Roy, Roy,with with his
his own
own ainla is sole manager
of my
of my zamindary
zamindaryatatthe the sudder
sudder and and inin the
the mofussil
mofussil ..... From
From
the month
the month of of Cautick
Cautick [Seventh
[Seventhmonth monthininthe theBengali
Bengalicalen-calen­
derj
der^ thethe Cutcherry
Cutcherry was was removed
removed to to the
the neighbourhood
neighbourhood of of
Rajegunge, near
Rajegunge, near thethe house
bouse of of the
the said
saidRoyRoy;; the Cutcherry
Cutcherry and and
the whole
the whole concerns
concernsofof the the zamindarry
zamindarry are are under
under his his control,
control,
and I am am entirely divested divested of of all authority. Whatever
papers
papers thethe Roy
Roy sends
sends to to me signature, I sesl
me for signature, seal andand sign."
sign.” 78
In an
an earlier
earlier representation
representation to to the
the Board,
Board, he he said
said that
that ever
ever
since Ramkanta
since Ramkanta Roy became became manager
manager through the the patronage
patronage of
Hatch, who who was hostile to family, lie and
to his family, and his
his creatures
creatures werewere
consumingallallthe
consuming thesurplus
surplusprofits
profits after
after the
the regular
regular payment
payment of of
the government
government revenues.79
revenues.79 He He reiterated
reiterated :: "Gentleman,
“ Gentleman, the
auzlah
ami appointedby
ah appointed bythe
the late
late Collector
Collector are are nominally
nominally my myser-
ser­
fact, my mortal enemies. They
vants, but in fact, They areare 7nohassil
mokassil [or
spisJ over
spies] over me.
me. TheThe profits
profits of of my estate which
my estate which havehave of of late
late
years been very considerable,
considerable, have been consumed consumed by by Ramkanta
Ramkanta
Roy,
Roy, hishis patron,
patron, and andhishis dependens."8°
dependents.” 80 Against Against the the blind
blind par
par­
tisan attitudes
attitudes of of the
the Collector,
Collector, J. Eliot,Eliot, he wrote
wrote to to the
the Board
Board
""It
It is
is extraordinary
extraordinary that that although
although by by the
the oppressions
oppressions of of Ram-
Ram­
kanta Roy Roy I have
havebeen been distressed
distressed beyond
beyond forbearance,
forbearance, and and have
repeatedly represented
repeatedly represented this thistotoCollector
Collectorthat thathehe has
has notnot stated
stated
the same to your Board Board but butwhalever
whateverRamakanta
Ramakanta Roy Roy declares
declares ;
which
which he he knows
knows to to be
be foul
foul roguery,
roguery, and and toto secrete
secrete his
his embezzle-
embezzle­
ments and
ments and that of of his
his amlah,
a m l a h , with
with aa view
view to prevent
prevent my my having
having
the management
the managementofof my my zamindary
zamindary he be will
will notnot permit
permit any any one
one
of my wellwell wishers
wishers to to be
be about
about my my person,
person, excepting his own own illill

78.
75. Raja to Collector,
Raja to Collector, 19 Nov. 1793, iin Collectors proceedings ooff 19 NNov.
N ov. 1?93, ov.
1793 forwarded with
1793 with his
his lelrer,
letter, 20
20 N ov.
Nov. 1793, to
to B.
B. 0.
O. R,,
R ., E,
B. R.
R. C,,
C„ 11
11
April 1794,
1794, N o. 9,
No. 9, p53/15.
P53/15.
79. Ibid.
Ibid.

80.
80, Raja's
Raja's petition to B
petition B.. O. B.. R.
R ., B
0. R., R. C.,
C ., 11
11 April
April 1794,
1794, N o , 9,
No, 9, P53/15,
P53/15.
 1θ4
104 ?errnament
Permament Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

advisors.'
advisors.''’ HeHe continued,
continued, "I “I was
was in in expectation
expectation thatthat from
from the
prescnt
present Collector
Collector II would
would have have got
got redress
redress for for mymy past
past and
and
present grievances,
present grievances, on on the
the contrary,
contrary, the the Collector
Collector patronises
patronises
those who
those who areare the
the enemies
enemies of of my
my life
life and
and rereputation."°1
p u ta tio n /81
Collector Eliot
Collector Eliot defended
defended himself
himself against
against all
all these
these allegations
allegations
by
b stating that the raja
y stating raja was
was tootoo young
young to to understand
understand business.
business. He
alleged that
alleged that the
the raja
raja was
was ledledby bysome
some interested
interested and andambitious
ambitious
persons
persons whowhowere were leaving
leavingno no stone
stone unturned
unturned toto get get rid
rid ofof
Ramkanta Roy
Ramkanta Royand and his
his other
other exceptionally
exceptionally efficient
efficient andand honest
honest
officers.82Giving
officers.82 Givinga acomparative
comparativepicturepicture of of the performance
performance of
the past
past regime
regime withwith that
thatof ofRamkanta
Ramkanta and and his
his son,
son, he wrote
wrote
in December
in December1793: 1793:“ The
"Thecontrast
contrasttoto be be formed
formed between
between the the
man
man whowhosell
sellthemselves
themselvesthe theraja’s
raja'swell
well wishers
wishers and and faithful
faithful
servants and
servants andthethe present man man whowho nownowmanage
manage the thezamindary
zamindary
under Ramkanta
Ramkanta Roy, Roy,isisconspicuous.
conspicuous. The The former
former fromfrom the
balances that
balances that arose
arose prior
prior to
to Ramkanta
Ramkanta Roy’sRoy's management,
management, and
the manner
manner in in which
which thethe lands
landswere were given
given away
away to to the
the loss
loss of
government's
government’s revenues.
revenues. (sic( sic )) 'I'he
The farm of the Ander Mohals
shows the
shows the extraordinary
extraordinary and and curious
curious mode
mode they adopted
adopted to to bribe
bribe
and
and secure
secure thethe ranny's
ranny’s favour
favour and and the
the creatures
creatures aboutabout herher
person, and
person, and the
the latter
latter inin having
having resumed
resumed thesethese lands,
lands, andand
realised the
realised the revenue
revenue punctually
punctually for for seven
seven years
years past,
past,besides
besides
erecting for
erecting for the young rajahrajah an elegant palacepalace forfor his
his habitation
habitation
with other buildings."8
buildings.” 8*
The Council's
Council's response
response toto all
all these allegations
allegations and
and counter
counter
allegations
allegations was
was again unfavourable
unfavourable to to the raja. Without
instituting any investigation
investigation into
into the
the raja's
raja’scharges,
charges, the
the Council
Council
rushed
rushed toto support
support the
the policies
policies of
of the
thesuccessive
successive two
two Collectors,
Collectors,
viz., Hatch and
viz., Hatch and Eliot,
Eliot, and
andcharged
chargedRadhanath,
Radhanath,though
though hehe was
was

81. raja to B.
The ra] B -0,
0 ,R.,,
R . , forwarded
forwarded with withCollector's
Collector’sletter,
letter,10 10Dec.
D ie. l793
Γ/93, '■
ericosure number 9. para 6,
enclosure 6, B.
B. R.
R . C,
C-,11
11April
April1794,
1794, No.
N o. 9.9,p53/15.
p53/15.
82. Collector,
Collector, J.3.Eliot
EliottotoB.B,O.0. RR,, 10DDee,
., 10 1793, B.
ec. 1793, B , R.
R . C.,
C „ 11 11 April 1794,
1794,
No.
N o. 9,
9, P53/15.
83. Collector
ColJCtOr J, Eliot
S. E liot to B. O.
to B. 0, R.,
R., 10
10 Dec.
D ec. 1793.
1793. B.
B R. C.,.,1111 April
.R .C April1793,
1793.
No,
N o. 9.
9, P53j15,
P53/15,
kevenue
Revenue sale
Sale Laws
Laws In
in Operation
Operation 105

never adminhtering his

never administering his estate
estate himself,
himself, withwilh "gross
“ grossmisconduct,
misconduct,
irresponsibility and
and incapacity."84'
incapacity.” 84 AllAll these
thesedisqualifications
disqualifications were
being ascribedby
being ascribed bythe
the Council
Council “"Chiefly
Chiefly to the the management
management of of
it having been committed
having been committed to h id at the
to him the early
early age
age ofoffifteen,
fifteen,
agreeabletotothe
agreeable the Regulations
Regulations then then in force,...” 88 In
force,..."85 In order
order toto
disqualify him,
disqualify him,thethe Council
Councilextended
extendedthe theage
ageofof minority
minority from
from
the existing
the existingfifteenth
fifteenthtotothe
the nineteenth
nineteenthyear yearfrom
from thethe date
date ofof
birth.88 As
birth.86 As Radhanath
Radhanath waswas only seventeen
seventeen years
years atat that time
time hehe
entered his second
second minority under the new new rules.
rules. The Governor
Governor
General
General in in Council
Councilthusthuswrote
wroteto tothetheBoard,
Board,“"We have deter-
We have deter-
mined,
mined, inin consideration
considerationofof thethe total
total incapacity which he
incapacity which he has
has
evinced for the
evinced for the management
management of of his
his extensive
extensive zemindary,
zemindary, toto place
place
under the
it under thecare
careofofthe
theCourt
CourtofofWards,
Wards,subject
subjecttoto the
the rules
rules
prescribed respecting minors."87
prescribed minors.” 87
It is possible
possible that as as the
the raja
raja was
was in his
his teens,
teens, hehecould
could bebe
ea5ily used as a figure head by a disgruntled faction of the
easily used as a figure head by a disgruntled faction of the
Raj achieve its
to achieve
bar i to
Rajbari its own
own ends.
ends. It is again
again possible,
possible, as has
been allegedby
been alleged by the
the raja,
raja, that
that the
the ruling Ramkanta
Ramkanta cliqueclique
efficientlymanaged
efficiently managedthe theestate
estate for
for their own own best
best interest5,
interests,
rather
rather than
than those
those of of the raja. In
the raja. In spite
spite of of the
the raja's
raja’s most
most
strenuous opposition,the
strenuous opposition, the Ramkanta
Ramkaritagroup
group continued
continued to to control
control
the
the zamindari
zamindari without
without any any attempt
attempt toto destroy
destroy it, it. It would
would
be unreasonable
unreasonable to to think
think that they did did so
so because
because of their disin disin­
terested Jove
terested love for
for the
the raja
raja who
who had
had nothing but hatred
hatred for for them.
them.
It was possiblybecause
was possibly because they theydiddid not
not think
think it wise
wise to to kill
kill the
goose that lay
goose that lay the
the golden
golden eggs.
eggs. Through
Through the preservation
preservation of the
zamindari under their
zamindari under management, they
their management, they could manage to
could manage
gobble
gobble up the surplussurplus profits
profits after
after the
thepayment
payment of of the
the public
public

84.
84. O G . in
0 0. in C.'s
C.'s Resolution,
R esolution, 11
11 April
April 1794,
1794, B, R.
R. C.,
C .. 11
11 April 1794,
1794,
N o. 18,
No. 18, P53/15.
P53115.

85.
85, G . G.
0. G. in
in C .’s RResolution,
C.'s esolution, 11
11 April
April 1794,
1794, B.
B. R.
R.CC,
, 1111 April
April 1794,
1794, NNo.
o. 18,
Ϊ8,
P 53/15.
P53/IS.

86.
86, Ibid.
IbId.

87.
87. G. G.
G. G. inC.
in C.toto B.
B. 0.
O,R.,
R ., 11
11 April
April 1794,
1794, 8.
B. R.
R . C.,
C., 11
11 April 1794,
1794, 1'o,
Wo. 19,
P53/15.
P53/iS.
 106 Permanent Settlement
Permanent settlement in Bengal
engat
revenue, monopolise
monopolise all the remunerative
remunerative positions
positions in the
the zamin-
zamin­
clari management
dan management among their families,
among their families, and
and could
could exert
exert their
their
influence through
influence through their association
association withwith the
the officers
officers ofof the
the
Collectorate
Collectorate and and courts,
courts, to procure
procure patronage
patronage from
from them
them forfor
their own dependents and relations. Whatever might might have
have been
the case
esse it is certain that Radhanath
Radhanath did did not
not derive
derive any
any financial
financial
gain from the so-called
so-called stability
stability so
so long
long as
as the
the Ramkanta
Ramkanta clique
clique
remained in power.
power.

1795, Radhanath
In July 1795, Radhanath attained
attained his
his nineteenth
nineteenth year
year and
and
was
was duly
duly reinvested
reinvestedwith
withthe
themanagement
managementofofthe
thezamindari,88
zamindari.88
As
As aa good
good gesture
gesture to
to the
the raja
rajaRamkanta
Ramkanta Roy
Roy was
wasremoved
removed
shortly before the estate
estate was
was handed
handed over to
to him.
him. But it is
is very
very
doubtful
doubtful whether
whether Ramkanta's
Ramkanta’sremoval
removal made
madehim
him entirely
entirely free
free
to manage
manage his affairs. The
his affairs. The Council
Council passed
passed nono new
new order
order
anulling
anulling its previous order that prevented
its previous prevented the raja
raja from
from
changing any
changing any officer formerly appointed
officer formerly appointed by
by Hatch.
Hatch. Moreover,
ManikChmd
Manik Chnd who
who was
was appointed as the
appointed as the new
new d iw a n of
diwan
raj in August
the raji August 1795,
1795, was
was aa nominee
nominee of
of the
theCollector,
Collector,
Manik served under
under Eliot
Eliot when
when hehe was
was the Collector of
the Collector
Rangpur
Rangpur inin 1792. When Eliot was
1792. When was transferred
transferred toto Dinajpur
Dinajpur
came with
he came with him
him and
and was
was made
made Eliot's
Eliot’s personal
personal diwan
1793.89 When
in 1793.89 When Radhanath's
Radhanath’s zamindani
zamindari was under under tbe
the
Court
Court of
of Wards
Wards for
forthe
thesecond
secondtime,
time,Manik
Manikused
usedtotomaintain
maintain
the
th e accounts on behalf
accounts on behalf of
of the
the Court
Court and
and when
when thus
thus acting
acting
as the
the Court's
Court’saccountant,
accountant, he
hewas
wassaid
said totohave
havegiven
given several
several
false
false returns
returns to
to the
the Court.90
Court.9° On the grounds
On trie grounds of
of his
his corrupt
corrupt
practice Thomas Graham,
practice Thomas Graham, the
the acting
acting President
President of
ofthe
the Board,
Board,
recommended his
recommended his outright
outright dismissal.
dismissal. Graham
Graham wrote
wrote :: “I
"I consider
consider
him
him LManik]
[M anik] altogether
altogether unworthy
unworthyofofbeing
beingfurther
furtheremployed
employed

88.
8. Collec(or
Collector tto B.
B. O.
0. R,,
R „ 30
30July
July 1795,
1795, B.
B. 0.
O.R.
R .P.,
P.,7 7August,
August, 1795
1795, No.
N o. 27,
27,
P 72/45.
p 72,4G.
89. Collector to
Collector to B.
B. O,
0, R.,
R ., 30
30 July,
July, 1795, B, O0.. R.
1795, B, R . P.,
P .,18
18August.
August. 1795,
1795, No.
N o. 2$,
25,
P72/46.
90. Board's
Board’s Proceedings,
Proceedings, B.
B. 00.. R,
R, P..
P ., 7 7August,
August,1795,
1795,No.
N o.30,
30,P72146
P72/46
 Laws in Operation
Revenue Sale Laws 107

as aa public
as publicofficer,
officer, andand accordingly
accordingly propose
propose that the Collector
Collector
of Dinagepore
of Dinagepore be be forthwith
forthwith directed
directedto todismiss
dismiss himhim from
from hishis
office
office of public
public dew an, and
dewan, and that
that on on thethe same ground we
same ground we
recommend
recommend toto the the Governor
Governor GeneralGeneral in in Council,
Council, that
that Manik
Manik
Chand be
Chand be proscribed
proscribed from from ever ever serving
serving the theCompany
Company in in any
any
capacity whatever
capacity whatever in future.” 01 But
in future."91 But before
before anyany action
action was
was
taken against
taken against Manik
Manik Chand Chand by by thethe authorities,
authorities, his his patron
Eliot
Eliot managed
managed to to obtain
obtain for for him
him the postpost ofof the
the diw
diwan an from
the
the raja.
raja. He howeverhowever explained
explained his his diwan's
diwan’s sudden
sudden departure
for
for the
the raj&s
raja's service
service by bystating
statingthatthatthe
theraja
raja was
was entreating
entreating
him for
him for the
the expert
expert services
services of Manik Manik Chand
Chand and, and, hence,
hence,
for the interests
for the interests of of the
the raja,
raja, Manik
Manik was was dispensed with
and
and thatthat was
was possible
possible because
because his his worthy
worthy grandson,
grandson, Phool
Chand,
Chand, was was readily
readily available
availableto to become
become his his own
own diwan.92
d iw a n .82 It
is scarcely
scarcely believable
believable that that Radhanath
Radhanath would would have have entreated
entreated
Eliot
Eliot for for his
his toady
toady ManikManik Chand despite his knowledge
that it was
that was Eliot's
Eliot’s backing
backing that that made
made Ramkanta
Ramkanta so so bold
bold as as
to defy
defy himhim so so shockingly,
shockingly, and and that
that it it was
was Eliot's
Eliot’s hostile
reports against
reports against himhim that
that influenced
influenced the the authorities
authorities to dispossess
dispossess
him for
him for one
one and
and aa half
half year. In In short,
short, though
though Radhanath
Radhanath was was
invested
invested with withhis hiszamindari
zamindariafter afterthetheexpiry
expiry of of his
his period
period of of
forced minority in
forced minority in July
July 1795,
1795, he he was
was still
still encumbered
encumbered by by official
official
pressure and and tutelage. ExceptingExcepting the the withdrawal
withdrawal of of Ramkanta
Ramkanta
who
who was was replaced
replaced by by another
another creature
creature of of the
the Collector,
Collector, no no
other alteration took took place
place inin Hatch's
Hatch’s arrangements.
It should
should bebenotednotedthatthatthough
thoughManikManik Chand
Chand was was promoted
promoted
through official
through influence,he
official influence, he could
could not becomebecome as as powerful
powerful
as his
as his predecessor,
predecessor, Ramkanta
Ramkanta Roy. Roy. By By hishis efficient
efficient manage
manage­
Ramkanta ensured
ment Ramkanta ensured the government
government with with the perfect
punctuality of the payment
punctuality payment of of the revenues,
revenues, and and the
the government,
government,
in
in return,
return, ensured
ensured his his permanency
permanency by by aa declaratian
declaratian that that hehe

91. Board's proceedings,

Board’s ThomasGraham’s
Proceedings, Thomas Graham'sMMinute,
inute, B. 8. O0.. R.
R . P.,
P., 77 August,
1795, N
1795, No.
o. 30, p72/46.
P72/46.
92. Colkctor
Collectortoto33.
B . 0.
O-R,,
R ..3030July,
July,1795,
1795,13.
B . 0,
Ο,R.
X .1'.,
P.,18
18August,
August,1795,1795,No.
N o .25
25 ,
1'72i46,
P72/46,
 108
10 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

and
and his
his men
men could
could not
not be
be sacked
sacked by
by the But Manik
the raja. But Manik
was
was not enjoy such
not entitled to enjoy such immunity. Again, while
Ramkanta
Ramkanta received official support
received official support from
from the
the Collector
Collector to
to the
the
Council, Manik got support from Eliot. But Eliot left Dinajpur
Council,
in
in January
January 1795
1795 to to become
become the the judge
judge of of Tipperah. The
succeedingCollector,
succeeding Collector,Cornelius
CorneliusBird, Bird,never
never tried
tried to meddle
meddle
into the raja's
raja’saffairs.
affairs. NoNo wonder
wonder that his his comparative
comparative weakness
weakness
and the
and the departure
departure of Eliot,
Eliot, hishis only
only pillar of strength,
pillar of strength, drove
him to make
him make alliance
alliance with
with the remaining
remaining men men ofof Ramkanta
Ramkanta
Roy, who
Roy, who felt equally insecure under the the changing
changing circumstances
circumstances
and also
and also with
with the
theCollector's
Collector’samla
ami a whose
whosehead,
head, Phool
PhoolChand,
Chend,
was none
was none other thanthan his
hisown
own grandson,
grand sod, inin crder
order to dismember
dismember
the Zamindari
the Zamindari andand divide
divide itit among
among themselves,
themselves, before he he was
was
cashiered by
cashiered by the
the raja.
raja. The opportunity
opportunity was was provided
provided by
by the
the
drought of 1798.1798. TheyThey exploited
exploited the situition by
the situation by putting
putting
the estate
the estate into
into aa state
stateofofrecurring
recurringbalance
balance and
andconsequent
consequent
sale till the last acre of the zamindari
sale zamindari waswas sold.
The collusion between
between the zamindari and
the zamindari and Collectorate
officerstoto dismember
officers raja's estate
dismember the raja’s estate waswas first
first revealed
revealed byby
Babu Ram, a vakil of the diwani adalat at Dinajpur.
Babu Ram, a vakil of the d iw ani a d a la t at Dinajpur. He
wrote
wrote toto the
the Board
Board inin July
July 1800
1800 that thethe Collector's
Collector’s arniaam la were
were
actively involved in
actively involved in the
the scramble
scramble forfor the
the raja's
raja’s lands.93
lands.°3 He
added
added that Phool
Phool Chand,
Chand, thetheCollector's
Collector’sdiwan d iw a nandandBhavani
Bhavani
Prassad Taluqdar,
Prassad Taluqdar, whowho was the Collector's
was the Collector’s seristadar,
seristadar, purcha-
purcha­
sed considerable
sed considerable amount
amountofof Radhanath’s
Padhanath's landslands in in the
the names
names of ot
nephews and
their brothers, nephews cousins.94 Other
and cousins.94 prominent
Collectorate officers
Collectorate whopurchased
officers who purchased Radhanath’s
Radhanath's lands, lands, accord-
accord­
ing to
ing to Babu
Babu Ram,
Ram, were
were Wali
Wali Muhammed
Mu hammed Nazir, Nazir,Boyd hanath
Boydhanath
Chowdhuri, Bashu Babu,
Chowdhuri, Bashu Babu, Radakanta,
Radakanta, Ganganarayan
Ganganarayan Sen Sen andand
Farendaz.85 Babu
Farendaz.95 Babu Ram
Ram was
was not appointed
appointed by by the
the raja
raja to
to plead
plead

93.
93, Babu Ram
Babu RamtotoB. B.
0, O.
a,,R„ 15 July
15 July B, B,
1800,
1800, 0. O,
R.RP.,
. P.,2929July
July 1800,
1800, Nov.
N ov,
2-3, P74/14,
2.3, P74/14,
94.
4, Ibid,
Ibid.
95.
95. Ibid.
mid. also
also set,
see,Babu
Babu Ram to G,
Ram to G , G.
G. in
io C,, B. R.
C,, B. R. C,,
C„ 99 June
June 1803,
1803,
N o . 2,
No. 2, P54
P54/33.
133.
Rev enue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in
in Operation 109

for him, HisHis interest

interestin inexposing
exposing their
theircollusive
collusive transactions
transactions was
the possibility of of a good
good monetary reward under under Regulation
Regulation VU, VII,
1799, if he could
1799, could successfully
successfully unearth their their collusions
collusions through
through
the co-operation
co-operation of of the government.96
government.8 8 Soon after Babu
Soon after Rams
Babu Ram's
exposition,
exposition, raja RadhanathRadhanath made made representation
representation to to the
the Council
Council
that he had lost lost his great zamindari
zamindari because
becauseof ofthethetreacherous
treacherous
conductofofhishisamla.
conduct amla,He He explained
explainedthat, that,atat the
the time
time of of his
his
reinvestment
reinvestment with with the the zan-iindarj
zamindari in in 1795,
1795, he was circumstan-
circumstan­
tially forced
tially forced to to accept
accept Ramkanta's
larak an ta’s men men as as his
hisofficers
officers and
and
appoint
appoint Manik
Manik Chand Chand as as his
his diwan.
dizuan. But But "these
“these officers,"
officers,*’ hehe
continued, "from
continued, “from wicked wicked andand treacherous
treacherous views, views, werewereso soneg-
neg­
Jigent and inattentive
ligent and inattentive in collecting
collecting the rents of the mofussil, m ofm sil, andand
in paying
in paying the the revenue
revenue to to the
the Collector,
Collector, that that in the the space
space ofof
three years,
years,beingbeingfrom fromthe thecommencement
commencementof ofthethe Bengal
Bengal year
1202 until the
1202 until the endend ofof 1205 [1797-1800 they suffered
1205 [1797—1800] suffered balances
balances
to the
to the imount
r.mour.tof of eight
eight lacs
lacsofofrupees
rupees to toaccrue
accrue in in the
the mofussil,
mofmsil,
and out of the amount of the collections collections they themselves
themselves appro- appro­
priated nearly five lacs leaving
five lacs leavingme me four
four lacs
lacs of
of rupees in in arrears
arrears
to government;
government ; in consequence
consequence of of this
this my
my zamindarry
zamindarry was was sold
sold
at public sale, ..’' 97 He
sale,.."97 He added
added thatthat they
they in in concert
concert with with the
the
Collectarte officers
Collectorate undervaluedhis
officers undervalued his zamindari
zamindari which which waswas allall
sold for
sold for aa nominal
nominal price price He said, said, "At“ At the
the time
time of of sale,
sale, Phool
Phool
Chund, dew
Chund, dewan an to to the Collectorand
the Collector and grandson
grandson of of the
the dewn
dewn
of my zamindarry,
of zamindarry,by by name
name Manick
Manick Chund Chund above above mentioned,
mentioned,
and Wullee Muhummud, Nazir to
and to the
the Collector
Collector and and other
otherofficers
officers
belonging to to the
theCoilectorship,
Collectorship,... .. . as
as also
also those
those of my zanaindarry
zamindarry
Manick Chund, etc. having fraudulently concerted and
leagued with each each other,
other, contrived
contrived by by means of their their collusion
collusion to
depreciate
depreciate the the value
value of of several
several fertile
fertile and productive
productive mehauls,
mehauls,
which
which II thought would would havehave sold
sold forfor their
their intrinsic
intrinsic worth,
worth, andand

96.
96. Babu Ram's
Babu Ram’spetition
petitioa to
to B.
B. 0.
O. R.,
R ., 1 Nov.
N ov. 1804, B. R.
>804, B. O., 15
R. 0., 15 Nov.
Nov.
1804. N
1804. No, 26, P54/40.
o. 26. P54/40.

97.
97. Radhanath to
Raja Radhanath to Couui1,
Council, 10,
10, Sept.
Sept. 1S00
1800 B. R.
B. R. C.,
C., 66 Nov.
N ov. 1800,
1800,
N o , 14,
No, 14, p54/14.
P54/14.
 110 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal
bought them
bought them in themselves. For instance, Phool Chund,
Collector's
Collector’s dewan, has purchased lands to the amount
lands to amount of.
of nearly
nearly
one lac
lao of
of rupees, and Wullee Muhummud
and Wullee Muhummud Nazir to the amount
of almost eighty thousand
almost eighty thousand rupees
rupees under
under fictitious names;;
fictitious names
and
and inin the
the same
same underhand
underhand manner manner otherother officers
officers belonging
belonging
to the
to the Collectorship
Collectorship and and thethe adawlut,
a d a w lu t , etc.,
etc., have
have purchased
purchased
the whole
the whole of the remainder
remainder of of my
my zemindarry,
zemindarry, by bywhich
which II amam
deprived of my my inheritance. Thus Thus inin consequence
consequence of theirtheir villainy
villainy
and collusicn,
and collusicn, so soextensive
extensiveaazamindarry
zamindarryhas hasbeen
beensold
soldfor
for the
liquidation
liquidation ofof four
four lacs
lacsofof rupees
rupees due due to government ” 98 The
to government "88 The
helpless
helpl ess raja
raja then
then narrated
narrated thatthat his
his am/a
amla collected
collected the
the 'nofussal
mofussal
rents for
rents [or themselves
themselves and and that they they consistently refused to
consistently refused
supply him
supply him with
withthe
thezamindari
zamindariaccounts
accounts of of collections,
collections, balances
balances
and
and disbursements.°°
disbursem ents." He He thusthus appealed
appealed to to the
the Council
Council to
appointaaCommissioner
appoint Commissioner to toinvestigate
investigatehis his charges
charges andand render
render
justice.100 The Council
him justice.100 Council ordered
ordered on on his
his petition
petition that"
that”
enquiry may
a particular enquiry may be be made into into the circumstances
represented therein,
represented therein, regarding
regardingthe the purchase
purchase of ofaapart
part ofof the
zamindaris estate by
zamindaris estate by thethe public
public servants,
servants, in in oppcstion
opposition to to the
Regulations."°'
R egulations.101
According
According totothetheinstructions
instructions of of the
the Council
Council and and the Board,
Board,
Edward
Edward Webb,Webb, thethe acting Collector after
acting Collector after thethe death
death of Bird
Bird inin
January 1800, made aa preliminary
January 1800, preliminary investigation
investigation into into the
charges against the
charges against the Collector's
Collector’s a;nla.
amla. Phool
Phool Chand,
Chand, Bhavani
Bhavani
Taluqdar,
Taiuqdar, Wali Muhammed
Muhamrned and many others were
interrogated.
interrogated. Phool
Phool Chand disclaimed any complicity in
dismemberingthe
dismembering the raja's
raja's estate. He, He, however,
however, admitted
admitted that
grandfather, Manik Chand, lent
his grandfather, lent money
money to toKirtichand,
Kirtichand,
Sangum
Sangum Lai La!andandMittun
MittunLai Laltoto buy
buy several
several lots1ot3 of the
the raja's
raja’s
land.102 When
land.102 When asked
askedtotogivegive their family
family relationship,
relationship, Phool
Phool

98.
9& j-aja Radharath to
><aja Radliaratb to Couccil,
Council, 10
10Sept.
Sept. 1800,
1800, B. R. C.,
B R. C., 66 Nov. 1800,
tov. 1800, No.
14.
14. Pp4/i4.
54/14.
99. Ibid.
ibid.
100..
100 I b id ,
Ibid.

Coucl's Order
101. Council’s order66 Nov. R. C„
Nov. 1800, B. R. c,, 6 N ov, 1800,
Nay, 1800, N'.
N i.j4,
14, P54/14.
P54/14.
102. Collector's Proceedings
102. Collector’s proceedings on
on 8 Aug. 1800, B. 0.
Aug, 1800, R■
0 · R. P., 4 N
P., ov. 1800,
Pov. 1800,
No,
N o, 24,
24. P74/i9,
F74/19.
 Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in
in Operation
Operation ill
111

Chanci
Chand saidsaid that
that Kirfichand
Kirtichand was was his his own own younger
younger brother,
SanguniLai
Sangum Lal was
was the son son of
of Radha
Radha Krishna
Krishna who who waswas thethe son-
son-
inlaw of Choni
in-law of Choni Lai Lal whowho was was the the sonson of of Manik
Manik Chand's
Chand’s
daughter.103
daughter.103 He He also confessed that all
also confessed all ofof them
them lived in
their home
home district, Patna, and
district, Patna, and their
their estates
estateswereweremanaged
managed
by Manik
by Manik ChandChand himself.104
himself.104 Webb
Webb then then called Manik
Chand for
Chand for his
his deposition.
deposition. ManikManik admitted
admitted that that he
he was
was mana
mana­
ging the estates
ging the estates himself
himself andand that he borrowedborrowed money money fromfrom the
merchants
merchants to to buy those lands
buy those lands for for his his dependents.'°5
dependents.105 When
askedwhy
asked why diddid hehenotnot buy
buy lands
lands for for hishiscompetent
competent grandson,
grandson,
Phool Chand, Manik
Phool Chand, Manik replied
replied that
that ititwas
wasneedless
needless because
because he he had
had
obtained the equally exalted exalted post post of of aa diwan
d iw a n for
for Phool
Phool
Chand.106 Webb
Chand,i°8 Webb then then examined
examinedGuruprashad.
Guruprashad. He He was
was thethe son
son
of Bhavani
BhavaniTaluqdar
Taluqdarand and was
was holding
holding the the post
post ofof a serestadar
in the
in the raja’s
raja's katc/iari.
katchari. He He waswastoldtold that
that hehe waswas only
only eleven
eleven
years old
years oldinin1800
1800 and andasked
asked where
where from from he hegotgot five
fivethousand
thousand
rupees to buybuy two Guruprashad replied
two big lots. Guruprashad replied that he he served
served
four years
four years asas aa serestadar
serestada' ofofthe theraja
rajaatatthethetimetimeofofHatch
Hatch and and
four
four years
years at the the time
time of of Eliot,
Eliot, drawing
drawing aa salary salary ofof fifteen
fifteen
rupees per month.107
rupees month.'°7 He He further
further said said that
that besides
besides hishis salary
salary
savings, he
savings, he had
hadalsoalso savings
savingsfrom from thethe presents
presents that he he received
received
from his colleagues
from his colleagues and and ryots
ryots at at the
the timetime ofofhis hisinvestiture
investiture of of
his Brahmanical
Brahmanical thread.108
thread.108 The
The Collector
Collector persued,
persued, "You
“ You say,
say,
you receivedaasalary
you received salary for
for four
four years
years in in Mr.
Mr. Hatch's
Hatch’s time. When When
Mr. Hatch
Mr. Hatch left this station
station agreeably
agreeably to to your
your account
account youyou were
were
only three year3 old, how
years old, how then
then did
did you
you receive
receive aa salary
salary for
for four
four

103. ibid.
Ibid.
104. Collector's
Collector’s proceedings on 88 Aug.
proceedings on Aug. 1800, B.O.R.P., 44 Nov.
1800, B.O.R.P., N ov. 1800,
1800, No,
N o. 24,
24,
P74/10.
P74/10.
105. Collector's
Collector’s Proceedings
Proceedings on
on 1111 Aug.
Aug. 1800,
1800, B.O .R .P ., 44 N
B.O.R.P., Nov.
ov. 1800.
1800. No
No,
24. PP74/19.
24. 74/I9. ’
106. Ctl1ector's procecds, 99 Aug.
Collector’s proceedings, Aug. 1S0?, B. O.
1800, B. 0. R.
R. P.,
P.,4 4NNov.
ev. lisOO,
100, No.
P74/19,
P74f 19,

107.
107, Ibid.
ibid.

108. Collector's Proceedings,

Collector’s Proceedings, 99 Aug.
Aug. 1800,
1600, B.O ,R.P„ 4 Nov.
B.0,R,P., N ov. 18..0.
18„0. No.
N o . 24,
24,
P74/19,
P74/19.
112 Perrnenent
Permenent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

years. WhoWho was was dewan

dew an at thatthat time
time ?"?” "Dewan
“ D ew an Manik
Manik ChandChand
had the management",
management", repUed repliedGuruprashed.bO
Guruprashed.109 The poor poor boyboy
was notexpected
was not expectedtotoknow knowfrom fromhis his cradle
cradle that
that at at that
that time
time
iw a n was
the ddjwan was Ramkanta
Ramkanta Roy Roy and and Manik
Manik ChandChandwas was yetyet toto
come from Rangpur
come from Rangpurtoto Dinajpur. Webb Webb checked
checked the zamindari
zamindari
papers and found
papers and that Guruprashad
found that Guruprashad was was really appointed
appointed as a
serestadar by
serestadar by Ramkanta
Ramkanta Roy Roy at at aa salary
salaryofoffifteen
fifteen rupees
rupees per per
when he was
month when only three years
was only years old."°
old.110Examining
Examining many many
other amla,
other amla, Edward
Edward WebbWebb reported
reported to tothe
the Board:
Board : "1 “ 1have
have not
the smallest
the smallest doubt
doubt in roymy ownown mind mind thatthat many
many ofofthe thearnlah
amlah
have been
have been guilty of the chargecharge preferred
preferred against
againstthemthem by by Babu
Babu
Ram."1
Ram.” The
111 Theacting
actingCollector
CollectoraddedaddedthatthatBabu
BabuRan Ran hadhad ample
ample
evidence
evidence in in his
his hands
hands to prove that official oflicial power
power andand influence
influence
were used by the
were used the Collector's
Collector’s amla amlainindismembering
dismembering the the raja's
raja’s
estate.112 The
estate.112 The Board
Board called
called for for aa full
full investigation
investigationininNovem-Novem­
ber 1800.113
1800.113 But But before
before Webb
Webb started
startedhis hisproceedings
proceedings against
against
the accused
the persons, Cornelius
accused persons, Cornelius Smith Smith joined
joined as as the regular
regular
ColIecor in
Collector in December
December 1800.1800, In In the
the same
same monthmonth Phool
Phool Chand
Chand
resigned."4
resigned.114 One One month
month later,
later, that
thatis,is,January,
January, 1801,1801, thethe raja
raja
died.115 On
also died.115 On top
top of
of all these changes came Smith's reluctance
came Smith’s reluátance
to prosecute
prosecute his his ainla
amla immediately
immediately after after hishis arrival
arrival as as the
the
Collector of the
Collector the district.
district. He He wrote
wrote to the Board Board thatthat hehe was
was
unable to
unable to undertake
undertakethe the investigation
investigation againstagainst his anlaamla because
because
he was
was not
not conversant
conversant with withthethe Bengali
Bengalilanguage
languageand and he he had
had
no time
no time to to spare
spare for
forsuch
suchbig bigproceedings.
proceedings. He requested requested the the
Board
Board either to drop the proceedings
drop the proceedings altogether
altogether or or appoint
appoint an

109. Collector's Procceditg, 16 A

Collector’s Proceeding*, Aug.
ug. 1800. .8.0
B.O R,F.
18CO3 R.P. 44Nov.
N ov. 1800,
1800, No.
N o. 24,
24,
P74/19.
110. -Ibid.
110. Ibid.
111. ActIngCollector
Acting C.'1tectortotoB.B.O.0.RR,, 14Oct.
„ 14 Oct. 1800
1800 B.O.R
B.0.R PP ,44Nov.
N ov.1800,
1800, No.
N o.
24
24, P74/19.
P74/19.
112.
112, Ibid.
Ibid.

113. Board's ordcr,

Board’s order, B. 0. B..
B. O. R. P.,
P ., 44Nov.
N ov. 1800,
1800, No.
N o . 23.
23, P74/19.
P74/19.
114. C&kctor to
Collector to B, 0. B.,
B, O. R„ 44Dcc.Dec. 18 0, B.0.R.P.,
18 0, B.O.R.P., 16 16 Dcc.
D ec. 100,
1600, No.
N o. IS,
15,
I'74/21.
P74/21.
115. Collector to
Collector to B.
B. O.
0. K,,
R „ 26
26 January
January 1801,
1801, B4O.R,P.,
B.O.R,P., 3 Feb. 1803,
1800, N o. 7.
No. 7.
Revem.ie Sale
Revenue Sale Laws in Operation 113
independent Commissioner exclusively
exclusively for for thi8
this purpose.118
purpose.11®
The Board,
The Board, accepting
accepting neither
neither of his suggestions,
suggestions, · instructed
him
him to to carry
carryout outthe
the investigation whenever he found
investigation whenever found suitable
suitable
time after his his regular
regularofficial
official jobs.117
jobi117
In short,
In short, such
such orders
orders simply put the
simply put the problem
problem into into cold
cold
storage. Now
storage. Nowonly only one
one man
man was trying
trying toto keep
keep the the issue
issue alive.
alive.
It was Babu
Babu Ram.
Ram. Babu's
Babu’s interest
interest was
was that
that ifif he
he could
could prove the
prove the
collusivetransactions
collusive transactions of of the Colleôtor's
Collector’s amla, then their estates
were liable to
were to bebeconfiscated
confiscatedbybygovernment
governmentunder underRegulation
Regulation
of 1799,
7 of 1799, ininwhich
whichcasecasehehemustmustget
geta areward
reward for for the
the trouble
trouble
he took
he took for
for the Government.
Government. Thus Thus he was constantly
constantly pressing
pressing
upon
upon Smith to resume resume the investigation.
investigation. A Att oneone stage
stage Smith
Smith
became so
became so annoyed
annoyedwith withhis
his importuning
importuning that he complained
complained to
the Boardthat
the Board that Babu
Babu' RamRam was was "perpetually
“ perpetually harassing
harassing me me toto
prosecutethe
prosecute the inquiry,
inquiry, andand never
never failed
failed toto state
state thethe hardship
hardship
of his
his being obliged
obligedtotoattend
attendwhile
whilethetheenquiry
enquiry was was making
making no
progress...” 118 The Collector further said
progress..."118 said that
that Babu
Babu Ram Ram waswas
a "wretch who, who, having
having been
beenexpelled
expelledforformisconduct
misconductand andincapa-
ineapa'
city fromthe
city from the respectable situation of
respectable situation of pleader
pleader for for government
government
in the
the adawlut,
adaivlut, has hasbetaken
betakenhimself
himselftotothetheinfamous
infamousemploy- employ­
ment of of an
an informer,
informer, and and makes
makes a trip every
every rainy
rainy season
season to the
su-Ider
sudder in prosecution of his his new calling. The true spring
new calling. spring of of his
his
exertionsis isnot
exertions notthethe prospect
prospectofofthe the three
three lacks
lacks and and aa half
half
which,asas he
which, he asserts,
asserts, his
his success
success will
will bring
bring intointo the the public
public
treasury but
treasury but of the ten ten percent
percent upon
upon that sum sum with with which,
which, he
flatters himself, his
flatters himself, his vile
vile and dirty service is to to be
be rewarded.’’119
rewarded.'119
The Council reserved reserved itsita comment
comment upon upon the Collector'sCollector’s
rude comments
rude comments about about Babu Ram.120 But Babu Ram was
Babu Ram.'2° But Babu Ram was

116.
116. CollectorSmith
Collector SmithtotoBB, 0. B..,
, O. B. R.
R „ B. R. C.,
C „ 29
29 January
January 1801,
1801, No 13,
N o , 13,
P54/16«
p54/16.
117. Board's Orders.
117. Orders, B. R, R. C.,
C„2919January
January1801,
1801, No.
N o. 13.
13, P54/16.
P54/I6.
113. CollectortoB.
118. Collector to B. 0,
O , R.,
R·, IIMOctober
October 1802,
1802, B.
B. R.
R. C.
C. 29
29 January
January 1801.
1801, No.
N o.
13. P54/I6.
13. P54/16.
Collector to
119. Collector
119. to B.
B. O.
0. B..,
R ., II Oct.
11 O ct. 1802, para 4,
1802, para 4, B. R. C..C.. 28
28 Oct.
Oct.1802,
1802, No.
N o.
10, P54/28.
10, P54/28.
Council's observation
120. Council’s
120. observationoon above B.
n above, B· R.
R. C.
C.,2828Oct.
O ct,1802,
1802, No.
N o .10.
10, P54/28.
P54/28.

8-
8
—
114 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

determined
determined to to bring
bring his case
case to an end.
end. After about four
four years
years
of his
of his allegation
allegationagainst
againstthe
the illegal
illegal and
and collusive
collusive purchases
purchases of
the Collector's
Collector’s amla he he at
at last succeeded
succeeded in forcing
forcing Smith
Smith toto
complete his
complete his investigation
investigation against
against only
only one
one obscure man, Radak-
obscure man, Radak-
anta. InIn July
July 1804,
1804, Smith
Smith reported
reported that
thatRadakanta,
Radakanta, aa clerk,
clerk,
fraudulently purchasedtwo
fraudulently purchased twolots
lots of
of the raja's
raja’s lands,
lands, namely
namely
Hejelgarry and
Hejelgarry Chinchra, at
and Chinchra, at aa nominal price of
nominal price of only
only 250
250
Rupees.'2'
Rupees.121AfterAftertheir
theirforfeiture
forfeituretotogovernment
governmentaccording
according to the
Regulation
Regulation 77 of of 1799,
1799, these
these were
were resold
resold for
for 12335.
12335 Rupees.122
Rupees.'22
The Collector
Collector then
then remarked
remarked that the the raja
raja and
and Babu
Babu Ram
Ram were
were
right inin their complaints that the
their complaints the zamindari
zamindari waswascollusively
collusively
sold at a nominal price. It was "completely
sold “completely corroborrated
eorroborrated by this
recent sale
recent sale which
which has yielded
yielded aa sum
sum of 12335
12335 Rupees whilst the
same property atat the
same property illicit purchase
the illicit purchase onlyonly brought
brought the small
small
250 Rupees-an
sum oof 250 Rupees·—an amount
amount but little exceeding
exceeding one
one fiftieth
fiftieth
part of. the present
of the present sale,
sale, and
and aacircumstance
circumstance whichwhichincontrover-
incontrover-
tibly proves
tibly provesthetheloss
losssustained
sustainedbybythe thedefaulter
defaulterfrom
fromthe
the undue
undue
influenceofof the
influence the purchaser
purchaser in in breach
breach of of the
the Regulations."123
Regulations.” 188
On
On thethe same
same subject
subject the the Board
Board wrote
wrote to to the
theCouncil
Council that
that
the result
resultofofthe
thelatest
latestinvestigation
investigation"fully
“ fullyconfirms
confirms the
the justness
justness
of
of the
the Collector's
Collector’s observations regarding the
observations regarding the injury
injury the
the late
late
raja ofof Dinagepore
Dinagepore sustained
sustained from
from the
the combination
combination among
the
the former amlah of the
former arnlah the Collector's office.” 124 To do
Collector’s office."24 do some
some
justice to
justice to the
the late
late raja, the Council
Council ordered the the Board
Board to to hand
over
over the
the surplus
surplus proceeds
proceeds of of the
the sale
sale to
to the family
family of
of the
the late
late
raja.125 Babu
,raja.S& Babu Ram,
Ram, as as aa reward,
reward, received
received 10 10 p. c.
c. ofof the
the
sale proceeds.126,
proceeds.120

121.
121. Collector to B.
B. O
0.. R..
R ,. 30 July 1804, B. O.
July 1804, 0. R. P.
P .i 7 Aug.
Aug. 1804.
1804. No.
N o. !6.
16.
P75/19.
p75/29.
122.
122. Ibid.
Ibid.
123. Ibid.
123. Ibid.
124.
124, B
B.. O.
0. B
R .to
to G
G.. 0.
G, ininC.,
C ., 77Aug.
Aug.1804, B, 0.
1804, B. O. R.
R. P.,
P., 7 Aug.
Aug, 1804,
1804, No.
17,
17. P7 S/29,
p75/29.
125, Ibid.
125. Ibid.
126.
126. G. G. in
inC,C.toto
B.B.
O.0.
R „L,1515NNov, 1804, B,
o v , 1804, , C.,
B.RR, C., 15
15 N 1804, No.
ov. 1804,
Nov. N o.
' 27,
27, P54/40.
P54/40.
 Revenue Sale Laws in Operation 115

It is not
not known
knownwhether
whetherorornot
notthe
theinvestigation,
investigationwas
was further
fürthër
carried on. After
carried on. After 1804,
1804, no
no more
more information, about it is
information about :j5

found
found on on records. possible that
records. It is possible that Babu
Babu Rain,
Ram, who
"who was
was
the only
only moving
moving force behind thia.
force behind issu'e: was
this issue was either
either dead
or made
made neutral
neutral by
by sufficient
sufficient bribes
bribes or
or pressure
pressure from
from those
those
against whom
against whom he was was moving
moving. The The authorities
authorities were
were already
already
less enthusiastic
less about this investigation
enthusiastic about investigation. It is thus very
possible that
possible that with
with the
the absence
absence ofofconstant
constantreminders
reminders frOm
from
Babu Ram
Babu Ram thethe Government
Government had had shelved
shelved the
the investigation
investigation for
fpr
good. But
good. But the
the limited
limited evidence
evidencethat that we
we get
get from
from the
the preliminary
preliminay
investigation
investigation by by Edward
Edward Webb,
Webb, and and the the result
result of Smith's
of Smith’s
proceedings
proceedings againstagainst Radakanta, cannot but
Radakanta, cannot but lead
leadus us totobelieve
believe
that the Co1lectr's amla joined hands
that the Collector’s amla joined hands with those with those of the raja
the raja
with aa viewviewtotodismembering
dismemberinghis hisestate
estateandanddividing
dividingititamongamong
themselves through
themselves through staged
staged auction
auction sales.
sales. In consequence, the
great zamindari bearing aajajarna
zamindari bearing m a ofof about fifteen lakhs of
fifteen lakhs of rupees
rupees
was sold
was sold for
for only
only aa little
little over
over nine
nine iakhs
lakhsofofrupees.
rupees. The
bulk of the
bulk the zamindari
zamindari waswas purchased
purchased by by the
the three
three diw ans,
diwans,
viz., Manik
viz., Manik Chand,
Chand, Phool
PhoolChand
chand and Ramkanta Roy. Roy. Obviously,
Obviously,
their wealth
their wealth and andconnections
connectionsprevented
preventedthem themfrom
from being
being tried
for their
for their breach
breach of of Regulations
Regulations and and trust.
trust. Manik Chand and
his grandson
his grandson Phool Phool Chand
Chand purchased
purchasedthe the best
best parts
parts of of the
the
zamindari in
zamindari in the names of
names of their dependents.
dependents. Manik
Manik Chand
Chand
also bought
also bought some lots in his
some lots his own
own name.
name. The The total
total jarna
jam a
of his
of his purchases
purchases so so far
farasascould
couldbebe ascertained
ascertainedamounted
amounted to
Rs. 136634.127 Ramalcanta Roy,
136634,127 Ramakanta Roy, the
the ruler
ruler ofofthe thezamindari
zamindari
from 1786
from 1786 toto1795,
1795, bought
bought 23 23 lots
lots in all.128
all.i25 It is not known
how much
how much their
their total
totalpublic
public jam
javia a was. But But itit was
was reported
reported
by
by tim
tho Judge
Judge of of Dinajpur
Dinajpur in in 1802
1802 that
thatRainkanta
Ramkanta Roy Roy waswas
the richest
the landholder in
richest landholder in the
the district.129
district.129 Referring
Referring to to the
the
fabulous riches
fabulous riches of Ramkanta
Ramkanta and andManik,
Manik, the theCollector
Collector wrotewrote

127.
127. See,
See, Appendix
Appendix 7.7.
128.
128. Dioajpur Collector
Dioajpur CollectortotoB.B.O.0.R .,
L, 11
11 Oct. B. R.
1802, B.
Oct. 1802, R. C. 28
28 Oct, 1802,
1802,
N o. 10,
No. 10, P54/28.
P54/28.
129.
129. Ibid.
ibid.
116 Permanent Settlement in Bengal

in 1801
In 1801 that
that ititwas
wastragic
tragicthat
thatwhile
whilethe
theraja
rajawas
wasstarving,
starving,
his two
his two diwans
d iw an s were
were rich
rich and
and fat
fatand
andflourishing,
flourishing, and
and are
are
proprietors
proprietors of of some
some of the finest parts
of the parts of
of what
what was
was their
their
lord's very fine estate."130
poor lord’s estate.” 130
In reporting
In reporting thethe ruin
ruin of of the
the Dinajpur
Dinajpur family
family toto the
the Court
Court
of Directors,
Directors,the theGovernor
GovernorGeneral
General inin Council,
Council, however,
however, gavegave
different picture. The Council
quite aa different wrote that
Council wrote that the
the Dinajpur
Dinajpur
zainindari, which was
zamindari, which wassoso productive
productive under the theofficial
officialmanage-
manage­
ment, had
ment, had been
been“"dissipated
dissipated ininaa very
veryfew
fewyears
yearsbyby the
the idle
idle and
extravagance of
profligate extravagance of the zamindar.”
zamindar."1131 There is is no
no
mention anywhere
mention anywhere in in the Board's
Board’s proceedings about about thethe
Dinàjpur
Dinajpur raj that
that raja
raja Radhanath
Radhanath was was ever
ever extravagant
extravagant and and lazy.
lazy.
Collector Eliot
Collector Eliot once
once reported against
against him
him in
in December 1793 that
December 1793
he was stupid,incapable
was stupid, incapableofofreading
readingandandwriting
writingand
and was
was never
never
unwilling to sign blank papers.132 However, However, in view of Eliot's
Eliot’s
part in
part in the
the whole
wholeaffair
affairititmay
mayproperly
properlybebe suspected
suspected that
that this
this
was a biased and misleading report. Only eight months months earlier,
when he
when he first
first arrived
arrived inin the
the district,
district, he had given a very
very different
picture of
picture of Radhanath.
Radhanath. He had had been
been so
so pleased with the raja,
raja, and
and
so confidentofofhishisability
so confident abilitythat
thathehe recommended
recommendedthe the raja
raja for
for
favouring him "with a kizelut.asasan
mth&khelut anencouragement
encouragementto his exerting
to his exerting
himself in
himself in the
the management
managementof zemindary."t33
of his zemindary.” 133 HeHe added,
added,
'Indeedtotome
“Indeed melate
latetransactions
transactionsleadleadmemetoto expect
expect hehe will
will do
do
well, and isisinclined
well, and inclinedto hisown
to his owninterest,
interest,and
andthe
thewelfare
welfare of
of his
his
country.134"
country.184” Still earlier
earlier ininOctober
October17901790 Collector
Collector George Hatch

130.
130, Collector toto B.
Collector B.O.
0. R
R., 26 January
., 26 January 1801,
1801,BB.O,0,R.
R.P.,
P., 33 Feb,
Feb, 1801,
1801, No.
N o. 7,
P74/25.
131,
131. G. G.
G. G. ininCC,
, totoC.C.D.j
D.77October
October1802,
180,P.P.P.,
P.,SS. C. H,
. C·, if. C., 1831.2,
1831-2, vol.
vol.
XI,
X I. P.
P. 132,
132,
132. Collector
Collector totoB.B.O.0.R.,
R,, 10 Decembcr 1793,
10 December 1793, BB..O0., R.
R. P., 11 April 1794,
11 April 1794,
No.
N o . 9, P53/15.
131. Collectortoto B.
13?. Collector B. 0.
O. R.
R. 30
30 April
April 1793,
1793, 8. R, C.;
B. R. C.; 11
11 April
April 1794,
1794, No,
N o,
7, P53/15,
134,
134. Ilk!.
Ibid.
Revenue Sale
Sale Laws
Laws in
in Operation
Operaton ii'?
11?

reported that
that four
fourwell-qualified
well-qualified teachers
teachers werewere employed
employed to teach
Bengali. “"In
him Persian and Bengali.
him In both
both languages",
languages’’, he he wrote
wrote to
the CourtofofWards,
the Court Wards,‘‘he "he has mademade suitable progress for the
suitable progress the
time
time hehe has
has been
been under
under their
their tuition.·’135
tuition.'135 DuringDuring his his tutelage
tutelage
under
under the Court Court of of Wards
Wards forforthe thesecond
secondtimetimeinin1794,
1794, the
the
Board reported to the Council about his character
Board reported to the Council about his character and ability : and ability
“"In
In justice
justice toto the
the young
young rajah,
rajah, we feel it incumbent upon us to
we feel
declare,
declare, 1st,
1st, that during his his minority,
minority, and and since
since his
his coming
coming of of
age, no
age, noserious
seriouscharges
chargesagainst
against his
his moral
moral character
character havehave ever
ever
come
come to to our knowledge. 2ndly,
our knowledge. 2ndly, thatthat with respect to to his
his
capacity, if we were to judge from the Persian
capacity, if we were to judge from the Persian representations representations
transmitted
transmitted to us, us, weweshould
shouldpronounce
pronounceit above
it abovethethecommon
common
standard.” 136 In the
standard."13° faceofofall
the face all these
these reports
reports to to the
thecredit
credit ofof
the raja,
the the Council’s
raja, the Council's charge
charge of extravagance,
extravagance, incapacity
incapacity and and
lazinessagainst
laziness againsthim himwaswasentirely
entirely unfounded
unfounded and uncharitable.
uncharitable.
fact, his
In fact, his struggle
struggle for for power
power against
against the
theRamkanta
Ramkanta clique
clique
first, andhis
firsthand hisstruggle
strugglefor forsurvival
survivalnextnextleft
lefthim
him little
little room
room for for
being lazy and extravagant.
revealed from
As revealed from the sales table
the sales table the
the Dinajpur
Dinajpur raj was was
reduced from
reduced from the
the third
third largest
largestzamindari
zamindariininBengal
Bengalatat the
the time
time
of the
the permanent settlement to
permanent settlement toaa minor
minor estate,
estate, assessed
assessedatat only
Rs.
Rs. 1340
1340 as as sadar ja m a . But
sadar jaPna. But the last remains
remains of of the estate
estate
after sale were in
sale were in fact much
much bigger
biggerthan
than that
that tiny
tiny figure
figure would
would
Raja Radhanath's
suggest. Raja Radhanath’s wife, rani rani Tripura
TripuraSunduri,
Sunduri, sold
sold all
all
her jewellery
her jewellery and other personal
and other personal properties
properties and
and purchased
purchased
some lots in
some lots in her
her own name.137 Rani
own name.137 Rani Tripura
Tripura Sunduri
Sunduri appo-
appo­
inted hisuncle
inted his uncleSadananda
SadanandaSingh Singhtoto manage
manage thethe estate
estate on
on her
her
Sadananda also
behalf. Sadananda also became
became thethe legal
legal guardian
guardian of her three-
three-
year-old
year- oldadopted
adopted son
son raja Gobindanath. Through
raja Gobindanath. Through private
private negotia-
negotia­
tions
tions Sadananda
Sadananda succeeded
succeeded in in recovering
recovering pargana
pargana Akbarabad
Akbarabad

135. Collector
Collector totoCourt
Court oof
f Wards.
Wards. 20
20 October
October 1790,
1790, C. 0..W
C .O W.. F.,
P., January
January
1791,
1791, P89/56.
136. B. 0.
O. R.
R . to
toG.
G.U.
G.in
inC.,
C .,33January
January 1794,
1794, B R..CC.,
B..R ,, 11
11 April
April 1794.
1794, No,
N o,
88,.Pp53/15.
S 3/15.
137.
137, Collectortoto B.
Collector B. O0,, R.,
R ., ii
11January
January1800.
1800, B. R, P..
0.. R.
B. O P., 14,
14, February
February 1800,
1800,
No.
N o. P7417.
P74/7.
 118
118 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
from its auction
from its auctionpurchasers.
purchasers. The total jama
total jam afl these ma/this
a of all mahals
amounted to Rs.
Rs. 1,60,590
1,60,590 in 1808.138
1808.138

The Nadia
The N adia Raj
R aj
The rajas
The rajas of
of Nadia stood fourth
Nadia stood fourth in
in territorial
territorialpossessions
possessions
at the time
time of
oi the
the decennial
decennial settlement.
settlement. The decennial
decennial assess-
assess­
ment upon
ment upon the zamindari
zamindari was
was based
based onon the
the net
net collections
collections of
of
1195 B. S./1788-9
1195 B. S./1788-9A.A.D., D., the saciar jama
sadar ja m a of the zamindari
zamindari being
being
fixed
fixed at
at S.Rs.
S.Rs.8,54,000k
8,54,000. ThisThis was
was after
after full
full allowance
allowance hadhad
been made for
been made for thethe loss
loss of
of separated
separated tatuqas
taluqas and
and the
the abolition
abolition
of zamindari collectionsunder
zamindari collections under the
the headings
headings ofof Pulbandi
Pulbandi oror
embankments and
embankments and bridges, and sayer. Ever
Ever since
since his
his engage-
engage­
ment,
ment, raja
raja Iswar
Iswar Chandra,
Chandra, who
who was
was only
only eighteen
eighteen years
years old
old
at the time
time of ofhis
his accession
accession in in 1789
1789A.D.,
A.D., was
was struggling
struggling hardhard
to
to pay
pay his revenue punctually,
his revenue punctually. He He however,
however, succeeded
succeeded in in
preserving the zamindar intact up to 1796. In early 1797,
to 1796. 1797, hehe atat
last submitted
submitted to to various
various circumstances
circumstancesthat that had
had been
been operating
operating
him. Huge arrears were
against him. were accumulating every year in in dis-
dis­
charge of
charge of which
whichdifferent
differentparganas
parganas were
were successively
successively putput up
up for
sale both publicly and and privately. The The greater
greater portion
portion of of the
the
zamindari
zamindari had had been sold before he
been sold he died
died in
in 1803.
1803. At the time of
his death
his death the the sadar ja jama
m a of the zamindari
zamindari had hadbeen
been reduced
reduced by
the loss
loss ofof lands
lands toto S.Rs.
S.Rs. 2,35,600
2,35,600 inclusive
inclusive of the lands privately
privately
sold
sold but notnot separated
separated officially.'39
officially.139 In In spite
spite of
of the unlimited
unlimited
power
power vested
vested ininlandholders
landholdersby by Regulation
Regulation7 7ofof 17991799 andand ofof
the general
general recovery
recovery of ofthe
the zamindar classfrom
zamindar class from 1800,
1800, his
his son
and
and successor,
successor, raja raja Girish
Girish Chandra, could not preserve
Chandra, could preserve the
restof
re st of the
the zamindari
zamindari from from ruin.
ruin. TheThe transferof
transfer of the
the zamindari
zamindari
mostly
mostly by by private sale, continued
private sale, until 1813
continued until when the last
1813 when last
portion
portion of of the
the estate
estate was
was sold. The following
sold. The following table
table gives
gives a
picture
picture ofof the process
process of of transfer :

138. Buchanan (Harni

Francis Buchanan I ton),
( H a m ilto n ), AA Geogrophical,
Geographical, Statistical and
and
Historical Description
Historical Descriptionoof Dinajpur, pp
f Dinajpur, pp 247-49,
247-49,
139.
L39. Collector to BB.. O.
Collector to 0. R
R.,
., 28
28 February 1803. B.
February 1803. 13.O,0.RR.. P.,
F., 44 March
March 1803,
1803k

No.
N o. 15,
15, P75/12.
P75/12.
 TABLE 7
TAELF 7:
The Sales
The Sales of
of the
the Nadia Raj
Nadia:Raj

Amount of Amount Dates oof

Dates ,f ■
sadar jama raised sales
ol lands
of by land
land Sources
SOurces
sold sales

Rounded to
Rounded Rounded to
nearest ’ nearest
100 S. Rs. 100 S. Rs,
100 Rs.
69 152
152 22 Nov. 1796 B. 0. 0 . R. P., 11
R . P., 11 Nov. 1796,
1796,
411
411 151
151 2
2 Nov. 1796 No. 21, 21, p73/10
p73/10
544 693
693 24 July 1797
1797 B. B. 0.
0 . R. P., 11 Aug, 1797,
R. P., 1797,
No. 40, p73/22.
No. p73/22.
1262
1262 672 29 July „ ,, B. 0.
O. R.
R. P., 11 Aug. 1797,
P., 11 1797,
No. 1, p73122.
p73/22.
322
322 801
801 10 Aug,
Aug. ,, B. 0.
B. O. R.i?. P.,
P., 18
18 Aug. 1797,
1797,
No. 41,
NO. 41, p73/22.
p73/22.
478 509
509 12 Aug. „ B. 0.
12 ,, O. R.R. P., 22 Aug. 1797,
P ., 22 1797,
36, p73/22.
No. 36, p73/22.
.632
632 459 19 Aug. „ B. 00.. K.
,, P., 29
R, P., 29 Aug. 1797,
1797,
No. 58,
58, p73/22.
p73/22.
. 220
220 291
2)t 55 May. 1798
1798 B B.. 0.
O. R. P., 29
R. P., 29 May. 1798,
1798,;
No. 27,
No. 27, p73/32.
p73/32.
■ 97 172
172 31
31. May. ,,„ B.
B. 00., R.
R. P.,
P., 29 May 1798,,.
1798,.
No. 1,1, p'73/32.
p73/32.
' 359 192
192 66 April 1798 B. R. P., 19
B. 00.. R. 19 April
April 1799,
1799,
No.
No. 7, P73/45.
P73/45.
146 292 17 April ,,„ B. O. 0. R. P., P., 33 May 1799,
1799,
No. 19,
No. 19, P73/46.
P73146.
235 67
67 1 July
1 July ,» B. O.
,, K, P.
0. R. P. 16 JulyJuly 1799,
1799,
No. 62,
No. 62, P73/50.
P73/50.
271
271 19 77 Sept. 1799
19 1799 B.B. 0.
O. R.
R. P., 20 Sept. 1799,
P., 20
No. 1414 P73/52.
P75/52.
 tAA13LE
B L E 77 ((Cont.
Cont. )
Amount of Amount Dates of
sadar jama
jam a raised sales
of lands by land Sources
sold sales
Rounded to Rounded to
nearest neare St
st
100 S. Rs.
Rs, Rs.
100 S. Rs.
523 943 18 July 1801
18 July 1801 B.
B.O0.. R.
R. P.
P. 31
31 July
July 1801,
1801,
No. 48, P74/33.
578 6200 29 29 Dec. 1813B.B.O.0. R.
Dec. 1813 R. P.P. 11 Feb.
Feb. 1814
1814
No.
No. 28, P77/31.
P77/31.
6,14,700 11,31,800

The
The decennial
decennial jamjama
a ofof the
the zamindariRs.
zamindari = Rs.8,54,000
8,54,000
Deduct jam
Deduct jamaa of
of lands
lands publicly
publicly sold
sold
Rs. 6,14,700
6,14,700
Deduct jam
jamaa of lands
lands privately
privately sold
sold
R.
Rs.2,00,000140
2,00,00014°
Remains to the zamindary
zamindary bearing
bearing
annual jama
an annual = Rs. 39,300
39,300_______
How
How is is the
the gradual
gradual destruction
destructionofofthe
the Nadia
Nadiazamindari
zamindari to to be
explained ? The decennial
decennial assessment of the
assessment of the zamindari
zamindari cannot
said to have
be said have been disadvantageous for
particularly disadvantageous
been particularly for the
the
raja, though be
raja, though he strongly
strongly represented
represented that the
the resources
resources of
of
estate were
the estate were unequal
unequal to
to the
the burden imposed. 141 The
burdenimposed. 141 The net
net
collections, not
collections, not the total demand,
demand, ofof1195
119513.S./1788
B.S./1788 A. D. D.
were made
were made the basis of the decennial settlement. Since
collectionswere
these collections were definitely
definitelynotnot made
made byby the
the use of
force, they
they must
must bebeassumed
assumed to have reflected the true
capabilityofof the
capability the estate. Moreover, toto make
estate. Moreover, make thethe assessment
assessment

140.
140. Acting
Acting Secretary's
Secretary’s Report, 25
25 January 1820
1820 B.O 28 January
.R .P ., 28
BO.R.F., January 1818 No.
1818 N o.
90,
90, P
P 80/52.
141, Raja's
141. Raja's petition
petitiontotoB.B.O.0. RL,„ B.
B . R.
R, C.,
C„ 2t
26Oct,
Oct,1191,
1791, No. 4, P52/36,
N o , 4, P52/36,
levenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in OperatIon
Operation 1i
121

more
more moderate,
moderate, aa deduction
deduction ofof Rs.
Rs. 14,000 from the collections
14,000 from collections
of 1195 was allowed
1195 was allowed to the raja.142
raja.142 What is is more
more important,
important,
after the
the dissolution
dissolution of the zamindari, the raja -himself himself
confessed
confessed inin 1817,
1817, possibly
possiblyononreligious
religious consideration,
consideration,that that raja
Iswar Chandra
Iswar Chandra hadhad concealed
concealed2,66,493
2,66,493bighas
bighas of of lands
lands capable
capable
of yielding about one lakh of rupees annually,
annually, fromfrom the
thedecennial
decennial
assessment.143 The benefits
assessment.143 derived from
benefits derived from public
publicconcession
concession
fraudulent concealment,
and fraudulent concealment, mustmust have
have made
madethe the ja
jama
m a very
very
moderate. -This
Thiswas
wasalso
alsotestified
testifiedto tobyby
thethevery
veryhigh
high rate
rate of
of
sales of
sales ofhis
hislands
landswhich
whichwere
weresold
soldononanan average
average at at eighteen
eighteen
years ofpurchase
years of purchaseatatthe
the usual
usual rate
rate ofof 1010 p.
p. c. profit On
c. profit on the
sadar
sa dar jam a.1**
jama.144
But
But though
though the
the zamindari
zamindari was
was justly
justly assessed,
assessed, raja
raja Iswar
Iswar
Chandra wasnever
Chandra was never free
free from
from the
the evils
evils of
of frequent
frequent natural
natural
Immediately after the decennial
calamities. Immediately decennial settlemant
settlemant inin 1791,
1791,
the
the standing
standing winter
winter crops were scorched
crops were scorched by by long
long drought.
drought.
The
The drought
drought also
also vitiated
vitiated the prospects
prospects of ofthe
the next
next rabi
rabi or
or
post winter -crops.145
crops.146 In In recognition
recognition of of the
the heavy
heavy losses
losses of
of
the raja, the government
government gave him some relief
him some relief by
by allowing
allowing him
him
a revenue suspension
suspension for 50,000
50,000 rupees making
making the the sum
sum payable
payable
by
by small
small instalments spreading over
instalments spreading over aa number
number of of years.146
years.146
Hardly had
Hardly had hehe recovered
recovered from
from the
the losses
losses of the
the drought
drought ofof 1791
1791
when another drought
when another drought visited
visited his
his district
district in
in 1793.
1793. In conse
conse­
quenee
quence ofof these
these successive
successive droughts
droughts many
many ryots
ryots particularly
particularly
the paikasht
the paikasht oror non-resident
non-residentryotsryots ran away.147
away,147 The govern.
govern­
ment
ment again
again granted
granted aa suspension
suspension forfor Rs.
Rs. 67,954 rupees.148

142. Collector's
Collector’s Settlement
Settlement Report, 20 October 1791,1791, B.B . R. C., 29 October
R, C.,
1791, NNo.
1791. 14, P52/36,
o. 14,
143. B. O.
143, B. 0. R.
R . to
to G.
G. G.
G. ia
io C.,
C., 23
23 May B. R.
1817, B.
May 1817, R. C., June 1817,
C., 27 June No,
1817, N o . 2,
2,
P.
p . 57f11,
57/11, para 1.1.
144. See,
144, Se T Table
able 7.
7.
145. Collector
Collector to to B.
B. 0,
O, R-, October 1791,
R , 20 October 1791, 8. October 1791,
C., 28 October
B. R. C.,
No,
N o. 4. F52/36.
p52/36.
G. G.
146. G, G. in
inC.'s
C. ’sResolution,
R esolution, B. R- C,,
B. R. April 1793,
C „ 55 April 1793, NNo,o . 44, p5311.
P 53/1.
147. Colketor
Collector toto B.B. O,
0, R,,
R „ 22 February 1793,
3 793, B.
B. R C ., 22 February 1793,
R,. C,, 1793,
No.
N o. 5,
5, P52/55.
P52/5S.
148. Ibid.
Ibid.
122 Permanent
iPermanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

In spite
spite olof these
these suspensions,
suspensions,the the raja’s
raja's outstanding
outstanding arrears to
government
government were were increasing
increasing every
every year.
year. In In May
May 1794,1794, his his
accumulated
accumulated arrearsarrears amounted
amounted to to Rs,
Rs, 1,90,092
1,90,092 for for which
which he he
had been paying
had been paying interest
interest at the rate
rate ofof 12
12p. p. c.c. on
on the
the arrears.L49
arrears.149
Two years
Two years later, the unlucky raja raja experienced
experienced another
calamity. GreatGreat masses
masses of of ryots
ryots fledfled from
from the the district.
district. ButBut
this
this time
time the raja raja waswas deprived of of thethe liberality of of thethe
government. In spite of the
spite of the petitions
petitions from from the the raja,
raja, and the
ryots and
ryots and the
the favourable
favourable recommendation
recommendation from from the the Collector,
Collector,
no suspension was granted granted to to him
him for for the reasons that
the reasons
the raja was already
already in in huge
huge arrears
arrears toto government
government and and further
suspension was
suspension liable to endanger
was liable endanger the thesecurity
securityofofthe thepublic
public
revenue. AfterAfter one one year's
year’s respite, the district was was again
again
devastated by
devastated by successive inundations for
successive inundations for three
three years years fromfrom
the monsoon
monsoon of 1797.1797. Raja Raja Iswar Chandra
Chandra pitiablypitiably expressed
expressed
his helplessness
his helplessnessand andinability
inabilitytoto pay
pay the the public
public revenue.
revenue. On
his petition
petition for help the Collector recommended :: "The
Collector recommended “ The raja's
raja’s
representation
representation that that hishis country
countryhas hassuffered
sufferedfrom frominundation
inundation
three
three years
years successively
successively is perfectly correct,
is perfectly correct, but but as the the one
one
which
which happened
happened last seasonseason waswas the
the severest
severest ever everremembered
remembered
by the
by the most
most aged
aged people
people in in the
the district.·..” 150 The Board Board
suspended only
suspended only Rs.
Rs. 3,500
3,500on onaccount
accountofof his his losses
losses from from inunda-
inunda­
tion for
tion for the
the last
last three
threeyears,101
years.'5'
It is thus evident that since
evident that since his
his decennial
decennial engagement
engagement raja raja
Iswar
Iswar Chaxdra
Chandra Roy Roy of NadiaNadia hadhad rarely
rarely been been freefree from
from the the
destructions
destructions of of natural calamities. Within
natural calamities. Within ten years years of of the:
the
decennialsettlement,
decennial settlement,his hisdistrict
districtwaswasvisited
visitedby by either
either drought
drought
or inundation
inundation or or both
both atat least
least six times. The
six times. The inevitable
inevitable resultresult
was the evergrowing indebtednessof
evergrowing indebtedness ofthe
the raja.
raja. The government's
government’s

149. CollectortotoB.B.O,
Collector 0, RR.., 30 September 1796,
30 September 1796, B.
B. O.
0. R,
R. P.,
P., 77October
October1796;
1796,
28-29, PP73/9.
N os. 28-29,
Nose 73/9,
150. Nadia CCollector
Nadia ollector totoB.
B.O0,. RR..
„ 21 July 1800;
21 July 1800, B. 0.O. fl.
R. P.,
P., 25
25 July
July 1800,
1800,
No.
N o. 43,
43, Pp74/14.
74/14.
151,
151. B. 0.. R.
B. O R. to Collector,
CoIlector 2525 July
July 1800, B.O.0. R,
1800, B. R,P.,
P., 25
25July
July 1800,
1800, NNo.o . 46,
46,
P74/14,
1'74114,
leveriue Sale
Revenue LawsininOperation
Sa le Laws Operaoii 123
partial suspension
partial suspension of of revenue
revenue demand
demand at times
times ofofcalamities
calamities
never approached
approached the the real deficiencies causedby
deficiencies caused by those disasters.
disasters.
The balances
The balances ofof the
thedeficiencies
deficiencies were
were made
madeupupbybyborrowing
borrowing
money
money at at high
high rates
rates of of interest,
interest. Thus consequent
consequent uponupon the
drought of
drought of 1791,
1791, raja lawar Chandra borrowed
Iswar Chandra borrowed Rs. Rs 80,000
80,000 from
Joseph and
Messrs. Joseph
Messrs, and Lewis
Lewis Baretto,
Baretto, Rs.
Rs, 25,000
25,000 fromfrom Durga
Durga
Chandra
Chandra Mukherji,
Mukherji, Rs. Rs. 20,000
20,000 from
from Durpnarayan
Durpnarayan Babu, Babu,Rs.Rs*
10,000 from
10,000 from Jagadish
Jagadish Chowdhuri
Chowdhuri and andRs.Rs.10,000
10,000fromfromRam-
Ram -
lochon Babu.153
lochon Babu. 152,All Allthese
thesemenmen were
were bankers
bankers and
and money lenders
of Calcutta. In In addition
addition to to all
all these
these debts, the raja
debts, the raja inherited
inherited
a huge debt of
huge debt of about about twotwo andand half
half lakhs
lakhs of of rupees
rupees from
his
his father, raja Krishna
father, raja Krishoa Chandra.153
Chandra*15 a He He was
was alsoalso to
to pay
pay
Rs,
Rs, 64,000
64,000 to to his
fais servants,
servants, who who were
were retrenched
retrenched due duetoto his
his
reduced circumstances.lSt
reduced circumstances.154
It is therefore certain that the outstanding debt
of
of the
the raja
raja when
when he
heengaged
engaged himself
himself for the parmanent
settlement amounted
settlement amounted to to Rs.
Rs* 4,54000
4,54000 precisely,
precisely, exclusive
exclusive ofof
their cumulative
their interests. In
cumulative interests. Id other
other words,
words, more
more than
than half
half
of his
his estate
estatewaswasmortgaged
mortgagedtotohis hiscreditors.
creditors.The
Thesubsequent
subsequent
repeated calamities
repeated calamitiesmust must have
have increased
increasedhis his burden
burden of debt
debt
so
so much
much so so that
that he,
he, at last
lastsuccumbed
succumbed to tohis
his circumstances
circumstances
1797. In
in 1797. In his
his desperate
desperate efforts to save
efforts to save the family,
family, he
he
visited Calcutta
visited Calcutta and tried to influence
and tried all the
influence all the possible
possible pur-
pur­
chasers
chasers of his zamindari not
his zamindari not to come
come and
and bidbid for his lands
for his
at auctions.155
auctions.155 ButBut such
such efforts
efforts was
was nothing
nothing butbut aadrowning
drowning

152.
152,See, raja
See, raja Iswar
Iswar Chandra
Chandra ίο to B.
B. 0. R ., I1 December
O. B.., December 1792, 1792, B,13,O.0. R. P,,
P,t
21 December
21 December1792 1792 (noDumber).
( ao number).P72/10
P72(10; ;same
sametoto B*13.0.
O. B..,
R ., 2 March
March
1792, B.
1792, B. O0.. R.
R. P,,
P„55March
March1792 1792 (no
(no number), P 7 1 /5 0 , same to B.O.R.,
number), P71150 B.O.R.»
5 February 1792,
1792, B>B, O.0. R.
R, P.,
P 14 14August
Augtut 1792
1792 (no number,)
number,) P72/6.
P72/6.
153. See, raja
raja lswar
Iswar Chandra
Chandra to to B.B· 0. R ., 20
O. B.., October 1791,
20 October 1791, 13.
B. R.R. CC.,.t
28
28 October 1791. No,
1791 „ N o , 4, P52/36 ; Ramratan Tagore
4, P52/36 T agore to B, B#0,
O,B..,
R .. 30
30 June
June
1790, B,
B. R
R.. C.,
a 9 99 July
July 1790,
1790, N o. 11
No. 11, P52
P52/14.
114.
154. Raja Iswar Chandra
154, Chandra to to BB.. O.
0. B..,
R „ 20 October
October 1791,
1791,B. B.R-R.C.*
C., 28
28 October
1791.
1791, No.
Mo. 4,
4, P 52/36,
P 52)36,
155, Collector to
155, Collector to B. O,0. B.,,
R„ 24 24 Junc 1797, B,
June 1791, B. O. P.* 44 July
R> F.,
0. R. July 1797,
1797, No.N o , 21,
21,
P73/21.
124 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

man's hope
man’s hope to to survive
survive byby catching
catching at aa straw.straw. From 1797
parganas after
parganas after parganas
parganas were
were putput up upfor
for sale
sale to
to recover
recover the
the
arrears of public
arrears public revenue.
revenue. Many
Many mahals
mahals were
were also
also sold
sold privately
privately
by the
by the raja
rajabybywaywayofof paying
paying off
off his
his private debts.156 The
private debts.156
sale was
sale was temporarily stopped by
temporarily stopped by his death
death in 1803.
1803. At the
time
time ofof his
hisdeath,
death,his
hissonson
and
andsuccessor,
successor,raja
rajaGirish
Girish Chandra
Chandra
Roy was
Roy was only
only sixteen
sixteen years
years old. Hence the zamiadari
old. Hence zamindari was
was
placed under
placed underthetheCourt
CourtofofWards,
Wards,tilltillhe
heattained
attainedhishis nineteenth
year, during
during which
which time the estate,
estate, according
according to the Regulations,
Regulations,
was not
was not liable
liable to
to be
be sold
sold for arrears.157
arrears.157

At the
At the time
time of the the death
death of rajaraja Iswar ChandraChandra the
government demand
government demand on on the
the estate was reduced
reduced to to S.Rs.
S.Rs. 2,35,581
2,35,581
inclusive of
inclusive of the lands
lands privately
privately soldsold byby thethe raja
raja but
but not
not
yet separated
yet separated from
from thethe parent
parentestate.15
estate.15 88 Thus, when when Girish
Chandra
Chandra tooktook over
over the
the management
management of of the
the zamindari
zamindari fromfrom
the Court
the Court of Wards
Wards in 1805, his
in 1805, his zamindari,
zamindari, excluding
excluding thethe
paid aa little
sales, paid
private sales,
private little more
more than
than twotwo lakhs
lakhs ofof rupees
rupees
as government
as governmentrevenue.
revenue.We Weare,are,however,
however,ininthe the dark
dark asas to
the total
the total liabilities that were
liabilities that were passed
passed over
over toto him.
him. But But it is
quite
quite certain that the
certain that the endebted
endebted condition
condition of of the zamindari
-further
further increased during his
increased during his regime. Every year
regime. Every year one
one or other
pargana was
pargana was sold
soldprivately
privatelyinin satisfaction
satisfaction of of family
family debts.'5°
debts.169
last it dwindled
At last
At dwindled to toaavanishing
vanishing point
point in
in 1813 whenwhen Pargana
Okra was sold to pay his creditors.180
creditors.16°

156.
156. Collector to B B.. O.
0. R 22 December 1802, B
., 22
R.. B.. O.
0. R. P., 28 December
R. P.,
1802, NNoo 41,
1802, 41, P75/7, also see,
P75/7. also see. Acting Secretary's Report,
Acting Secretary’s Report, 25 January
1828,
182B, NNoo 9O .P80/52.
90.PS0/52.

157.
137. Collector toB.
to B . O.
0. RL. 29 June 1803, B. O.
,, 29 P ., 5 July 1833,
0. R. P., N o. 72,
183, No. 72,
P 75/16,
P75/16,
158. Collector to
15L to B,
B, O.
0. R.,
It, 28
28 Feb. 1803, B.O
Feb. 1803, .R.P., 4 March 1802,
B.O.R,P., 1802. No.
N o. 15,
15,
1*75/12,
P75/12.

159. B . O.
159. B. R,, to G.
0. R G. G.
G. in
in C, 21 Jan. 1814,
C. 21 1814, B.
B. RR.
. C.,
C.. 12
12FFeb.
eb. 1814,
1814, N o. 2,
No. 2,
P56/13.
P56/13.

160.
160. B .O0.
B. . It,
R-, to
t o GG.. GG.
. in
in C.,21 1814, B.
C.21 Jan. 1814, B.R.
R.C,
C,1212 Feb.
Feb. 1814,
1814, NNo.
o. 2,
2,
P56/13.
P56/13.
Revenue Sale
Sale Laws in Operation 125

After
A fter the
the total
totalruin
ruinofofthethezamindari,
zamindari, the the mother
mother and and the
wife of
wife of raja
rajaGirish
GirishChandra
Chandraappealed
appealed to to Lord Moiratoto return
Lord Moira return
Pargana Okra
Pargana Okra to theirtheir family
family on on the
the grounds
grounds thatthatraja
rajaGirish
Girish
Chandra was
Chandra was misled
misled by by his
his chief
chief officers,
officers. They complained
complained
that raja
raja Girish
GirishChandra
Chandrawas imbecile.161 His
was imbecile.16' His evil
evil advisors,
advisors,
such
such as,as,Ramlochon
RamlochonBanerji Banerji andand Tarini
Tarini Banerji,
Banerji, according
according to to
them, encouraged him to maintain the life style of
his great ancestors
his ancestors by borrowed
borrowed money.182 The The twotwo ranis
ranis
submitted
submitted that they collusively causedthe
collusively caused the zamindari
zamindaritoto be sold sold
and boughtititininthemselves
and bought themselvesininthe thenames
namesofoftheirtheir relations
relations at at
a low rate.163
rate.168
Though fraud
. Though fraudon on the
the part
part of of the
thezamindari am le was
zamindari ainla was aa
common
common featurefeature in in our
our period,
period, there
there is a good deal of
good deal of doubt
doubt
as to
as to the
the validity
validity of of the
the main
main contention
contention of ofthetheranis
ranis that the 1he
zamindari was was sold
sold duedue toto the
the treachery
treachery of of the
the Banerjis.
No such allegation
No such allegation camecamefromfrom either
either the rajaraja oror Collector
Collector or
from any independent
independent man man like Babu Rain
like Babu Ram of of Dinajpur.
Besides, some
Besides, some contents
contentsofoftheirtheirpetition
petitionsuggest
suggestthat that the
the two
two
ranis werewere blissfully
blissfully ingnorant
ingnorant of the the state
stateof ofaffairs
affairs ofof the
the
zamindari. They
zamindari, They wrote
wrote inin the
the petition
petition that,
that, when
whenrajaraja Girish
Girish
Chandra came
Chandra came of ofage,
age,the
the zamindari
zamindari paid paidtenten lakhs
lakhs of of rupees
rupees
as
as revenue
revenue and and that
that the
the pargana
pargana Okra,Okra, thethe last
last vestige
vestige of of
the
the estate,
estate, was
was sold
sold at at a low
low rate.184
rate.184 In fact,
In fact, the
the pargana
pargana
Okra that bore aa jam jarnaa of Rs, 57,800 was sold for
Rs. 6,20,000.les
Rs, 6,20,000.185 Such Such aa high rate of sale sale was
was indeed
indeed unexampled
unexampled
in Bengal
Bengalatat thatthat time.
time. Their
Their utter ignorance
ignorance of the the actual
actual
size
size ofof the
the zamindari
zamindari in their their own
own time
time andand ofof the
the current
current

161. Raja's mother

161» Raja’s mother J3ishawmoi
Bishawmoi and and his wife
wife Pitambarj's
Pitambari’s petition to Lord
petition to Lord
Moira, B.B- R. C..., 15
R .C 15 January
January 1814,
1814, No.
N o. 25,
25, P56/12.
P56/12.
162. The two
T h e tw rani'3petition
o rani’s petitiontotoLord
LordMMoira,
oira, B.B. R. C.,
B .C .. 15
15 Jan. 1814, N
Jan. 1814, No.
o.
25, P56/12.
25,
163.
163. Ibid.
Ibid.

164. The tworani’s

The two rani'spetition
petitiontoto Lord
Lord MMora,
oira, B. R. C. 15
B. R. 15 January 1814,
1814, NO.
NO.
25, p56/12.
25, P56/12.
B, 0.
165. B. O. R. P., 11 February
R . 1'.. February 1814, No,
18 14, N o , 28,
28, P77/31,
P77/31.
126 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal
market value
market value of land
land suggest
suggest that
thatthetheharem
haremororfemale female apart-
apart­
ments of
ments of the
the family
family hadhad been
been kept secluded from
kept secluded from the affairs
affairs
of
of the
the zamindari,
zamindari, and and that
that they
they got
got information
information about about thethe
zamindari
zamindari in in the form
form ofofgossip. The two
gossip. The two ranis,
ranis, themselves
themselves
disclosed
disclosed thatthat they
they were
were always
always assured
assured by by thetherajaraja that
that the
zamindari was
zamindari was increasing fast under under hishismanagement.
management. But
they came
they cametotolearn
learnininoneone morning
morningtoto their
their dismay
dismay that that the
whole zamindari
whole zamindari was was sold. They thus
sold. They thus wrote
w r o t e to
toLord
Lord Moira
Moira :
"Your excellency
“Your excellency may mayform
formaafaint
faint idea
idea of of our
ourconsternation
consternation
and dismay
and dismay on on being
being informed this day
informed this day that
that fromfrom the the highest
highest
pinnacle
pinnacle ofof happiness,
happiness, affluence
affluenceandandprosperity
prosperitywe we were
were in a
moment reduced
moment reduced to to misery
misery and
and the
the extremity of actual actual indigence
indigence
that
that the
the raj
raj had
had become extinct, that
become extinct, that instead
instead of of itit having
having
increased that itit had
increased that had from
from neglect
neglect and
and attending
attending evil evil minded
minded
and interested advisors
and interested advisors beenbeen allowed
allowed notnot only
only totoaccumulate
accumulate
debt
debt but
but incur
incur balance
balance of of revenue,
revenue, from
from the the liquidation
liquidation of of
which
which itit had
had been
been actually
actually disposed
disposed ofofatat public
publicsale sale on
on the
the 16
16
poose last,’,lee
last,"16°

The two
The tworanis
raniswere
were probably right in
probably right in their allegation
allegation that
raja
raja Girish
Girish Chandra attempted to
Chandra attempted to uphold
uphold the
the glorious
glorious but
but
expensive family
expensive family tradition
tradition of the patronage of arts and and literature.
It is clear that
is clear that his
his father
father Iswar
Iswar Chandra
Chandra waswas forced
forced to sell sell
landsbecause
lands becauseofofhis his inherited
inherited debts
debts and
and of
of new
new debts
debts that
that
were accumulated
accumulated in in consequence
consequence of of repeated
repeated natural
naturalcalamities.
calamities.
But no
But nonatural
natural calamity
calamityvisited
visited Nadia
Nadia during
during the
the regime
regime of
Girish Chandra. Given Given minimum
minimum attention
attention to thethe zatnindari
zamindari
management,
management, the the estate was very
estate was very likely
likely to
to bring
bring himhim consi-
consi­
derable
derable surplus
surplus profits. But nothing
profits. But nothing happened.
happened. EveryEvery year
year
he sold
sold lands
lands to
to pay
pay off his private
off his private debts. strange that
debts. It is strange
though
though immersed
immersed in in debt,
debt, he built aa newnewcapital
capitalatataadistance
distance
of two
of two miles
miles from
from the Rajbari, and
the Rajbari, and made
made it "the
‘‘the seat
seat ofof

66.
1166, The two ranis'
The two ranis’ petition
petition toto Lord B. R.
Lord Moira, B. R. C,,
C„ 15 January
January 18[4,
1814,
N
N.o .25,
25, P56/12.
P56/12. :
 Revenue Sale Laws in Operation 127

luxury resonant
resonant with
withmusic,"167
music,” 107 In imitation
imitation of his illustrious
great grandfather
grandfather raja
raja Krishnachandra
Krishnachandra Roy,
Roy, he
he invited
invited poets,
poets,
singers, dancers
dancers and
and eulogists over Bengal
eulogists from all over Bengal and and
Hindustan to
Hindustan to his new Sriban, The famous
new palace, called Sriban. famous
early
early nineteenth
nineteenth century
century Bengali
Bengali poet
poetKrishnakanta
Krishnakanta Badhuri
Badhuri
was his
was his court poet,168 Kartic
court poet.'88 Kartic Chandra
Chandra Roy
Roy who
whowas
was aa diwan
diwan
of
of the
the Nadia
Nadia family
family in mid nineteenth
in mid nineteenth century
century wrote
wrote that
that
raja Girish
raja Chandra was
Girish Chandra was so
so hixurious
luxurious and
and pompous in his
pompous in his
living that he
living that henever
never abandoned
abandonedhis hisroyal
royal life
life style
style even
even after
after
he lost
he lost the
the whole
wholeofof his zamindari, Once he
zamindari. Once he visited
visited Calcutta
Calcutta
in 1817
1817 to toexpress
expresssome
some of of his grievances
grievances to tothe
theBoard.
Board. He
took with
took withhima
him a great
great number
number of
of followers
followers consisting
consisting ofof armed
armed
guards,
guards, teachers,
teachers, pundits,
pundits, family
family members,
members, etc.etc. To raise the
cost, pargana
cost, pargana Modarsa
Modarsa near
near Calcutta
Calcutta had
had to
to be
be sold,169
sold.'
The
The two
two ran petition to
is petition
ranis to Lord
LordMoira
Moirafor forthe
therestoration
restoration
of pargana
of pargana Okra
Okra on the the ground
ground ofofcollusive
collusivesale
sale was
was sent
sent to
the Board of Revenue
Revenue for for their review.
review. TheThe Board,
Board, reviewing
reviewing
the
the whole
whole affair
affair of
of thethezamindari,
zamindari, wrote
wrote totothetheCouncil
Council that
that
pargana Okra
Okra was
was not
not sold
sold in in liquidation
liquidation of
of the
the arrears
arrears of public
public
demand as
demand as observed
observed by by the
the ranis, The Thepargana
parganawaswassold
sold in
satisfaction of court
satisfaction court decrees
decrees against
against the raja's
raja’s creditors.'7°
creditors.170
The Board
The Board observed
observed that that "the‘'the dissolution
dissolution ofofthethezemindarri
zemindarri
was unavoidable,
unavoidable, asas itit isis notorious
notorious that it is is so involved
involved in
in debt
debt
that nothing
nothing short
short ofofsale salecould
couldanswer
answerthethedemands
demands against
against
it.»’171

167. Kissory Chand

Kissory Chand Mitra:
Mitra s “"The
T he Territorial Aristocracy of
o f Bengal,
The Nadia
The Nadia Raj", Calcutta Review.
Raj’% Calcutta Review, vol. 55, 1872,
vol. 55, 1872, p.114,
p. 114,
168. Life of
o f Krishna Kanta
K am aBadhuri,
Badhuri,pp.1-2,
pp.1-2, Vern.
Vern, Tract.
Tract. 1461.
169 Kartic
Kartic Chandra
Chandra Roy,R oy,Kijitish
Khltish Bansaball Charita (Bengali
Bansabali Charita text)) Vern.
( Bengali text Vern,
Tract 1885,
Tract 185, p.p. 173.
175.
B. O.
170 B. 0. R.
R. to
to G.
G. G.
G .in
inC.,
C.,21
21January
January 1814,
1814, para 2,
2, B.
B. R. C., 12
R. C., 12 February
February
1814, N
1814, No.
o, 2, P56/13.
P 56/13.
171 ibid., para,
Ibid., pare. 4,
4,
128 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
inBengal
Bengal
T h e Birbhum
The Birbhum Raj
R aj
Among the great
great zamindaris
zamindaris of
of Bengal
Bengal only
only one, the
the Birbhum
Birbhum
raj,
raj, was
was held by a Muslim
held by Muslim family, and unlike all others
family, and others
excepting
excepting the the Bishnapur
Bishnapur raj,raj, itit was
was practically
practically an independent
independent
principality up
principality 1760. In 1770,
up to 1760. 1770, raja Asad-uzZaman
Asad-uz-Zaman Khan Khan
Birbhum was
of Birbhum was defeated
defeatedand and subdued
subdued by the the combined
combined troops
troops
of the Nawab
Nawab and of of the
theCompany Bahadur.172 Since
Company Bahadur.172 then the
Since then
BirbhumRaj
Birbhum Rajwas
wastreated
treatedon onthe
thefooting
footingofof all
all other
other zamindars
zamindars
of Bengal. Raja Asad-uz-Zaman
Asad-uzZaman Khan Khan died
died in
in September
September17881788
after
after aa long
long rule
ruleofofforty-five
forty-five years.
years, HeHe waswas succeeded
succeeded byby
his minor
his minor son,son, raja Muhammad
Muhammad Zaman Zaman Khan. During During hishis
minority
minority thethezamindari
zamindariwas wasmanaged
managedby by diwan
diwan Lal Lai Ramnath.
Ramnath.
In January
In 1790raja
January 1790 raja Zaman
Zaman KhanKhan attained
attained hishis sixteenth
sixteenth year
year
and wasinvested
and was investedwith
with the management
management of of the
thezamindari.'73
zamindari.173
In may 1791,
1791, the decennial settlement was wasconcluded
concluded with
with him.
him.
The jama of the
jam a of the zamindari
zamindari after
after all deductions
deductions on on account
account of
resumed and
sayer resumed
sayer and taluqas
taluqas separated,
separated, was fixed fixed at S.S. Rs.
Rs.
6,30,628.174
From the very
From very beginning
beginning of
of the
thedecennial
decennial settlrnent
settlment raja
raja
Muhammad Zaman Khan found difficulty
Muhammad Zaman in paying
difficulty in paying the revenues
punctually. In anticipation
anticipation of
of future solvency, he at
solvency, he at first
tried to pay
tried pay his
his outstanding
outstanding balances
balances ofof public
public revenue
revenue byby
mortgaged loans. But that solvency
solvency never
never came. Hence, sales
came. Hence,
of his historic
of his historic estate
estate bega
begana where
where the
the possibility
possibility of of making
making
further loans
further ended. In December
loans ended. December 1795,
1795, he he had had the first
experience of transfer. Since then the
Since then theprocess
process of of disintegration
disintegration
continued till the
continued till the last
last pargana
pargana waswassold
soldininliquidation
liquidation ofof the
the
arrears of public
arrears public revenue
revenue in in December
December 1800.
1800. The following
table would illustrate thethe rapid
rapid dismemberment
dismemberment of of his
hiszamindari.
zamindari.

172. A Broome, history

Historyof
o fthe
therise
riseand
andprogress
progress of
o fthe
the Bengal
Bengal Army, Vol.
Vol. 1, pp.
3319-20.
1 9 -2 0 .
173.
173. G.
G. 0.
G.ixinC'sC’sResolution,
Resolution,1313January
January1790,
1790, B.B.R.R.C., 13 Januaiy
C.,13 January1790,
1790, No.
N o.
4. P51/55.
P51/55.
174. Collector's SettlementRReport
Collector's Settlement to B
eport to B.. 0.
Q.R.,
R .,292May .1791,
9 M ay .1791,B.B.R.R.C.,
C.,17
17
June
June 179!,
1791, No.
N o . 16,
1δ, P52/26.
P32/26,
 TABLE
TABLE 88
The Sales
The Sales of
of the
the Birbham
Birbhum Raj
Raj

Amount Amount
Amount Dates
Dates of
of
of sadar raised
raised sales
sales
jama of
jama bybyland
land Sources of information
lands sold
sold sales
sales
Rounded
Rounded to Rounded to
nearest nearest
100 S.
100 S. Rs, 100 S. Rs,
Rs.
88 17 1616 Dec.
Dec. 1795
1795 B.B. 0.
O. R. P., 29 Dec.
R. P., Dec. 1795,
1795,
P72/50,
No. 41, P72/50.
291 851 1 Jan,Jan. 1796
1796 B.
B. 0.
O. R. P., 12 Feb. 1796,
R. P., 1796,
P73/1.
No. 33, P73/i.
1349 1253 3 Apr. 1797
1797 B.B. O.R.
O.R. P., 14 April 1797,
P., 14 1797,
No.
No, 13, P73/18.
P73/18.
342 292 13 Apr. ,,„ B. R. P., 21 April
0. R.
B. O. April 1797,
1797,
13 P73118
No. 13 P73/18
166 92 17 June ,,„ B. B. 0
0.. R. P., 27 June 1797,
R . P., 1797,
No. 37, P73/20.
P73/20.
718 1138 2727 Apr. 1798
1798 B. 0. R. P.,27 April.
0 . R. April. 1798,
1798,
App. C,C, P73/31.
P73/31.
411 281 1 May „,, B. O.
B. 0. R. 18 May 1798,
P., 18
R. P.,
App. C, P73/32.
P73/32,
113 103 1 May „,, B, R. P., 18
O. R.
B.0. 18 May
May 1798,
1798,
App, B,,
B„ P73/32,
P73/32,
132 42 2 JuneJune ,, B, O
B. P., 19
.R , P.,
0.R. 19 June
June 1798,
1798,
App. B. P73/33.
P73/33.
211 132 7 June ,. B. 0. R
B. O. R., p.,
P., 31
31 July 1798,
1798,
D„ P73/34.
App. D.,
66 52 33 Sept „,, B.
B. O.
0. R.R. P., 21 Sept. 1798,
P., 21 1798,
App. D„
App. P73/34.
D,, P73/34.
17 19 1 July „ ,, B, O,
B, 0, R R,. P., 30
30 July,
July. 1799,
1799,
App. A., P73/50,
App. P73/50,
-4 3 19
3 19 Oct.
Oct, ,, B, 0. R
B, O. R,, P., 11Nova.
Nov* 1799,
1799,
No, 60,
No. 60, P74/2.
P74/2,
3 2 7 Dec.Dec. ,,„ B. B. 0.
0 . 1?.
R. P.,
P. 1515 Aug.
Aug. 1800,
1800,
App. B, P74/23.
P74/23,
298 151 20 & 30 Dec. B.O.R.P., 31 March
Dec. B.0,R.P., March 1801,
1801,
1800 P74/41.
App. A, P74/41.
4,14,900 4,42,800
9-
9—
 130 Permanent Settlement in Bengal

The decennial
The decennial jjama
a m a ofof the
the zamindari
zamindari was
was S.Rs,6,30,638.
S.Rs,6,30,638.
The amount
The amount of of jama
j a m a ofof lands publicly sold
lands publicly sold asas illustrated
above amounted
above amounted to S.Rs,S.Rs. 4,14,900. The remaining
4,14,900. The remaining portion
portion of
the property
property of of Zaman
Zaman Khan,Khan,must
must have
have been
been sold
sold privately
privately
by him,
by him, since
since we
we knowknow fromfrom the
the Collector's
Collector’s report
report that
that by
by
November
November 1801, 1801, raja
raja Muhammad
Muhammad Zaman Zaman Khan
Khan waswas entirely
entirely
divested of
divested estate.175 The
of his estate.175 The Collector
Collector noted
noted that thethe raja
raja
possessedonly
possessed onlyone
onepargana,
pargana, namely
namely Deogarh,
Deogarh, the government
government
jjama
a m a of
of which
which was
was only
only S.S. Rs.
Rs. 15,172.176
15,172.178
Several factors
Several factorswere
wereresponsible
responsiblefor forthe
theruin
ruin of
of the
the Birbhum
Birbhum
Raj. The
The most
most important
important factor
factor was
was the treachery of
the treachery of the
zamindari amla.
zamindari Before we
a m la . Before we speak
speak of of the
the treachery
treachery of of the
the
amla
a m la it is imperative
imperative to to say
saysomething
something about
about thethe raja's
raja’sownown
ability to control them. Firstly, the raja took took over the the manage.
manage­
ment
ment of the the zamindari
zamindari in in 1790,
1790, when
when he hewaswasstill
stillaaminor.
minor.
his date of birth was never
As his
As never recorded,
recorded, the the collector
accepted the
accepted the statement
statement submitted
submitted by by hishis legal guardian.
guardian, diwan diwan
Ramnath.177 But.the raja himself
Ramnath.177 himself disclosed
disclosed later in in 1795
1795
that the
that the diwan
diwan mademade aa false
false statement
statement about
about hishis age
age just
just in
in
order toto to
order to get
get rid
ridofofthe
the authority
authority of of the
the Court
Court of Wards.'
Wards.1?8
As
As aa teenager
teenager he hehadhad not
not only
only thethe disadvantage
disadvantage of of the
the lack
lack
administrative experience
of administrative experience but but also
also had
had the problem
problem of of lack
lack of
of
education. He He did
did not
not even
even know
know howhow to read
read andand write.179
write.179
His handicap
handicap accrued
accrued from his youth
from his youth and
and illiteracy
illiteracy waswas further
augmented
augmented by by hishis inclination
inclination for women rather rather thanthan for
management. Besides
zamindari management.
zamindari Besides nine
nine wives,
wives, he had had numerous
numerous
concubines
concubines and and slave
slave girls
girls in
inhis
his harem.
harem. Once Commissioner
Commissioner

173.
175. Collector to B.
B. 0.
O .R..
R .,2424Nov.
N ov,1801, II. O.
1801, B. 0. R.
R, P.,
P ., 15
15 Dec.
Dec. 1801, No.
1801, N o . 25,
25,
P74/39,
176.
176. Ibid.
177. Collectortoto 0.
Collector G. G.
G. in C.,
in C ., 99 Ccl,
C ct,195,
1/95,B,B.R.R.C.,
C .,9 Oct. 1795,
9 Oct. 1795,No.
N o . 21,
21,
P53/36.
i7.
17·'. Ibid.
179. Collector to G. G.
Collector to G. In
in C.,
C.,9 9Oct.
Oct.1793,
1795,B.B.R.«C.,
. C.,9 9Oetober
October1795,
1795,
No.
N 21, p53136,
o . 21, P53/36,
Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in
in Operation
Operation 131

Ernst advised
Ernst advised him
him toto improve
improvehis his character
characterfor for the
the sake
sake of of
his
his own
own family interests. The
family interests. The raja
raja felt
felt so
so disgraced
disgraced at at this
this
suggestion that he
suggestion that he complained
complained to the the Council
Councils: “Mr. "Mr. Ernsç
Ernsf
unjustly
unjustly accuses
accuses meme of living
living inin aa dissolate
dissolate manner,
manner, and and thus
asperses
asperses mymy character
character to to the
the people,
people, by by making
making enquiries
respecting my women,
respecting my women,which
whichisisInn every
everycountry
country deplorable.”
deplorable."80 180
He added, “'ififmy
myzamindaryis
zamindary issold sold agreeably
agreeably to the the Regulations
Regulations
to liquidate
liquidate the
the balance
balance due due totogovernment
government itit isisof ofno
no conse
conse­
quence, but I cannot
quence, but cannot bear
bear that II and andmy myfamily
family should
should be be
involved
involved inin disgrace
disgracewhich
whichhas hasnever
never happened
happenedtoto us us from
from
the time
time of the Kings
Kings of Hindustan
Hindustan to to that
that of
of the
the Company."'8'
Company.’’181
The cumulative
The cumulative effect all this
of all
effect of this mademade the the raja
raja utterly
utterly
ignorant and incapable of handling
ignorant and incapable of handling the the intricate zamindari
accounts
accounts and
and ofof administration.
administration. In In consequence,
consequence, the the greedy
greedy
zamindari officers got got the
the upper
upper hand.
hand. They' They' abused
abused their
their
power by
power by alienating
alienatingthe the best
best lands
lands in in their
their own
own names
names or
in the
in the name
name of their dependents
dependents and and at lowerlower rates
rates of
of rent182
rent.182
Ernst,
Ernst, the
the commissioner
commissioner of of Birbhum, informed the
Birbhum, informed the Board
Board inin
August 1795
August 1795 that
that the aarnia of the raja
m la of raja mademade him
him their
their virtual
virtual
prisonerinin their
prisoner their hands
hands andand thethe raja
raja was was sadly
sadly unaware
unaware of of
the treacherous
the treacherous activities of his
activities of a m l a . 188 Two
his arnla.'88 Two months
months later
later
October the collector wrote
in October wrote on on the the same
samesubject.
subject. He,
explained that
explained that the ignorance and incapacity of the raja
“"prepared road and
prepared the road and inlets
inlets for
for greater
greater and and more
more seriously
seriously
destructive misfortunes;
m isfortunes; needy rapacious domesticks,
domestieks,
nowhere scarce
nowhere and never
scarce and never remote
remote on
on such
such occasions,
occasions, of
of course,
course,
found aaready
found ready mart
mart for
for their
their intrigues
intrigues inin his
his courts
courts and
and supp
supp­
orted
orted by
by his
his ignorance,
ignorance, together
together with
with a aboyish
boyishreluctance
reluctance to
to
business or
business or to
to any
any enquiry
enquiry into
into his
his own
own affairs
affairs public
public or
or private.
private.

ISO. Raja
180. Raja Zaman
Zamaa KhanKhan toto 0,O ,0.G in
. i oC.,
C - , 11
11 December 1795.1795. B B.. R.
R. C,,
C„
II December 1795, NNo,
December 1795, o , 13
13 P53/37.
PS3/37.
Ibid.
181, IbId.
182, T. HH.. Ernst's
Ernst’s Report to B. B. 0.
O.R.,
R .,2323Aug.
Aug.1795, B. 0.
1795, B. O. R. P., 99 October,
R. F., October,
1q95,
1*95. No.
No. 34,
34, P72148.
F72/48.
183. Ibid.
183, Ibid.
 132 Permanent
Permanent Settlement
Settlementin
inBengal
Bengal

They found
found no
no impediment
impediment in in involving himand
involving him and his
his estate
estate in
an almost
an almost irretrievable ruin.’' 184 The
irretrievable ruin."184 The collector
collector maintained
that according
according totothe
thehast-o-bud
hast-o-budororaccounts
accountsofoftotal
total income
income of
the zamindari, the raja
zamindari, the raja was
was supposed
supposed to to yield
yield upwards
upwards of of aa
lakh and
lakh and twenty
twenty thousand
thousandrupees
rupeesabove
abovegovernment
government demands
demands
on him.185
him.185 But,But, according
according to to the
the collector, the raja
collector, the raja never
never
received more than
received more than sixty
sixty thousand
thousand rupees
rupees a year,
year, the
the rest
rest of
of
the surplus
the surplus revenue
revenue being
being embezzled
embezzled by by Lala
Lala Ramnath
Ramnath and and
other managers;'86
managers.186 The collector also believed that the
also believed
daily slaughtering
daily slaughteringofofcows cowsinin raja’s
raja's palace
palace was
was bated
hated byby his
his
officers, who
officers, who were
were mostly Hindus. He
mostly Hindus. He argued
argued that to bring
bring
such aa blasphemous
such blasphemous activity
activity toto an
an end,
end, they
they worked
worked to to destroy
destroy
the very
the very existence
existence ofof the zamindari.187
zamindari.187 The The collector
collector was
was
probablyignorant
probably ignorantofofthethefact
fact that
that the Hindu
Hindu amla
amla were
were equally
ready to ruin even
ready the greatest
even the greatest patrons
patrons ofof Hindu
Hindu religion,
religion, such
such
as the
as the rajas
rajas of
of Rajshahi
Rajshahi and Dinajpur. Fitzroy's
and Dinajpur. Fitzroy’s view
view asas to
to
the participation
the of the raja's
participation of raja’s amla
amla iniathe
thedismemberment
dismemberment of of
the zamindari was however
zamindari was however confirmed
confirmed by by his
his successor.
successor, Cowell.
Cowell.
Cowell reported
Cowell reported inin 1802 that the people
1802 that people whowho purchased
purchased thethe
zarnindari
zamindari of of Birbhum
Birbhum werewere mostly
mostly the
the raja’s
raja's own officers.158
officers,188
is intriguing
It is intriguing that
that whereas,
whereas, in Dinajpur,
Dinajpur, the
the raja
raja always
always
complained against the
complained against the corrupt
corrupt practices
practices Of
of his
his overmightly
overmightly
officers, here
officers, here in Birbbum,
Birbhum, the collector, not not ihe
ihe raja,
raja, was
was
complaining and and exposing
exposing the the treacherous
treacherous activities
activities ofof the
raja’s Only once
officers. Only
raja's officers. once itit is
is found
found that the raja
raja dismissed
dismissed one
one

184.
184. Collector's
Collector’s Report
Report on
on the
the zamindarl
zamindari of
o f Birbhum,
Birbhum, 99 Oct.
Oct. 1795.
1795, B.
B. R.
R . C.,
C.,
99 October,
October. 1795.
1795. N
No,
o. 21,
21, P53/36.
P53/36.
185. Collector to B. 0.
Collector to O.R.,
R .,9 October.
9 October,1795,
1795,B.B.R.R C.,
. C.,9 9Oct.
Oct.1795,
1795, No.
N o.
21, p53)36.
P53/36.
186. Ibid.
187. Collector
187. Collector to 13. 0. RR.,
B . O, ., 99 October
October 1795.
1795, 8.
B. R.
R. C..
C., 9 October
October 1795,
1795, No.
N o.
21, P53j36
21, P53/36
181
183. Collector to the
Collaetor to tbe Secretary, Revenue
Revenue Departmen
Department, 10 April 1802,
10 April C. J. P.
1802, C.
8 July 1802, N o. 79,
1802, No. 79, para, 26, p147/57.
para, 26, P 147/57.
levenue
RevenueSale
SaleLaws
Laws in
in Operation
Operation 133
183
Shamcharan Chatterji,
Shamcharan Chatterji, one one of his his diwans,
diwans, for for misconduct.
misconduct.
One strong
One strong reason
reason for for such
such silence
silenceon on thethe part
part ofof the
the raja
raja
might be be that
that unlike
unlike raja
raja Radhanath
Radhanath of of Dinajpur,
Dinajpur, he he waswasabso-
abso­
lutely free toto manage
manage his his own affairs. He had
own affairs. had thus no no grievance
grievance
to raise against his officers to the government,
his officers government, since since all of his his
officers were appointed
officers were appointed by by himself
himself and and no no court
court faction
faction was
was
backed
backed by bythe
the collector
collector as as itit happened
happened in in Dinajpur.
Dinajpur. The The coll-
coll­
ector, on
ector, on thethe other
other hand,
hand, had had to to explain
explain everyevery month
month the the
reasons for
reasons for extensive
extensive balances
balances in in his
his district.
district. HenceHenceitit isis not
not
unusual that he
unusual that be would
would havehave reported
reported as as to
to the
the internal
internal troubles
troubles
of the raja.
raja.
It leaves
leaves little
little doubt
doubt thatthat the theunscrupulous
unscrupulous amla ainla ofof the
the
raja
raja took
took advantage
advantage of of his
his ignorance and and embezzled
embezzled funds funds
to
to his
his ruin,
ruin. ButBut itit should
should also also be
be noted
noted that that the
theBirbhum
Birbhum
family was
family was already
already on on thethebrink
brink of of financial
financial ruinruin atat the
the time
time
of the decennial
of settlement. When
decennial settlement. When collector
collector Keating supervised
supervised
the
the zamindari during the
zamindari during the minority
minority of of the
the raja
raja from
from 17881788 to to
1793 he perceived
1793 perceived that that the total income income from from the estate
"was
“was by by no
no means adequate to
means adequate to the
the support
support of of his
his family,
family,
more
more especially
especially when when compared
compared to to the statestate in whichwhich they
they
had been used to
had to live "1 Three
...... Three
live...... months months
after hisafteraccession,
his accession,
raja
raja Zaman
Zaman Khan Khan made made it it known
known to to the the government
government that
he had
he had totosupport
supportabout aboutfour fourhundred
hundred ofofhishisfamily
familymembers
members
from the
from the income
income of of his
his estate
estate andand that
that hishis income
income was was too too
insufficient for him
insufficient for him toto live
live according
according to to his rank and status.10'
status.181
The poverty
The poverty of the raja
of the raja was
was further increased by the
increased by the
subsequent to
effects of natural calamities subsequent to the
the decennial
The drought
settlement. The drought ofof 1791 that visited throughout
Bengal was particularly
Bengal was particularly devastating
devastating in
in Birbhum.
Birbhum. The drought
drought

189. Raja to
Raja to G.
G. G.
G. in
in C.
C. 11
11 December
December 1795,
1795, B.
B. R.
R. C,
C,,11
11December
December 1795,
1795,
No. 13, Pp53/37.
N o. 13, 53/37.
190. B. O
Collector to B. 0.. R.,
R ., 11 January
January 1792,
1792, B. R,, C.,
B. R C,, 25
25 January
January 1792,
1792, No,
N o,
18, Pp51/40.
52/40.
191. RaJa Zaman
Raja Zaman Khan tO to G.G. G.G. ininC.,
C „28
28ApriL
April 1790,
1790, BB.. O.
0. R.
R . F,,
P„ 33 May
May
1790, P71/24.
 134 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal
entirely destroyed
entirely destroyed the the major
major autumn
autumn and and winter crops.192crops.192
The
The collector
collector reported
reported that the raja was
the raja was tootoo poor
poor to to make
make
up the
up the deficits
deficits of of revenue
revenue causedcaused by by the
the late
late drought.19^
drought.193
The
The government
government grantedgranted him him aa suspension
suspension of of S.
S. Rs.
Rs. 40,000
40,000
though his
though his total
total balance
balance due due toto government amounted amounted to
about one
about one lakh rupees.194
rupees.194 To avoid avoid starvation and oppression
oppression
of rent
of rent collectors,
collectors, tenstens of ofthousands
thousands ofofcultivators
cultivatorsfled fled from
from
the
the district
district and
and on on that
that account
account the the raja
raja lost
lost an an income
income of of
some
some thirty
thirty thousand
thousand rupeesrupees annually.195
annually.195 In In the
the wake
wake of of
the
the drought
drought two two of ofhishisparganas,
parganas,namelynamelyMahmudabad
Mahmudabad and and
Bulputta, were
Bulputta, were heavily
heavily damaged
damaged by by aa visit
visit of wild
wild elephants
elephants
from the highlands. In consequence,
from consequence, the the raja incurred
incurred a further
loss of
loss of about
about twelve
twelve thousand
thousand rupeesrupees annually.19°
annually.196 Thus an
account of of these
these twotwo calamities
calamities alonealone he he was deprived of
was deprived
ievenues
revenues to to the
theamount
amount of of forty
forty four
four thousand
thousand rupees
rupees annually.
annually.
He did
He did not
not getgetany anyremission
remissionof ofrevenue
revenue demand
demand on on account
account
of these
these permanent
permanent losses.losses. He He tried
tried toto make
make up upthe
thedeficits
deficits
by
by borrowing
borrowing money money from from the the moneylenders.
moneylenders.197 But the
197

preservation of
preservation of the zamindari
zamindari by by borrowing
borrowing moneymoneyfrom from the
the
moneylenders could could not lastlast long.
long. In January 1795, 1795, hishis accumu-
accumu­
lated balances
lated balances totogovernment
governmentamounted amounted to to two
two lakhs
lakhs ofof rupees
rupees
in liquidation
liquidation of which the Council ordered
which the Council ordered for for the attachment
attachment
of
of the
the whole
whole of his zamindari
of his zamindari for sale.198 Once
for sale.198 Once the sale sale

192. Raja'S petition to

Raja’s petition to B.
B. O.0. R.,
R„ 1717 Dec.
Dec. 1791,
1791, B. R. C. 13
B. R. 13 January
January 1792,
1792, No.
N o.
36, P52/40,
193. Collector
Collector to to B.
B. O.0. R., 33 Jan,
Jan. l792
1792| B.
B. R. C .i 13
R. C. 13 January
January 1792,
1792, No.
N o. 36.
36.
P52/40.
Collectortoto B.
194. Collector B. O0.. R.,
R ., 66 April
April 1792,
1792, B.
B. R. C., 20
R. C., 20 April
April 1792,
1792, No.
N o . 25.
25,
P52/43.
195. Raja
Raja to to B.
B. O,
0, R.,R·, 10
10 July
July 1791,
1791, B. R.R. C,
C 25 25January
January1792.
1792. No.
N o. 18.
18,
p52/40.
P52/40.
196, Raja
196. Raja toto B.
B. O.
0. R.,
R „ 6 August
August 1791,1791, B.
B. R. C., 17
R. C„ 17 February
February 1792,
1792, NNo,
o , 4,
P52/41.
197. Raja's petition totoB.
Raja’s petition B.O.0. R.,
R., 10
10 July
July I791 B. R.
1791, B. R. C., January 1792,
C., 25 January 1792,
N 18, pS2/40,
o. 18,
No. P “>2/40,
198. G,
G , 0.
G. inin C.
C. to B. O.
to B. R., 20
0. R., 20 January
Ja'ivary 1795. B. R.
1795, B. R. C., 13 February
C ., 513 February 1795, 1795k

No.
N o. 3,
3, P53/28.
. Revenue Sale Laws in Operation 1§5
135

started itit did

started did nut
nut stop
stop untill
tintill thethewholewholezamindari
zamindari was was lost
lost
to the raja
raja in
in 1801.
1801.
It has
has already
already been
beenstated
statedthat thatbyby 18011801 raja
rajaZarnan
ZamanKhanKhan
was left
was left with
with onlyonly one
one pargana,
pargana, the the sadar
sadar ja m a of
jama of which
was
was onty
only S.
S. Rs.
Rs. 15,172. Government intelligence
15,172. Government intelligence revealed that
the
the impoverished condition of
impoverished condition of the raja raja forced
forced him him to to plan
plan
a general
general insurrection
insurrection to to turn
turnout outallall
thetheauction.
auctionpurchasers
purchasers
by
by aa reign terror.199 The
reign of terror,190 The magistrate
magistrate feared that, that, asas
the ruling family
family forfor centuries, the the raja
raja and
and hishis large
largecousinhood
cousinhood
might be
might be successful
successfulininexciting
exciting the the people
people against
against the the British.
British.
The magistrate
magistrate thusthus recommended
recommended the the immediate
immediate expu'sion
expulsion of
the raja and his
raja and his family
family fromfrom Birbhurn
Birbhum asasremedy remedyfor for the
the prob-
prob­
lem.200 But
lenj.20° But thethe Board
Board thought
thought the the exfle
exile of the the raja
raja was
was
likely
likely toto further
further complicate
complicate the the situation.
situation. The Board Board ordered
ordered
the raja to be
raja to be given
given aa hereditary
hereditary pension
pension of Rs. Rs. 500500 perper month
month
instead of expelling
instead expelling him him fromfrom his his birthplace.20'
birthplace.201 One month
after this
after this order
order raja
raja Zaman
Zaman Kban died.202 His &on
Khan died.202 son Dilwar
Khan succeeded
succeeded him him toto hold
hold thethe empty
empty title of raja.203
raja.203

The Bishnapur Raj

The R aj
Of all the great
great zamindaris, the Bishnapur
zamindaris, the Bishnapur Raj
Raj waswas the
the most
most
ancient, for
ancient, foritit had
hadexisted
existedasas an
an independent
independent principality
principality even
even
before
before the Muslim period. At At the
the time
time of
of thethedecennial
decennial
settlement, however,
however, the Bishnapur
Bishnapur family
family was
was already
already entering
the last
last phase
phase of of aa decay
decay which
which had
had started
started long
longbefore
before the
commencement
commencement of of British rule. In
British rule. In the
the very
very first
firstyear
year of
of his
his

199. B. O
B. 0.. R.
R .to
to(.1.
U . G.
G. in
inC.,
C ,,15
15December
December1801 B .O
1801, B. 0..RR,, P.. 15 December
P., 15 December
1801, NNo.
1801, 24. P74/39.
o. 24, P74/39.
Magistrate to
200. Magistrate to the
the B.
B.O0,, IL,
R ., 24
24 November
November 1801.
1801, B. O.
0. R.
R. PF,,
„ 1515Decem­
Dcem-
ber 1801,
1801, NO.
No. 23
23 P74/39.
P74/39.
201. B.
B. 0.
O. R.
R .totoG.
G ,G.
G .ininC.,
C .,15
15December
December 1801, B. 0.
1801, B. O. R.
R. F.,
P., 15
15 December
1801, NNo.
1801, 24, P74/39.
o. 24,
202.
202. Ibid.. also
Ibid., see,G,
also see, G.G,G. in
in C.
C.toto B.
B. O0., IL,
R ., 20
20 August
August i802,
1802, B.
B. R.
R. C ., 2Q
C., 20
August 1802, No. N o. 33,
33, P54/26.
P54/26.
203. C,O,
C . O. 0'.
W.P.,
P.,2929June
June1810,
1810,No,
N o,7A,
7A,P114/29.
P114/29.
136 t'ermanent
Permanent Settiement
Settlement in 3engal
Bengal

decennial engagement,
decennial engagement,fixed
fixedinin1790
1790atatfour
fourlakhs
lakhsofofrupees,
rupees, raja
raja
Choyton Singh’s
Choyton Singh's financial
financial position
position showed
showed itself
itself desperate.204
desperate.204
Within ten months he lostlost half
half of
of his zamindari,205
zamindari,206 and though
the other
the other half
half survived
survived artificially
artificially that too
too was
waslostlostin
in 1806
1806
when the government
when government purchased
purchased the the whole
whole zamindari.208
zamindari.20®
The family
family was
was then
then pensioned
pensioned off off ononaamonthly
monthly allowance
allowance of
Rs.
Ra. 1,160.20
1,160.2077
Three main causes
Three main causeswere were responsible
responsiblefor forthe
the ruin
ruin ofof this
this
oldest zamindari. These These werewere family disputes over the
succession, overassessment and
succession, overassessment and mismanagement.
mismanagement.
Choyton Singh and
Choyton Singh and Damudhar
Damudhar Singh,
Singh, two
two brothers, had had been
been
engaged
engaged in in legal
legal battle
battle for the possession
possession of of the
the zamindari
zamindari since
since
ChoytonSingh,
1773. Choyton Singh, as asthe
theelder
elder son
son ofof his father,
father, claimed
claimed
the whole
the whole of of the
the zamindari
zamindari according
according to to the
the customary
customary law law of
priniogeniture, but
primogeniture, but his
his brother,
brother, Damudhar
Damudhar Siagh,
Singh, demanded
demanded
half the
half the estate accordingtotothe
estate according the Hindu
Hindu law
law of of succession.
succession. The
marathon
marathon legallegal battle
battle that
that was
wasfought
foughtatatdifferent
differentlevels
levelsfrom
from
the Revenue
the RevenueCouncilCounciltoto thethe Supreme
Supreme Court
Court at at last
last ended
ended in
1795
1795 when
when the SSadar adar Dirvani
D iw a n i A d a la t adjudged Choyton
Ada/at Choyton
Singhtotobe
Singh bethe
the sole
sole proprietor
proprietor of of the
the zamindari.808
zamindari.308 But the
irony
irony ofof the
the case
casewaswasthat
thathe
he had
had meanwhile
meanwhile spentspent so so much
much in in
litigation for the full share of the property and
litigation for the full share of the property and had become sohad become so
impoverishedininthe
impoverished the process
processthat
that long
long before
before hehe got
got the
the decree
decree
for the whole
whole of it, halfhalf the
the zamindari
zamindari hadhad been
been sold
sold for
for revenue
revenue
arrears.

204.
204, B. 0.
B. O . R.
R. P.,
P., to
to G. G.
G. G. in
in C.
C. 7 October
October 1791,
1791, B.
B -R.
R .C.
C .7l October
O ctober 1791,
1791,
No.
N o. 25,
25, P52/36.
P52/36.
205. B° 0.. RR.. to
B· O. to G.
G. G.
0. in C. II August B. R. C. 26
1791, B.
August 1791, 26 August
August 1791
1791 No.
N o.
5,
5. P52/34.
P 5-/34.
206. B. O
0,. IL
R. to G. G.
to G, G. in C,,
C „ 112 August
August 1806, B. R.
180S, B. R. C-,
C., 21
21 August
August 1806,
1806, No
No
5, P54/56.
P54/56»
207,
207. Magistrate
Magistrate to
to B.
B . 0.
O. R,, February 1807,
R „ 4 February 1807, B. R.. C.,
B. R C., 12
12 February
February 180?
1807
No.
N o. 10,
10, p54161.
P54/61.
208. G. G.
G. G. in
in C.
C.totoBB. 0. RL,., B.
. O. B. R.
R . C,
€ .,6 6Feb.
Feb.1795.
1795, No.
N o . 33,
33, p53/27
P53/27*
!evenue sale
ftevenue Sale Laws a Operation
Laws in. Operation 13?
137

Moreover, no
Moreover, nosooner
soonerasasthe thelegal
legalbattle
battlewithwith his
his brother
brother was was
than a war of succession began among
over than a war of succession began among his eleven
eleven grown
grown
up sons. The Sadar Sadar Diwani
Diwani Adalat decided decided the the case
case inin favour
favour
of prirnogeniture
primogeniture on on the
the ground
ground that customary
customary law law of prirnoge-
primoge­
niture was
was thethe prevailing
prevailing law law whenwhenChoyton
ChoytonSinghSinghsucceeded
succeeded
to the zamindari
zammdari in 1772. 1772. But such such aa decision
decision waswas considered
considered
by his
by his ten
ten younger
younger sons sons as as aa direct
direct threat
threat to to their
their inheritance
inheritance of of
the zamindari
zamindari according
according to to Hindu
Hindu law law ofof succession,
succession, in spite of of
the fact
fact that
that thethe Corrnwallis
Corrnwallis Constitution
Constitution had had abolished
abolished the the
customary law primogeniture.
customary law of primogeniture. At the age of
of seventy,
seventy, Choy-
Choy­
ton Singh
ton Singh lacked
lacked thethe strength
strength to administer
administer the zarnindari
zamindari him- him­
self nor
nor could
couldhehenominate
nominateany anyofofhis his sons
sonstoto act
act for
for him,
him, for
might have
that might been interpreted
have been interpreted by by hishis other
other sons
sons asas nomina-
nomina­
tion for the
tion for the godi
godi or throne as well. well. In the midst midst of of chaos
chaos and and
confusionininthe
confusion the zamindari
zamindari administration,
administration, all all Choyton
Choyton Siugh'sSingh’s
eleven sons
eleven sonsclaimed
claimeddifferent
differentpartspartsofof thethe estate
estate and and occupied
occupied
what they claimed
claimed to to be
be their respective
respective shares.
shares. 200209 The resultresult
was
was thethe prevalence
prevalence of of confusion everywhere. The
confusion everywhere. The ryots
ryots diddid
not
not know
know whom whom totopay pay their
their rents
rents and and thethe amla
anla did did not
not
know whom
know whom to render their
to render their allegiance.
allegiance, The helpless helpless rajaraja
appealed
appealed to to the
the Council : “"This This zemindary
zemindary has has been
been in in mymy
family during a period
family during period of of no
no less
less than
than eleven hundred and
eleven hundred and three
years I Imyself
years myself am am now
now an old man seventy
old man seventy yearsyearsofof age age andand
cannot
cannot paypay that attention
attention to to the
the management
management of of my
my affairs
affairs
which isis requisite,
which requisite,my my children
children too, are at
too, are at variance
variance with with each
each
other... Under all these circumstances
other...Under circumstances I petition petition and and hope
that Government will will grant
grant me me some
some fixed
fixed allowance,
allowance, as as aa support
support
to me
me and
and mymy family—and
family-and II shall shall ever
ever pray for their
pray for their prosperity
prosperity
and welfare. 210 210 On On thethe petition
petition ofofthetheraja,
raja,collector
collector Ireland
Ireland
remarked
remarked thatthat due
due totothe
theinfirmity
infirmity of of the
the raja
raja and
and the constant
constant
fight among
fight among his his sons
sonsandand grand sons,sons, thethezamindari
zamindari affairs
affairs were
sadly neglected
sadly neglected and and consequently
consequently the thedeficiency
deficiency of of assets
assets was
was

209.
209. Collector to B.
B. O.
0. R .a 15
R., May 1797 B.
15May 8. R-
R. C„
C,, 22 June
Juno 1797,
1797, NNo,
o . 22 P58/51,
P5/5l,

210,
210. Raja’s petition to
R.aja's Io G.
G. G 0.. in
in C.,
C., enclosed
enclosed w the Collectors
ith the
with Iettr, IS
Collectors letter, IS
M ay1794,
May B , R.
1794, B, R. C.,
C „ 22 June
June 1797,
1797, No.
N o. 2,
2, P5J/51.
P53/Si.
 18
138 Sett'ement in Bengal
Permanent Settlement
growing fast.
growing Illustratingthis
fast. Illustrating this point,
point, the
the Collector
Collector said said that
that
recently
recently thetheraja’s
raja's lands
lands bearing
bearingaajama
jam a of S. S. Rs.
Rs. 40,668
40,668 were
were
sold for S.
S. Rs.
Rs. 17,650
17,650 only.
only. 211
311 HeHe continued
continued thatthatfor
for the
the sake
sake
of the
the security
securityofof the the public
public revenue
revenue thethe zamindari
zamindari should
should be be
managed
managed by by the
the government
government for for some
some time.
time. Concurring in the
Collector's views,
Collector’s views, the
the Board
Board also
also recommended
recommended that that inin view
view of
the raja's
raja’s old age and
old age and infirmity
infirmity and
and the
the bloody
bloody disputes
disputes among
among
his sons,
his sons,thethegovernment
governmentshouldshouldtake
takeover
overthe
the management
management of
the zamindari for some years, years, which
which would
would save the government
government
from periwinentloss
from permanent lossofofrevenue
revenueasaswellwell asas the oldest
oldest family
family
from inevitable ruin.212 But
inevitable ruin.212 But the
the Board's
Board’s suggestion
suggestion was was not
not
accepted by
accepted bythe
the Governor
GovernorGeneral
Generalinin Council
Councilon on the
the ground
ground
that such
such benevolence
benevolence would
would encourage
encourage other
other landholders
landholders whose
whose
estates were equally
estates were equally mismanaged
mismanaged to to come
come andand seek protection
protection
from the authorities.218
from authorities.213 The Council
The Council rather issued orders
rather issued orders
to attach the whole
attach the whole of of the zamindari
zamindari preparatory
preparatory to to sale
sale for
for the
the
balance
balance of 1796-7, which amounted to S.Rs.
1796-7, which S.Rs. 25.000.214
25.000.214
In November
November1798, 1798,the theCollector
Collectorreported
reported that
that the sons
sons of
the raja
the raja were
were fighting
fightingpitched
pitchedbattles
battles for
for the
the possession
possession ofof the
zamindari that
zamindari that still
still remained
remained in in skeleton scale.215
scale.216 He saidsaid
that the estate
that estate had
had lost
lost all
all capacity
capacity to
to pay
pay the public
public revenue
revenue
and recommended
and recommendedthat that immediate
immediate attachment
attachment of
of the whole
whole estate
estate
now bearing
bearing amla 58,129 only.
ainla of S. Rs. 58,129 only. Otherwise,
Otherwise, he added
added
"the
“ the whole
whole property
property II conceive will be
conceive will be inadequate
inadequate to liquidate
liquidate
the accumulated
the accumulated arrears
arrears already due from him [Choyton (Choyton
Singh].’’818 The
Singht."216 The Council thus ordered
Counoil thus ordered the immediate
immediate attach-
attach-

211. Collector
Collector toto
B.B.
O. 0.
R. P.IS15May
May17*7,
177,BB. Rit. C., 2 June
C .,2 June 1797,
1797, No.
N o. 2,
2,
P53/51.
213. IbId,
Ibid,
213.
213. G.
G . 0.
G . in
Id C.
C. to B. 0.. R
B. O ., 2
a., 2 June
June 1797,
1797, B.
B. R,
R , C.,
C ., 23 June
June 1791,
1797, No,
N o , 17.
17,
P53/53.
IbId.
214. Ibid.
215.
215. Collector
Collector totoB.
B.O.0.R.
IL55 November
November1798,
1798,B,B,R.R.C., 16 November
C., 16 fl98.
November 1798.
No.
N o. 10,
10, P53/58.
CollectortotoBB.
216. Collector
216. 0.. R.,
. O a. 15
15 December 1798,B.
D ecem bei 1798, B.O.
0. R.
it P.,
P., 28
28 December
December
1198, NNo,
1798, o, 50 P73/40.
F73/40.
levenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in
in Operation
Operation 139
13

xnent of
ment of the entire
entire estate
estateandandthat
thatititbebesoldsoldforfor the
therecovery
recovery
of arrears.217
The
The long-drawn
long-drawn law law suits
suits and
and the violent behaviour
the violent behaviour of
the raja's
raja’sSons
sons were
werethethe
most
mostobvious
obviouscauses causes of of the
the downfall
downfall
of
of the
the Bishnapur
Bishnapur Raj. Raj. But But besides
besides these these dramatic events
there were
there were other
other reasons, scarcely scarcely less important, for
less important, for its
ultimate collapse. Bishnapur was
collapse. Bishnapur was involved
involved in the the great
great famine
famine
of 1770
of 1770 andand thethe drought
drought of of 1791, and these seriously seriously depleted
the assets
the assets ofof the
thezamindari.
zamindari. Such depreciation
depreciation of of assets
assets was
was
not taken
not taken into
into consideration
consideration whenwhen the the decennial
decennial settlement
settlement
concluded in 1791. Raja Choyton Singh
was concluded Singh frequently
frequently
expressed
expressed his his grievances
grievances that his his zarnindari
zamindari was was unequal
unequal to to
public assessment. That his his claims
claims were not without foundation foundation
was proved
was proved when,
when, in 1791,1791, his his lands,
lands, assessed
assessed to a jwna jam a of
of
2,14,147, were sold
S. Rs. 2,14,147, sold for
for arrears,
arrears, and and fetched
fetched only onlyS. S. Rs.
Rs.
39,3ØØ218 This
39,300.218 This unbelievably
unbelievably low low purchase
purchase price price persuaded
the government
the government to investigatethe
to investigate the resources
resources of of the
the estate.
It was
was found
found thatthat the
the zamindari
zamindari had had without
without doubtdoubt been
seriously overassessed and on this account account an abatementabatement
of ja m a to
jaina to the amount of S.
the amount S. Rs.
Rs. 26,205
26,205 was granted to
granted
raja.219 But such
the raja.219 such aa small reduction, an adjustment
of
of only
only sixsix per
per cent,
cent, did
did not
not putputthe theassessment
assessment right. right. All
the subsequent
the subsequent purchasers
purchasers ofofBishnapur
Bishnapurlands landsclaimed
claimed further
further
reductionsonon account
reductions accountofofthe the failure
failure of of their
their lots
lots toto yield
revenues capable
capable of answering the government
government revenue revenue demands.
demands.
Faced with claims
Faced claims for
forreduction
reduction from from almost
almost all allthe
thepurchasers
purchasers
of the
of the raja's
raja’slands,
lands,thethe
government
governmentrefunded refunded all all the
the purchase
purchase
money
money andand took
took over
over the
the entire
entire former
formerzamindari
zamindari under under itsits

217. 0.
G. G.
G. in
in C.
C .to
toB.
B .0.
O.R.,
R .,2525November
November 1802,
1802, B. R, C·, 15 November
R , c., November 1802
1802
No.
N o, 36,
36, P54/28.
PS4/28.
218. B. 0, R. to
B . O, to O.
0. 0.
G. ininC.,
C „1212August
August1791,
1791,B.B R.
.R .C.,
C .,12
Π Auguit
A uguit 1791.
1791,
No.5,
N o . 3,
219. B. 0. It.
B. O. R. to
to G.
G. G.
G. ia
in C..
C ,. 18
18 August
August 1795,
1795,B,
B,R.
R.C.
C.1818September
September1795
1795
No,
N o. 11.
11. P53/35.
PS3/35.
140 Permanent Settlement in Bengal

own management.22° Under government

management,220 Under government management
management itit was
was
found that the
found that assets of
the assets of the
the zamindari
zamindari were
were inadequate
inadequate to
to
answer the government
answer government demands even after
demands even after the abatement
was granted in
in 1795.221
1795.221
It has
has already
already been
been said in the
said in the beginning
beginning that,
that, after
after the
tótil
total dissolution
dissolution ofof the
the zamindari
zamindari in in 1806,
1806, the
the government
government
granted
granted the
the family
family a amonthly
monthlysubsistence
subsistenceallowance
allowance ofof1160
1160
rupees
rupees inin 1807. But the militant members
1807. But members of of the family
were not
were satisfied with
not satisfied with this
this meagre
meagre grant. They claimed
their natural
natural right
righttotorule instead
rule insteadofofleading
leadingpensioners
pensionerslives.
lives.
In 1808,
In 1808, they
they openly
openly took
took upup arms
arms against
against the
the government
government
in order
in order toto regain
regain their lost territory.
their lost territory. After
After some
some regular
regular
pitched
pitched battles
battles they
theywere
weresubdued
subduedand and arrested
arrested by
by government
government
forces.222 They They were,
were, at last,
last, all removed
removed from
from Bishnapur
Bishnapur
provided with a residence at C
and provided Chinsura.223
hinsura.223

In the
In the above
above analysis
analysis of
of the causes
causes andand circumstances
for
for the
the fall
fall of thethe great families of
great territorial families of Rajshahi,
Dinajpur, Nadia,
Dinajpur, Birbhumand
Nadia, Birbhum and Bishnapur,
Bishnapur,we we find
find that
that natural
natural
calamities, intrigues of zamindari amla, umla, overassessment,
overassesament,
extravagenceand
extravagence andincapacity
incapacityof ofthe
the proprietors
proprietors played
played thethe most
most
important roles. But the
important roles. the most
mostcommon
commonand anddominant
dominant factors
factors
were natural calamities
calamities andand intrigues
intrigues of
of zamindrri
zamindrri amla.
amla.
It is well known that the famine of of 1770
1770 and and the
the
government’s quest for
governments for higher
higher andand higher
higher revenue
revenue through
through
differentrevenue
different revenueexperiments
experimentsruined
ruined the zamindar
zamindar class
class econo
econo*
not territorially. Under
micaily, ifif not
mically, such fallen conditions
Under such conditions of the

B. O
220. B. a, to
0.. R. to O.0. G. is C,,
G. in C „ 12
12 AugUst
August 1806.
1806, B. R.
R . C., 21
C .,2 1 August
August 1806,
p 806,
No,
N o , 5,P5456,
5 .P 5 4 /5 6 ,
221.
221, B . 0.
a. O. ft.
R . toG.
to G.G.isC..
G . in C..3 3October
October 1806,
1806k
B. R,
R , C„ 9 October
c., 9 October 1806,
1806, No.
N o.
7, P54/57,
222. G. G,
G , Is
in C.
C . to
to C.
C.D.
D .15
15September
September 1808, para 2,
1808, para 2, General Judicial Letter,
General Judicial Letter,
mm
aJ4/73
223. G· C,, to C. D
G. G. in C D.. 15
15 September
September 1808.
1808, General Judicial Letter,
General Judicial Letter, para.
para.
22.E#4/73,
22.1314/73,
Revenue Sale
Sale Laws
Laws in Operation 141

zamindars, their share of

of revenue,
revenue, which
whichwas
wasonly.
only one-teñth.oE
one-tenth of
the sadar
the sadar jama, j a m a ,was
wasindeed,
indeed,too toosmall
small totoleave
leavethemthem-with with
any surplus
any surplus aboveabove their
their expenditure
expenditure to to compensate
compensate risk risk, 224
224
Nor could
Nor could theythey depend
depend on onthethe government
government for for help
help atat times
times ofof
calamity. Government’s
calamity. Government's firm firm policy
policy waswasnot not to
to “attend
"attend to to any
any
pleas
pleas for remissions
remissions excepting
excepting in in particular
particular cases cases in whichwhich
justice and
justice and policy
policy may may require
requireaadeparture
departure fromfrom the the ru1e
rule.”"225
28®
It has
has already
already been beenexplained
explainedininthe the beginning
beginning of of this
this chapter
chapter
that it was.
was the thepolicy
policyofofthethe British
British to,to destroy
destroy the the monopoly
monopoly
ownership
ownership of ofland
landasasfar
farasas was
was possible
possiblewithin
within the bounds bounds of of
law. Hence
Hence itit was was nono wonder
wonder that that the
the great territorial
territorialfamilies
families
received far
received far less
less indulgence
indulgence from from the
the state
state onon account
account of natural
calamities than they
calamities deserved. They
they deserved. They were were thusthus compelled
compelled
to borrow
to borrow moneymoney in in order
order to pay pay the publicpublic revenue
revenue at at high
high
interest. OnceOnce in in debt,
debt, this inevitably threw threw them
them intointo aa vicious
vicious
circle from
circle fromwhich which they
they, could
could hardly
hardly escape
escape unhurt. Balances
forced them to
forced them to borrow
borrow andand borrowing,
borrowing, in in turn, produced
produced further
deficits-and
deficits balances again,
and balances again, untill their whole whole patrimonies
patrimonies were
sold in
sold in liquidation
liquidation of of public
public revenue
revenue and and debt.
debt. As the money money
lenders alwaysdictated
lenders always dictatedthethe terms
terms they forced forced the the borrowing
borrowing
zamindariestotomake
zamindaries makethemthemtheirtheirfarmers
farmersand andrenters
renters on on terms
terms
highly disadvantageous
disadvantageousand andruinous
ruinousfor for the
the borrowers.
borrowers. To To quote
quote
CollectorMaxwell
Collector Maxwellwho whoreported
reportedfrom fromJessore
Jessore in in 1823,
1823, “"...the
...the
greedy money
greedy moneylenderslenderswhowho taking
taking advantage
advantage of of their
their distressed
distressed
situation,
situation, have
have in instance clogged
in every instance their estates
clogged their estates with
with
leasesand
leases and mortgages
mortgages until until the family
family had had not
notthe the means
means of of
extricating themselces.
extricating themselves. Every Every fresh'
fresh demand
demand for for money,
money, how-how­
ever small the sum,
ever small sum, waswas sure
sure to be followed
followed either with with a
demand
demand for for the
the decreased
decreasedrent rent ororaa fresh
fresh mortgage
mortgage or lease lease of

224. T . H. Colebrooke,
T. Remirks
Remarks ooff thetile Present
Present State
State of
o fthe
the ffusb,ndry
Husbandry and
commerce o f Rengal,
Commerce of Bengal, pp. 62
6 2 --3.
3. '

225,
225. G. G
G.. in C. to
InC. to C. D.,
D,» 88 August
August 1794,
1794, pars. II. General
para. It. Revvenue Letter,
Ge.'zeral Revvenzte Letter,
E /4/54.
£04154. - . ' ' '
 142 'Permanent
Permanent Settlement in Bengal

certain villages
certain and even'
villages and estates on
even estates on most
most ruinous terms and
ruinous terms and
at inadequate rents.” 230
rents."28

'But
But the the people
people who who tooktoot the
the greatest
greatest advantage
advantage of of the
indebtedcondition
indebted conditionolofthe the zamindars
zainindarswere were their
their own
own amla
amla who
who
always thrivedthrough
always thrived through the the difficulties
difficultiesofof their masters.
masters. They
were
were not not slow
slow to to understand
understand that under under thetheoperation
operation ofof the
the
revenue sale
revenue sale laws, laws, theythey could easily upgrade themselves
into zamindars
into zamindarsbybyturning turningout outtheir
their old
old masters,
masters, if they could
could
somehow
somehow force forcethem
themtoto fall
fall into
into arrears
arrears and
and debts.
debts. Such oppor-
oppor­
tunity waswas provided
provided by natural calamities
calamities when
when they
theycould
could most
moat
successfullyembezzle
successfully embezzlemufassal
mufassalcollections
collectionsononthethepretext
pretext ofof the
the
ryots'
ry o ts’ inability
inability toto pay
pay their rents. Jt is
their rents. interesting to
is interesting to find
find that
that
similar forces
similar forces were
were at at work
work inin Guntur district in Madras
Madras as well.
Robert
Robert EricEric Frykenberg
Frykeaberghas hasfound
foundthatthatmany
manygreat
great families
families in
Guntur
Guntur were were ruined
ruined because
because of of the
the treacherous
treacherous conduct
conduct of of
their diwans
diw ans at at times
times ofof natural
natural calamity.227
calamity.227
Under
Under the
the influence of the
influence of the above
above common
common factors
factors other
other
middling zamindaries
middling zamindarieswere
were similarly ruined. Eusufpur
similarly ruined. Eusufpur rajraj of,
of
Jessore and Idrikpur
Jessore and Idrikpur raj
raj of Rangpur
Rangpur were
were entirely
entirely disposed
disposed of
for arrears.
arrears. The
The Eusufpur rain granted a monthly
raja was granted
government pension of of Rs.
Rs. 1Q0.828
100.223 The Idrikpur
The Idrikpur family
Muhammedshahi family
extinct.319 Muhammedshahi family was reduced
became extinct.229
to insignificance by sale
insignificance by sale of
of almost
almost the whole of the
the zamindari.230
zamindari.23°

226,
226. Jessore Collector
Jessore CollectortotoC.C.O0.. W·.
W. 11 0 August
August 1823,
1823, para.3,
para.3, C. 0.
O. W.
W. P.,
P., 15
15
April
April 1823,
1823, No.
N o. 23, P79/37. The
23, P79/37, T h e Collector was narrating
Collector was narrating how
how the
the
zamindars in the Jessore
zamindars in Jessore district
district were
were being
being exploited
exploited by
by the
themoney
money
lenders.

227. B..
R. EE.. Frykeoberg, GunterDistrict
FrykeDberg, Gunter DistrIct1788-1&48,
1788.1848,Λ 4 History
history ooff Local
Local In-
In­
and Central Authority
fluence end Authority in South
South India, p.
p . 45,
45,

'228.
228. B. R.
B. .R. C,
C, Council’s
Council's orders,
orders, 23
23 September,
September, 1802
1802 N
No.
o. 26, P54/27.
F54/27.
229. 13. 0. Glazier,
B. G. Glazier, Further Notes
Notes on
on Rangpur
Rangpur Records,
Records, vol.
vol. 1. p.
P. 30.
30.

230. C. O.
C. 0. W.
W. F.
P. 12
12 February 1822,
1822, No.4.
N o. 4, p74113.
P74/13.
Revenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws in Operations 143
Three great families survived
Three survived the landed crisis They were
crisis. They were
the rajas
rajas of Burdwan,
Burdwan, Tipperah
Tipperah and and Lashkarpur.
Lashkarpur. By By creating
creating
ppatni
a tn i tenures
tenures the the Burciwan
Burdwan raja raja shifted
shifted his responsibilites
responsibilitee on
to the
to the patnidars
p a tn id a r s with
withwhom
whomhehehad hadconcluded
concluded another
another perma-
perma­
nent settlement.
settlement. The The Lashkarpur
Lashkarpur family rather thrived
family rather thrived through
through
the crisis. Bavindranarayan Chowdhury,
crisis. Bavindranarayan Chowdhury,the the zamindar of Lash Lash­
karpur, besides
karpur, besides preserving
preserving hishis ancient
ancient patrimony
patrimony intact,
intact, had
had
bought, in
bought, in addition,
addition,two twoextensive
extensiveparganas
parganas from
from the
the Rajshahi
Rajshahi
raj. TheThe sadarjarna
sadar ja m a of of these
these two
two parganas
parganasamounted
amounted to to S.
S, Rs.
Rs,
1,16, 279,231 But the survival
1,16, 279,231 survival ofof aa few
few families
familiesdoes
does not
not mean
mean
the survival
survival of the leadership
leadership of of the
theold
oldlanded
landedaristocracies.
aristocracies.
On their
On their ruins
ruins emerged
emergednew new leadership
leadership in in land
land control.
control. The
following chapterwill
following chapter will show
showthe amindari lands
the transfer of zamindari lands inin
general

231, B. O. R. P„ 5 June 1793, number nil/P7/!7.

 CHAPTER.V

REVENUE SALE
THE REVENUE SALE LAWS
LAWSININOOPERATION
PER A TIO N
(2) TRANSFER QFZAMINDARI
(2) THE TRANSFER OF ZAMINDARI LANDS
LANDS

The creation
creation of property
property in in land
landbybyCornwallis's
Cornwallis’sconstitu-
constitu­
tion, easy
tion, easy transferability
transferabilityofof landedlanded rights
rights andand above
above all all the
the
statutoryorder
statutory order to to recover
recover arrears
arrears of of public
public revenue
revenue by by selling
selling
the defaulters' lands,
lands, obviously tended to
obviously tended to increase
increase the the mutation
mutation
landed property. But
of landed But what
what waswas its velocity?
velocity ? In the the prece-
prece­
ding
ding chapter,
chapter, itit has
has been
been found
found that almost all the the great
great
territorial estates
estates collapsed within the
collapsed within the first decade
decade ofof the opera-
opera­
tion of the
tion the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlement. Their Their sudden
sudden dissolution
dissolution
prompts
prompts us ustoto inquire
inquire intointo the
the fate
fate ofofthe thelesser
lesserzamindars.
zamindars.
Another problem
problem which
whichisisgermane
germanetoto the the mutation
mutation of of land
land and
and
which
which is is material
material to our our clearer
clearer understanding
understanding of of the
thenewly
newly
created land
created landmarket
marketisisthe the value
value at at which
which landland waswas bought
bought andand
sold on the market. Hence
sold on Hence this this chapter willwill in the
the main
main attempt
attempt
to do things :: firstly, to determine
two things
do two determine the the transfer
transfer ofof landed
landed
rights within
rights within the
the period under survey
period under survey and and to to ascertain
ascertain its its
distribution between
distribution between different
different groups
groups of of zamindars
zamindars in order order toto
see whether
see whether or not the lesser landed classes classes had
had experienced
experienced the
same vicissitudesofoffortune
same vicissitudes fortune as as that
that ofof the rajas, secondly, to
rajas, secondly,
look
look at the
the trends
trends in in the
the value
value of of landed
landed property
property under
under thethe
operation of the land market.
market.
Hitherto our
Hitherto our knowledge
knowledge ofof the
the changes
changes in the
the ownership
ownership of
of
landed
landed property
property under
under the
the operation
operation of
of the
thepermanent
permanent settle-
settle­
ment has
ment has been
been essentially
essentially conjectural speculative. Though
and speculative.
conjectural and
there
there is
is almost
almost invariably
invariably reference
reference to
to great
great upheavals
upheavals in the
structure and constitution
structure and constitutionofof the
the landed
landed society
society in standard
standard text
booksofofBritish
books BritishIndian
Indianhistory
historyandandalso
also in
in the more
more serious
serious
 Laws in Operation
Revenue Sale Laws 145

monograph dealing with

literature dealing
monograph literature with the the social
social and
and economic
economic
developments
developments of ofBengal
Bengalduring
during the
the Company's
Company’s period, period, no writer
has hitherto gone much beyond
gone much beyond the information
information suppliedsupplied by the
Fifth Report
Fifth Reportofof 1812 1812 which,
which,for for the
the first
first time pointed
pointed out out to
drastic changes
drastic changes in in the ownership
ownership of of Bengal's
Bengal’slanded
landed property.
property.
After specific
After mention of
specific mention of the
the fall
fall of somesome greatgreat families,
families, the the
Fifth
Fifth Report
Report gave the figures
gave the figures ofof thethe total
total sales
sales of of lands
lands in in
Bengal, Behar
Bengal, Behar andand Orissa
Orissa for 1796-7
1796-7 and and 1797-8.
1797-8. According
According to
that report,
report, lands
lands that
that comprehended
comprehended a sadar sadar Jama
jam aof ofS.S. Rs.
Rs.
14,18,756
14,18,756 werewere soldsold in
in 1796-7
1796-7 and,
and, inin the
the following
following year, aa still still
larger area paying
paying S. S. Rs.
Rs. 22,74,074.1
22,74,074.' Ever Eversincesince the
the publication
publication
of this
of this Parliamentary
ParliamentaryReport, Report,the the sales
sales figures
figures for these these two
years havebeen
years have been universally
universallyquoted,
quoted,as asforfor example
example by Baden- Baden-
Powelland
Powell andHunter—and
Hunter-and writers writers have
have been been adding
adding theirtheir ownown
inference about
inference about transfers,
transfers,formed
formedon onthethe basis
basis of of the
the figures
figures forfor
the above
above two years. 22 Thus supposing
two years. supposing the the sales of 1796-7
sales of 1796-7 and and
1797-8
1797-8 toto have
have indicated
indicatedthe the probable
probable trends trends of of transfers
transfers in in
succeedingyears,
succeeding years, George
George Campbell
Campbell concluded
concluded that that within
within the
half century after 1793
century after 1793“"excepting
excepting one oneorortwo two great
great rajahs,
rajahs, thethe
proprietary rights
proprietary rights in Bengal
Bengal havehave been
been sold over and
sold over and over
over again,
again,
and are nownow inin no
no way
way derived
derived from
from anyany oldold hereditary
hereditary source.”
source."33
Quoting
Quoting the thesales
sales figures
figuresofof the
the Fifth Report,Report, McNeille
McNeille said, said,
"Within
“ Within the ten ten years
years that
that followed
followed the the permanent
permanent settlement,
settlement,
a complete revolution took
complete revolution took place
place inin the
the constitution
constitution and and owner-
owner­
ship
ship ofof estates,
estates, which
which formed
formedthe the subject
subject of of that
that settlement."
settlement.” 4
According
According to to J.J. C.
C. Sinha, within the
Sinha, within the twenty-five
twenty-five yearsyears subse-
subse­
quent to the decennial
decennial settlement, "probablyone-third
“ probably one-third or or one-half
one-half

1. F P.,
P. P .,The
The Fifth
Fifth Report,
Report, 1812
1812 vol.7,
vol. 7, Report
Reportp.
p. 56.
56.
2.
2. Henry Baden-Fowell, The Land
Henry Baden.Pcwell, Land SSystems
ystem oof British India val.
f British vol. 11 p. 440.
440.
3.
3. Campbell, Modern
G. Campbell, Modern India, 4ASketch
Sketchofo the
f theSystem
System of
o/ Civil
CivilGoverninent
Government,
p. 313.
p. 313.
4.
4. D
D.. J.
I. M cNeille Me,narandwn
McNeilie on the Revenue
Memorandum on Revenue AdninIstratIon
Administration oof
f the Lower
Lower
Provinces
Provinces oof Bengal, p.
f Bengal, p, 9.
9.

10—
 146 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
the landed
of the landed property
propertyininBengal
Bengalmay
may have
have been
been transferred
transferred by
by
public sale on
public sale on account
account of
of the
the arrears of revenue."
revenue.” 8
All such statements, though
such statements, though confidently made, were based
confidently made, based
essentially on
essentially on inferenóe.
inference. ButBut thethe doubts
doubts inherent
inherent in in such
such
conjectural statements
conjectural statements might
might obviously
obviouslybe be removed
removed ifif the actual
actual
transfer of land under
under the
the operation
operation ofof the
the new
newsystem
system could
could be
systematicallyascertained
systematically ascertained over
over aa definite
definite length ofoftime.
time. Such
an
an unbroken
unbroken time would help
time series would helpusustoto understand
understand better
both the
both the extent
extent and
and the
the social
social significance
significance of such
such transfers.
transfers.
Such a quantification
Such can, and
quantification can, and will
will be,
be, attempted
attempted here.
Before proceeding to
Before proceeding to an assessment and
an assessment and analysis
analysis of land
land
sales, some
some explanation
explanation of the tools
tools used
usedin
insuch
suchquantification
quantification is
required. To get an intimate knowledge
knowledge of of the
the operation
operation of the
newly createdland
newly created landmarket,
market,which
which was
was supposed
supposed to reflect
reflect the
the
state of
of the
the economy
economy of the country, the
the Government
Government in
inCalcutta
Calcutta
was required by the Court of of Directors
Directors toto send
send an
anannual
annualaccOunt
account
of
of all
all sales
sales of landed
landed property.
property. The The Governor General in
Governor General
Council accordingly
Council accordinglypromised
promisedthatthat the
the Indian
Indian Government
Government would
"in
ifin future
future furnish
furnish [the[the Courtj
Court] withwith anan annual
annual statement
statement ofof
the lands ordered
ordered to be be put up to sale
sale for
for the
the discharge
discharge of arrears
of revenue,
revenue, distinguishing
distinguishingthe the lands
lands that
that [might
[might] be actually
actually
sold from those,
sold from those, the
the sale
sale of
of which
which [might]
[m ight] bebe countermanded."6
countermanded/’*
This annual statement
This annual statement of of sales,
sales, contained
contained sixsix columns.
columns. These
columns
columns set set out
outthe
theamount
amountofofbalance
balancedue duefrom
fromthe
the defaulters,
defaulters,
the
the jam a of the lands ordered to be sold, the jam a of
jama of the lands ordered to be sold, the jana of lands
lands
actually sold,the
actually sold, the jam
Jama oflands
a of landsthethesale
sale of
of which
which was
was revoked
revoked
upon payment
upon paymentofofarrears
arrearsororotherwise,
otherwise,the the amount
amount realised
realised by
sale of lands
sale lands and
and lastly
lastly the
the year
year ofofpurchase. Details of
purchase. Details of sales
for all the districts
districts of Bengal under these headingsheadings were inserted

5. J. C. Sinha,
Sfnba, The The Economic
Economic Annals o Bengal, p. 212,
off Bengal, 272, W.W. W. W. Hunter alsoalso
made the
made the same
same remark
remarkwhich
whichwas
wasborrowed
borrowedbybyS.C.J.C.Sinha
Sinhaininverbatim
verbatim
though without
though without ack'owledgement.
acknowledgement. See W. W.
Seee W. W. Hunter,
Hunter, BengalBengal M.M . S.
5.
Records
Records. . p,p, 101,
101,
G. G.
6. G. G . in
in C.,
C „ to
to C.D.,
C .D ., 27
W October
October 1793,
1793, P.!'.,
P.P4t S.
5. C B .C ., 1831-2,
c.., H.C., 1831-2» vol.
vol. X I.
Xi.
App. NNo.
App. 26,, p. 128.
o . 26 128.
 Revenue Sale Laws in Operation
Operation 147

in the
the annual
annual statements
statements of of transfers.
transfers. ItItisisthus
thuspossible
possible to to figure
figure
out both
both the the total
total transfers
transfersand and their district
district *ise
wisedistributions.
distributions.
It is
is also
also possible
possible totoestimate
estimatethe thesale
salevalueat
value atwhich
which all all those
those
land transfers took took place.
place.
But all all these
these seemingly
seemingly bright prospects
prospects of of aa more
more accurate
accurate
understandingare
understanding are marred
marred by by twotwo serious
serious limitations
limitations in in the
the
Firstly, the
records; Firstly,
records. the annual
annual account
account ofof sales
sales does
does not includeinclude
private transfers.
private transfers, The The Collectors
Collectors reported only those
reported only those transfers
hjch occured
which occured by by wayway of of recovery of revenue revenue arrears from
defaulting zamindars.
defaulting zamindars. Hence, Hence, we we are entirely ignorant ignorant of
the volume
the volume of ofprivate
privatetransfers,
transfers, which
which were
wereallowed
allowed underunder the the
Secondly, all
regulations. Secondly, all the
the transfers
transfers that
that occurred
occurred on on account
account
revenue arrears were
of revenue were not genuine sales. various reasons
sales. For various reasons to
be explained
explained subsequently,
subsequently, the the zamindars
zamindars frequently
frequently caused caused
their
their lands
lands to to be
besold
soldatat public
public auction,
auction,but but they
they then
then boughtbought
them backback again benarni,
benami, that is, is, covertly
covertly or anonymously,
anonymously, either
under false
under falsenames
namesororininthe thenames
namesofoftheirtheir relations,
relations, and and ser ser­
vants.
vants, The The Board
Board of ofRevenue
Revenuerightlyrightly observed
observed thatthat due
due to to the
the
practice of benami purchase on the part of the original proprie-
practice of benami purchase on the part of the original proprie­
tors, “"it
tors, is impossible
it is impossible toto form form any any accurate
accurate judgement
judgement of the
quantity of
quantity of land
land which
whichhas hasbeen
been actually
actually transferred
transferred ... ... "” 7 Due
to these two formidable shortcomings,
shortcomings,all allour
our conclusions
conclusions based based
on
on purely
purely quantitative
quantitative material
material on on transfers
transfers are are bound
bound to to bebe
incomplete and tentative in nature. They can at best indicate the
incomplete and tentative in nature. They can at best indicate the
probable
probable trendstrends rather
rather than
than the complete
complete truth aboutabout transfers.

Gross Transfers*
Gross
The
The total
total value of advertisements
value of advertisements ofof lands
lands for
for sales
sales on
on
account of arrears
account of arrears of
of public
public revenue
revenue and
and ofofactual
actual sales
sales from
from

7. 13.O.R. to G.
B .O .R . to G. G. in C.,.. 22
in C 22 October
October 1799,
1799, para 2, B.R.C. 77 November
2, 13.R,C. November
1799.
1799, NNo.
o. 7,
7, P 54/6.
P54i6.
a* Unlike
Unlike in
in Europe
Europe lands
lands in
in Bengal time were
Bengal at that time were bought
bought and
and sold n term3
sold In ten n i
oof
f public
public revenue
revenue on
on them.
them.Hence
Henceall
allcalculations
calculations about
about transfers
transfers have
have
been made
been on the basis
m ade on basis ooff publid revenue on
public' revenue on lands
lands rather
rather thao
than on their actual
areas.
 148 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
1794 to
1794 to 1819 has been
1819 has set out
been set out ininAppendix
Appendix1.1, The
The appendix
appendix
showsthat
shows that between
between 1794
1794 and and 1819
1819 lands which bore aa jama
lands which ja m a
of S. Rs. 10,70,25,500 or 563% of the
of S. Rs. 10,70,25,500 the annual
annual revenue
revenue of of Bengal
Bengal
were advertisedfor
were advertised forsales,
sales, but
but that only
only lands
lands paying
paying S,
S, Rs,
Rs,
1,30,14,800 or
1,30,14,800 or 68%
68% ofof the
the total annual
annual revenue
revenue were
were actually
actually
sold.8 It further
sold.8 further shows
shows thatthat95%
95% ofof the
thetotal
totalsales
salesoccurred
occurred
within
within the first ten
the first ten years
years of the permanent
of the permanent settlement.9
settlement.0
Absurdly enough the
Absurdly enough the appendix
appendix also alsà shows that though
shows that though thethe
volume
volume of oftrue
true sales
sales after
after 1805
1805 was
was absolutely
absolutely nominal
nominal com-
com­
pared to
pared to the
the land
land revenue
revenue of of the country, the
the country, the number
number of of
advertisements threatening
advertisements threatening sale sale did
did not
not fall,
fall. Rather it further
increased. As As aa result,
result, the
thedisparity
disparitybetween
betweenadvertisementa
advertisements
and actual sales became so bewilderingly wide that
and actual sales became so bewilderingly wide that between
between
1805 and 1819 only less than one one per cent
cent of
of all
all advertised
advertised lands
lands
was actually sold.10
sold.10
We should perhaps
We should perhaps begin
begin by
by examining
examining whywhy this
this gap
gap be-
be­
tween
tween thethe advertisement
advertisementandandthe
theactual
actual sales
sales existed
existed at
at all.
all. At
first it was
was believed by the
believed by theauthorities
authoritiesthat
that the
the zamindars
zamindars inten-
inten­
withheld the public
tionally withheld revenue till
public revenue till the last moment
the last moment
possible beforeauction
possible before auctionproceeding
proceedingand
andused
usedthethe unpaid
unpaid public
public
revenue for
revenue for their
their private
private,purpose
purpose atat least for a minimum
minimum of of one
one
month between the
month between the date ofof advertisement
advertisement and and the sale. This
sales

allegation was probably largely justified. As the advertisement

largely justified. advertisement
had
had to to be
be published
publishedatatleast
least one
one month
month before
before the the actual
actual sale
and the order for sale could
and could bebe countermanded
countermandedatat any any time
time upon
upon
the payment of arrears,
arrears, defaulters
defaulters could
could with-hold
withhold their revenues
revenues
and utilise
and utilise them
them for
for private
private purposes till the
purposes till the final
final date of sale.
sale.
The temptation
The temptationtotodo dothis
this must
must have
have been
been particularly
particularly strong
strong
among
among those thosewhowhohadhadbeen
beenforced
forcedtoto borrow
borrow from from the money
money
lenders
lenders at at high rates of interest,
interest, for
for the
the later
latertheir
theirrevenue
revenue pay-
pay­
ments,
ments, the less the interest they they had
had to
to pay,
pay, the
the minimum
minimum saving
saving
being
b e i n g one interest. IIn
o n e month's interest. n order
order to discourage
discourage suchsuch prac
prae-

8, See, Appendix
8. I.
Appendix I.
9,
9, Ibid.
IbId.

10,
10, Ibid.
Ibid.
 evenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws
LawsininOperation
Operaon i4g
149
tices, a fine of one
one per cent per month
month on
on outstanding
outstanding arrears was
was
imposed from August
imposed from August 1794 onwards.'1 But this
1794 onwards.11 this measure
measure did
did
not improve
improvethethe situation.
situation. The
The rate
rate of
of advertisement
advertisement continued
continued
to be as high as before. Thinking
Thinking that the one per cent monthly
monthly
interest, charged
charged upon
upon private
private loans,
loans, a further
further one
oneper
percent
cent
fine was
monthly fine was imposed
imposed on the arrears.18
arrears.12 But these regressive
fines proved
fines proved toto be ofof no effect in curbing
no effect the rise
curbing the rise in the
the
number of advertisements.
advertisements. From the beginning
beginning of the nineteenth
century, the figure
century, went up
figure went upstill
stillfurther
further and, since the number
and, since number
of actual
actual sales
saleshad
haddrastically
drasticallydeclined,
declined, it lost all
all its
its significance
significance
index of
as an index of the
the real operation of the land market.
market.
The Court of Directors
Court of Directorsasked
askedthe
the Government
Government of of Bengal
Bengal toto
explainthe
explain thereasons
reasonsfor forthe
thegreat
great gulf between
between advertised
advertised and
and
actual sales of land.
actual sales The Government's
land. The Government’s explanation was that
explanation was that
"in the
*'in the Lower Provinces, almost
Lower Provinces, almostall
all measures
measures ofof coercion
coercion have
have
been supersededbby
been superseded the process
y the processofof advertisement for
for public
public sale,
and
and the number
number of of estates
estates advertised
advertised for
for payment
payment fwould]
wouIdJ
always be very great.”
always 13 But
great."12 But the real
real reasons
reasons for the
the lack
lack of
correlation between
between advertisements and sales, went
advertisements and went far
far beyond
sales1 beyond
the simple explanation given by
explanation given by the
the Council.
Council.
The
The zamindars'
zamindars’ habit
habit of waiting
waiting until
until the
thelatest
latestpossible
possible
date to pay
date to paytheir
their revenues
revenues and
and the
the Regulation
Regulation IIofof 1801
ΙθΟΙ and
and
the Board's
Board’s resolution
resolution of 13 April 1802
13 April 1802 relating
relating to
to the
the recovery
recovery
of revenues
revenues from
from the
the zamindars
zamindars tended
tended totocreate
createananartificial
artificial
flow of advertisement.
flow advertisement. In In Regulation
Regulation I of of 1801,
1801, which
which waswas
intendedtotoachieve
intended achievegreater
greaterpunctuality
punctualityofofthethe payment
payment of of the
publicrevenue,
public revenue,provided
providedforforthe
the advertisement
advertisement of of the land
land of
of
defaulters immediately
defaulters they fell
immediately they without the
fell into arrears, without
original one
original one month's
month’s grace
grace of
of which
which so
somuch
muchadvantage
advantage hadhad
hitherto been
hitherto been taken.'4'
taken.14 The same
same Regulation
Regulation also
also laid
laiddown
down

11.
11. Ibid.
Ibid.

Section 2,
12. Section 2, Regulation
Regulation 12,
12, 1801.
G.G. in C. to C.
13. G.G. C. D
D.., 1 A 1812. P.p,
ug. 1812.
Aug. P .P, 1831-2. vol. XI. App
1831-2. vol. App. No.
N o. 46.
46.
14. Section
14. Seetion 3, Regulation 1,
1 ,1801.
180).
 150
i 50 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
that iiif information
that information enabling only such
enabling only such part
part of
of the
the estate
estate as
as
would cover the
would cover the arrears
arrears to
to be
be put
put up
up for
for sale
sale were not
not received,
received,
then the whole
then the whole would
wouldbebeincluded
included in
in the
the advertisement.15
advertisement.'5 A
resolutionofof the
resolution the Board
Board of revenue
revenue passed
passed inin the
the following
following
year ensured that the
ensured that the value
value ofof land
land annually
annually advertised
advertised for
for sale
would
would mount
mount still
still further. The The measure
measure was designed to
was designed to
prevent the
prevent the undue
undue fragmentation
fragmentation of of estates
estates and
and itittherefore
therefore
laid downthat
laid down thatany
anyestate
estateofofwhich
whichthe the annual
annual jam
.iamaa was
was less
less
than five
than fivehundred
hundredrupees
rupees must
must be be
putputupupfor
for sale,
sale, on
on default,
default,
as aa single
as single block.18
block.16 It also
also prescribed
prescribed that where
where thethe sale
sale
of a part of an estate to clear
clear arrears would
would reduce
reduce the truncated
estate
estate toto below
below the
the five
five hundred
hundred mark,
mark, then
thenonce
onceagain
again the
the
whole estate must
whole estate must be be put up up forfor sale.17
sale.'7 The purpose
purpose of the
resolution
resolution waswas duly
duly served
served butbut only
only bybyfurther
furtherinflating
inflating the
the
figures of land advertised for sale.sale.
The total
The total effect
effect of
of these
these measures
measures was was to to transform
transform the the
advertisement
advertisement into into a sort
sort ofoffinal
finaldemand
demandnote noteandandone
one often
often
ostensibly' involving,
ostensibly involving farfarlarger
largerareas
areasthanthanwere
were required
required to
the default. It often
answer the often happened
happened that thattheth eannual
annualjarna
jam a
of the lands
of the lands advertised
advertisedforforsalesaleinina a district
district far exceeded
exceeded that that
district's
district’s total annual government j a m a ,18 Ultimately, in
government ja'na.18 in 1819,
1819,
when
when itit was
was quite
quiteclear
clearthat
that the scheme
scheme of of advertisement
advertisement bore bore
scarcelyany
scarcely anyrelation
relationtotoactual
actualsales,
sales, thethe authorities
authorities decided
decided to
discontinue
discontinue the the practice
practice of advertisement
advertisement in in the
thegazette
gazette alto.
alto­
getber,
gether, except
except for
for major
major genuine sales to to bebe held
held at the the
Presidency.10 Having
Presidency.'° Having discussed
discussed why why earlier
earlier historians
historians were
were
led
led into
into errors
errors and
andmisconceptions
misconceptions about about the effect of
the effect of the
the
permanent settlement upon
permanent settlement upon property
property in in land
land by by the
theinflated
inflated
figures of lands
figures of lands advertised
advertisedfor forsale
saleinindefault
defaultof of public
public revenue,
revenue,

15.
15. Ibid., Section
Ibid., Section 2,2, pp. 555-6.
16.
16. B. O. R , to
0. R, to Q.
G . G.
G, in
in C ., 13
C,, 13 April B. R.
1102, B.
April 1*02, R. C . 22
C,. 22 April
April 1802, N o . 5,
l8O2 No. 5,
P 54/24.
P54124.
17.
i7. Ibid.
Ibid.

18.
18, See Appendix
Appendix Γ.
L
19.
19, G. G.
C. G. inC.
in C. to
to B4O.
B , 0 .R., B .R.R.C.,
R .,B. C .,11July
July 1819,
1819, N o . 29,
No. 2 9 , P58/11.
P58/Il.
levenue
RevenueSale
SaleLaws
Laws in
in Operation
Operation 151
1&1

and having outlined the

the reasons
reasons for
for the
the inflation
inflation of
of those
those figures,
figures,
is necessary
it is necessary now
now to
to grapple
grapple with
withthe
thequestion,
question,how
howmuch
much
lard
land did
did genuinely
genuinely change hands??
change hands
The Bengal
The Bengal Government's
Government’s ownown figures for. land
figures for sales are,
land sales
has been
as has been seen,
seen, startlingly small over
over the total period
period comparea
compared
with those for lands
lands advertised
advertised for sale. But are
for sale. are the
the sale
sale figures
figures
indicatingthat
—indicating that land
land with
with aa total
total jarna
jam a of
ofS.
S. Rs.
Rs, l3,48,OOO
130,48,000
or 68 per cent
cent of
of the
the whole
whole provincial
provincialjajwna was sold
m a was sold during
during thethe
course
course ofofour
ourtwenty·five
twentyfiveyears
yearsperiod—themselves
period-themselves to to be
be relied
relied
upon?
upon ? TheTheanswer
answerisisno.
no.For,
For,asasalready
already indicated,
indicated, many
many landslands
were sold
were sold which were in fact
which were fact bought
bought back
back by by their
their original
original
owners, in beiiarni
benami transactions.

But
But why
why should
should zamindars have found
zamindars have found it worthwhile
worthwhile to
go
go through
through the
the elaborate
elaborate process
processofofauction
auctionsale
saleand
andbenaini
benami
repurchase ?? There
There are
are two
two main
main reasons-one
reasons—oneadministrative,
administrative,
another economic. Firstly, by Regulation 44 of 1793 all previous
economic. Firstly,
leases and encumbrances
leases and encumbrancesattached
attachedtotoa alotlotsold
soldatat public
public auction
auction
were thereby
thereby cancelled. So, the
cancelled. So, the best
best and,and, indeed,
indeed, the
the only
only
legal
legal way
way toto procure the cancellation of disadvantageous
agreements with
agreements with under-tenants
under-tenantswas was toto cause the land
cause the land to
to be
sold, and
publicly sold,
publicly and to to buy
buy it again in
it again in benarni.2°
benami.20 Secondly,
it was
was possible,
possible, byby benami
benami transactions,
transactions, largely
largely to to defraud
the government
the government of of its revenue
revenue dues.dues. This
This was
was done, by
cunning landholders,
cunning landholders,by by transferring
transferring their
their lands
lands to to nominal
nominal
proprietors, men of straw,
proprietors, men of straw, who who would
would then designedly
designedly fall
into
into arrears
arrears for thethe purpose
purpose of of having
having thethe estate
estate put put up
up to
to
auction. TheThe true
true zamindar
zamindar would
would then
then either
either secure
secure the
estate directly oror perhaps
perhaps benami through yet another
benami through another agent
agent
at aavery
verylowlowprice,
price,anyanywould-be
would-becompetitor
competitor at at thetheauction
auction
intimidated by the zainindar's
being intimidated zamindar’s locallocal, influence,
influence. The
zamindar thus
zamindar thus secured
secured hishis estate
estate at a cheap
cheap rate while
while “"throwing
throwing

20.
10. G
G.. G.
G. in
in C„
C., to
to C. ., 23
C. DD., 23September P. p.s
1798, P.
September 1798, P ., S, C ., H.
C., H. C.,
C., 1 8 3 1-2,
1831 -2 ,
vol,
vol, X I„ App.
XI,, p,131.
31, p.131.
App. 31,
 152 lermanent
Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

upon government the remaining balance

government the as the
balance as the former
former proprietor
[possessedj
£possessed3 no further property
property nor [was]
Pwas"! he to be
he to be found."21
found.’’21
Some benami
Some benami transacLions also happened
transactions also happened because
because zamitidars
zamindars
whose
whose lands
lands were
were going
going totobebegenuinely
genuinely sold
sold wished
wished toto take
take
precautionary measures
precautionary measures toto guard
guard themselves
themselves against
against collusion
collusion
among their
among their own
own amla, Trusted agents
amla. Trusted of the
agents of the zamindar
zamindar were
sent
sent to
to the
theauction
auctioncentre
centreto to
make
makefalse
falsebids
bidsininorder
ordertotoboost
boost
the price
the price ofof the
the lands
lands under
undersale.
sale. If the calls
calls of the genuine
genuine
bidders were
bidders were too
too far
far below
below thetheexpected
expectedprice,
price, then
then the
the real
real
sale
sale was
was postponed
postponed by by the
the zamindar's
zamindar’s buying
buying in the lands
in the lands
benami, in
benami, in expectation
expectation of a higher sale price
price next time.22
time.22
is impossible
It is impossible to detectdetect thethebenami
benamipurchase
purchaseamong
among thethe
total gross
gross transfers.
transfers. Only
Only aa few fewcases
cases which
which were
were specially
specially
investigated by
investigated by the
the Collectors
Collectors cancan be
be determined.
determined. TheThe biggest
biggest
bena,nj purchaser was
benami was thethe raja
raja ofof Burdwan
Burdwanwho whoinin the earliest
earliest
years of
years of the
the period,
period,transferred
transferred almost
almost the
the whole
whole of his his zamin-
zamin­
dan
dari to
to his lawyers
lawyers andand officers
officers through
through public
public sales.23
sales.23 Thus,
the entire sadar
sadar revenue
revenue of of this
this zamindari,
zamindari, that is
is Rs,
Rs, 32,66,000,
32,66,000,
may reasonably be deducted from the gross total transfers.
may reasonably be deducted from the gross total transfers.
Another prominent benami benami purchaser in in Burdwan
Burdwan waswas Rogonath
Rogonath
Singh, the
Singh, the zamindar
zamindar of of Pargana Chotteah,
Chotteah. His zamindari,
paying Rs. government revenue,
Rs. 60,000 in government revenue, was
was proved
proved to
have been
have been collusively
collusively sold sold over
over and
and over
over again
again inin order
order to
to
defraud the
defraud the public
public revenue.24
revenue,24 The The computed
computed ja,na
jam a of the the
lands
lands subject
subject to to his benami
benami transactions
transactions amounted,
amounted, according
according
to the Collector to one one lakh
lakh ofof rupees.25
rupees,25

21, Burdwan
21. Burdwan Collector
Collector to B.
B , 0.
O,R,,
R „12
12 June
June 1799. enclosurewith
1799, enclosure with Harington’s
Harington's
Minute, B.
Minute, B. R
R.. C
C.,„ 29 August
August 1799,
1799, NNo. 5, P54/4.
o , 5, p54/4.
22. Rajshahi Collector’s
Rajshahi Collector's investigation
investigation IntoInto a benami
benami case,
case, B,B, 0.
O. R.
R ■P.,
P., 24
24
July 1801,
1801, No,
N o. 17.
17, p74/23.
P74/23.
23. Burdwan
23, Collector to
Burdwan Collector to BB., O
0.. R.,
R ,, 12
12May
M ay1800,
1800, B,
B. O.
0. R,R. P.,
P., 16
16May 1800,
May 1800,
No, 8, P74/11.
N o. 8, P74/li.
Burdwan Collector
24. Burdwan Collectortoto BB.. O,
0, R.
R ..1212June
June1799,
1799, βB.. R
R,i c ., 29
C., August 1799,
29 Augusa 1799,
No.
N o. 5, enclosure with Haringtons’
enclosure with Haringtons' minute,
minute, P54/4,
P54/4,
25. Ibid.
Ievenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in Operatio
Operation 153
1S:

The combined
The purchasesolof the
combined purchases the wife
wife and
and mother
mother ofof the
the
raja of
raja of Dinajpur,
Dinajpur, which
which mustmust bebeconsidered
considered to be be benami,
benami,
amounted
amounted to toaa sadar jama
ja m aofofS.S.Rs.
Rs.79,000.26
79,000.ae As mentioned
mentioned
earlier the
the raja
rajaofofRajshahi
Rajshahi and andhis
hisgrandmother
grandmotherraniraniBhavani
Bhavani
were also
were also officially
officially recorded
recorded as having purchased property
bearing aa ssadar
bearing adar jama
jam a of
of S.S.Rs.
Rs.54,000. Thus the total transfers
54,000. Thus
which can be definitely traced as benatni are
which can be definitely traced as benami are as
as follows
follows::

Proprietors Sadar jaina

jama
S. Rs.
Raja of Burdwan
Burdwan 32,66,000
Rognath Singh ,00,000
11,00,000
Raja of Dinajpur
Raja 79,000
79.000
Raja of Rajshahi 54,000
54.000
Total 34,99,000
34,99,000

Besides the
Besides the above
above casescases there werewere further
furtherconsiderable
considerable
benatni
benami transfers, though no
transfers, though no precise
precise figures are available
about them.
about them. InIn the
the 24 24Parganas,
Parganas, lands
lands bearing
bearing aa total
total jama
jam a
of S.
of S. R.
Rs.2,31,000
2,31,000were weresold
soldbetween
between 1794
1794 and
and1802.27
1802.2 r But
Collector of
the Collector of the
the district
district reported
reported in 1802 that very
1802 that very fewfew
genuine sales
genuine sales had
had taken
taken place
place in
in that
thatdistrict.28
district.28 Similarly
lands bearing
lands bearingaa total
totaljajama
m a ofof eight
eight lakhs
lakhsofof rupees
rupees were
were sold
sold in
Dacca between
Dacca between 1794
1794 and and1802
1802 ;29
;20 but the Collector
Collector reported
reported
in 1802
in significant portion
1802 that a significant portion of these
these transfers
transfers hadhad
been
been purchased
purchased by bythetheoriginal
original proprietors.30
proprietors.30 The The Collector
Collector
of Murshidabad was as likewise
likewise of ofopinion
opinionthat
thatinin his
his district
district the
the

26. Francis Buchanan,

Buchanan, AAGeographical Historical Description
Geographical Statistical and Historical Descriptionoof
f
Dinajpur, pp. 284-9,
Dinajpur, pp. 2849.
27. See,
See, Appendix 1.I.
24-Parganas Collector to W
28. 24-parganas Wellesley,
ellesley, C. I.
J. P.,
P., 88 July
July 1802,
1802, para.
para, 26,
26, No.
N o.
109, P147/57.
109, p147157.
See,Appendix
29. See. Appendix 1. 1.
Dacca Collector to Wellesley.
30. Dacca
30. Wellesley. 88 June
June 1802, C. J-
1802, C. I. P., 88 july
July1802,
J802, para. 26.
No. 97. P147/57.
N o. 97. P 147/57.
154 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
genuine transfers
genuine transfers fromfrom the original
original zamindars
zamindars were were much much less
less
than the
the gross
gross sales.31
sales.31 In In Rangpur
Rangpur and and Sylhet,
Sylht, the theCollectors
Collectors
reported that aa significant
significant portion
portion of ofthe
thegross
g r o s ssales
s a le s was
w a s purchased
by the original
original zamindars.82
zamindars.82 Such Such was was believed
believed to to be
be the
the case
case
in Tipperah
Tipperah and and Mymensingh
Mymensingh too.33 too.33 AllAll these these reportsreports were
were
made by
made by thethe Collectors
Collectors in in response
response to to Wellesley’s
Wellesley's request that
they should
should let let him
him know what type
know what type ofof persons
persons had had bought
bought the
auction-lands. In the the absence
absence of of deGnite
definite figures
figures about about these
these
nominal transfers reported
nominal transfers reported by by thethe Collectors,
Collectors, aa deduction deduction of of
fifteenper
fifteen percent
centfromfromthe thetotal
total transfers,
transfers, fromfrom 1794 1794 upto upto 1802
1802
in those
in those districts,
districts, may may be be taken as as the
the most most conservative
estimate
estimate of benainibenami transfer.*
transfer.* If fifteen
fifteen per percent centbe beaccepted,
accepted,
the amount of benarni benami transfers up up to to 1802 would be
S. Rs.
Rs. 3,00,000,
3,00,000, sincesince the
the gross
gross transfers
transfers in those districts for that that
period
period amounted
amounted to to S.
S. Rs.
Rs. 19,97,200.
19,97,200.34 To To thisthis sum sum mustmust behe
added
added thethe already
already quoted
quoted official
official account
account of of benarni
benami purchasers
by four
four major
major landholders
landholders amounting
amountingtotoS. S. Rs.
Rs. 34,99,000,
34,99,000, toge toge­
ther with aa further
ther with further sum sum forfor the
the other
otherdistricts
districtsofofBengal, Bengal,viz.viz,
Birbhum, Chittagong,
Chittagong, Jessore,
Jessore, Nadia Nadia and Purnia, not not yet
carried. It is is true
true that
that there
there isis nono statement
statement from from callectors
callectors
of these
these districts
districts about
about benami transfers, but the
benami transfers, theabsence
absence ofof
any estimate almost
any estimate almost certainly
certainlydoes doesnot notmean
mean that that none none took
took
place in
place in those
those districts.
districts. It mightmight be on a lesser lesser scale, scale, butbut the
the
practice certainly did exist. Assuming
practice certainly did exist. Assuming the the low low percentage
percentage of of

31.
31. Mursbida bad Collector
Murshidabad Collector to
to Wellesley,
Wellesley, 88 February 1802, C. .1.
02, C. J. P.,
P., 8
8 July
1 July
1802, No.
1802. No. 104.
104. P147/57.
p147f57.
32.
32. Rangpur Collector
Collector to
to Wellesley,
W ellesley, 6 January 1802, C. //.
1802, C. . PP.,
., 88 July 1802,
July 1802,
No. 113,
No. 113, PI Sylbet Collector
47/57 ; Sylbet
P147/57; Collector to
toWellesley,
Wellesley, 12
12 December 1801, 1801,
C. .1.
C. / , PP.,
., 8 8July
July1802, N No.
11102. o. 177,
177, P147/57.
p147/57.

33.
33. Tipperab Collector
Tipperah Collector to to Wellesley,
W ellesley, 20 April 1802,1802, C. C ./.
/ , P.,
P ., 88 July 1602,
1602,
N o. 106,
No. 106, P147/57 Mymensinghcollector
P147157;; Mymensingh colleetortoto W
Wellesley,
ellesley, 99 January
January 1802,
1802,
C . .1.
C. / . P,P.8 8July
July1802,
1802,NNo.
o. Iill,
l l , Pp147/i7.
147/J7.
34. See, Appendix 1,
34. 1,

All deductions
* All deductions on on account
«ccount of benwni transfers
o f benami transfers are entirely
entirely presumptive.
presumptive.
Such conclusions II have
Such based on my personal feeling
have baied feeling only,
only.
Revenue Sale Laws in Operation
Operation 155

benami transactions,
benami transactions,which
whichmay
maynotnotbebetrue,
true, eight per
per cent
cent may
may
be the
be the safest figure. If so,
safest figure. the total
so, the total benaini
benami transactions,
transactions, in
five districts
these five districts upto would be
upto 1801, would be S. Rs.
Rs. 2,06,000,
2,06,000,
since the
since the total
total transfers
transfersininthosethosedistricts
districtsupto
upto 1801
1801 amounted
amounted
to S. Rs. 25,73,000.35*
25,73,000.35* Thus, the grand total of of benarni
benami transfers
transfers
for the Province
Province might
might then
then bebe aa minimum
minimum of S. S. Rs.
Rs. 40,00,000.
40,00,000.
If attention isisconcentrated
concentrated upon upon land
land which
which changed
changed hands,
hands,
rather than upon
rather than upon the the number
number of ofpersons
persons who whoat
at oneonepoint
point oror
another bought
bought or or sold
soldland,
land, then the government
government salessalesfigures
figures
contain
contain at least one onemoremoredefinable
definablesources
sourcesofofconfusion.
confusion. This
is because
because the the figures
figures dodo not separately
separately take note of of land
land which
which
was sold
sold more
more than once. Yet
than once. Yet itit is
is quite
quite clear
clear that
that over
over thethe
period
period of of years
years here
here considered,
considered, while while some
some property
property wouldwould
remain within the
remain within the same
same original
originalfamily,
family, other
other properties wouldwould
be sold
be soldtotoaa series
series ofof new
new owners.
owners. It It is
is known, inded, that
known, indeed, that
many
many outside
outside purchasers
purchasers at auction auction sales very soon
sales very soon either either
withdrew
withdrew from from land
land ownership
ownership or or sold
sold their
theiracquisitions
acquisitions in in one
one
area
area in in order
ordertotobuybuylands
lands elsewhere.
elsewhere. Though Though there
there isis little
direct
direct evidence
evidence of the the new
newproprietors
proprietor’smotives
motivesininselling
selling up,
up,
there is is a strong
strong presumption
presumption that that secondary
secondary transfers
transfers were were
mostly occasioned
mostly occasionedby bythe
the resistance
resistance and hostility
hostilityofofthe
thedisposs-
disposs­
essedzan'iindars
essed zamindars and and their loyalloyaltenants
tenantstotothethenew-corners,
new-comers, who who
some cases
in some cases were
were previously
previously unacquainted
unacquainted with with the
theproblems
problems
of zam!ndari
zamindari management.
As all
As all small-scale
small-scalesales sales were
were reported
reported under
under thethecommon
common
head of
head of ‘sundry
'sundry proprietors’
proprietors' without
without the the names
names andandaddresses
addresses
of the sellers
sellers andandbuyers
buyersbeing
beinggiven,
given,ititisisimpossible
impossible to prepare
a detailed list of all secondary transfers. Only seventeen
important cases
important secondarytransfers
cases of secondary transferscouldcouldhave
have been
been traced.
traced.
The value
value of ol the original
original purchases
purchases and andsubsequent
subsequent retransfers
retransfers
have been listed in the following
following table ;
' 335, Ibid.
5 . Ibid.
** The
T heRegulation
Regulation 77of
o f 1799
1799 that
thatcame
came into
into operation
operationininlate
late1800
1800strictly
strictly
prohibited benami transaction
prohibited benami transaction w with
ith the
the heavy
heavypunishment
punishment of o f forefeiture
forefeiture
ooff the benami
benamiproperty.
property.Hence
Hencesales
salesup
uptoto1801
1801have
have been
been Included
Includedinin our
our
calculation. Moreover
calculation, volume ooff sales
Moreover volume sales were
were extremely
extremely nominal
nominal after
after
1801.
18Ol
 /

TABLE 9
Statement
Statement of
of Persons
Persons who
who Purchased
Sold them
Lands and Sold them again
again
SL.
SL. Names of Residence
Residence Situation Jama ofof Jams of
Jama-of
No. Purchasers of lands lands lands
purchased
purchased purchased
purchasedsubseq-
aubseq-
• uently
sold
S. Rs.
Rs. S. Rs.
1. Abhoy Calcutta Nadia
Abhoy Charan Dutt Calcutta Nadia 1,30,790 38,677
2. Balram
2. Balram Bose
Bose Jessore
Jessore Jessore
Jessore 55,629 42,415
3. Bhavindara
3. Bhavindara Narayan Rajshahi
Rajshahi Mymensing
Mymensing 1,16,279
1,16,279 40,407
4. BhoyrabChand
Bhoyrab Chand 24-
24— Dinajpur 3,257 3,257
Parganas
5. Bhoyrob Chand Adit
Bhoyrob Chand Mit Burdwan
Burdwan ,, 28,873 23,029
6. Durpnarayan
Durpnarayan Roy
Roy Calcutta Nadia
Nadia 35,919 35,919
7. Gourkrishna
Gourkrishna Sharma
Sharma Rajshahi
Rajshahi Rajshahi
Rajshahi 10,452 10,452
8. Gourmohan
8. Gourmohan Roy Nadia Nadia 8,250 8,250
9. Kirtinarayan
Kirtinarayan Roy
Roy Calcutta Nadia
Calcutta Nadia 17,171 25,858
10. Krishna Chandra
10, Patna Dinajpur 17,513 12,787
11.
11. Madhushudhan
Madhushudhan Nadia Nadia 8,072 16,420
12.
12. Natto Singh
Singh Burdwan Burdwan 94,233 90,000
13. Nittananda Sen
13. Sen Calcutta Rajshahi
Calcutta 31,847 15,278
14.
14. Ramkrishna R ajshahi Rajshahi
Rajshahi 13,685 13,685
13,685
Chowdhury
15. Rammohon
15. ,,
» >»
,, 30,604 30,604
Chowdhury
16.
16. Ramnaryan Sarkar ,, Jessore 69,603 19,198
17.
17. Shambhu
Shambhu Chandra
Chandra
and Krishna
Cjiandra Chatterji Calcutta
Chandra Chatterji Calcutta Birbhum 67,691 60,843
Total 7,39,868
7,39,868 4,87,077
4,87,077
Sources:SSee
Sources SeeAppendix
Appendix22according
according to
to serial
serial number.
number.
Revenue Sale Laws in Operation 157

We are
We are now
now in in aa position
position to make make an an estimate
estimate of ofthethe total
total
real turnover
turnover of of land
land in in the generation followingthe
generation following the permanent
settlement. The The total
total gross
grosssales
saleswerewereofofland
landupon
upon which
which the
jarna
ja m a amounted
amounted to to S. S. Rs.
Rs. 1,30,14,800
1,30,14,800oror68.42 68.42perpercent centof of the
jama
total ja m a of
of Bengal.
Bengal. If from from this is is deducted
deducted S. S. Rs.
Rs. 34,99,000,
34,99,000,
the known
known figurefigureof ofbenarni
benami purchases
purchases by by the
the four
four big
big families,
families,
and aa notional
and notional further fifteen fifteen per percent
centofofall
allsales
salesin in seven
seven dist-
dist­
ricts,
ricts, and
and eight
eight per percent
cent inin five
five other
other districts
districts which would would
amount to S. S. Rs,
Rs. 3,00,000
3,00,000 and and S.S. Rs.
Rs. 2,06,000
2,06,000 respectively,
respectively,toge- toge­
ther with the S.
with the S. Rs.
Rs. 4,87,079
4,87,079 for known known retransfers—seventeen
retransfers-seventeen
cases in
cases in all,
all, then
then we we are
are left
left with
with known
known truetrue sales
sales of of not
not more
more
than S.
than S. Rs.
Rs. 86,03,000,
86,03,000,that thatisistoto say,
say, 45 per cent of of the annual
annual
value of
value of the land revenues of Bengal. Bengal,
Our argument
Our argument can, can, however,
however, be carried carried further,
further, so so as
as to
enable us
enable us to to see
seehow how thethe loss
lossofoflanded
landedproperty
propertywas wasshared
shared
between the
between the greater
greater and and lesser
lesser proprietors.
proprietors. The figures figures areare
as follows. In In 1793
1793the the total
total revenue
revenue demand
demand upon upon the the lands
lands
of
of Bengal
Bengal was was S. S. Rs. 1,90,19,600. Of Of that, lands paying
that, lands paying
S.
S. Rs,
Rs, 1,01,13,000
1,01,13,000 were were heldheld by by twelve
twelve great
great families,
families, holding
holding
53.11 percent
53.11 percent of of the
the total,
total, while
while lands
lands paying
paying S.S,Re. Rs.89,06,600
89,06,600
were held
were held bybyall allthe
the other
other smaller
smaller families,
families, or 468946'89 percent
percent
of the total
total between
between them. them.
We have
We have shownshown that that ininthethenextnexttwenty
twentyfive fiveyears,
years, ifif wewe
deduct
deduct and and discount
discount bena'nibenami purchases
purchases and and retransfers,
retransfers,lands lands
paying
paying S. S. Rs.
Rs. 86,03,000
86,03,000 were were actually
actually sold.
sold. ButBut in in the
the prece
prece­
ding chapter itit has
ding chapter has been
been seenseen thatthat the
the ten
ten great
great families
familiesalonealone
lost lands valued
lost lands valuedatat S. S. Rs.
Rs. 61,75,000
61,75,000 or or 6L
6L percent
percent of of their
their
original holdings. It follows follows that the loss loss sustained
sustained by by sale
sale among
among
lesser zamindars
the lesser
the zamindars inin the the samesame period
period must
must have have been been
S. Rs.
S. Rs. 24,28,000
24,28,000 or or 26%
26%of of their
their original
original holdings.
holdings. The The losses
losses of
the great
the great families
families were thus vastly
were thus vastly greater
greater than
than thosethose of of the
lesser proprietors both absolutely and proportionately.
The comparative
The comparative stabilitystability of of the
the lesser zamindars was
probably
probably due due tototheirtheirrelative
relativefreedom
freedom from
fromcertain
certaindifficulties
difficulties
that operated
operated to to the
the ruin
ruinofoftheir theirsocial
socialsupiriors,
aupiriors, The vast
 158 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

extent of
extent of the
thebigbigestates
estatescompelled
compelled their
theirproprietors
proprietors toto place
place
their trust
trust onon their local managersmanagers who who never
never hesitated
hesitated
to
to misuse
misuse that trust.
trust. But the small small proprietors
proprietors themselves
themselves
managedtheir
managed theirown
ownaffairs
affairswithout
withoutdepending
dependingon on an
an elaborate
elaborate
bureaucracy,
bureaucracy, and and consequently
consequently theythey were
were free from the intrigues
intrigues
of the
of the amla. Because they maintained direct relationship
amla. Because
with their
with their tenants
tenants they
they could
could easily
easily collect
collect their
theirrents
rents more
more
punctually by using their influence
influence than could
could the big zamindars
zamindars
who were
who were removed
removed fromfromtheir
their ryots
ryots by
by various
various degrees of inter
inter­
mediary
mediary farmers
farmers and sub-farmers. Besides their relative
managerial advantage
managerial advantage over over the
the big zainindars,
zamindars, the small
zamindars could depend
zamindars could depend on the government's
government’s help helpmore
moreconfi-
confi­
dently in
dently in case
caseofofcalamity
calamitythan
than could
could the principal
principal zamindars
zamindars
under similar circumstances. It has been already
similar circumstances. already explained
explained inin
chapter three
chapter three that the government preferred economically
manageable
manageable smallsmallestates
estatestotoovergrown
overgrowngreatgreat zamindaris.
zamindaris. Hence,
it is not
not unreasonable
unreasonable to assume
assume that as as the most
most favoured
favoured group,
the small
the small zamindars
zamindars derived
derived various
various advantages from from the
the
administration.
It is not
not to
to be
be supposed
supposedthat that all
all the
the genuine
genuine transfers withinwithin
our period, that isis to to say
say about
about 45
45 per
per cent
cent of
of the
thelanded
landed property
property
of Bengal, were occupied
occupied by comers. Rather,
by the new corners. Rather, a large large
percentage of
percentage of them
them doubtlessly
doubtlessly remained
remained within
within the
the established
established
landed
landed class.
class. DueDue to to the
the scarcity
scarcityofofstatistical
statisticaldata
data itit isis not
not
possible
possible to to prove
prove thisthis assertion quantitatively. But But ifif the the
impressionistic statements from
impressionistic statements from the district
district Collectors
Collectors are are to
to
be relied
reliedon, on, we
we should
should be be persuaded
persuaded to to think
think that
that probably
probably
not
not less
less than
than oneone third of of all
all the
the genuine
genuine transfers
transfers were were
purchased
purchased by by the members
members of of the established
established landed
landed class.
class. In
September 1801, 1801, thethe Governor
Governor General
General in in Council
Council issued
issued aa
circular letter to
circular letter to all thethe district Collectors, requiring them to
district Collectors,
answer some
answer interrogattories relating
some interrogattories relating the success
success and
and failure
failure
the system
of the system of of the
the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlement. One interrogatory
interrogatory
was “"What descriptionofofpersons
What description persons are
are in
in general
general thethe purchasers
purchasers
of Ian
lan4s’s disposed
disposed of of by
by public
public sale
sue in youryour district
district F"
?” Their
replies may be condensed
condensed into into the
the following
following tabular
tabular description:
description s
 TABLE 10

The Collector’s
The Collector's descriptions of the professions of
the purchasers
purchasers ofof auction-lands
auction-lands disiosed
disposed of
of
from 1794
from 1794 to
to 1801
1801
Description of
of Description
the profession of of the profess-
profess­
the most exten-
exten­ ion of
ion of the next sources
Districts sive purchasers most extensive
purchasers

Birbhunj
Birbhum Zamindari Amla Merchants 10 April 1802,
1802,
C.
C. J.J.P.,8
. P., 8 July
July
1802, No. 79, 79,
Interrogatory
Interrogatory No,
No.
P I 47/57.
26, P147/57.
Bürdwan
Biirdwan Merchants Officers 29 Oct. 1801,
C.. JJ., P.,
C P., 88 July
July
1802 No. 83,
Interrogatory No.
No.
26, P147/57.
26, P147/57.

Chittagong Zamindars
Zamindars Ofllcers
Officers 17 March
17 March 1802,
1802,
C. J..1.P.,
C. P., 88 July
1802, No. 96, 96.
Interrogatory No.
26, P147/57.
P147/57.
Dacca
Dacea Zainindars
Zamindars Merchants 8 June 1802,
1802,
C. J. P,8
J. P., 8 July
July
1802, No. 97,
97,
Interrogatory No, No1

26, P147/57.
P I47/57.
Dinajpur Moneylenders Zamiadari 12
12 Dee,
Dec, 1801,
Amla C.. J. P., 8 July
July
1802, No. 99. 99.
Interrogatory No.
Interrogatory
26. P
26, I 47/57.
P147/57.
 TABLE 10 (cont.)
(cont)
Description of Description
the profession of of
profession of of the
the profess-
profess-
the most
most exten- ion of the
exten- ion the next Sources
Districts sive purchasers most extensive
purchasers
Jessore Merchants Zamindars 31 Dec,
31 Dee, 1801.
C. JJ.. PP.,
C. . , 8 July
July
1802,
1802, No.
No. 101,
Interrogatory No.No.
26,
26, P147/57.
P147/57.

Murshida- Zamindars Merchants 8

8 1802
Feb. 1802
bad C. J. P., July
C. J. P , 8
1802, No. 104,
1802,
Interrogatory No.
Interrogatory No.
26,
26, P147/57.
P147/57.
Mymen- Zamindars Merchants 9 January
January 1802,
1802,
singh C. .1.
C, F, 8 July
J, P., July
1802,
1802, No. 106,
106,
Interrogatory No. No.
26.
26. P147/57.
P147/57.

Nadia Merchants Zamindars 16 Jan. 1802,

16
C. J.J. F,
C. P., 88 July
1802.
1802. No. 108, In­
No. 108, In.
terrogatory No.
26, PP147/57
26, I 47/57
24-Parganas Zamindars Zamindars 11 May 1802,
C.
C. J. P., P., 88 July
1802, No, 109 109 In­
In-
terrogatory
terrogatory No, No, 26,
26,
P147/57,
P147/57.
Rajshahi Officers Zamindars 22 Dec.
22 1801,
J. P.
C. .1. P. 88 July
1802, No, 112, 112,
Interrogatory No.
26, P147/57.
26, P147/57,
 TABLE 9 (Cont.)
TABLE (Cont.)

Description of Description
the profession of of
profession of of the
the profess-
profess*
the most
most exten-
exten- ionion of
of the
the next Sources
Districts sive purchasers most extensive
purchasers
Rangpur Zamindars Officers 66 January, 1802,
1802.
C. R, 8
J. F.,
C. J. July
8 July
1802, No.
1802, No. 113,
113,
Interrogatory No.
26, P147/57.
26,

Syihet
Sylhet Zamindars Officers 12
12 December 1801,
1801,
C. J.
C. F., 8 July
J. P.,
1802. No, 177
1802.
Interrogatory No.
No.
26.
26. P147/57.

Tipperah Zamindars Officers 20

20 April 1802.
1802,
C. J. F,.
C. J. 8 July
P,. 8 July
1802,
1802, No. 121,
Interrogatory No.
26. P147/57,
26.

It isis thus evident Collectors’ reports

from Collectors' that the
established zamindar class
established zamindar class was
was the
the most
most predominant
predominant group
group
among
among thethe purchasers
purchasers of
of auction lands. The zarnindars
auction lands. zamindars were
were
being
being followed
followed byby traders and government officers. Raja
Rammohan
Rammohan Roy Roywho
who had
had seen
seen all
all the
the early scenes of the
scenes of
drama of
drama of the
the permanent
permanent settlement
settlement with
with his
his own
own eyes
eyes and
and
who, aaas a landholder himself, must have known the
changing
changing fortunes
fortunes ofofhis
hispeers
peers more
moreclearly
clearly than
than any
any European
European
Collector, also stated
Collector, also statedthe
the same
same view
view in
in his
his evidence
evidence before
before
Parliamentary Select
a Parliamentary Select Committee 1832. He
Committee in 1832, He was
was asked:
asked :
"What
"W hat class
class of
of persons
persons become
become the
the principal
principal purchasers
purchasers of
of
?” Raja
lands ?" Raja Rammohan
Rammohan Roy Roy replied: "Frequently other
replied ; “Frequently
landlords
landlords become purchasers, and
become purchasers, and sometimes
sometimes thethe proprietors
proprietors
11—
162 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
themselves
themselves ininthe
thename
nameofofaa trusty
trusty agent.
agent. Sometimes
Sometimes persons
persons
engaged
engaged inin trade,
trade, and
and sometimes
sometimes the the native
native revenue
revenue officers
officers
in the name
name ofofcther
etherconfidential
confidential friends.” 36 It is
friends."36 is therefore
therefore
almost certainthat
almost certain that in
in spite
spite of
of great
great upheavals
upheavals inin the
the traditional
traditional
structure of
of the
the Bengali
Bengali landed
landed society
society under
under the
the operation
operation of of
the permanent
the settlement, the
permanent settlement, the old
old landed
landedinterest
interest remained
remained the
most predominant
most predominant forceforce atat least
least until the end
until the end ofof our period,
period,
though their
though their supremacy
supremacy was
was under
under serious
serious threat
threat from
from the
the
flew men.
new men. HowHow far
far and
and how
how long were they
long were they able
able to
to maintain
maintain
their domination during the
domination during subsequent period
the subsequent period is,
is, indeed,
worth further investigation.
worth investigation.
A look
look atat Appendix
AppendixI Iwill
willshow
show that
that ninetyfive
ninetyfive percent
percent of
of
the
the total
total transfers
transfers took
took place during the
place during the first
first ten
ten years
years of
of
the permanent
the permanent settlement and only
settlement and only five
five percent
percent in in the
the next
next
years. The
fifteen years.
fifteen The greatest
greatest single
single factor
factor for
forthis
thisspectacular
spectacular
recovery,
recovery, fromfrom the
the opening
opening years
years of the nineteenth
nineteenth century
onwards, according
onwards, according totothe the Governor
Governor General
General in in Council,
Council, waswas
Regulation VII
Regulation VII ofof 1799, which restored restored toto the
the zamindars
zamindars
all the
all the coercive
coercive powers
powers over over their
their tenants. The The Governor
Governor
General Wellesley
General reported to
Wellesley reported to the
the Court that this this Act
Act facilitated
facilitated
the collections
collections ofof rent
rent soso much
much so sothat
that itit made
made large
large scale
scale trans-
trans­
on account
fers on account of of the
the zamindars'
zamindars’ inability to to collect
collect rents from
from
their under
under tenants,
tenants, a story of of the past.37
past.37 This
This is surely
surely anan
claim. Nowhere
overexaggerated claim. Nowhere has hasitit been
been found
found that any any
zamindari
zamindari collapsed
collapsed because
because of itsits inability
inability to
to collect
collect rents from
from
undertenants. It is
its undertenants. is clear
cleartotoususnow nowthat
that the
the crisis of the
crisis of the
land market in the wake wake of of the
the permanent
permanent settlement
settlement waswas essen-
essen­
tially the
tially the crisis
crisis of
of the territorial aristocracies
the territorial aristocracies who collapsed,
collapsed,
as has been
as has been stated
stated before,
before, notnot because
because of their inability
of their inability toto
collect rents
collect rents from
from their
their under
under tenants,
tenants, butbut because
because of of their
their
being
being notoriously
notoriously handicapped
handicapped by by poverty,
poverty, natural
natural calamities,
calamities,

36.
36. Raja Rammohan Roy
Raja Rammohan R oy : "Exposition
‘’Exposition of
o f the
the practical
Practical Operation
Operation of
o fJudicial
Judicial
and Revenue India" ■ "Tract
system ooff India’’
Revenue system “Tract 545,
545, p.
p. 67.
67.
37.
37, G.
G . G.
G. ID C. to C.
in C. C· D,,
D·. 31
31 January
January 1802,
1802, Geera1 Revenue Letter, E/4/62.
General Revenie /4/62.
Revenue Sale Laws in Operation
Operation 163
intrigues of
intrigues ofamla,
amla, incapacity,
incapacity, overassessnient
overassessment in some
some cases
cases and
and
government's indifference
government’s towards their sufferings.
indifference towards sufferings. By 1801,
1801,
the dissolution
the dissolution of these
these monopolistic
monopolistic families
families was
was complete.
complete.
So, for
So, for obvious
obviousreasons,
reasons,thetherate
rate of
of transfer
transfer fell
fell drastically
after this. course, Act
this. Of course, Act Seven
Seven of 1799,
1799, by making all benami
benami
transfers
transfers liable to forfeiture to state,
liable to state, helped minimise all
helped minimise
artificial sales
artificial salesthat
that hitherto
hitherto inflated
inflated our transfer figures,
figures.
The two
The two important
important factors
factorsforforthe
thecomparative
comparativestability
stability of
the
the land
land market
market since 1802 were the growth of population
since 1802 population and
and
the economic recovery from
economic recovery from the beginning
beginning of of the
the nineteenth
nineteenth
century. In 1789, the districtdistrict Collectors
Collectors returned the population
population
of Bengal,
Bengal, Bihar
Bihar and and Orissa
Orissa atat23,94,8000.38
23,94,8000.38 In 1802, 1802, the
average
average of of the
the population
population returned
returned by by the Collectors
Collectors and
Judges
Judges stood
stood at 25,49,2000.39
25,49,2000. 1822, it rose, according
In 1822, according to
a police
police report, 37,50,3000.4° Thus
report, toto37,50,3000,40 Thus there
there waswas aa growth
growth
of about
of about fourteen
fourteen million
million people
people from
from 1789 to 1822. In view
of the
of the crude method calculationofof population
method of calculation population in in those
those
days, it it will
will be be illogical
illogical toto suppose
suppose thatthat the
the above
above figures
figures
were one hundred percent right. They might be
They might be either
either more
more
or less. ButBut it is established
established that
that there
there was
was aaconsiderable
considerable
growth of of population
population ever ever since
since the decennial
decennial settlement.
settlement.
Its direct
Its direct impact
impact on on the
the economy
economy of the the country
country waswas the rapid
rapid
agriculture leading
expansion of agriculture leading to proportionate
proportionate increase
in the profit margin of
profit margin of the zamindars.41 Besides
the zamindars.4t the growth of
Besides the of
population, there was
population, was another
another factor
factor that
that immensely
immensely helped
helped the
the
uninterrupted
uninterrupted extension
extension of of agriculture.
agriculture. It was was the absence
absence ofof
any major
any major natural
natural calamity
calamityininthe
thefirst
first quarter of the nineteenth
nineteenth
century.

38. R. Montgomary
M ontgomery Martin,
Martin, History
History of
o fthe
the Possession
Possession ooff the
the Ho,wurable
Honourable East
East
India Company,
Company,vol.
vol. 1,
1, pp. 250-i.
250-1.
39. P.
39, P, R.
R .fvol,
vol. 11,No.
N o .82,
82,p.p.379.
379.
1831, vol. 5, App.
40. P. P., 1831, vol0 A pp. 42.
42. ip; 762.
See Dowdeswell's
41. See Dowdeswell’s minute.minute.16 16 October
October 1811, B. O.
1811, B. 0. R.
R- P.. 16
16 Oct.
Oct. 1811
1811
No. P76/160. (Dowdeswell
N o , 22, P76/160. ( Dowdeswell was was then
then the
the President
President ofo f the
theBoard
Boatd
of Revenue). Councillor
o f Revenue). Councillor C Colebrook's
olebrook’s minute,
m inute, 20
20 June
lu c e1808,
1808, para.
para. 27,
Mirito
Minto Papers, M M 338.
33S.
164 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

The second major factor

second major factor was the growth
growth of of trade
trade and
and comm-
comm­
erce
erce from
from the
thebeginning
beginningof ofthe
the nineteenth
nineteenth century.
century. According
to Tripathi,
to Tripathi,the
the import
import andandexport
export trades
trades in thethe Bengal
Bengal Presi-
Presi­
dency increased
dency increased byby about
about 259
259 percent from 1795
percent from 1795 to to 1812.42
The opening
The opening ofof aafree
freetrade
tradefurther
furtherbolstered
bolsteredup up the
the over
over all
all
productivity andeconomic
productivity and economicactivity
activityofofththe
e country.
country. These will will
be indicated
be indicatedbybythe
the ever
ever increasing
increasing trends
trends in the the import
import and
and
export sectors as indicated
indicated belaw.4
below.43

TABLE 11
11
Exports through Calcutta Port
Imports and Exports
1813-1819
Years Imports Exports
S. Rs.'OOOOO
S. Rs.’00000 S. Rs.'OOOOO
Rs.’OOOOO
11813-4
8 1 3 -4 212, 539,
11814-5
8 1 4 -5 261, 561,
1815-6
1815—6 344, 666,
11816-7
816-7 584, 699,
11817-8
8 1 7 -8 685, 781,
11819-9
819-9 762, 709,

Such expansion
Such expansion of agriculture,
agriculture, trade
trade and
andcommerce
commerce upon
upon
the fixed
the fixed government demandon
government demand on the
the zamindars
zamindars must
must have
have
made
made themthem much
much better
better off
off than
than before
before when
when they
they groaned
groaned
under the
under the crushing
crushing pressure
pressure of
of the economic
economic depression the
depression of the
last quarter of
last quarter of the
the eighteenth
eighteenth century,
century, which
which was
was caused
caused by
by
famine, decline
famine, decline inin population
population andand industries,
industries, the drainage
of specie
of specie and
and uncertainties
uncertainties andand indecisions
indecisions inin the revenue
revenue
administration.

42.
42. Tripathi, Trade
A. Tripathi, Trade and Finance In
and Finaace In the
the Bengal
Bengaf Presidency,
Presidency, 253,
253,
43.
43. P. P.
P. P. 1831, vol.
vol. 5,
5, Evidence p. 1.
Evidence p. 2.
levenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws
Laws in Operation 165

The Value
The Value ooff LLanded Property
an ded P roperty
The creation
The creationofofproperty
propertyinin land
land and
and of
of aacompetitive
competitive lanJ
land
market,
market, and the the growth
growthofofpopulafion,
population,trade
tradeand
andcommerce,
commerce,
must all have
must all have had
had their
theirimpact
impact on
onthe
thevalue land. It was
valueofofland. ws
fervently
fervently believed
believed by Cornwallis
Cornwallis that under
under thethenew
newsystem,
system,
"landed property [[wouldi
“ landed property would] acquire
acquire aa value
value hitherto
hitherto unknown
unknown
in Hindoostan,
Hindoostan, and the thelarge
largecapitals
capitalspossessed
possessed byby many
many of the
natives
natives inin Calcutta,
Calcutta, which
which [were
[were^ now
now emlpoyed
emlpoyed in usury or
monopolising
monopolising salt salt and
and other
other necessaries
necessaries of of life,
life, [would,
[would] be
be
appropriated to
appropriated to the
the more
more useful
usefulpurposes
purposesofofpurchasing
purchasing and
and
improving lands."44
lands.’’44
The authorities
The authorities were
were so so infused
infused with
withsuchsuchoptimism
optimism that
they set their
they their hopes
hopes on on seeing
seeing aa flowflow ofof capital
capital into
into land
land
and its
and its consequent
consequentimprovement
improvement immediately
immediatelyafter afterthe
theperma-
perma*
nent settlement. Thus, Thus, when
when some
some partsparts ofof thetheBurdwan
Burdwan
zamindari were
zamindari were sold for arrears
sold for arrears in in 1794,
1794, at
at aa high
high price,
price, the
the
Governor Generalinin Council
Governor General Council wrote
wrote toto the
the Court
Court :: "The
“ The price
price
at which
at which these
these lands
lands have
have been
been sold
sold merits
merits your
your notce,
notice, as
as
affording the
affording the most
most satisfactory
satisfactory proof
proof ofof the
the improving
improving state
state of
of
the country,
the country, andand that
that the
the capitals
capitals of of the
themoneyed
moneyed men men are
are
flowingfast
flowing 'ast into
into that
that channel
channel in in which
which theythey will
will bebe most
most
beneficially employed for the country, the the extension
extension andand
improvementof
improvement of agriculture.’’45
agriculture."45 In In fact,
fact, those
those lands
lands hadbeen
had been
actually purchased by by the
the raja
raja himself
himself ininbena,ni.46
benami.i e
In order
order totoavoid
avoid such
such delusions
delusions and
and totoascertain
ascertain rightly
rightly
the
the changes
changes inin the value
value of
of landed property, itit would
landed property, would be be
desirable
desirable to use
use the detailed rent-rolls of
of the
the estates
estates to
to ascertain
ascertain
the productivity
the productivity ofotland
land under
under sale
sale and
and the
the market
market prices
prices of
of

44
44· G. in
G , G.
o. in C.
C. to
to C. D,
D„ 12 April
12 April 1790,
1790, para
para 3,
3, General
General Revenue
Revenue Letter.
Letter,
£/4/48.
B /4/48, pp. 839-40
8 3 9 -4 0
G. G.
45. G.
45. 0. in
in C. to C. D..
C, to D ., 29 D ec. I794
29 Dee. 1794, para
para 13,
13, General
General Revenue
Revenue Litter,
Letter,
E /4/54.
E/4/54.
46. Burdwan
46. Burdwan Collector to B.
Collector to 0.. R.,
B. O R ., 20
20 April 1795 B
April 1795, B.. R. C „ 88 May
C., 1795,
May 1795,
No,
N o , 25, p53/30.
P53/30.
166 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

agricultural
agricultural product
product and to establish
and to establish the opportunity
opportunity cost
cost of
of
investment. However,
However, in
in the
the absence of data
absence of data about
about nearly
nearly all
all
these variables,
these variables, the economic historian cannot
economic historian cannot proceed
proceed very far.
He is,
He is, in
in fact, only rescued
fact, only rescued fromfrom near
near total
total ignorance
ignorance about
about
changes in the
changes in the value value ofof land
land by the the Accountant
Accountant General's
General’s
practice
practice of inserting in annual
annual statement
statementofofsales
salesaacolumn
column headed
'Years
‘Years of of Purchase'.
Purchase’. By By years
years of of purchase
purchase was was meant
meant thethe
number of
number of years
years required
required by by the
the purchaser
purchaser to to recover
recover thethe
capital
capital hehe had
had invested
invested in in land
land out
out of
of the normal
normal returns
returns from
from
land,
land, estimated
estimated atat ten
ten percent
percent of of the ssadar jam a. The greater
a d a r jarna.
the number
the number of of years
years ofof purchase,
purchase, therefore,
therefore, higher
higher waswas thethe
current value of
current value of land
landunder
under sale, andand vice
vice versa,
versa. The years of
purchase
purchase column
column relating to all all transfers within
within ourour period
period have
have
been tabulated
been tabulated in in Appendix
Appendix 3. 3. TheThe Appendix
Appendix shows shows that the
years of
years ofpurchase,
purchase,ininother
other words,
words, thethe market
market valuevalue ofof land,
land,
was decreasing
was decreasing from
from 1795-6
1795-6toto the
the closing
closing year
year ofof the eighteenth
Conversely,from
century. Conversely, from thethe beginning
beginning of of the
the nineteenth
nineteenth
cntury,
century,thethevalue
valueline
line was
was steadily
steadilyrising,
rising,though
thoughwithwithoccasio-
occasio­
nal fluctuations.
fluctuations.
The downward
downward trend trendininthe
thevalue
value ofof land
land inin the
the early
early years
years
may be
may be attributed
attributed to to aa glut
glut in
in the
the land
land market
market consequent
consequent upon
upon
the sudden
the sudden and and simultaneous
simultaneous fall fall of
of the great
great families.
families. The
scarce
scarce supply
supply of land land inin consequence
consequence of of the establishment
establishment of
stability
stability ononthethe land
land market
market and and economic
economic recovery
recovery from
from thethe
beginning of
beginning ofthethe nineteenth century may
nineteenth century may bebe again,
again, the
the cause
cause of
the rising
risingtrend
trend ofof the
the value
value of land. But
of land. But it is not
not always
always easyeasy
to explain
explain thethe behaviour
behaviour of of the
theland
landvalue
valuefigures
figuresasaswe
wefind
find
them in Appendix
them Appendix 3, 3, by
by normal economic
economic principles
principles of
of demand
demand
and
and supply,
supply, productivity,
productivity, and marketability.
marketability. The The obvious
obvious diffi-
diffi­
culty is in in explaining
explaining the the very
very wide
widefluctuations
fluctuations over
over short
short
periods
periods ofof time from
from about
about 1812
1812 onwards,
onwards,for forthese
thesefluctuations
fluctuations
are evident
are evident in in the figures
figures forfor individual
individual districts
districts asas for
for the
province as a whole. Thus the figures
province as a whole. Thus the figures for
for the district
district of
Murshidabad
Murshidabad swing swing widely
widely fromfrom12 12years
years purchase
purchaseinin1814-15
1814-15
to 144
144 years
years inin 1815-16
1815-16 fad ad back
back to to one
one year
year inin1816.17
1816-17 and and
levenue Sale
Revenue Sale Laws in Operatiot
Operation 16
17?
other districts show similar
districts show incomparabilities.47 Moreover, it is
similar incomparabilities.4'7
also perplexing
also perplexing that that land
land in in such unhealthy jungle
such unhealthy jungle tracts,
tracta,
remote from
remote from thethe principal
principal cities
citiesof
of the
the province,
province, asasRangpur
Rangpur
and Chittagong,
and Chittagong,should should consistently*
consistentlr have havethethe higher
higher average
average
value expressed
value expressed inin years
years of purchase.48 It is equally odd that
of purchase.48
land in
land in Burdwan
Burdwan which which waswas called
called the
the 'Garden
‘Garden ofof Bengal'
Bengal’ and
and
which was near
which was near toto both
both Calcutta
Calcutta and MurshIdabad,
Murshidabad, should
should have
had one
one ofof the lowest average values.49
values.49
By 1814,
By 1814,these
theseanomalies
anomalies had hadattracted
attracted thethe attention
attention of the
Court of Directors.
Directors. The The Court
Court felt that that the
the years
yearsof ofpurchase
purchase
figure was not reflecting
figure was reflecting thethe true
true state
state of
of land
land values,
values, the
Court
Court therefore
therefore asked
asked for
for information
information about the level
about the of rents
level ,of rents
which was
was undoubtedly
undoubtedly the principal determinant of the value value of
of
lands under sale.
sale. TheThe Court
Court wrote,
wrote, "To“ Toenable
enableusustotojudge
judge of
of
the
the value
value ofof landed
landed property
property in the Lower
in the Lower Provinces,
Provinces, it is
desirable that the
desirable that the next
next statement
statement you youtransmit
transmitofofaasimitar
similar kind
kind
should be
should beaccompanied
accompaniedwith withan an estimate
estimate of the rent payable
payable to to
the Zamiridar
Zamindar fromfrom the lands
lands exposed
exposed to sale."5°
sale.” 80
But it was
was notnot easy
easy to
to gather
gather information
information as as to
to rents
rents which,
which,
under the
under the Regulations,
Regulations, were purely private
were a purely private matter
matter between
between
zamindars and
the zainindars and their
their tenants. The The zamindars
zamindars zealously
zealously
guarded their interests
guarded their interests and
and tried
tried totosuppress
suppress allallinformation
information
leadingtoto the
leading the discovery
discovery of of the
the real
real worth
worth ofoftheir
theirestates.
estates. So
the Governor GeneralininCouncil
Governor General Councilreplied:
replied: “"We
We apprehend
apprehend that that
considerable difficulty would
considerable difficulty would be be experienced
experienced in in any
any attempt
attempt to
form an accurate
form an accurate estimate
estimate ofof the
the rent
rentpayable
payabletotothe
thezamindars
zamindars
from estates exposed
from estates exposed toto public
public sale for for arrears
arrears of revenue.’’51
revenue."5'
The Council
Council further said:said: "The
“ The abolition
abolition ofofthe
theoffice
officeof
of can-
can-

47. See Appendix

See Appendix 3.
48.
48. Ibid.
Ibid.

49.
49. Ibid.
Ibid.

50. C. D. to
C. D. to G.
O . Q. in C.,
G. in C ., 2828 October
October 1814, P.
P. PP.,
., 1831-2,
183 1-2,vol.
vol.XXI,
I, App.
App.
No.
N o. 39,P.
39, P. 135.
135.
G. G.
51. G. G. in
in CC.. toto C.
C. DD.,
. , 77 October
October 1815.
1815. P.
P. P.,
P ., 1831,-2, vol. XXI,
1831,-2, vol. App
I, A pp, No.
N o.
41,
41, p.
p. 136.
136.
 168 ?ermanent Sett]ement
Permanent n Bengal
Settlement in Bengal

ongoe, and the want

ongoe, want of
of village
village records
records in
inwhich
whichconfidence
confidence could
could
be reposed,
be reposed, combined
combined with the habitual
habitual jealousy
jealousy of
of the
the proprie-
proprie­
tors, would
would render
render any scrutiny of that
scrutiny of that nature generally
generally fruit-
fruit­
less, and it would
less, and would seldom,
seldom, we we apprehend,
apprehend, be be practicable
practicable to
procure that accurate
accurate information, and
and those
those detailed
detailed accounts
accounts on
on
which alone such an estimate
which alone estimate could
could be
be formed."52
formed.” 62
Thus the government's
Thus government’s lack
lack of interest
interest in tracing
tracing the
the factors
factors
for wide
for wide variation
variationininthe
the value
value of
of land
land has
has made
made itsits analysis
analysis
inexplicably difficult for
inexplicably difficult us. It may
for us, may be be noted,
noted, however,
however, that
from 1810
from onwards,the
1810 onwards, the amount
amount of of land
land entering
entering thethe market
market
was
was very
very small,
small, though
though the
the amount
amount of ofadvertisement
advertisement was was soso
large. It therefore
therefore becomes
becomes aa small
small statistical
statistical sample
sample we we are
are
dealing with, and
dealing with, and normally, the smaller
normally, the smaller the
the sample
sample thethemore
more
probable that the
probable that the reading will
willbe
beeccentric,
eccentric, dependent
dependenton onlocal,
local,
accidental circumstances.
Again, the anomalous contrast contrast of of land
land value
value between
between
districts, say,
different districts, say, for example,
example, between
between Burdwan
Burdwan and and
Rangpur,
Rangpur, waswas largely due to
largely due to variation
variation in in the
thedecennial
decennial assass­
essment. TheThe decennial
decennial settlement took took into
intoconsideration
consideration for
assessment only
assessment only those
those lands
lands which
which were were actually
actually under
under thethe
plough. The
The vast
vast waste
waste land
land attached
attached to an an estate,
estate, though
though
recognisedasas the
recognised the sole
sole property
property of the the zamindar,
zamindar, waswas entirely
entirely
excludedfrom
excluded fromthethe assessment,
assessment, as asititwas
was considered
considered that that these
unassessed waste lands would
unassessed would tempt
tempt capitalists
capitalists and
and landholders
landholders
for capital investment
investment andand expansion
expansion of agriculture.63
agrIculture.53 It is well
known that while
known that while the
the Burdwan
Burdwan district
district was
was almost
almost fully
fully under
under
cultivation, most
cultivation, most ofof the
the district
district ofof Rangpur
Rangpur was was lying
lying waste.
waste.
Henceititwas
Hence wasnonowonder
wonderthatthat the
the principal
principal purchasers
purchasers for for the
Rangpur lands were
Rangpur lands were the
the great
great capitalists
capitalists like
like raja
raja Luknath
Luknath
Nandi and
and raja Devi Singh
Singh ofofMurshidabad,
Murshidabad, Gopirnohon
Gopimohon Tagore
Tagore

52. G. G.
G. G. inin C.
C.toto C.
C. DD..
., 7 October 1*15,P,p, Pp.. 1831.32,
October 1815, vol.XXI
1831-32, vol. I Appendix
A ppendix
41. p.. 136.
41, p 136.
Z3. G.
53. Q. G0.. in
in C. to C.
C . D.,
D ., 66 March
M arch1793,
1793,para 13,13,
para General
GeneralRevenue
Revenue Letter,
Letter,
E/4)
E f t 52.
Revenue Sale
Revenue Sate Laws
Laws in Operation 169

of Calcutta
of Calcutta and and Danishmand
Danishmand Nittananda
Nittananda of ol Birbhum.
Birbhum .64 They
must have
must have realised
realised thatth at while
whilethe theproceeds
proceedsfrom from lands
lands already
already
under cultivation
under cultivation werewere enough
enough toto pay
pay theth e government
government revenue,
the immense
immense profits
profits accruable
aceruable from
from the thewastelands,
wastelands, ififbrought
brought
under
under cultivation
cultivation wouldwould entirely
entirely belong
belong to to them.
them. T The
he strong
competition among
competition among the capitalists for for thethe Rangpur
Rangpur lands
lands thus
boosted
boosted up up the
the market
market value.
value. On Onthe the other
other hand,
hand, almost
almost allall
transfers of of lands
lands in in Burdwan,
Burdwan, as as hashas been stated earlier
were fake
were fake an1and conseqently
conseqently the the rate
rateofofsale
salewaswasalsoalsonominal
nominal
for obvious reasons. There There were
were other other general
general causes
causes forfor
the variation
the variation of of market
m arket prices
prices ofof land. Of them,
land. Of them, the most the most
important
im portant was unequal assessment at the time time of of the
decennial settlement. The
decennial The Government
Government unreservedly
unreservedly admitted
admitted
in 1807that
in 1807 that while
while somesome districts
districts were
were lowly lowly assessed,
assessed, somesome
others were
others were overrated.55
overrated.55 Consequently,
Consequently, the the overrated
overrated districts
districts
had m
had more
ore sales, but attracted
sales, but attracted a lesser
lesser number
number of of investors.
investors. The
result was
was a low or nominal value of land. Just opposite was the
nominal value
case with the lowly
case with assessed districts. Many
lowly assessed often, as
Many often, as we
we have
have
noticed in
noticed in the
the sales
salesofof large
large zamindaris,
zamindaris, zamindari
zamindari officers
officers and
and
collectorate officers
collectorate officersentered
enteredinto
into collusions
collusionstotoundersell
undersell thethe lands
lands
of
of their
their victims.
victims. In In such
such cases
cases "purchasers
“ purchasers Cwere]fw e re j intimi-
intimi­
dated fromcoming
dated from comingforward,
forward,bankers
bankers[were],[were] threatened
threatened if they
attempted
attem pted totoaidaidthe
the defaulter
defaulter;; and
and the the estate
estate was
wassold
sold to
to one
one
of the
of the gang for perhaps
perhaps aa tenth
tenth of its value."56
value.” 56
in
In spite
spite ofof aagreat
greatmany
manypuzzling
puzzling eccentricities
eccentricities inin the
the
behaviour of the market value of land district level, there is
behaviour of the m arket value of land at district level, there is
no ground
no ground toto disregard
disregard entirely
entirely the upward trend in in land
land values
values
indicated by the
indicated by the average
average figures
figures of
of th
thee Appendix
Appendix 3. 3. Mentioning
Mentioning

54.
54. Rangpur
Rangpur Judge to Judicial
Judge to Judicial Department.
Departm ent, 13
13 April
April 3802,
1802, C.
C. J.
J. P.,
P., 88 July
July
1802,
1802, No.N69, para.
o. 69, 26, P147/56,
para. 26, P147/5S,
55.
55. G. G,
G. G , inC.
in C .to
toC,
C,D.,
D „7 7February
February1807,
1807,para
para21,
21 ,General
GeneralRevenue
Revenue Letter
E /4/71.
E14 171.
56.
56. Lord Hastings'
Lord Hastings* Diary, 13
13 February
February1816,
1816,The
T heMarchiofleSs
M archioness of
o f Bute
Bute (ed.)
(ed.)
The Private
The Private Journal
Journal ooff the
the Marques
Marques ofo fHastings
Hastings(Allahabad
(Allahabad1907)
1907) pp.
247-48.
170 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
the ever rising trend
the trend in values, the Bangadut, a Bengali Bengali journal
journal
ownedby
owned by Owarkanath
Dwarkanath Tagore, Tagore, commented
commented that, th at, ever since
since the
recoveryfrom
recovery fromthe the initial
initial set-back
set-back in in consequence
consequence of of the
the great
great
depression on the land market, land had been gaining
depression on the land market, land had been gaining greater
value andthat
value and that land
land which
whichhad had sold
soldonly
only fifteen
fifteen rupees
rupees before
before
1800
1800 A.A. D.
D.was
wasselling
sellingininthe the 1820s
1820s atat three
three hundred
hundred rupees.87
rupees.57
In the eyes
eyes ofof the
the Court
Court of of Directors
Directors suchsuch aa phenomenal
phenomenal increase
increase
was beyond
was beyond expectation
expectationand andthe theCourt
Court doubted
doubted whether
w hether or not
not
such increase was backed by
was backed by aa proportionate increase of
proportionate increase of
resources in the country.
country. The Court was at one with with the
the Gover-
Gover­
nor General
nor General in in Council
Council that that ththe
e Province
Province was was blessed
blessed with
with aa
growth of population
population and consequent
consequent growth of agricultureagriculture that
led to
led to increased
increased profits
profits of of the
the landholders.
landholders. But But atat the
the same
same
time the Court
time Gourt stated
stated itsits feeling
feeling % "Of “ O f the
the increased
increased value
value
of estates,
estates, the increase
increase of of cultivation
cultivation is not the only
not the only possible
possible
cause. The The sacrifice
sacrificeofofallallthe therights
rightsofofthe theryots
ryols may possibly
possibly
be
be another
another ;; and
and the the increased
increased confidence
confidence in the the stability
stability of
the
the permanent
permanent settlement
settlem ent may may be be aa third..."58
th ird ...” 58 The
The Court's
Court’s
observationwas
observation was logical
logicalininthe the sense
sense that
thatthethe summary
summary powers
powers
vested inin the
vested the zamindars
zamindars by by th the
e Regulation
Regulation V VII of 1799
II of 1799 greatly
greatly
enhanced their power
enhanced power to to squeeze
squeeze their tenants.
tenants. Socially,
Socially, these
feudal
feudal powers
powers crowned
crowned them them wwith more prestige
ith more prestige andand status
status
which might be
which might be considered
considered by by many
many as as additional
additional reasons
reasons forfor
investing capital in land.
investing capital land.

57.
57. Bangadut, 13 June 1829, in Sambad
SambadFaire
Palre Shekaler Katha (hereafter
Shekaler Katha (hereaftercLted
cited
as S.
S. P»
P, S.
5. K
K,)
.) vol.
vol. 1,
1, p. 398, ed. B.
p. 398, B. N.
N . Bandopadhys.
Bandopadhye,
58. C.
58, C. DD.. to G.
G. G.
G. in
in C.,
C„ 21
21 March
March 1811
1811 P. P, 1831-2,
1831-2, vol.
vol. XXl,
I, pp,, 138,
138, AApp.
pp.
45,
45# para
para 47.
47. p, 138.
138.
 CHAPTER
C H A P T E R SIX
SIX
THE EMERGENCE OF NEW
EMERGENCE OF NEW LANDED
LANDEDFAMILIES
FAMILIES

We
We have seen inin the
have seen the preceding
preceding twotwo chapters
chapters the
the nature
nature and
and
extent ofthe
extent of the transfer
transfer of of landed
landed property
property under
under the
the operation
operation
of the
the Revenue
Revenue Sale Laws. It was
SaleLaws. was f(,und
found that within
w ithin twenty-
twenty-
fiveyears
five yearsofofthe
the operation
operation of of the
the Revenue
Revenue Sale
Sale Laws
Laws about
about
45% of the
45% of the landed property of Bengal
Bengal in terms ofof the
the public ja
jarna
ma
changed hands. These great
changed hands. great transfers
transfers are indicative of
are indicative of a
tremendous upheaval
upheaval in in the
the land
land m market
arket and and a degree
degree of of
social and
social and economic
economic mobility
mobility among
among the the landowning
landowning classes
classes
ne'i.rer before. The fall of the traditional
known before.
never known traditional landed
landed families
families
has already been
has already been generally
generally dealt
dealt with
with in the the two
twopreceding
preceding
chapters. In this chapter chapter anan attempt
attem pt will willbe bemade
madetotodescribe
describe
and examine
and examine the the upward
upward mobility
mobility of of the principal
principalnew new families
families
who forced
who their way
forced their way to the
the top
top of of the
thesociety
society by bybuying
buying up
the lands
the lands ofof the
the oldold zamindars.
zamindars. Before Before we we proceed
proceed to to the
actual description
actual descriptionititisisimimportant
portant hhereere to to discuss
discuss the the limitation
limitation
and scope of
and scope of such
such an an attempt.
attem pt. T The
he collectors'
collectors’ salessales reports
reports
give the
give the names
names andand addresses
addresses of of the
the purchasers
purchasers of of lands. These
These
reports also
reports also contained
contained thethe names
names of of the
the former
form er proprietors,
proprietors, thethe
namesofofmahals
names malzalsunder undersale,
sale,sadar
sadarjam jarna a on on them
them andand thethe
amount of purchase. The The only
only important
important information
inform ation lacking
lacking
in the
in report is
the report is the purchaser’s profession
the purchaser's profession or or occupation.
occupation.
However, from
However, from thethe sales
sales reports which were unfailingly recorded recorded
in the
in the Board
Board of of Revenue
Revenue proceedings,
proceedings, it it is possible to make
is possible make a
complete list
complete list of
of the
the purchasers
purchasers and and also
also of of the
the sellers
sellers ofof lands,
lands,
including
including thethe amount
amount of of lands
lands they
they lost
lost and
andgained.
gained. TheThe working
working
out of
out of such
suchlists
listsisisnormally
normallysupposed
supposedtoto reveal reveal thethe rise
rise and
and -
fall of
fall of individual
individual families
families and,
and, ultimately,
ultimately, the the social
social mobility
mobility
 172 Permanent Settlement in
in l3engal
Bengal
and change. But unfortunately
unfortunately the thewide
wideprevalence
prevalence of of benami
bena7ni
practiceamong
practice amongthe the purchasers
purchasers has has made
made this
this invaluable
invaluable source
source
of information
of information as to land land transfer greatly,
greatly,ififnot
notwholly,
wholly, unreli-
unreli­
able for
able for us.
us. It is is evident
evident thatthat the
the zamindari and public
officers,for
officers, forreasons
reasons of ofsecrecy,
secrecy, universally
universally purchased
purchased landslands inin
the names
names of of their
their dependents
dependents and also also under
under assumed
assumed names.1
names.1
For
For thethe same
same reasons,
reasons, the thegovernment
governm ent suppliers,
suppliers, trade
trade agents
agents
and
and others
others whowho happened
happened to hold hold positions
positions of of public
public trust
trust
rarely
rarely bought
bought zamindaris
zamindaris in in their own
own names.
names. Moreover, many
resorted to benarni transactions without
benami transactions without anyany clear
clear motive.
motive. As
a result,
result, itithas
hasbecome
become almost
almost impossible
impossible to determine accurately
accurately
the amount
amount of of lands
lands purchased
purchased by by them.
them. Only
Only whenwhen an an estate
estate
went
went under
under thethe supervision
supervision of of the
theCourt
CourtofofWards
Wardsininconsequ-
consequ­
ence
ence ofof thethe death
death of aa proprietor
proprietor who who left
left behind
behind aaminorminor
successor,
successor, can we we know
know thethe exact
exact extent of a new estate. But,
new estate. But*
within
within the the period
period under
undersurvey,
survey,fewfewnewnewfamilies
fam ilieswere
were super-
super­
vised by
vised bythe
theCourt
Courtofof Wards.
Wards. Another
A nother difficulty
difficulty isis the
the want
want ofof
informationasas to
information to the
the purchaser's
purchaser’s profession,
profession, family
family details
details
and achievements. Excepting
and achievements. Excepting some some successful
successful families
families there
there
is practically
is practicallyno noinformation
informationforfornumerous
numerousothersothers beyond
beyond their
names
names in in the
the sales reports. Even
sales reports. Even their
their names
names are often
often misle-
misle­
ading
ading as as many
manyofofthe the purchasers
purchasers came came from
from different
different families
families
yet bore the same names and caste appellations. appellations.
In spite of these
these serious
serious lim
limitations
itations it is not
not however
however entirely
impossible to trace the
impossible to trace the origin and achievements of those
those families
who happened to
who happened to purchase
purchase extensive landed property in different
parts
parts of Bengal. In
of Bengal. In, an earlier chapter
an earlier chapter we we have
have seen
seen that
th a t the
the
zamindari and
zamindari and government
government employees
employees constituted the biggest
constituted the biggest
professional group among
professional among thethenewcomers.
newcomers. T The
he Kandi Family
Fam ily
of Murshidabad
of Murshidabad thatthat emerged
emerged as as the
the greatest
greatest landholders
landholders among
the new
new men,
men, indeed,
indeed, made their first
made their first fortune
fortune by by serving
serving under
government. Kissory Chand Mitra,
Kissory Chand M itra, a famous
famous midninetecnth
mid-nineteenth
century Bengali writer, stated
century Bengali statedononthethebasis
basis of
ofthe
theKandi
Kandi Family
Family

1,
1, See, B.
See, B. O.
0. R.
R. P.,
P., 4 November, 1800,No.
November, 1800, N o24,
. 24,P74f
P74/19.
19.
The Emergence
Emergence of
of New
New Landed
Landed Families 173

papers that the

papers that the total
total public
public jama
ja m a of lands
lands that
th a t the
th e family
family
purchaed in
purchased in different
different parts
partsofofBengal
Bengaland
andUpper
UpperProvinces
Provinces
stood at S. Rs.
Rs. 4,75,
4,75, 413.2
4 l3 .a
The Kandi
KandiFamily,
Family,though
thoughcomparatively
comparatively new
new as
as land
land own-
own­
ers, was one
ers, was one ofof the
the principal
principal families
families among
among the the ex-Mughal
ex-Mughal
officialdom, Radhagovinda
officialdom. Radhagovinda Sinha, Sinha, an an ancestor
ancestor of of this
this family,
family,
was oneof
was one ofthe
thediwans
diwansofofAlivardi
Alivardi Khan
Khan and
and also
also of
of his
his succ-
succ­
essor, Sirajuddoulah.3
essor, Sirajuddoulah.3 He He was
was also
also one
one ofof the top
top revenue
revenue
administrators
administrators in in th
thee team
team of Reza Khan.4
Khan.4 But more more celebrated
celebrated
was his younger
was his younger brother,
brother, Ganga
Ganga Govinda
Govinda Sinha
Sinha whowho was the
principal favourite
favourite of of Hastings.5
Hastings.5 The The successive
successive key postsposts
held by Ganga
held Ganga Govinda Sinha were
Govinda Sinha were that of theth e amin
amin ofof Birbhum,
Birbhum,
diwan of
diwan of the
the Committee
Committee of of Calcutta,
Calcutta, guardian
guardian of of the minor
minor
raja
raja of Dinajpur.® His
of Dinajpur.6 His son,
son, Fran
Pran Krishna
Krishna Sinha,
Sinha, who
who waswas
the real
the real territorial
territorial founder
founderof of the
the family,
family, waswas made
made aadiwan
diwan
of the Committee
Committee of of Calcutta
Calcutta byby Hastings.7
H astings.7 ThusThus both
both father
father
and son
and son held
held the highest
highest offices
offices and
and exercised
exercised immense
immense influ-
influ­
ence
ence byby virtue
virtue of their position.
position. In In fact,
fact, for
for the
thezamindars
zamindars of
Bengal,
Bengal, he he was
was thethe second
second Hastings. Ramchandra Sen, Sen, aa
staunch
staunch enemy
enemy of of Ganga
G anga Govinda
Govinda Sinha,
Sinha, wrote,
wrote, "The
“ The long
long
reign
reign of Hastings
Hastings and and extraordinary countenance
countenance givengiven byby
him to
him to Ganga
Ganga Govind
Govind SinghSingh hashasfixed
fixed this
thismischievous
mischievous and and
corrupt subject
corrupt subject in such
such complete
complete authority
authority that
that even
even the
the orders
orders
of the
of the Company
Companywithoutwithouthis hisapprobation
approbationand and consent
consent areare not
carried into
carried into execution.”
execution"88

2. See Appendix 4.
4,
3. J. Westland,
W estland, A
A Report
Report on the District
District ooff Jessore
Jessore p.
P. 190,
190,
4. Kissory Chand Mjtra,
Kissory Chand Mitra, "Territorial
“ Territorial Aristocracy
Aristocracy oof Bengal: Kandi
f Bengal: Kandi Family"
Fam ily”
The Calcutta
CalcuttaReview,
Review, vol.
vol. 158,
158, 1874,
1874, pp.
pp. 95-97.
95-97.
5. Ibid.
Ib id , also
also see,
see, P.
P. J.J.Marshall,
Marshall,Impeachment
Impeachment of
o f Warren
Warren Hastings,
Hastings, P. 513.
513.
Kissory Chand
6. Kissory Chand Mitra,
Mitra, PPP.
P . 95-97.
95-97.
7. Ibid,
Ibwf.
8. Ramcbandra Sen
Ramchandra Sen to John Macpberson,
Macpherson, Letter
Letter No. 594, B,
N o. 594, B. R,
R, C., 9 Sept.
1786(n(no
1786 paginationand
o pagination andcoosulation
consulationnumber),
nunber), P51/1.
P51/i.
174 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
The influence
influence of ofthe
the family ebbed after
family ebbed after Hastings'
Hastings’ departure
departure
fromIndia
from India and,
and,with withthethe exclusion
exclusion of of the
the natives
natives froth
froA highhigh
posts, they were entirely eliminated later from
posts, they were entirely eliminated later from the high offices. the high offices.
But the
But the vast
vast wealth
wealth accumulated
accumulated by by them
them during
during the the early
early
British rule
British rule soon
soon found
found its easy
easy way into into land
land after
afterthe
the perma-
perm a­
nent settlement.
nent settlement. Pran Pran Krishna
Krishna Sinha Sinha started
started buying
buying landed
landed
property wwherever
property herever ititwas wasfound,
found,with withthe thegreat
great fortune
fortune that
he
he himself
himself made
made and and that
th at hehe inherited
inherited from from his
his uncle
uncle and and
adopted father Radha
adopted father Radha Govinda
Govinda Sinha Sinha and and his father
father Ganga
Ganga
Govinda Sinha.
Govinda Sinha. Pran Pran Krishna's
K rishna’s son son and successor, Krishna
and successor,
ChandraSinha,
Chandra Sinha, further
further increased
increased the the zamindari
zamindari by by new
new pur-
pur­
chases, It is not however
chases. however possible
possible to to give
give a detailed
detailed picture of
the gradual
gradual growth
growth of the zamindari,
zamindari, because
because mostmost of
of the
the pur-
pur­
chases were
chases were made
made in fictitious
fictitious names.
names. But But it is almost
almost certain
certain
that after
that after 1808
1808 therethere waswas little
littleterritorial
territorial expansion
expansion of of the
the
estate. In that
Kandi estate.
Kandi that year
year Krishna
Krishna ChandraChandra Sinha
Sinha suddenly
suddenly
renounced the
renounced the world
world andand retired
retired toto Brindaban
Brindaban and and lived
lived there as as
a rgid
rigidascetic
ascetic till
till his
his death
death in in I820.
1820.®
The
The Banerji
Banerji family
family of
of Telinipara
Telinipara in the Hughli
Hughli district
district were
were
zatnindari officers
zamindari officersbefore
beiorethey
theypromoted
promoted themselves
themselves to
to the rank
of zamindar after the permanent settlement.
zamindar after Baiddanath Banerji
settlem ent. Baiddanath
and his
and his younger
younger brother
brother Ramiochan
Ramlochan Banerji
Banerji were
were foujdars.
In the 1780s
1780s Baiddanath
Baiddanath migrated
migrated from
from Mankundu,
Mankundu,aavillage village in
in
Burdwan,
Burdwan, and settled at Telinipara
and settled Telinipara as as an
an officer
officer of the
the raja
raja of
of,
Burdwan.'°
Burdwan.10 He He had
had three
three sons,
sons, namely
namelyAbhoycharan,
Abhoycharan, Kasinath
Kasinath
and Ramdhan.
Ramdhan. His His brother
brother was the principal
was the principal diwan of the
d iw a n of the raja
of Nadia. A After
fter the
the dissolution
dissolution ofofthe
theNadia
NadiaRajR ajititwas
was com-
com­
plained
plained by the wife
by the wife of the
the raja
raja of
of Nadia
Nadia that
th at Ramlochan
Ramlochan Banerji
Banerji
was instrumental
was instrumental inin the dismemberment of of the
the Nadia
Nadia zamindari.
zamindari.
She complained that Ramlochan
complained that Ramlochan conspired
conspired against the the zamindari
zamindari
so as
as to
to bestow
bestow favours
favours on on his
his nephews
nephews Abhoycharan
Abhoycharan and and his
his

9.
9. C. O.
0. W.
W. P.,
P., 99May 1820, No.
May 18O. N o. 17,
17, p111/53;
P l l l / 5 3 ; also
also see,
see, B.
B . 0.
O. R. to G. G.
toG.
in C.,
in C., 28
28 March B. R.
1820, B.
March 1820, R. C.,
C„ 25 April 1820, Nos.
Not. 8-10, P58/33.
8-10,
10.
10, Loke Nath
Nath Ghose. The Modern
G hose, The History ooff the
Modern History Indian Chiefs,
the Indian Chiefs, Rajas,
Rajas,
Zamindars,
Zainindars, etc.,
etc., part
part 11,
11, p.
p. 301,
The Energence
Emergence of
of New
New Landed
Landed Familici
Families 175

brothers andtoto deprive

brothers and depriveher
her husband
husband olof his
his great
great zarnindarL"
zamindari.11
There
T is no
here is no other
other allegation or evidence
allegation or evidence inin the records
records as as tc
to
Ramlochan's participation
Ramlochan’s participationininthe
the spoils
spoils of his
his master's
m aster’s lands.
lands.
But
But itit isis quite
quite legitimate to think,
legitimate to think, in
in view
view of
ofthe
thecollusive
collusive
conduct
conduct of of the
the zamindari
zamindariofficers as we
officers as we have
have seen
seen earlier
earlier in
different great zamindaris,
different great zamindaris,that that Abhoyeharan
Abhoycharan and and his
his brothers
brothers
receivedgreat
received great lifts
lifts fromfrom their
their father
father and
and uncle. They laid
uncle. They laid
out aa huge
out huge capital
capital of of about
about seven
seven lakhs
lakhs ofofrupees
rupeesininbuying
buying
eleven parganas
eleven parganas in in the
the districts
districtsof
ofBurdwan
Burdwanand and Nadia,
Nadia, bearing
bearing
a total
total government
government jjarna a m a of S. Rs.
Rs. 1, 73,
73, 888.18
888.12 All
All these
these lands
lands
were
were bought
bought in in thethe names
names of Abhoyeharan, Kasinath
of Abhoycharan, K asinath and and
Ramdhan Banerjis. Baiddanath
Ramdhan Banerjis. Baiddanath and and Ramlochan
Ramlochan Benerji
Benerji remain-
remain­
ed entirely out of of the
the picture,
picture.
Kalishankar
Kalishankar Roy,Roy, the the founder of the Narail familyfamily of
of Jessore
Jessore
was
was aa ddiwan
i w a n of theth e Natore
NatoreRaj RajofofRajahahi.
Rajshahi. WhenW henhe hebegan
began
his career
his careerasasaal alatlijal or clubman
t h i a l or clubman in in the
the 1770s,
1770s, he held
held only
only aa
few
few bighas
bighas of lands
lands near near Narail
Narail and,
and, when
when he hedied
diedinin1834,
1834,
his
his zamindari
zamindari paid paid several Iakhs of
several lakhs of rupees
rupees as revenue to
as revenue
the government.13
government.13 But, But, asas his
his zamindari
zamindari hadhad never
never come
come
under the
under the stewardship
stewardship of of the
the Court
Court of of Wards,
W ards, nornor had
had hehe
made
made any any will
will for
forhishissuccessors
successorswhich
which could
could have
have revealed
revealed
all his
all his extensive
extensive benami
b e n a m i purchases,
purchases, thethe exact
exact limits
limits of
of his
his
acquisitions
acquisitions could
could notnot bebe ascertained. Westland surmised
ascertained. Westland surmised that
Kalishankar purchased
Kalishankar purchased more more than
than 100
100 estates
estates in
in different
different dis-
dis­
tricts in
tricts in different
different names.1t
names.14 If If each
each of of the
the constituents
constituents of
his zamindari
his paid on
zamindari paid on average,
average, say,
say, three
three thousand
thousand rupees
as government
government revenue,
revenue, then thenhis
hisestate
estate was
was supposed
supposed to to yield
yield
at
at least
least three
three lakhs
lakhs of ofrupees
rupees asaspublic revenue. But
public revenue. But the
the
total public
total public jjama of his
a m a of his zamindari
zamindariasasfarfar as
as could
could bebe ascertained
ascertained
from
from thethe records
records of of the
theBoard
BoardofofRevenue
Revenueamounted
amounted only

11. Rani's petition

Rani's to Lord Moira,
petition to Moira, B. R.R. C,,
C „ 15
15 January
January 1814,
1814, No.
N o. 25.
25.
12.
12. See
See Appendix
Appendix 5.5.
13.
13. Darpan” , 14
"Smachar Darpan",
“Samachar February 1835,
14 February 1835, l3rajendra
Brajendra Nath
Nath Baterji
Barerji(ed,)
(ed.)
Sambad Patre
Sambai PatreShekakr
ShekalerKKath;
a tha, voL
vol. 11, 4 5 1 , also see.
11,P.p.451 J, westlatd
see. J, westlard pp.
pp.
7, 2O-6.
201-6.
14,
14. J. Westland 4AReport
ReportononJ'essore
Jessore DistrIct,
District, pp.
pp. 201-6,
201-6,
176 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

S. Rs.
S. Rs. 1,68,673
1,68,673 andandthe
the capital
capital that
that he
he laid out to buy
laid out buy allall
these
these lots
lots amounted
amounted totoS.S. Rs.
Rs. 66,783
66,783 only.16
only.15 It
It means
means that
that
his total
his total investment
investment represented
represented onlyonly about
about 39 per
per cent
cent of
of the
the
sadar jam a of
sadarfarna of lands
lands that
that hehepurchased.
purchased. SuchSuch aa low
low rate of of
purchases
purchases partly
partly explains
explains thethe fraudulent
fraudulentand andcollusive
collusive natut
natui e
of his
of his acquisitions.
acquisitions. AllAll of hishisnewly
newlyacquired
acquiredlands
lands formerly
formerly
belongedtoto the
belonged the raja
raja ofof Rajshahi
Rajshahi whose iw a n he was
whose ddiwan was till
till
1796. Westland
1796. Westland described
described Kalishankar as "extremely
“ extremely intelligent,
intelligent,
energetic, selfish,
selfish, mean and unscrupulous,” 16 "The
unscrupulous."16 “ The process
process by by
which he
which he acquired
acquired his his wealth", said Westland,
w ealth” , said W estland, “"was was this,
this,
that he
that he abused
abused his his position
position of of diwan
diwan tototransfer
transferpartpartofof his
his
master's wealth
master’s w ealth into his ownownpockets.
pockets. ItIt was
was during
during hishis manage-
manage­
ment
ment that the the Nattore
N attorerajah's
rajah’sestates
estates began
beganto to default
defaultandand toto
be sold up for arrears of revenue."17
sold up revenue.” 17 W When
hen the zamindari went
under the
under the supervision
supervisionofofthe theCourt
CourtofofWards
Wardsinin1796,
1796,the the Court
tried to
tried to recover some of
some of Kalishatikar's
K alishaakar’s illegal
illegal gains.
gains. But
Kalishankar successfully concealedhimself
successfully concealed himselffromfrom thethe eye
eye of of
the authority
the authority tilltill the
the zarnindari
zamindari was was transferred
transferred to to the
the raja
raja
when the the minor
minor ra3araja caine
came of of age
age in
in 1798.18
1798.18 In In his
his oldold
age Kalishankar
age Kalishankar Roy Roy became
became extremely
extremely religious.
religious. He Helibera-
libera­
lly contributed
lly contributed to to numerous
numerous educational religious and
educational religious and hum-
hum­
anitarian institutions.
institutions, 19 Lately he became
19 became so so pious
pious that
that
be
he left
left Narail
Narailand andsettled
settledat at
Kasi
Kasiwhere
wherehehepurchased
purchasedsome some
estates andand donated
donated them them to alms houses
to alms houses and and temples.20
temples.2°
He also repaired the crumbling
He also repaired the crumbling public
public houses
houses and
and temples
temples
which were
which formerly built
were formerly built byby rani
rani Bhavani
Bhavani in in Banares.21
Banares.21
Bairam Bose
Balram and Ramnarayan
Bose and Ramnarayan Sarkar were two
Sarkar were two other
other
senior officers
senior officers oi
of the
the raja of Rajshahi,
raja of who made
Rajshahi, who made large

15. See Appendix 6.

See 6,
16.
16. J, Westland, AA Report
3, Report on
on Jessore DIsiritci, pp.
Jessore Dislrltct, pp. 201.6
201-6
17.
17. Ibid.
Ibid.

18.
18. B. R
B. C„ 5 July
R.. C,, July 1798, No.
1798, N o . 25.
25, P53/56.
P53/56.
19. Brajendrana Nath Banarji,
Brajendrana Nath (ed), vol.
Banarji, (ed.), vol. 11,
11, p.
p. 137,
137,
20. Ibid., vol. 11,
11, 451.2.
451-2.
21. Ibid., vol·
Ibid., 1, p.
vol' 1. 130,
p. 130,
 The
The Emergence
Emergence of
of New
New Landed
Landed Families
Families 177
acquisitions.22 The ja
territorial acquisitions.22 jam
m aa of
of lands
lands that
that Bairarn
Balram Bose
Bose
purely in
purchased purely in his
his own.
own name
name amounted
amounted totoS.Rá.
S,Rs. 77,
77,
300,23 and that
300,23 and Ramnarsyan Sarkar
th a t of Ramnarayan Sarkar amounted
amounted to to S. Es.
S .R s.
92,400.24 Total
92,400.24 Total ignorance,
ignorance, ofofcourse,
course; prevails
prevails as
as regards
regards their
their
benami purchases.
benami purchases.
One of
One of the
the most
mostimportant
importantfamilies
familiestotocome
come from
from thethe back-
back­
ground of
ground of zamindari
zamindari service
servicewas
was the Manik
Manik Family
Family of Dinajpur.
Dinajpur.
Originally from Patna, Manik Chand settled
Manik Chand settled inin Rangpur
R angpur and and
worked as
worked as anan assistant
assistant toto John Eliot when
John Eliot when he he waswas the
Collector there
Collector there in 1791.2 5S On
in 1791.2 On his
his transfer to DinajpurDinajpur as as
Collector in
Collector in 1793,
1793, Eliot
Eliot took
took his
his favourite
favourite Manik Chand together
M anik Chand
with
w all his
ith all his family
family members
members with with him.2°
him .26 Manik
Manik was was made
made hishis
own
own ddiwan
iw a n and his grandson, Phool Chand,
grandson, Phool Chand, was made his deputy
di
diw an .37 Later,
wan.2 Eliot appointed
Later, Eliot appointed Manik
Manik Chand
Chand as as the
the diwan
diwan of
the raja of Dinajpur
the D inajpur and
and Phool
Phool Chand
Chand waswas made
made his own own diwan.
Thus through Eliot’s
Thus through Eliot's patronage
patronage Manik
Manik Chand
Chand aridand his
his grandson
grandson
occupied the highest posts open
highest posts open toto the
the natives.
natives. We W e have
have
already seen
already seen inin an earlier
earlier chapter
chapter howhow Manik
Manik Chand
Chand and and his
his
grandson
grandson abused
abused their
their official
official power
power andandinfluence
influence in order
order to
dismember the
dismember the Dinajpur
Dinajpur RajRaj and
and buy it for
for themselves
themselves in staged
staged
auctions, So
auctions. So far
far as
as it could be ascertained M Manik
anik Chand
Chand
bought tw
bought twenty
enty one lots in
one lots in the
the names
names of his dependents,
the
the total
total sädarjama
sadar jam a ofofall
allthese
these lots
lots being
being S. S. Rs.
Rs. 1,36,334.28
1,36,334,28
His
His capital
capital investment
investment ininbuying
buyingthese.
theselots
lotsamounted
amounted to to S.
S. Rs.
Rs.
67,965.°
67,965.28

22.
22 Kahnath
Kalinath Chowdbury, A Short
Chowdhury, A Sheri History
History o
off Rajshahl
Rajshahi (Bengali text),
PP. 39-40.
Pp. 39.40.
23.
23, Sea
See sales reports, 13.B . O. R. P.
0. R. 1797, App. 4;
P. ;; 20 July 1797, 4 ; 17 April
17 April
1798, App.
1798, App.
3, 3, P73/318 ,June
P73131 8 June1798 Appendix
1798 AppendixB, Bp73/33.
, P73/33.
24.
24. See sales reports, B.
See sales B. O. R. P.,
0. R. P ., 15 February 1799,
1799, N o . 27,
No. 27, P73/43
p73/43;;
2.1 May 1799,
21 1799, Appendix A A,, 173147.
173/47.
25._ Dinajpur C
2 5 ., Dinajpur Collector
ollector to B. O.
0. R ., 30 July 1795,
R., 1795, N o. 25,
No, 25, P 72/46.
p72,46.
Ibid.
26. IbId.
26.
Ibid.
27. IbId.
28. See
28, See Appendix 7, 7,
Ibid.
29. IbId.
12-
12—
178 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

Chand was,
Manik Chand
Manik was, bf of course,
course, notnot thethe only
only officer
officer who
who
purchased zamindari
purchased zamindari lands
lands onon aa large
large scale Dinajpur. In our
scale in Dinajpur.
acco'unt
account ofofthe
the Dinajpur
D inajpur Raj we have seen seen that
that diwan
diwan Rainkanta
Ramkanta
Roy hadmanaged
Roy had managedthe the zamindari
zamindariasasananabsolute
absoluterulerruler fbr
fbr eight
eight
years andand had
had purchased many parganas parganas in the the names
names
dependents. In
of his dependents. 1802, the
In 1802, the Judge
Judge of ofDinajpur
Dinajpur reported
reported
that Rainkanta
that Ramkanta Roy was the
Roy was the richest
richest landholder
landholder in the district
in the district
of Dinajpur.3°
D inajpur.30 ButBut as
as all
all of
ofhis
hisacquisitions
acquisitions werewere benami
benami we we dodo
not have
not have any
any definite
definite knowledge
knowledge as to to the
the real
real extent
extent ofof his
newly acciuired
newly acquired estate.
estate. Collector Smith however
Collector Smith however believed
believed that
Ramkanta purchased
Ramkanta purchased as as many
many as as twenty
twenty three
threebigbiglots,
lots,in
in ficti-
ficti­
tious names.'
tious names.31AmongAmongthe th ecollectorate
collectorateofficers
officers who who bougEt
bought
extensive
extensive landed
landed property
property in in Dinajpur
Dinajpur the most most notable
notable were
were
Wall Muhammed,
Wali Muhammed, Baiddanath Chowdhury, Radakanta,
Baiddanath Chowdhury, Radakanta, Rashu Rashu
Babu, Ganganarayan
Babu, Ganganarayan Sen Sen and and Ferendez.32
Ferendez.32 But Butin in the
theabsence
absence
any official
of any official investigation
investigation into into their
their benarni
benami transactions
transactions it is
impossible
impossible to toascertain
ascertainthe the extent
extent of of lands
lends that
th a teach
each of
of those
those
officers had
officers had purchased.
purchased.
The
T he family
family ofof Krishnacharan
Krishnacharan DuttDutt and
andhis
hisnephew
nephewAbhoy'.
Abhoy-
charan Dutt of Calcutta
Calcutta achieved
achieved their first distinction
distinction as govern-
govern­
ment officers, Both of
officers. Both of them
them were
were diwans to to the
the Collectors
Collectors of
of
Dacca and the
Dacca and the 24-Parganas' respectivelyatat the
24-Parganas’ respectively the time
time of
of the
the
Krishnacharan's brother Anandamoi
permanent settlement. Krishnacharan’s Anandamoi also
held the
held the position
position ofof a diwan
diwan to the
the Collector
Collector ofof Rajshahi.
Rajshahi. ByBy
exerting official influence they seemed
official influence seemed to have
have amassed
amassed immense
immense
wealth
wealth which
which they
they used
used ininbuying
buying exten8ive
extensive landed
landed property
property
and in
in setting up aa banking
banking business in Calcutta
business in Calcutta andand Banares.33
Banares.^3

30. The Diuajour

30, Dinajpur Judge
Judge toto the
the Chief Secretary,
Secretary, 16 16 January
January 1802,
1802, C,
C. 3.J. P., 88
: July 1802, No.
1802, N o. 51,
51.PP147/56.
147/56.
The Dinajpur
31. The DinajpurCollector
CoflectortotoBB. 0. RR.,, 11
. O. 0cober 1802.
11 October 1802, para
para 3, B. R
3, B. C.,
R C.,
28 October
28 October 1802,
1802. NNo, 10, P54'28,
o , 10, P54/2?.
32. Baburanfs PetitiontotoG,
Batraram’s Petition 0, G
0.. in
in C..
C ,, B, C ., 9 June 1803.
R, C,,
B. R, 1803, No.
N o. 2,
2 , P54/33.
P54/33.
B. S,
33. B.
33, S, Coho,
Cohn, “"Structural
Structural Change
Changein Inthe
theIndian
IndianRural
RuralSociety,
Society,1596-1885"
1596-1885”
in R.
in R. E.
E. Frykenberg
Frykenberg (ed,).
(ed.), Land
Land Control
Control and Social
Social Structure
Structure inin Indian
Indian
Histoy, p. 81,
Bistoy, 81.
 The Emergence
Emergence of
of New
New Landed
Landed Families
Families 17-9
179

But very
But very little
little is known
known about
about the real
realsize
sizeof
oftheir
theirzarnindarig.
zamindaris.
Only
Only thethe eleven
eleven lots
lotswhich
whichwerewerepurchased
purchased by byAbhoycharan
Abhoycharan
Dutt
D utt in
in Nadia
Nadia arearedefinitely
definitely known
known to us.
us. T Their
h eir total radar-
sadar
jarnaa was
jam only S.
was oiiily Rs,59,479.34
S. Rs. 5,4794 Nothing
Nothing isisknown
known aboutabout the
the
purchases
purchases of ofthe
the senior
senior branch
branch ofof the
the family,
family, that
th atis,
is,Krishna-
Krishna-
charan and his
charan and his brother.
It seems
It seems thatthat after
after two
two generations
generations the descendents
descendents of
Krishnacharan Dutt and and Abhoycharan
Abhoycharan Dutt Duttpromoted
promoted themselves
themselves
from
from Dutt
D utt toto Mitter.
Mitter. One One anonymous
anonymous membermember of of the
the family
family
published
published a family
family history
history inin 1869.
1869. He claimed
claimed that Krishna-
Krishna­
charan M
charan Mitter
itter and
and Abhoycha
Abhoycharan ranMMitter were uncle
itter were uncle and
and nephew.
nephew.
Krishnacharan got got the
the diwanship
diwanship of of Dacca
Dacca through the patronage
patronage
of Edward Colebrooke
Colebrooke and H enry Colebrooke.35 Krishnacharan
and Henry
recomnended
recommended his Abhoycharan to Edward
his nephew, Abhoycharan
nephew1 Edward Colebrooke
Colebrooke
who appointed
who appointed him him as the the diwan
diwan of of the 24-Parganas.36
24-Parganas.8e
Krisknacharan's
Krishnacharan’s brotherbrother Anandamol
Anandamoi was was later
later pushed
pushed to to the
the
diwanship
diwanship of Rajshahi.37 It is thus obvious that family
of Rajshahi.37
chronicler's M
chronicler’s Mitters, and Dutts
itters, and Duus as as wewe find in the sales
find in sales reports
reports
are the same family.
are the same family. With
W ith great
great prosperity
prosperity and
and higher
higher social
social
standing the
standing the Dutts
Dutts of ofthe
th elate
lateeighteenth
eighteenth and and early
early ninteenth
ninteenth
centuries moved
centuries moved to to MMitter caste in
itter caste in the
the late nineteenth century.
Who were the principal
W ho were principal newnew families
families coming
coming from
from thethe pro-
pro­
fessions
fessions of of merchants
merchants and and banians
banians ?? The familiesfamilies of of the
elder banians like Nabakrishna Deb, Deb, Gocul
Gocul Ghoshal,
Ghoshal, Ramchandra
Ramchandra
Sen,
Sen, Naku
Naku Dhar,
Dhar, Joykrishna Sinha, Kashinath Babu Babu and and
others were
others w ere content
contentwithwith acquiring
acquiring urbanurban properties
properties andand what-
what­
ever property
ever property theythey hadhadmade
madeoutside
outsideCalcutta
CalcuttaandandMurshida.
Murshida-
bad was
bad was acquired
acquired before
beforeththee permanent settlem ent. After
permanent settlement. A fter that
that
they did
they did notnot make
make any anysuchsuchsignificant
significant additions
additions to their
possessionasas would
possession would qualify
qualify themthem to to be discuèsed
discussed along
along with
with

34. See Appendix

Appendix 8. 8.
35.
35. account ooff the
An account th' late
late Govindram
Govindram Muter
M itterand
andof o fhis
hisdescena'ents
descendents lit
in Calcutta
and Bcznares,
Banares, by by a member
member0ro fthe
thefamily,
fam ily, p,
p, 11.
11.
36.
36. Ibid.
ibid.
37. ibid.
Ibid. .
 180 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
is Bengal
Bengal

the emergent
the emergentfamiliesfamiliesafterafter the
the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlem ent. More-
. over,
over, by by the
the 1790s
1790s theythey were
were already
already considered
considered to to be
be the
the
established members of
established members of the
the aristocracies. Among Among the the elder
elder
banians only the family of of Kantu
K antu Babu
Babu of of Kassimbazar
bought considerable landed property after after thethe permanent
permanent
settlement. K Kantu
antu Babu
Babu was was a muhrer in in the
the Company's
Kassimbazar
Kassimbazar foctory foctory before Plassey.38 In
before Plassey.38 In that capacity he
that capacity
came
came to to know
know Warren
W arren Hastings,
Hastings, at at th
that
at time
time thethecommercial
commercial
resident
resident at at Kassicnbazar.
Kassimbazar. After After Plassey
Plassey he hebecame
became Hastings'
Hastings’
banian,
banian, Kantu
Kantu Babu'sBabu’s relation
relation withw ith Hastings was, indeed
more than
more than that of of mere
mere banian.
banian. He He was was instrumental
instrum ental in in
many
many of of Hastings'
Hastings’questionable
questionable means means ofof income
income and and inin return
for his numerous
numerous services. Hastings bestowed
services. Hastings bestowed on on himhim many
many
profitable farms and
profitable farms and salt
salt contracts
contracts including
including some some jagirs in
ja g ir s in
the districts of Rangpur, Gazipur and Azimgarh.° Azim garh.8® In
search of
search of establishing
establishing aaranking
ranking family,
family, Kantu
K antu BabuBabu procured
procured
from
from Hastings,
Hastings, the the ‘raja’
'raja' title forfor his
hisson,
son,Loknath
LoknathNandi.40Nandi.40
In
In connection
connection wwith ith aa family dispute over
family dispute over thethe shares
shares of of the
the
zarnindari
zamindari raja, Harinath submitted
raja, Harinath submitted the the following
following deposition
deposition
before the
before the Supreme
Supreme Court Court in 1832 about
in 1832 about the the career
career of of his
his
grandfather, Kantu Babu.
grandfather, Babu.
“"Radhakissen
Radhakissen Nandy Nandyyour your orator’s
orator's great
great grand
grand father,
held a small piece of
small piece of land
land in
in Sreepore.
Sreepore. He He had two or three three
mud and
mud and straw
straw hutshuts inin which
which his his family
family resided.
resided. In
oce of
one of these
these straw
strawhuts hutshehekept
kepta aretail
retailmoody
moody grocery
grocery
shop in
shop in which
which he sold sold paper
paper kites, rice, ghee, salt and
kites, rice,
other things
tilings of small value. His
small value. His earnings
earnings were were very very
small. He He had
had five
fivesons—Krlshnakanta,
sons-Krisbnakanta, Joyram, Joyram, Krishna-
Krishna-
charan, Nursing and Goruchand. Goruchand. Krishnakanta-'Cantoo',
K rishnakanta—‘Cantoo*,
in his
in father's life
his father’s life tim
time-obtained
e—obtained employment
employment as as aa mohrar
mohrar

38. Gokulnath Dhar,‘'Krihnakanta

Gokulnath Dhar, ‘KrishnakantaNandi",
Nandi’’,13,
B, P. F,,
P„ Jan.-.June,
Jan.—June,1924,
1924, vol.
vol.
27, Serial
Serial 53-54,
53-54, p. 182.
182.
39, See,
See, P. 1.
J. Marshall,
Marshall, The
The Impeachment
Impeachment of Warren Hastings,
o f Warren Hastings, pp.
pp. 106,
106, 11 37,
37,
j44.5,
144.5, 153, 155,
153,155,
46,
40, Gokuluath Dhar.
Gokulnath D 'Krishaakanta Nandi"
h a r.‘'KrishnaEanta Nandi”p.p.183.
183.
the Emergence
The Emergence of Nw
NawLanded
Landed Families
Families 181
18

in
in the
the factory
factory atatCossimbazar
Cossimbazar under
under Watts.
Watts. His wages
were small. But
were small. But from
from his
his earnings
earnings he
hemaintained
maintained his
his
father and
father and brothers comfort. Radhakissen Nandy died
brothers in comfort, died
in 1757.
1757. His sradh was was performed
performed inin a very poor manner.
When
W hen restitution
restitution claims
claimswere
were made
made after
after Plassey,
Plassey, Cantoo
Cantoo
Baboo
Baboo had had nono claims
claims to-
to make
make though
though thethe Cossimbazar
Cossimbazar
factory had
factory had been
been taken
taken byby Siraj.
Siraj. ButBut hishis service
service toto
British superiors before and
his British
his and after Plassey
Plassey werewere
appreciated. He He succeeded
succeeded in securing the friendship
in securing
and patronage
and patronage of of Sykes
Sykes and
andheld
heldvarious
variousappointmeuts
appointments
and
and situations
situations of of great
great trust
trust and
andimportance.
importance. He He waswas
dewan and
dewan and banian
banian toto Sykes
Sykes and Warren Hastings.
Hastings. Because
Because
of his
of his importance
importance under
under Watts,
W atts,Sykes
SykesandandHastings,
Hastings, hishis
good offices
good were sought
offices were sought byby zamindars
zamindars and and talukdars,
talukdars.
In return
In return he hegot
gotpresents
presentsand
andgrants
grantsof of land
land in his his own
own
name as
name as also
also inin the
the name
name of hishis son
son Lokenath. He
also
also carried
carried onon trade. He He succeeded
succeeded in getting 158
in getting 158
mouzas
mouzas and and mahals
mahals in pargana
pargana Coolberis
Coolberis and and others
others in
in
Muhamudshahi.
M uhamudshahi. They They were
were formed
formed into
into aa new
n e w pargana
pargana
called Cantoonagar".4'
Cantoonagar” .41
Kantu Babu's
Babu’s estate was
was confined
confined only
only to pargana
pargana Baharband
Baharband
in Rangpur
in Rangpur andand some
some petty
petty jagirs
jagirsininBhagalpur.
Bhagalpur. But But his
his son
son
and successor
and successor Lokenath
Lokenath NandiNandi turned
turned itit into
into aa vast
vast zamindari
zamindari
after the
after the permanent
permanent settlement
settlem ent by by purchasing
purchasing new new lands
lands inin
almost all
almost all the
the districts
districts from
from Dacca
Dacca toto Bhagalpur.
Bhagalpur. But But most
most
of his
his purchases
purchases were
were inin benami.
benarni. TheThe whole
whole of of his
his zamiadari
zamindari
however came
however cametoto light
light when
when the zamindari
zamindari came came under
under the
the
control
control ofof the
the Court
Court ofof Wards
W ards inin consequence
consequence of of his death
death in
in
1808,
1808, leaving behind his
leaving behind his minor
minor son,
son, raja H arinath Nandi.
raja Harinath
The
The details
details of
of the
the parganas
parganas werewere not
not given
given by by the
the Court
Court of
of
Wards.
W ards. Instead, the the Court
Court supplied
supplied the the total ja m a as was
total jama
paid from
paid from each
each district
district where
where hishis estate
estate waswas situated.
situated. The

41.
41, Quoted in
Quoted in N
N.. K. Siaha, The
K. Sinha, The Economic
Economic History
History oof
f Bengal
Bengal 1793-1844,
1793-1844 vol.
vo1

111. pp.
111. pp. 93-4.
93-4.
 12
162 Permanent
Permanent Settlement:
Settlement in engal
in Bengal

total government
total government jarna
jam a of his zamindariinin 1808
his zamindari 1808 was
was returned
returned .
at S.
S. Rs,
Rs. 2,42,905.42
2,42,905.42
The next
The next most
mostimportant
im portantnew
newlanded
landed family
family coming
coming from
from
the occupation
occupation of a banian
banian were
were the
the Tagores
Tagores of of Calcutta.
Calcutta. The
Tagores trace
Tagores trace their
their descent
descent from
fromBhattanarayan,
Bhattanarayan, the the chief
chief of
of
the five
five Brahmins
Brahmins who,
who, at the invitation
invitation of king Adisura,
Adisura,came
came
from
from Kanauj
Kanauj inin 1072
1072 A.
A. D.
D. in
in order
order to
to give
give religious
religious leadership
leadership
in Bengal.
in Bengal. Joyram Tagore, who
Joyram Tagore, who claimed
claimed to to be
be one
one of thethe
descendentsof
dependents of Bhattanarayan,
Bhattanarayan, worked
worked as as an
an amin
aminininthe
the sett1e
settle­
ment ofthe
ment of the 24
24Parganas when it came
Parganas when under the
came under the East
East India
India
Company»43
Company.4 a The brief
The brief geneological
geneological table of the
table of the Tagores
Tagores for
for
two generations from
from Joyram
Joyram is
is as
as follows
follows :44

Joyram
t
1'
t f
1' fdj
t
A nandaram
Anandaram Darpnarayan Nilmani
Nilmani Govindaram
t1' t _'1'
t
1'
T
1' t1' T
'1' f1' . f
Ladli mohan Radhamohan
Ladlimohan Rad hamohan Gopeymohan
Gopeymohan Krishnamohan Harimohan
■
_________ t_____
t
T 1'

Prasannakumar and
and five
five others _________ _________ _
t1'
_ _ _ _ _ ___________________ ______________________________ ________________________________________________________________

tt f f 1' t
t f
1'
Ramani Ramtanu Ramratan
R am ralan Ramlochan Rambuliab
f
t1
Dwarkanath (adopted)
(adopted)

The descendents of Darpanarayan

descendents of Darpanarayan Tagore
Tagore formed
formed the senior
senior
branch
branch and that of
and that of Nilmani
Nilmani Tagore
Tagore formed
formed the
the junior
junior branch
branch

42, SeeAppendix9.
42. See Appendix 9.
43. Lokenath Ghose, Moderiz hlsory of
Modem history o f he
theIndian
Indian chiefs
chiefs rajas and za,nindars
zamindars,
p. 162.
162.
44. IbId.p.221.
Ibid., p. 221.
The Emergence
Emergence of
of New
New Landed Fami'ies
Families 183
of the Tagore
Tagore family.
family. TheThe other two
two sons
sons of Joyram died early
and without heirs.
and without heirs. All
All of
of these
these members
members of of the
the family
family purchased
purchased
extensive lands all over BengaL
extensive lands all over Bengal. By By the 1830s, the sire
1830s, size of the
combinedTagore
combined Tagoreestates
estatesbecame
becamesosobigbigthat
that Dwarkanath
Dwarkanath Tagore
once boasted
once boasted that
that the
the Tagore
Tagore family
family waswasaahouse.hold
house-hold word
word in
Bengal inin view
Bengal viewofoftheir
theb authority
authority inin almost
almostall all the districts
districts o.f
of
landholders.45 He
Bengal as landholders.46
Bengal He said
said that
that nearly
nearly oneone fifteenth
fifteenth
of the
of the total
total land revenueofofBengal
land revenue Bengalwas
waspaid
paid by
by the
the Tagores
Tagores
alone.46
alone.46

But beforethe
But before the decennial
decennialsettlem settlement
ent the the Tagores
Tagores had had vir-
vir­
tually no
tually no position
position among
among the th e landowning
landowning class. class. Darpnarayan
Tagore, the
Tagore, the pioneer
pioneer of of the
the family,
family, at at first
first served
served thethe French
French at
Chandannagar and
Chandannagar and later became
became aa banian
banian to to Edward
Edward W Wheeler
heeler who
succeeded Colonel Monson
succeeded Colonel Monson as as member
member of of the Supreme
Supreme CounciL47
Council.47·
The wealth
The wealth that
th a t he
heacquired
acquired in in the
thecourse
courseof of his
his service
service and
and
business
business waswas invested in purchasing
purchasing aa large large pargana
pargana in in Rangpur
from
from the Natore
Natore raj raj in
in 1790.
1790. The The Total
Total jam jama of that
a of that pargana
pargana
amounted to S. R.
amounted 60,000. But the
Rs. 60,000. the real
real lustre
lustre onon the
thefamily
family
was shed by
was shed by the
the subsequent
subsequent purchases
purchases of of his
his son,
son,Gopeymohan
Gopaymohan
Tagore who
Tagore who happened
happened to to be
be the first celebrated
celebrated membermember of of the
great Tagore family.
great Tagore family. He
He purchased
purchased lands
lands mainly
mainly from
from the
the
rajasofof Rajshahi,
rajas Rajshahi, NadiaNtdia and Jessore.Jessore. The The total
total jama
jam a of
of his
his
estates,
estates, excluding
excluding his his father's
father’sacquisitions,
acquisitions,amounted
amountedtotoS. S. Rs.
Rs.
86,405 and
86,405 his capital
and his capital investment
investment in in buying
buying those thoselands
lands amoun
amoun­
ted to S.S. Rs.
Rs, 1,11,600.48
1,11,600.48 It It isis not
not known
known how how muchmuch land
land he he
purchased in
purchased in the
the names
names of his his servants
servants and and relations, When. he
relations, When,
1818, it was
died in 1818,
died was reported
reported by by Samachar
Samachar Oar Darpanpan ththat his
landed estates and
landed estates and other
other properties
properties bore bore aa value
value ofof about
abouteight3s
eighty
lakhs
lakhs ofof rupees.49
rupees.49In Inaasupreme
supreme court court affidavit
affidavit his immovable
immovable

45. Beagal State Archivos,

45, West Bengal Archives, Criminc!
Criminal Departmeat,
Department, 15 15 December
December1840. 1840.
46. Ibid.
47. J Westlaad,
Westland, AAreport
report or
on Jessore
Jessore District
District p. 186 ;; also
p. 186 see, PramathaDath
also see, Pramathanatti
Mallik, "Notable
Mallife, «‘Notable BeDgalis
Bengalis In in 1806",
1806", B. B. P.
P. P.,
P., vol. 30, July-December,
vol. 30, July-December,
1925, p, 199.
199. ΐ
48. See Appendix
Appendix 10.
10. . . -
Quoted iaiaBrajendra
49. Quoted BrajendraNath
NathBl3aurji
i w j i ( (ed.),
e d .), 5,
S. p.
P . S.
S. K.
K. vol.
vol. 1,1,P.P.216.
216.
 184 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

property
property was
was estimated at twenty
estimated at twenty lakhs
lakhs of
of rupees
rupees and
and other
other
personal property was
personal property wasvalued
valuedatatforty
forty Iakhs
lakhs of rupees.50
rupees.50 It may
be noted that;
be noted that all
all other
other brothers
brothers and
and cousins
cousinsofofGopeymohan
Gopeymohan
Tagore bought
Tagore bought large
large landed
landed property
property though
thoughonon aa much
much lesser
lesser
scale than
scale than him,
him. All All these
these estates
estates purchased
purchased bybysons
sons ofofDar-
Dar-
pnarayan Tagore
pnarayan Tagore andand Nilmani
Nilmani Tagore
Tagore were
werefurther
further enlarged
enlarged
by their grandsons,
by their grandsons, Prasanna
Prasanna Kumar
K um ar Tagore
Tagore and
andDwarkanath
Dwarkanath
Tagore, both
Tagore, bothofofwhom
whomwere werelarge
largescale
scale purchasers
purchasers of of lands
lands in
in
the 1820s
1820s and
and 1830s.
1830s.
The Pal
The Pal Chowdhuries
Chowdhuries of Ranaghat were
of Ranaghat were saltsalt agents
agents in in
Calcutta before
Calcutta before they embarked
embarked uponupon purchasing
purchasing zamindaris.
zamindaris.
Krishnacbandra Pal
Krishnachandra Pal and
and Shambhuchandra
Shambhuchandra Pal, Pal, the founding
founding
members of
members of the
the family,
family, were
were brothers. Beyond
Beyond this, nothing
nothing is is
known about
known about their family
family position. Tradition says
position. Tradition says that they
they
were
were ordinary
ordinary betel leaf vendors
betel leaf vendors at at the
the early
early stage
stage of of their
their
lives. Whatever
W hatever might might have
have been
been their
their position,
position, it is certain
that in the 1790s the Pals
1790s the Pals of Ranaghat
Ranaghat werewere improtant
im protant members
members
of the
of the moneyed
moneyed society
society of
of Calcutta. These brothers
Calcutta. These brothers jointly
bought twenty lots in
bought twenty in their
their own
own names.
names. Most
Most of of these
these lands
lands
formerly belonged
formerly belonged to the rajasrajas of Jesore
Jessoreand
andNadia,
Nadia. A All
ll these
lots boreaatotal
lots bore total government
governmentjama jama ofof S.
S, Rs,
Rs, 1,32,714
1,32,714 and and thethe
total capital
capital investment
investment was 1,82,100.51 One peculiarity
was 1,82,100.51 peculiarity about
about
the Pals is that
Pals is that they
they did
did not
notgive
give up
up business
business after
after purchasing
purchasing
zamindaris. RatherRather they
they further
further expanded
expanded theirtheir business
business to to
money-lending,
money-lending, stock stock speculation,
speculation, grain, sugar,sugar, ghee,
ghee, cloth,
cloth,
and to various other commodities.52
indigo, and commodities.52
The banian who emerged
emerged as
as one
one of
of th
thee landholders in
in Bengal
Bengal
after the permanent settlement
the permanent settlem ent bbut
u t who
who has
has been
been entirely
unnoticed so
unnoticed so far
far by
byany
any modem
modern w writer
riter was
was Roy
Roy Danishmand
Danishmand
Nittananda of Murshidabad. Little is known
Little is known about
about the
the life
life and
and

50. Abalya Devi

Abalya Dcvivs.
vs.Chunder
Chunder Coornar
Coomar Tagore,
T agore,1820,
1820, quoted in
in N.
N . K.
K. Sinha»
Sinha1
Economic History of
Economic History o f Bengal vol. 111,
Bengal vol. I l l , p. 91.
p. 91.
51. See Appendix
Appendix 11.
11.
52.
2. See N
N.. K Sinba, Economic
K., Sinha, History of
Eco,wmic History o f Bengal,
l3engal, vol.
vol. I111,
l l , p.
p. 90.
90.
the
TheEmergence
Emergenceof
of New
New Landed
Landed Families
Families 185
185

family background
background of the Roy. Roy, It appears from aa civil
appears from civil honours
honours
list drawn up
list drawn up in 1872,
1872, that
th a t the
theRoy's
Roy’s father,
father,Jagadindra
JagadindraBan-Ban-
wan, was
wari, was aa general
generalofof the
the Mughal
Mughal army. army. Emperor
Emperor Shah Shah Alam
Alam
was said to
was said to have
haveconferred
conferredonon Jagadindra
Jagadindra the title title Maharajah-
M aharajah -
Azirnutul1ah-Anirul
Azim utullah-A m irul Mulk
Mulk Jagodindra-Danishand-Nittani'%nda-
Jagodindra-Danishand-Nittana'nda-
Sepadhar
Sepadhar JangJangBahadur.53
Bahadur.53 Hence
Henceallallhis
hisdescendents
descendentswere
wereknown
known
as Danis hniand
hmand Nit tananda. Thus the Roy
Nittananda. Roy always
always used
used his
his family
title in all transactions thoughhis
transactions though his real
real name
name waswas Banwari
Banwari Lal.Lai.
But Francis Buchanan
Buchanan gavegave aa quite
quite different
different account
account ofof his
his family
family
background.
background. He H e reported
reported that th a tDanishrnand
Danishmand Nittananda
Nittananda was was aa
weaver in in his early life and subsequently
subsequently became
became the the Compan'i's
Company’s
commercial agent.
commercial agent.54 In the
In the capacity
'capacity ofofthetheCompany's
Company’s banian
banian
he made a great fortune
fortune andand in in order
order to
to improve
improve hishis social
social status
status
he purchased
purchased thethe Danishmand
DanishmandNittanandaNittananda title
title from
from the
the Nawab
Nawab
of Murshidabad.
Murshidabad. Buchanan's
Buchanan’s account seemstotobebe more
account seems more reliable
reliable
becaue he
because he gave
gave this
this report
reportafteraftervisiting
visitingNittananda's
Niitananda's estate
estate in
in
Rangpur
Rangpur and andafter
after having
havinga a personal
personal interview
interview w with
ith the
the Roy
Roy
himself.55
Danishmand Nittananda
Danishmand Nittananda purchased
purchased most most of of his
his lands
lands from
from
the rajas of Birbhum,
Birbhum, Rajshahi,
Rajshahi, Dinajpur
Dinajpur and and Idrikpur,56
Idrikpur.86 The
annual satiar
annual sadaria/na
ja m aofofhis
hislands
landsasasfar
far as
as can
can be
be ascertained
ascertained from
from
the sales
the sales reports
reports amounted
amounted to to S. Rs. 1,20,613
S. Rs. 1,20,613 and and the
the total
total
capital kvstrnent
capital investment was wasS.S.Rs. 1,97,259.67 It is
Rs. 1,97,259. is evident
evident that
that
DanishmandNittananda
Danishmand Nittanandapurchased
purchasedaa much much larger
larger amount
amount of
landed property than
landed property than appears
appears inin the
the sales
sales reports.
reports. ItIt is
is gathered
gathered
from a report of the judge of Rangptzr that he had bought
from a report of the judge of Rangpur th at he had bought
great
great landed
landed estates
estates inin his
his home
home district
district Murshidabad.58 He

53. TemplePapers,
Temple Papers,MMSS.
SS. EEUR.
UR F F.. 8i/15t
85/15?.
54. Francis Buchanan
Francis Buchanan (Hamilton)
(H am ilton) Papers,
Papers, vol. 1, Rook
vol. i, Boole 11 P.235.6,
i»,235-6, MSS.
M SS.
EUR.
E U R . D.
D . 74.
74.
55. Ibid.
56. Ibid.
57. See Appendix 12.
51. See 12.
58. Judge
Judge Sisson's
Sisson’s Report from Rangpur,
Report from Rangpur, 22 April
April 1815, quoted in
1815« quoted in E, G..
E .G
Glazier, Report on
Glazier, Report onRangpurt
Rangpur,Appendix
AppendixA,A,PP,XXXIII.
.X X X I tl.
 186 Permanent Sett'ement
Settlement in Bengal
Bengal
must
must have acquired his
have acquired his Murshidabad
Murshidabad landslands in benami.
benami . In
Rangpur, lands
Rangpur, lands yielding
yielding sadar jainajam a of
of S.S.Re,
Rs, 23,358
23,35859 were
purchased by
purchased by him
him in
in his
his own
own name. Under assumed
name. Under assumed names
names he
purchased much
much more.
more. In In 1815.
1815, his
his Rangpur lands lands were
were
paying
paying aatotal
total sadar
sadar jarna
ja m a of
ofS.S, Rs.
Rs, 69,742,60 It
69,742.60 It will
will not
not bebe
thus
thus inappropriate
inappropriate to to assume
assume that he had similar
he had similar large
large scale
scale
bena,ni lands in other districts.
benami districts.
It is well known
known that the system system ofof the permanent settlement
settlement
opened the
opened the flood-gate
flood-gate of of litigations
litigations leading to booming
booming business
business
for
for the lawyers,
lawyers. But in spite of the soaring incomes in
of the soaring incomes in the legal
professions
professions we find find very
very fewfew men from from that
thatprofession
profession purcha.
purcha­
sing considerable
sing landed property. The most
considerable landed most outstanding
outstanding among
among
these few
these few was
was Nilmani
Nilrnani Haidar
Haldar of of Noapara in Hughli..
H ughli. He bought
bought
seven large
seven large lots
lots inin his
his home
home district
district yielding
yielding aa sadar
sadar ia/na
jam a of
about
about oneone lakh
lakh ofofrupees.61
rupees.6' The The circumstances
circumstances leading
leading to to the
rise of Nilmani
rise of Nilmani Haldar
Haidar to to prosperity
prosperity andand power
power areareobscure
obscure to
us. Though
us. Though hishis son, Nilratna
Nilratna Haldar
Haidar waswas aaprolific
prolific writer, owner
owner
of aa printing
printingpress,
press, and
andan an editor of the
editor of the weekly,
weekly, Bangadat,
Bangadat, he
did not care
did not care toto write
write anything
anything aboutabout hishis own family.62 It is
own family.!2
however gathered from from the the sales reports and
sales reports and the
the judicial
judicial
proceedingsthat
proceedings that Nilmani
Nilmani Haldar
Haidar came
came from thethe village
village Noapara
Noapara
in the Hughli district and
in and thatthat he
he was
was aa practicing
practising lawyer
lawyer in the
sadar diwani
diw ani adalat.63
adalat.63
Off all the principal
O principal newcomers,
newcomers, Dwarkanath Babu of Singhur,
Hughli
H ughli district,
district, seemed
seemed to be next
to be next to
to the
the Kandi
Kandi family
family in
in
territorial
territorial acquisitions
acquisitions and
and he was again
he was again the
themost
most obscure
obscure on
one
Eel orehe
before he embarked
embarked upon buying zamindari
zamindarilands
landsininearly
early1799..
1799.

59. See Appendix 13.

13.
Judge Sissoirs
60. Judge Sisson's Report from
from Rangpur,
Rangpur, 2 2April
April1815.
1815. Quoted
Quoted In in E.
E. G
G·
Glazier,
Glazier, Appendix
Appendix A,A, P.XXXIII.
P.XXXII.
61. SeeAppendixl3.
See Appendix 13.
See Brajendra
62. See Brajendra Nath
Nath Banarji
Banarji((ed
ed ).
), S.
S. P.
P. S.
S. K.,
Κ., vol.
vol. 1,
1, Pp.
pp. 381,
381, 456,
456,
63. Far
For address,
address, see B., O.
see B 0. R.
R. P., 10 M
F., 10 May 1799, Appendix
ay 1799, P73/47, and
Appendix E,, P73/47, and
for profession, sea Panehnanda
profession, see Panchnanda Mitte?s
M itter’s case,
case,13.
B. Q. R,
R. P., 3I September
September
1799,
1799, NNo. 74,PP73/52.
o. 74, 73/52.
The Emergence ofNew
Emergence of New Landed Families 17
187

Within
W ithin a few years after 1799
years after 1799 Dwarkanath
Dwarkanath surpassed
surpassed most other
wealthy
wealthy banians,
banians, merchants
merchants and
and officers
officers in
in the
theacquisition
acquisition of
of
landed rights.
landed 1807, he
rights. In 1807, was considered
he was considered toto be
be one
one of the
the
richest men
men of
of Bengal.
Bengal. By then, his vast
vast zamindari
zamindari paid
paid aa sadar
sadar
revenue of S. S. Rs.
Rs. 4,74,852.64
4,74,852.64 In in the absence
absence of reliable informa-
informa­
tion about his life nothing definite can be said as to the sources
tion about his life nothing definite can be said as to the sources
of his
of his great income. According
great income. According toto Pramatha
Pramatha Nath N ath Barma
Barma who who
wrote
w rote aa small
small history
history of of the family
family of of Dwarkanath,
Dwarkanath, his his father
father
Gopinath Shil
Gopinath Shil migrated
migrated fromfromthe the Panjab
Panjab in in search
search of offortune
fortune
and
and worked
worked as as aa domestic servant of
domestic servant of the
the Mallik
M allik family
family of of
Singhur.66 Dwarkanth
Singhur.85 Dwarkanth lostlost his
his father whenwhen he was still aa boy.86 boy.88
But being
being blessed
blessed by aa great saint
saint Dwarkanth
Dwarkanth was wassaid
said toto have
have
made an
made an unimaginable
unimaginable fortune
fortune within
within aa short time.67 Pramatha
time.67
Nath
N ath said that he
said that he made
made best best useuse ofof his
hisgodsent
godsent money
money by by
zamindaris and setting
buying zamindaris setting up up some
some indigo
indigo factories.68
factories.68
T he writer however also mentioned
The mentioned aa popularpopular story
story that
that
owed his
he owed his fortune
fortune to to his
his early
early career
career as dacoit.69 It is
as aadacoit.°9
possible
possible that,
that, asas he
he was
was under
underthe theshelter
shelterofofthethemalliks,
malliks, he he
might have
might have acquired
acquired his fortune through
his initial fortune through theirtheir favour
favour
and subsequently
and subsequently augmented
augmented it it by
by dint
dint of hishis own
own energy
energy and and
drive. The The possiblility
possibility of of his
his being
being aa dacoit
dacoit cannot
cannot also also bebe
entirely ruled out. Under the late late eighteenth
eighteenth century
century conditions
conditions
in Bengal,
in Bengal, dacoity was aa widespread
dacoity was widespread practice
practice andand itit was
was frequ-
frequ­
ently carried
carried out
out under
underthe theprotection
protectionofofzamindars
zamindarsthemselves.
themselves.
Whatever might have
W hatever might have been
been the
the secret
secret of
of his
his success,
success, itit is
is certain
certain
that though
though Dwarkanath
Dwarkanath Babu Babu had no no ancestry
ancestry totoboast
boast of,of, he
he
made
made hishis way
way to the toptop of the
the newnew landed
landed aristocracy
aristocracy without
without
being, like
being, like most
most others, a banian,
banian, or or aa merchant
merchant or or zamindarj
zamindari
officer.

64.
64, See,
See, Appendix
Appendix 14.14.
65. piamatha Nath
Piamatha NathBarma,
Barma,The
Thelife
lifeof
o fDwarkanath
DwarkanathBabu
Babu of
o f Singhur
Singhur (Bengali
(Bengali
Text),p.
Text) p. 2.
2.
66.
66. Ibid.,
Ibid., p. 3.
p. 3.

67.
67. IbId., pp. 7-8
Ibid., ?-8
68.
68. Ibid
I bid,
69. Ibid., pp.
69. pp. 10,
10, 15,
15.
188 Permanent Settlement in Bengal

Besides these
these above mentioned large
above mentioned large emerging
emerging families
families
there
there were
were many
many others whose whose newly
new ly acquired
acquired zamindaris
zamindaris
were presumably
were presumably equally
equally extensive.
extensive. But because
because their
their acqui-
acqui­
sitive process
sitive process was
was almost
almost entirely
entirely in
in benarni
benami we are in the dark
about the
about the details
details of their property.
property. ForFor instance,
instance, raja Devi
Devi
Singh of Murshidabad;
Singh Murshidabad, whowho waswas a famous
famous revenue farm farmer
er
before the permanent
before permanent settlement,
settlem ent, had
had subsequently
subsequently acquired
acquired
“"zamindaris, taluqas, and
zamindaris, taluqas, and other
other landed
landed estates,
estates, kothee,
kothees,com-
com­
pany's
pany’s paper and other securities
and other securities valued
valued at
at 11 crore
crore of
of rupees” .70
rupees".7°
Hence, as landholder
Hence, as landholder he must have
have been
been paying
paying lakbs
lakbs of
of rupees
rupees
as government revenue. But
as But the government jam
the government jamaa of
of his
his
zaniindari
zamindari inin his
his own
own name
name amounted
amounted to toonly
onlyS. S. Rs. 17,898.
17,898.
The
The will
will ofof Joykrishna Singh
Singh of of Calcutta,
Calcutta, whose father,
Santiram
Santiram Singh,
Singh, was
was aa goverumant
governm ant officer
officer before
before the permanent
permanent
settlement, reveals that “'he
settlement, reveals left behind
he left behind himhim Rs.
Rs. 20,04,915-
20,04,915—
houses, lands
houses, lands and garden
garden in Calcutta valued
valuedatatRs.
Rs. 7,40,430
7,40,430 andand
the rest zamindari."7'
zamindari.” 71 But in records
records his
his zamindari
zamindari was worth
only aa few
only few thousand
thousand rupees. Thakoor Das
rupees. Thakoor Das Gossain
Gossain of of Sera-
Sera-
mpur
mpur in in Nadia
Nadia isis said
said to have
have accumulated
accumulated aa fabulous
fabulous fortune
fortune
by trading
by trading with
with the
the Danes
Danes at
a t Serainpur
Seratnpur end and hehe laid
laid out
out hishis
entire capital in buying vast zamindaris in Nadia, Jessore,
entire capital in buying vast zamindaris in Nadia, Jessore,
Purnia,
Purnia, Hughli,
H ughli, Burdwan
Burdwan and and M idnapur,72 But the
Midriapur.72 the wonder
wonder
is that
is that his
his name
name diddid not
not appear
appear inin the
the sales
sales reports
reports atat all.
all. In
our account
our account of of the
the Dinajpur
Dinajpurrajraj we we have
have seen
seen that
that diwan
diwan
Ramkanta Roy
Ramkanta Roy managed
managed the the zamindari
zamindari as as absolute
absolute ruler
ruler forfor
eight years and he purchased the greater
purchased greater portion
portion of ol the
the
Dinajpur zamindari in in the names of his dependents. So. So, in 1802,
be was
he wasreturned
returnedbybythe theJudge the largest landholder
Judgetotobebe the landholder in
Dinajpur though
Dinajpur though in in his own name
his own name he he had
had no
no property at at all.78
all.73

70. N.
N . K.
K . Siaha,
Sinha, Economic ifistoryof
Economic History o fBengal
Bengal vol. I I, p. 91.
vol. I111, 91.
71. Ibid.
72. J. Westland,
J, W estland, Report
Report on
on .Tessore fl/strict, p.
Jessore District, p. 189.
189.
73. The
T he Dinajpur Judge to
Dinajpur Judge to the Chief
C hief Secretary,
Secretary, 16
16 January
January 1802,
1802 , C. 1..PP.,.,
C .J
8 July 1802,
1802, No.
N o. 51,
51, P147/56.
P147/56,
 The Emergence
Emergence of
of New
NewLanded
LandedFamilies
Families 189
Thus Itit is abundantly clearththat
abundantly clear unless and
at unless and until
until th
theproperty
e property
of these
these great
great anonymous
anonymous proprietors
proprietors cancan bebediscovered,
discovered itit is
is
impossible
impossible totodeduce
deduceanyany conclusion
conclusion fromfrom the known
known 'figures
' figures
of about aa dozendozen great
great new families especially when it
is evident
is evident th that
at each
each one
one ofof them
them possessed
possessed much
much moremore landland
than their
than their figures
figures indicate.
indicate. To To cite
cite only
only one
onetypical
typical example
example
here, oneKrishnakanta
here, one Krishnakanta Sen Sen from
from the
the Rajshahi
Rajshahi district
district purch-
purch­
ased
ased a zamindari
zamindari in in Jessore
J-essorebearing
bearingaajajama of SS.Rs.
m a of Rs, 27,649
27,649 andand
be had
he had nono other
otherestate
estateininhis
hisown
ownname
nameon onrecord.
record. But, when when
he becamemmentally
he became deranged inin 1800
entally deranged 1800and
and the
the zamindari
zamindari went
under the
under the supervision
supervisionofofthe the Court
Court of Wards,
Wards, itit was
was found
found that
his real zamindari bore a sadar jama of S. Rs. 57,425.
his real zamindari bore a sadar jam a of S. Rs. 57,425.7A So
more than half
half of
of his
his property
property was
was hitherto
hitherto hidden
hidden from
from ourview.
our view.
We
We have
have previously
previously seen
seen that
that the
the total
totalgenuine
genuinetransfer
transfer
of
of land
land in
in the
the course
course of
of twenty
tw enty five
five years
years stood
stood at about
eighty six
eighty sixlakhs
lakhsofofrupees
rupeesoror4545percent
percentofofthe
the landed
landed property
property
of
of Bengal
Bengal in in terms
terms of jama.
of jam a. According
According to to the
the statements
of
of the
the district
districtcollectors
collectors asas mentioned earlier, a large
mentioned earlier, large percen-
percen­
tage
tage of of these
these transfers
transferswas wascirculated
circulatedamong
amongthe theestablished
established
landed
landed class. Gallaway estimated
class. Gallaway estimated in in 1830
1830 that
that about
about one half
or
or two
two thirds
thirds ofofthethelands
landstransferred
transferredwithin
within tenten years
years from
from
1793
1793 werewere purchased
purchased by by the
th etraditional
traditionalneighbouring
neighbouringzarnin-zemin­
dars,75 Thus,
dars.75 Thus, ifif we
we exc1ude
exc’ude the purchases of the the old
old proprietors
proprietors
from our
from our calculation
calculation for for the purpose
purpose of of ascertaining
ascertaining the the size
size of
of
the new
the cornersinto
new comers intoland,
land, and if we again
again take
take the Purchases
Purchases of of
the
the numerous
numerous benarni
benami proprietors
proprietors intointo consideration,
consideration, then then it
will not bebe unreasonable
unreasonable to to conclude
conclude that
that about
about twotwo thirds
thirds of
of the
the
lands
lands transferred
transferred to new new hands
hands were
werepurchased
purchasedbybynot notmore
more
than thirty families
families only.
only.
Even
Even a cursory
cursory looklook atat thethe formation
formation of of these
theseprincipal
principal
new
new families
families as quantified
quantified in the the Appendices
Appendices will make it
will make

The Petition
74. The Petition of
ofK Kajal
ajal Mani
M aniandand Tara
Tara Mash
ManiDast,
D asi,two
twowives
wives of
o f Krishna
Krishna­
kanta Sen.
Sen, to B. Q. R ., B.
Q . R., O. R.
B. 0. P., 77 Feb. 1500.
R. P., 1800, No.
N o. 32,
32, P74/7.
P 74/7.
75, A.
A . Gallaway,
Gallaway, Observations
Observations onon the the law
law and
and constitution
Constitution andand Presen
Present
Governmentoof
Government India. p. 180.
f India, 180,
190 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
crystal clear
clear that
that the constituents
constituents of
of almost
almost all
allof
ofthem
them were
were
situated in
situated in the districts
districts of Birbhum, Btrdwan, Dinajpur,
Birbhum, Burdwan, Dinajpur, Jessore,
Jessore,
Murshidabad,Nadia
Murshidabad, Nadia andand Rangpur,
Rangpur, and and most
mostof oftheir
theirfounders
founders
also came
also came from
from those
those districts. No No large
large new new family
family did
emerge from
emerge from the eastern districts of
eastern districts Bengal.78 It was
of Bengal.78 was forfor
the obviou3
the obviousreasons
reasonsththat these districts
at these districtswhich
whichwerewere characterised
charactrised
by small
by small holdings
holdings showed
showed remarkable
remarkablestability
stability compared
compared with
with
other districts
other districts which
which werewereowned
ownedby byaafew
few raja
rajafamilies
families whose
whose
fall facilitated
fall the rise
facilitated the rise of
of the
the new
new territorial
territorial houses.
houses. Above
the consideration
the consideration of of the
th e rehitive
relativestability
stability ofof the
the small
small estates
estates
was
was the transfer
transfer of of lands
lands ininthese
thesedistricts
districts ininvery
verytiny
tiny lots
lot3
which hardly
which hardly attracted
attracted largelarge capital
capital investors,
investors. Most Most of these
lands were
lands were circulated
circulated amongamong the neighbouring established
Hence itit can
zamindars. Hence canbe beforcibly
forciblyargued
argued thatthat the
the structural
structural
changes under the
changes under operation of
the operation of the permanent
permanent settlement
settlem ent
were not
were not even
even in
in all
all,parts
partsof of Bengal. There were were phenomenal
phenomenal
changes
changes in in the
the traditional
traditional structure
structure inin those
those districts
districts which
which
were formerly
were ownedby
formerly owned by the
the great
great rajas,
rajas, whereas, the he oTdo’d
Mughal laaded structure
Mughal landed structure remained
remained moremore or or less
less intact
intact in the
eastern parts
eastern parts ofof Bengal
Bengal especially
especially in in the
th e districts
districts of
of Dacca
Dacca
Myrnensingh, 'J'ipperah, Chittagong and
Mymensingh, Tipperah, and Sylhet.
Sylhet.

76. The family

family of Nawab
Nawab Khaja Abdul
Abdul G Gani
aoi ooff Dacca'
Dacca' became
became substantial
substantial as
a landed
landed family
fa m ilj in 1830s and 40s.
1830s and 40s. Its
Its founder,
foundersKhaja
KhajaAlimullah
Alimullahwhowho was
was
formerly
formerly aa trader,
trader, bought severallow
bought several low priced
priced sparsely
sparsely populated
populated jangle
jungle
parganas in Dacca, Barisal,
Barisal, and Mymensingh districts after
Mymensingh districts after the
the permanent
settlement, With the
settlement. With the growth
growth ooff popilation
population these
these parganas
parganas gradually
came lough. In 1830s,
under rriough.
came under 1830s, the za mindari incomes
incomes increased to about
increased to
six lakhs of rupees, In
o f rupees, 1840s, the Khaja
in 1840s, Khaja family
family became
became the
the greatest
greatest
landed proprietor
landed proprietor in
in Eastern Bengal.
Bengal.
 CHAPTER
C H A P T E R SSEVEN
EVEN

EXPECTATIONS
EXPECTATIONSAND
ANDACHIEVEMENTS
ACHIEVEMENTS

We
We have
have come
come aalong
long way
way through
through the
thediscussions
discussions of
ol the
zamindars' position
zamindars’ position in
in 1790,
1790, their
their reactions
reactions to
to the
th e new
new system,
system,
operation
operation of of the
the revenue
revenue sale
sale laws,
laws,and
andconsequent
consequentreorgani-
reorgani­
sation
sation of
of the
the landed
landed scciety
society. WeWe are nownow inin position
position to explore
explore
whether or
whether or not
notthe
thepermanent
permanentsettlement
settlement system
system couldcould produce
produce ,
the results as expected by its
expected by its authors.
authors.
The authors
The authors of of the
the permanent
permanent settlement
settlem ent anticipated
anticipated that
revolutionary changes
revolutionary changes in in the character
character and habits of
and habits of the
the zamin-
zamin-
dars
dars would
would result from from the thestimulus
stimulusgiven
givenby bythe
thenewnew system.
system.
The
The absolute
absolute proprietary
proprietary rightsrights conferred
conferred on them, them, coupled
coupled
with the perpetually fixed
with fixed government demand, were expected expected to to
inspire the
inspire the zamindars
zamindars to exert themselves
themselves for the improvement
improvement
of their
of their estates. Thus the
estates. Thus the government
government controlled Calcutta
Gazette
Gazette camecame out out with
with its editorial
editorial declaring
declaring thethe permanent
permanent
settlement ‘ as as a political
political truth with with practical benefit." “"tinder
practical benefit.” Under
this
this system,"
system,” the the editorial
editorial continued,
continued, "strongest
‘‘strongestinducement
inducement
is held
held outout to
to the
the proprietor
proprietor to to improve
improve the the value
value of his estate,
estate,
for as
for as that is
is improved,
improved,not notonly
only hishis general
general comfort
comfort andand wealth
wealth
are increasing,but
are increasing, but the
the very
very tax itself
itself is
is rendered
rendered moremore light
light
by bearing
by bearing a smaller
smaller proportion
proportion to to the
the increased
increased valuevalue and
and
produce;
produce ; or or government
government isis excludedexcluded from from sharing
sharing in in these
these
advantages,.., for,the
advantages,...for, theimmediate
immediate consequences
consequencesof of anan increasing
increasing
produce
produce isis ananincrease
increaseofofthe the population
population of the country,
of the country, whose
whose
industry
industry returns
returns again
againtotothe thefields,
fields,ororoverflows
overflows into the manumanu­
factorieswhich
factories whichworkworkuponupontheir
theirproductions’'.1
productions'.' Tt was reckoned
It was

1.
. The Calcutta Gazette,
The CaIcitta Gazette, 99 M ay 1793,
May 1793.
 192 Permanent Settlement
Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
that the
the creation
creation of of property
property in land
land and
and the
the operation of the
operation of th e
newly
newly created
created landland market
market would
would create an atmosphere
create an atmosphere in
which the lands
which the lands of of "the
“ the ignorant,
ignorant, extravagant,
extravagant, or indigent
indigent
[would)
[w ould-] fall
fall to
to the
th e able,
able, prudent, or wealthy,
prudent, or wealthy, who
who [would]
[w ould]
improve
improve the
the lands
landsand
andadd
addtotothe
thestock
stock of
of labour.'
labour.’ 22 It was th
thee
firm
firm belief
belief of Cornwallis that
of Cornwallis that the
the permanent settlement wouldwould
make revolutionary
make revolutionary changes
changes inin agriculture
agriculture andand agrarian
agrarian rela-
rela­
tions. He said $t "This
He said “ This system
system will
will excite
excite a spirit
spirit of
of industry
industry
and economy, and be
economy, and be the means
means of bringing
of bringing into cultivation the
cultivation
very great proportion
very proportion of of desolate
desolate land
land which
which isis to be
be found
found
in almost
almost every
every di8trict
district throughout
throughout the theProvinces.., the propri-
Provinces...the propri­
etors of
etors of the
the soil
soil will
will be
be enabled
enabled from
from the
theprofits
profits arising
arising from
from
their estates
their estates to
to keep
keep the
theembankments
embankments and and reservoirs
reservoirs in in proper
proper
repair, and
repair, and thereby
thereby avert
avert those
those calamities
calamities toto aa great
great degree
degree ;
and instead of
and instead of being
being necessitated
necessitated to oppress their tenants
oppress their tenants whilst
labonring under
labouring under anyany temporary distress in
temporary distress in order
order to to answer
answer
the demands
demands of ofGovernment
Governmentupon upon themselves,
themselves, theythey will
will have
have
it in
it in their
their power
power to afford them relief."3
afford them relief.” 3 W Were
ere these
these expec-
expec­
tations fnlfihled?
tations fulfilled ? ToTo answer
answer this
this question,
question, which
which will
will be
be our
task inthis
task in this chapter,
chapter, we
we must at first
must at first look
1ook at
at the
thezamindari
zamindari
management
m anagem ent methods,
methods, because
because all these improvements
all these improvements must must
precede industry
precede industry and
andenteTprise,
enteiprise,economy
economyand
andefficiency,
efficiency, inves-
inves­
tment and innovation.
innovation. Did
Did the
the Zaniindars
Zamindars possess
possess these qualitie8
qualities ??

Zarnindari
Zam indari Management
Management
An examination
An examination of the different
of the different aspects of zamindari
management will
management will show
show bow
how far
far the
thezamindars
zamindars responded
responded to
to
Cornwallis's idea of
Cornwallis’s idea of improvment. It has has been
been persuasively
persuasively
argued that methods
argued that methods ofofestate
estate management,
management, as an an independent
independent
science
science of local
local revenue
revenue administration,
administration, had
had been
been developed
developed

2, T *. Law,
Law, AASketch
Sketcho fofsome
some
latefate arrangements
arrangements anda aview
and viewoof
f the
the Rising
Rising
Resources in Bengal.
Bengal, p. 56.
56.
3. G. G.
G. G. in
in C.
C. to
to C.
C. D
D., 12 April
., 12 April 1790,
1790, para,
para, 3, General
3, General Revenue
Revenue Letter,
Letter,
E4/48,
E /4 /4 8 , pp. 33-9.
pp. 330-9.
Expectations and Achievements 193
19

throughout the Mughal period,and even

M ughal period,and even before
before that,
that, and
and long
long
tradition had acquired
tradition had acquired such
suchstructural
structuralstability
stability that
that the
the Mughal
Mughal
method of
method of estate management
management remained
remained almost
almostunaffected
unaffected by
by
the British
the British rule.4
rule,4 Keeping this structural
Keeping this structural stability
stability ininview,
view,
all changes
all therefore must
changes therefore must bebe sought
sought in
in the
theroles
rolespersonally
personally
played by
played by the zamindars
zamindars themselves, either either as as capitalistic
entrepreneurs,
entrepreneurs, or or as
as sybaritic
sybaritic owners
owners living
living on on their
their unearned
unearned
incomes, often as
incomes, often as absentees.
absentees. Even
Even then,
then, aashort
shortdescription
description
of the traditional
traditional methods
methods ofol management
management is is imperative,
imperative,because
because
of the
of the considerable institutional influence
considerable institutional influence onon the
the character
character and
and
habits of the managers.
managers.
Every zamindari,
Every zamindari, excepting
excepting the
the very
very small
small ones,
ones, used
used to
maintain
maintain two
two sets
sets of
of establishments, that isis to say,
establishments, that say, aa sadar
sadar
kaehari or central office and a group of mufassal
kachari
kacharis or
kachoris or local
local offices
officesin inthe
the different
differentterritorial
territorialunit
unit of
of the
the
The sadar
zamindari. The sadar kachari
kachari waswasheaded
headed byby aa sadar
sadar nail',
naib,
also known
also known as as diwan
diwan inin some
some places.
places. He was the final final working
working
link between
link between the the zamindar
zamindar and the rest
and the rest ofof the
the amla.
amla. His
position inin the
the zamindari
zamindari serestah
serestah or
or establishment
establishment was was soso
important that
important thatmuch
much of
of the
the success
success or
or failure
failure of
of an
an estate,
estate, even
even
of the
of the most
most vigilent
vigilent andand enterprising
enterprisingowner,
owner,depended
depended on on his
sagacity, integrity
integrity and
and leadership.
leadership. As head head of of thethe whole
whole
establishment,hehesuperintended
establishment, superintendedthe the work
work of of all
allthe
theofficers
officers at
at
the sadar
sadar and
and mufassal
mufassal kacharis
kacharisandandwas
waspersonally
personallyresponsible
responsible
to the
the zamindar
zamindar forfor all
all the
the affairs of the
affairs of the estate.
estate. He He organised
organised
his secretariat
his secretariatinto
into main
main fivefive daftars
daftars or divisions
divisions in orderorder toto
facilitate his work ::5

4.
4. Tapan Roychaudhuri,
Tapao "Permanent Settlement
Roychaudhuri, "Permanent Settlement in O peration: Bakarganj
in Operation
District, East
East Bengal,"
Bengal,” in P, P. E. Frykcnberg( (ed.),
E. Frykenberg e d , ), Land
Land Control
Control and
and
Social Structure in Indian
Indian History,
History, p. 171, also
p. 171. also F.
F. D Aseoli Survey
D,. Ascot Survey and
Settlement Operations in In Dacca
Dacca,, p.
p. 162,
162.
5.
5. See, Haridash Gongopadhye
Gongopadhye : Zamlndari
Zamindari Accounis,
Accounts, pp. 25-26. He
pp. 25.26. He wrote
wrote
this book
this 1860 for the use
book in 1860 use ooff those who wanted
those who wanted to join the zamiDdaris
join the zmindaris
service, and he
service, and he said
said inin the introduction ooff the book that that he
he wrote
wrote the
the
book onon the
the basis his experience as a zamindari
basis ooff his zamindari otlicer
officer himself.
himself.
13-
13—
 194 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

(i)
(i) Sumar
Sumor D Dajtar-This
a jta r —Thisdepartment
department kept
keptthe
theaccounts
accounts
of
of all
all income
income and and expenditure
expenditure of the
the sadar
sadar office.
office.
It maintained
maintained the the detailed
detailed accounts of every
accounts of every mahal,
mahal,
its total rents,
rents, the
the rents
rents payable
payable atatevery
every kist,
kist, the
the
actual
actual collections made and
collections made and the
the balances
balances due,
due. The
chief officer
chief officerofofthis
thisdepartment
department was
was called
called aa sumar-
sumar -
navis or
or karkun.
(ii) Jama Daftar-This
Jama D a fta r —This division
division estimated
estimated the
the area
area of
of
nahal, determined
every mahal, determined the
the varieties
varieties and
and qualities
qualities
of
of its
its lands
lands and
and rates
rates of
of rent
rent totobe
be paid
paid by
by every
every
ryot. T The jamanavis,
he jam anavis, the
the chief
chief officer
officer who
who waswas also
also
known
known as sefestadar, maintained
as serestadar, maintained thethe jam
jamaa wasil
w asil
or the
baki or
bajei the record
record of demand collection
of the demand collection and
and
balance of each tnalial.
mahal.
Khajanc lii Daftar-This
(iii) Khajanchi
(Hi) D aftar —This office received all the
collections
collections ofofthe
the zamindari
zamindari and
and the
the khajanchi, the
chief of this
chief this division,
division, disbursed
disbursed money according
according to
the written orders of the naib oror diw
diwan.
an.
(iv) ArninDDaftar-This
Amin a fta r —Thisdepartment
departmentconducted
conducted the
thesurvey
survey
and measurement
and measurement of the the zamindari. The
zamindari. T he amin,
amin, the
the
head, determined
head, determined and
and kept records
records of
of the
the ext&t
extentand
and
qualityofof lands
quality lands under
under every
every ryot.
ryot. The rate of of rent
rent
was determined
was determined byby the
the jam anavis on
jainanavis on the
the basis
basis of
of
his reports.
his
(v)
(v) Munshi Daftar-This
D a f ta r —Thisoffice correspon-
office maintained correspon­
dence between
dence betweenthe the sadar
sadar and
and mufassal kacharis.
The munshi, its head, made made notes
notes of
of all
all correspondence
correspondence
and forwarded
and forwarded them
them to the naib for for necessary
necessary orders
orders
and
and again
again issued
issued letters
letters according
according to thethe orders
orders of
of
the naib.
naib,

Many
Many wealthy
wealthy zamindars
zamindars also
also maintained
m aintained aa mukhtar daftar
which dealt
which dealt with
with legal
legal affairs and kept
affairs and kept some
some vakils
vakils at the
the
district headquarters
district headquarters and
and in
in Calcutta.
Calcutta. The smaller
smaller zaniindars
zamindars
sometimes jointly
sometimes jointly appointed
appointed a vakiL
vakil. '1 he principal
Ί he principal zamindars
 Expectations and Achievements
Achievements 195

also
also maintained
maintained aa mohafizkhana,
mohafizkhana , or
or record-room,
record-room, where
where all
records were deposited
records were deposited after
after they
they ceased to be
ceased to be in
in current use.
use.
How
How thethe mufassaL
mufassal establishments
establishments were
were organised Excep-
organised p Excep­
ting for
ting for those
thosesmall
smallzamindaris
zamindariswhich
whichcould
couldbe bemanaged
managed from
from
the
the head
head quarters, all considerable
quarters, all considerable estates
estates were
were divided
divided into
a number
number ofof units
unitsfcrfcthe convenience
r the convenienceofofrevenue
revenuecollection
collection
and the
and the regulation
regulation ofof local affairs. The whole zamindari
was
was broadly
broadly divided
dividedinto
intoparganas
parganaswhich
whichwere
wereagain
againsubdivided
subdivided
into iarafs,
into larafs, each
each of
of which
which in
in turn comprhended
comprhended a number
number
of villages.
villages. inIn each all three
each unit, at all three levels,
levels, aa kachari
was set up to manage the revenue
revenuecollection.8
collection,6
The
The village
village organisaVon
organisation underunder every every taraf
ia r a f consisted
consisted of of
the village
the village mandal,
mandal, aa patwari
p a tw a r i and
and karrnachari.
karmachari . The The inandal
mandal
or headman
headman sometimes
sometimes known known as as muqodtlam,
muqoddam, was; was; the most
most
influential ryot ofofa avillage
influential villageandandheldheldhishisoffice
officeatatthethegoodwill
goodwill
of the
of the inhabitants
inhabitants of of the
thevillage.
village. His His duty
duty andand situation
situation led
led
him to
him to act
act asas aa mediator between the
mediator between the ryots
ryots and and the
the local
local
collector of
collector of revenue,
revenue, assisting
assisting themthem inincollecting
collectingand and selling
selling
their crops
crops whenwhen rentrentwaswaspaidpaidininkind,
kind,andandininraising
raisingmoney
money
to
to pay
pay their
their rents
rents and
and to to settle
settle little
little disputes
disputes that that arose
arose in
in
the neighbourhood."
neighbourhood.7 The The pat wan
p a tw kept
a r i kept the accounts
accounts and and the
kartnac/jarj
karmachari collected
collected thethe rents,
rents, and managed managed the general
business
business of of the
the village.8
village.8 In In the
the small
smallvillages,
villages,the the functions
functions
of both
of both officers
officers were
were combined
combined ininthe the ppatuari.
a t w a r i , The
The perma-
perma­
nent settlement
nent settlem ent rules
rules made
made the thezamindars
zamindars legally
legally boundbound tO to
keep one
keep one pat wan
p a tw in every
a r i in every village,
village, who whowas wasrequired,
required, when
when
called
called upon
upon to to furnish
furnish necessary
necessary village
village papers
papersto tothe
thegovern-
govern*
ment.9 AAHalslzana
merit.9 Halshana was was also
also employed
employed in in every
every locallocal kachani.
kachari .

6. Amini
Amini Commission ReporL 1778,
Commission Report, 1778, H. Misc.
Misc. S,
S, vol.
vol. 206,
206, p. 355, In
p, 355. Id seine
some
places taraf merely
places taraf merelydesignated
designatedthe
thelands
landsororestate
estatebelonging
belongingtoto an
an indivi-
indivi­
dual which
dual which was
wasnamed
namedafter
after him,
him, as.
as. Taraf ioyaarayan
Joyoara^an Gtioshal,
Gboshal,
7. ibid.
Ibid,
88.. Ibid., p.
Ibid., Pi 356.
356.
9. Ibid.
Ibid. also see, Section 62,
62, Regulation
Regulation 8,8, 1793
1793 ;;R.
R, Clarke,
Clarke,The
The Regulations
Regulations
ooff the Govrnmenl
Govrnment oof Fort William
f Fort in Bengal,
William in Bengal, vol,
vol. 1,
1, pp.
pp. 'iS-76.
75-76.
 196 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

Hee was
H was responsible
responsible for for measuring
measuring and and marking
marking out out thethe ground
ground
in the
in the possession
possession of of every
every ryot r y o t and
and also also for distributing
wastelandstoto new
wastelands new tenants,
tenants, and and wherewhere the the rents
rents were were paid paid
in kind, he gathered that proportion of the crop which was
in kind, he gathered that proportion of the crop which was
due
due to to the thezamindar.'°
zamindar.10 All these three officers, officers, the pat p a t wwaris,
a r is ,
kkarmacharis
a r m a c h a r is andand halslzanas,
h a ls h a n a s ,were
werepermanent
permanentofficers officers and and werewere
seldom
seldom charged charged by by their
their employers,
employers, because because of of their
their expert
expert
knowledge of
knowledge of rural accounts
accounts and and rural
rural affairs.1'
affairs.11 Even Even when when
the zrmindari
the zrmindari was was farmed
farmed out, out, the farmers had
the farmers had to to collect
their
their rents rents and and control
control local local affairs
affairs through
through these these permanent
permanent
zamindari
zamindari officers officerswho who“thus thus served,
served, at at least
least in in theory,
theory, as as aa
check
check on on the farmers'farmers’ rack-renting.12
rack-renting."2 These These officers
officers kept kept a
number of
number of kutwals
k u tw a ls or
or messengers
messengers who who were a sort of zamindari zamindari
postmen stationed
postmen stationed in fixed fixed places
places totorelayrelaymassages
massages from from one one
station to
station to another,'
another.13 In in order
order to to protect
protect the thetreasure
treasure on on its
way to sadar
way s a d a r kachari
k a c h a r i and
and also
also to threaten
threaten the refractory
refractory ryots ry o ts
two kinds
two kinds of ofarmed
armedguards guardswere were kept,
kept, oneonecalled
called bark b a r k undaz
u n d a z or
matchlockmen, commanded
matchlock-men, commandedby bya adda,fadar,
a f a d a r , and of of jjamadars,
a m a d a r s , the
other
other called called pikes pikes who who were were commanded
commanded by by aa snridhan
m r id h a n and and
a r d a r s .14 Over
ssardars.'4 Over the headman,
headman, patwari, measurer m easurer and and collector
collector
in charge
in charge of the village
of the village kkacharis
a c h a r is of of the
the taraf
t a r a f was
was placed
placed a
gornostha,
g o m o s th a , then then came
came the the edmandar,
e d m a n d a r , sshiqdar,
h iq d a r , oror peshkar,
p e s h k a r , as
as
he was
he was called
called in in some
some districts,
districts, who who was wasresponsible
responsible for for a
whole
whole pargana.pargana. All All directions,
directions, from from the the naib
n a ib at at the
the sadarsa d a r
kachari cametotothe
k a c h a r i came thepargana
parganahead—andhead-and indeed—the
indeed-the edmandar edm an dar
or sshiqdar
or h iq d a r was
was really
really as great aa man
as great man in in the
the mufassal
m u f a s s a l as the the
naib
n was at
a ib was at headquarters.15
headquarters.'5

10.
10. Am ini Commission
Amini Report, 1778,
Commission Report, H. Misc, S,1
1778, H. S ,t vol. 206,
206, p,
p, 356.
356.
11. Ibid.
12.
12, Ibid., p. 357.
Ibid.,
13.
13. Buchanan, A
Francis Buchanao,
Francis Geographical Statistical and Historical
Geographical Statistical Historical description
description
ooff Dinajpur.
Dinajpur. p. 251.
251.
14,
14. Ibid.
15. AAmisi
m ini CCoirraisics
oirniiisicD R<pcit, 1778, H, f47sc,
Rqc1t, 1778,11, Misc, S„
5,, vol.
vol. 206,
206,p.p.357.
357.
Expectations and Achievements
Achievements 19?
The considerable
considerable bodybodyofofzamindari
zamindari officials
officials including
including their
attending myrmidons
attending myrmidons amounting
amounting to to several
several thousand
thousand on on aa major
major
estate
estate had
had aa variety functions-organising,
variety of functions —organising, supervising,
accounting, collecting, guarding and coercing. T The
he whole
whole
structure, however,
structure, however, waswas held
held together
togetherbybyligaments
ligamentsand andsinews
sinews
Before we
of papers. Before we look
look into
into their
their ultimate
ultimate effect
effect on
on the fate
of the zainindars,
of the zamindars, it is essential
it is essential to describe
describe inin brief
brief the
the most
most
complicated aspect of
complicated aspect the zaniindari
of the zamindari management,
management, that is, is, the
the
methods of
methods of accounting
accountingatatdifferent
different levels
levels from thethe village
village to the
sadar kachari.
sadar
Most
Most complicated
complicated was was the
the accounting
accounting system. The main main
object of the
object of the zarnindari aounts may
zamindari accounts may be
be set
set out
out under
under four
four
heads:
heads : the
theascertainment
ascertainment of of the
thequantity
quantityand
andquality
quality ofof lands,
lands,
thee apportioment
th janza
apportioment of the jam a of revenue
revenue demand,
demand, the recording
recording
of the revenue
revenue received
received and
and lastly,
lastly, the
the discovery
discovery of
of the
the balances
balances
or arrears due.
or arrears The fullness
due. The fullness and
andaccuracy
accuracyofofthe
theinformation
information
recorded
recorded under
under these
these four
four heads
heads determined
determined whether
whether an an estate
estate
was capable
capable of being properly andand successfully
successfully managed.
The work
The work of
of ascertaining
ascertaining the
the quantity
quantity and
andquality
quality of
of the
the
land - its suitability
la n d -its suitability for drydry or
or irrigated
irrigated crops,
crops,and anditsitscompara-
compara­
tive fertility
fertility within
within those
thosecategories
categories-w-wasasdonedoneininthe thefield
field by
by
the halshana
haishana and and his
hissurvey
survey team,
team, equipped
equipped wwith their measi-
ith their measu­
ring ropes
ring ropes oror staffs,1°
staffs.16 WhatWhat theythey found
found was
was recorded
recorded in in aa
document called
document called the
the chita,
chita, ininwhich
which waswasset
setdown
down an an account
account
of all
all the
the lands of aa village,
lands of village, divided
divided into
into dag
dag ororportions
portions accor-
accor­
ding to the order of time in which they were
ding to the order of time in which they were measured. measured. It listed
the quality
quality ofofland
landinineach
each dag,
dag, description
description of of its
its boundaries,
boundaries,
the different crops wwith
different crops ith which
which itit was
was sown,
sown, andand the
the names
names of of
the occupying
the occupying ryou.
ryots. W Whenever
henever aa measurment
measurment took place,
which
which was was generally
generally in the course
courseof of ten
ten or
orfifteen
fifteen years,
years, such
such
account was
an account was drawn up.17 But as one
drawn up.17 ryot might
one ryot might holdhold lands
lands
in several
in several different dags, the holding
different dags, holding of
of each
each ryot
ryot was
was not
not

16.
16. Ibid., p, 364..
IbId., p, 36*.
17.
17. Ibid.
IbId.
198 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
inl3engal
Bengal

separately distinguished in this account. That information

account. That information
appeared
appeared in in another
another account,
account, called
called an
an E which brought
kw al, which
Ekwal,
together in
together one place
in one place the
the measurements
measurements of of all
all the
the scattered
scattered
holdings, grouped under
under the
the names of their individual
holders.18
holders.'8

The
The Chita
Chita and and Ekwal
E kw al · accounts providedprovided the the basis
basis for
for
revenue assessment.
assessment. From From these
these two
two accounts
accountsthe thejajama daftar
m a daftar
could find
could find out out how
how muchmuch land land there
there was was under
under different
different
categories. Accordingly,
Accordingly, the thejajama
m a ddaftar
a fta r prepared
prepared a jainabandi
jam abandi
account which specified first, the name
which specified name of the ryot, second, second, the
the
quality
quality of ofland
land which
which he he held,
held, third,
third, the the crops
crops cultivated
cultivated on on
that lands, fourth, the rate
lands, fourth, rate attracted
attracted by by crops
crops and the area under
them and,
them and, lastly,
lastly, the
the total
total amount
amount of of rent
rentpayable
payable by byeach
each
ry o t.10 As
ryot.19 As thethe rate
rate of rent
ren t was
was determined
determined by by the
the quality
quality ofof
lands and
lands and nature of of crops
crops produced
produced on on them,
them, there
there could
could bebe no
flat or single
fiat or single rate
rate of rent
rent for
forthethewhole
wholezamindari.
zamindari.Because
Because
the quality
quality of of land
land the
the nature
nature ofofcrops
crops varied
varied from
from pargana
pargana to to
pargana, so
pargana, so the
the rate
rate of
of rent also
also varied
varied from pargana to pargana. pargana.
But once
once aa rate
rate, was fixed for a pargana,
was fixed pargana, itit remained
remained fixedfixed till
till
aa new
new jarnabundi was prepared after a survey. As
jamabundi was prepared after a survey. As that new
new
survey
survey did did not take place
not take place frequently,
frequently, the the original
original jarnabundi
jamabundi
was subject
was chinges. Thus,
subject to changes. Thus, if one one ryot relinquished a
ryot relinquished
portion of of his
his land
land and
and another
another took
took it, or if a dag dag laylaywaste,
waste,
in that case an an alteration
alteration inin the
the original
originaljainabundi
jamabundi wouldwould have
have
to be made
to made by by the halshana.20
halshana.2°

From the
From the jarnabundi papers a hal-hakikat
jamabundi papers hal-hakikat account was
formed
formed at atthe
the beginning
beginning of of the
the year. This specified
year. This the asal
specified the
jam
ja m aciofofeach
eachryot,
ryot, the
the various
various other
other taxes
taxes on
on his
his holding, the
holding, the
increase or decrease
increase decrease in the rent
in the rent ininconsequence
consequence of of changes
changes in
the quality
quality of of lands
lands or
or in the nature of crops.21
crops.21 This account,
account,

18.
18. Amini Commission
Amini Commission Report,
Report, 1778, if.EMisc.
1778, . Misc,
S. S. vol.206,
vol. 206, p.
p. 364.
364.
19.
19. Ibid.
Ibid.
20. ibid.,
20. ibid.,P .P.365,
365, Amini
AminiCommission
Commission Report, H. Misc. S.
1778, if.
Report, 1778, S. vol.
vol. 206,
P.
p. 365.
365.
21. Ibid., PP.
21. Ibid., PP. 3365-6.
6 5 -6 .
Expectations and Achievements 19
199
therefore, contained the settlement
contained the of the
settlem ent of the revenues to be
revenues to be
collected from
collected fromthe
the ryots
ryots in
in the
the current year.
Once the rent
Once the rent to
to be
be demanded during the
demanded during the course
course of the
the
years had
years had been
been determined
determined ititthen
thenbecame
becamenecessary
necessary to
to work
work
out the kists
out the kists or
or instalment
instalment byby which
which it should
should be
be paid.
paid. The
document
document in in which
whichthis this was
was set
set out
out wa called aa kistbundi.
was called kistbundi .
The
T he entire jarna payable
entire jama payableby by the
the tenants
tenants was divided into
was divided inté
twelve
twelve kists, All kists
kists. All kistswere
werenot,
not,however,
however,ofofequal
equalsizeS Th
size. The
Aghu'i and
Aghun and Poush
Poush kists,
kists, that is, the
that is, the eighth
eighth and
and ninth
ninth instal-
instal­
ments,
ments, were
were the
the heaviest,
heaviest, because
because the crops were
the principal crops were
harvested in
harvested in those two months.
months.
A further
fu rth e r,series
series of of accounts
accounts was was prepared
prepared to to complete
complete the the
assembling ofof information
assembling information about about thethe revenues
revenues collected
collected andand
the arreats
arrears and
and balances owing. The
balances owing. The first
first of
of these
these was
was the ak/ier
akher
hisab'kharcha
hisab-kharcha .whichwhich was an adjustment adjustment of of the
the individual
ryot's account
ryot’s preparedatatthe
account prepared the end
end ofof the year. This set out the
receipts and
jam a , the receipts
jaina, and the
the balances
balances for for the year. year. It alsoalso
recorded any
recorded any aarzis
r z is or
or pleas
pleas for
for abatement
abatement of of rent,
rent, which
which being
being
allowed
allowed and anddeducted,
deducted,established
establishedthe thesum
sum of of the undisputed
undisputed
balance.22
balance.22
The
T he akherihisab-kharcha
akheri-hisab-kharcha was was prepared
preparedby by the
the Ilaishana
Halshana
and
and P Patwari.
atw ari. On Onthe thebasis
basisofofthis
thisaccount
accountthe thepargana
parganagomo-gomo-
st/ia made
stha madeananakheri
akherijam jama wasil ba/i
a wasil bakiwhich
which was was anan aggregate
aggregate
of the
of the above
above mentioned
mentioned individual
individual account
account and and which
which contained
contained
statement of
a statement of the
the revenues
revenues of th thee whole
whole village
village distinguished
distinguished
into jaina,
into jama, receipts
receipts and balances.23 First, it
and balances.23 it stated,
stated, thethe jama
ja m a
of the
the preceding
preceding years year, the increase
increase or ordecrease
decrease in in the
the demand
demand
which
which had sincetaken
had since taken place,
place, the
the undisputed
undisputed balancebalance outstan-
outstan­
ding advanced
ding advanced for for takavi, all of which which addedadded together
together consti-
consti­
tuted the jama for the current
tuted the jama for the current year..24
year..24 The same
same acount
acount also
also

22. Ibid., PP.. 368.

ibid., 368.

23.
23, Ibid., pp.
IbId., pp.368-9. Amini
368-9. AminiCommission
Commission Report, 1778,
Kepor, 1778 H.
If. Misc. vol. 206,
Misc, vol. 206,
pp. 368-9.
24. Ibid.
Ibid.
200 Permanent Settlement in Benga'
Bengal

analysed
analysed the
the above
above amounts
amounts under their various heads,
heads, balances,
balances,
takavi advances
advances and any reduction granted upon
upon petition.25
petition.26

The
The accounts
accounts and papers
papers hitherto
hitherto considered
considered werewere analy-
analy­
tical in
tical in form and offered
form and offered the basic
basic structural
structural inaterial
material required
required
by
by the zamindari
zamindari management.
management. There There were,
were, of
of course,
course, other
other
papers
papers toto be
be found
found among
amongthe the working
working papers
papers of the the officials,
officials,
such Sho mar, which
as the Shomar,
such as was a day
which was day ledger
ledger recording
recording daily
daily
receipts of
receipts of wwhatever kindthey
hatever kind they might
might be beasasthey
they came
came in. The
jungle of
jungle of receipts, presents, repayment
receipts, presents, repayment of ofadvances,
advances, collections
collections
kisibundi in
according to kistbundi
according in the Shomar, was later regularly
the Shoinar,
arranged
arranged under the different
different heads
headsininaasiah
siahaccount
accountwhich
which also
also
contained an analysed
contained an analysed statement
statement of
of expenses
expenses under
under all
all heads.26
heads,26
Fromΰthese
From these two two daily
daily accounts
accounts was
was inin turn
turn constructed
constructed the
the
comprehensive
comprehensive monthly monthlytreasury
treasuryaccount
accountknown
knownasasthe
the Putiani
Putt ant
jaina
jam a kharcha, with with the month's
month’s receipts
receipts and
and expenditure
tabulated under their appropriate heads.27 Finally from
heads.27 Finally from
the
the monthly statisticswas
monthly statistics was formed
formed the
the annual
annual treasury
treasury account
account
ca1led the
called the tterfi Jama
e r jija m a kharcha.2B
kharclza.28

All these
these foregoing
foregoing accounts were kept
accounts were kept by
by the
the village
patwaris
p a tw a r is and karmacharis. The
and karniacharis. The gomostha
gomostha ofofthe
thejarganà
pargana
or taraf
or t a r a f compared
compared and annually the amounts
and ascertained annually
collected
collected from from each
each individual
individual ryot. He also
ryot. He also set
set down
down all
the
the revenue
revenue paid paid in
in by
by the The gwnostha
the karmacharis. The gomostha
then cnecked
then cnecked and
and made
madeallowance
allowance for
forthethenecessary
necessaryexpenses
expenses
of the
of the karmachari. Finally, he ascertained
ascertained the sum due from
sum due from
them
them andand the
the arrears due from
arrears due from the
the ryots.
r y o ts . This adjustment
adjustment
was called the Akheri-Nikash or last
was called last counting.2°
counting,28 Abstracts
of all
of all these
theseaccounts
accountswere
weremaintained
maintained by bythe
th epargãna
parganaofficers
officers
and
and transmitted
transmitted to the sadar
to the sadar kachahri of of the zamindar.
zamindar. In

25. IbId.
Ibid.
26.Ibid., p.
p. 369.
369.
27. Ibid. Amini
Amini CommissioultepOrt,
Commission R eport, 1778
1778,II.
H.Misc.
Misc.S.S.vol.
vol.206,
206, p.
p. 369,
369,
28. Ibid.
28. ibid.
29. Ibid., p .370.
ibid., p. m .
Fxpectatjons
Expectations and
and Achievements
Achievements £01
201
one enormously long
one enormously long sheet
sheet of
of paper, the Akheri Nikash,
exhibited the rents,
exhibited the rents, the
the payments, and the
payments, and the balances
balances of the
the
whole zamindari.
With
W ith Akheri
Akheri Nikash
Nikash the
the year's
year’s accounts reached their
final stage. The
final stage. The annual
annual cycle
cycle ,was,
was. then
then ready
ready toto start
start again
again
with the
with the preparation
preparationby bythe'thezamindar
zamindarofofthe the Doul
Doul Bana'ubasta
Bandubasta
at the
the commencement
commencement of of the
the new revenue
revenue year. This contained
the rent
the rent rolls of the
rolls of the zamindari
zamindari and and waswas formed
formed by by adding
adding
together the
together the rent
rent due
due froni
from each
each dependent
dependent taluqdar, the sum
taluqdar, the sum
each farmerhad
each farmer hadagreed
agreedtotopay piyfor
forhishisfarm
farm and
and the
the estimated
estimated
revenue of
revenue of the
the zarnindari
zamindari whichwhich was
was to to be
be collected
collected byby the
the
immediate field officers.30
officers.80
The above
The above description
description of the management,'
management, especially especially its
accounting system
accounting different levels
system at its different levels from from toptop to bottom,
bottom,
indicates the
indicates fhe highly
highly complicated but but thoroughly
thoroughly methodical
methodical
arrangement
arrangem ent of
of zamindari
zamindari management
managementand andorganisation.
organisation. “"In In
short,” said
short," said the
the Collecttr
Collector of of Dacca
Dacca in 1800, 1800, "nothing
“ nothing can can
be more
be more methodical
methodical thanthan thethe mode
mode in in which
which thethe business
of the
of the collections
collections isis carried
carried outout byby thethe proprietors."31
p ro p rieto rs/’31 But
mere
mere method
method is is meaningless
meaningless if it cannotcannot be be easily
easily fathomed
fathomed
by the
by the outsiders and if
outsiders and if it cannot work work as as aa safetyvalve
safety-valve
against the
against abuse of powers
the abuse powers and and misappropriation
misappropriation of of funds
funds
by the officers,
by the officers, As
As for
for the
the first
first point,
point, the
the principles
principles of
of the
the
zamindari management
zamindari management were were made
made so, s o . complex
complex and and compli-
compli­
cated,
cated, particularly
particularly thethe accounting
accounting branch,
branch, that that it was was almost
almost
impossible
impossible for for any
any outsider
outsider to comprehend them. George George.
Blake,
Blake, an an indigo planter in
indigo planter in Purnia,
Purnia, spoke
spoke aboutabout his his failure
failure
zamindari management
to understand zamindari managementfor for his
his own
own useause, in ifl

spite of
spite of his
his serious attempt
serious attem pt toto do
do so.so. For For nineteen
nineteen years,
years,
he
he said, he had
said, he had been
been aa resident
resident inin Purnia
Purnia and and throughout
throughout
observed the
observed the methods
methods of of zamindari
zamindari management,
management, but but still
still be
he

30,
30. Amini Commission
Amini Commission Report,
Report, 1778, H. H.
1778, Misc.
Misc. S. S. vol.206,
vol. 206,p.
p. 369,
369,
31.
31, Dacca
Dacca Collector
CollectortotoB , B,
O . 0.
R .,R.,
17 17
March
March1800,
10O, quoted
qnoted in
in F
F,, D,
D , Ascoli
Ascoli
Survey and
Survey and Settlement
SettlementOperations
Operation, in in Dacca,
Dacca, PP.. 162.
162.
202 Permanent Settlement
Permanent Settlement in Bengal
could not
could not well
well comprehend
comprehend them.them. Zamindari management,
he declared,
declared, was was '‘ so complicated
complicated thatth at itit would
would require
require thethe
sole
sole occupation
occupation of of aa life
life employed
employed in in the
the business
business to to master
m aster
its intricate
its intricate details
details in
in all its branches."32
branches.*’32 A A similar
similar frank
frank
confession
confession was was made
made by J. J. W. Kaye,83 One
W. Kaye.83 One reason
reason for for the
continued complexities
continued complexitiesoiofthe the methods
methods of of the
the zamindari
zamindarimana-mana­
gement
gement and faced by outsiders
dfllcu1ties laced
and the bewildering difficulties outsiders
attempting
attempting to to understand
understand them,
them, may
may bebe found
found in in the
the hereditary
hereditary
character of the . zamindari officers34 officers.34 Their exclusive
knowledge in their respective branch in
respective branch in the
the hierarchical
bureaucracy
bureaucracy of ofthe
thezamindari
zamindaridaftars
daftars handed
handed down down from
from father
to son,
to made them
son, made indispensible to
them both indispensible to the
the zamiridars
zamindars and and aa
mystery to
mystery to outsiders. It was was correspondingly
correspondingly difficult for the
difficult for the
zamindars to
zamindars to introduce
introduce new
new men
men into the services
services so so as
as to
to secure
secure
change and improvement.
improvement.
For the
the zamindars
zamindarsthe thegreatest
greatestharm
harm came
came from
from the village
village
officers, suchasasmandals,
officers, such inanclals,p-itwaris,
p.twaris, k,zrmizeharis
karmacharis and
and /Lals/iana.
halshana.
The zamindars
The zamindars and and their
theirsadar
sadarofficers
officerswere
wereabsolutely
absolutely depen-
depen­
dent
dent onon them
them for
forthe most
the mostvital primary
vital accounts,
primary accounts,like
likec/zita,
chita,
latnabundi. Such dependence
jamabundi. Such dependence onon them
them obviously
obviously imposed
imposed some
some
limitations even
limitations evenupon
uponthe
the most
most enterprising
enterprising zamindars.
zamindars. Their
indispensability and permanent
indispensability and permanent residence
residence in
in their constituencies
constituencies
gave them
gave them the
the opportunity,
opportunity, while
while Lheir
their low
low pay
pay impelled
impelled them
them
into collusion
into collusion with
with the
the revenue
revenue farmers
farmersand andinfluential
influential ryots,
ryots,
and
and also
also with
with the
the superior
superior officers
officers at the
the pargana
pargana and
and sadar

32. 0.
O . A.
A. Blake to BB.. O,
Blake to 0, R.,
R ., B. 0.
O. R. P„ (Lower province).
R. P,, Province), 16
16 October
October 1817
1827
No.
N o. 36, P. 80/45.
80/45.

33. See, 3. W, Kayc.

J· W. Kaye, The Administration
Administraiio;,oof
f the East india
India Com9any.,
Company., A
A history
history
of
o f indian
Indian Progress,
Progress. p.
P. 162.
162.
34. For the hereditary
hereditary Character of o f the officials, See,P.P.J.3.Marshall,
officials, See, Marshall, “"Indian
Indian
offieMs underthe
officials under theEast
EastIndia
India Company
Companyinin Eighteenth
Eighteenth Century
Century Bengal",
Bengal” ,
B. F.
P. P.
P. vol.
vol. No.
N o. 158, Pare I11,
158, Part I . JJuly-December
u lj -D ecem b er 1965,
1965, p, 102. B.
P, 102. 0.. R.
B. O R.
to G.
G, G.
G. in
in C., 88 September
September 1786,
1786, 8. B. R C,, 99 September
R. C„ September 1786, p51/I.
1786, P51/1.
and Nadia Collector
Collector to
to B.
B. O.
0. R,,
R ., 29
29 April 1817, B.. R.
April 1817, R, C.,
C „ 27
27 June
June 1817,
No.4.
N o. 4.
Expectations and Achievements
Achievements 203

kacharis, against
kacharis, against the
the zamindars.3
zamindars.85 Burdwan Collector
The Burdwan Collector
wrote in 1.788
wrote in 1788that
thatthese
thesevillage
village officers
officers were
were freely
freely alienating
alienating
zarniridari landswith
zamindari lands with impunity,
impunity, because
because the zamindars
zamindars hadhad not
effective meanstoto detect
effective means detect their malpractices.36 They placated
their malpractices.36 placated
the influntial
the influntial ryots
ryots by by allowing
allowing them
them totooccupy
occupy the
thesuperior
superior
lands atat the
lands the rate
rate of
of rent
rent for
for inferior
inferior lands.3 In 1827,
lands.37' In 1827, G.G. A.
A.
Blake reported
Blake reportedfrom fromPurnia
Purniathat,
that, through
through fraud
fraud and
and collusion
collusion
with the
with the local
localofficers,
officers,thethe village
village leaders
leaders obtained all the
obtained all the best
best
lands atthe
lands at thelowest
lowestrates
rates
of of rentand
rent andagain
againre-let
relet them
them toto the
the
poorer
poorer classes of ryots
classes of ryots from
from whom
whom they
theyexacted
exacted the
the highest
highest
rdtes in money
rates in moneyor ortook
tookaamoiety
moiety of produce.38 In this way
of the produce.38
there was
there was aa concentration
concentrationofofauthority
authorityand
andlands
landsinin the
the hands
hands
of aa powerful
of powerfulsection
sectIonofof the
the rural
rural population
population thus thus forming
forming aa
jotedar class
class which
which over
over the
the course
course of
of years
years became
became too too powerful
powerful
and
and tootoo well
well organised
organised to tD be
be dislodged
dislodged by by thethe zamindars.
zamindars.
Especially
Especially the the new
new men,
men, often
often tried either to resume
tried either resume the
the
unauthorisedlands
unauthorised landsheld
held byby the
the jo
jotedar
te d a r or
or totoincrease
increase their
their
But such
rents. But such attempts
attempts were
were mostly
mostlyfoiledfoiledbybytheir
their violent
violent
resistance.3 0 '
resistance.3
It was
was not
notoniy
only the
the village
villageofficials,
’ officials, however,
however, who
who abused
abused
their positions
their of authority
positions of authority toto the
the loss
loss of the zamindars
and pooter ryots. In fact, they oftei carried out
often carried out their
their
treacherous trade with
treacherous trade with the full cognizance
the full cognizance of of the
the superior
superior
amla
amla whowho had
had regular
regular shares
shares in in their
their spoils.° The sadar
spoils.40 The
amla had
ainla had other
other lucrative
lucrative opportunities
opportunities to to enrich
enrich themselves
themselves
at the
the expense
expense of
of their
their masters.
masters. In collusion with the revenue
collusion with revenue

35. F.. D.
F D . Ascofli,
Ascolli, p, 162.162.
35. BurdwanCollector
Burdwan CollectortotoB.B.O.0. R.,
R., 55 July
July 1788,
1788,B. B,R. R. C,t
C., 20 August
August 1788,
1788,
P, 51122.
51/22.
37. P.
P . G.
G. Glazier,
Glazier, P.P . 28,
28,
0,, A.
38. G A . Blake
Blake to to B.
B. O.
0. R.,
R ., 5 August
August 1827,
1827, B.B. 00,, R. P., 16
R. F., 16 October
October 1827,
1827,
N o. 37, Query No.
No. N o . 2.
2.
39. Petition ofo f the
the Zarnindar
Za mind at ooff Dinajpur,
Dinajpui, B B.. K.
R. C.,
C ., 29 August
August 1799,
1799, No.
N o. 5,
5,
enclosure no, no. 6,
6, P5414.
P54/4.
Judge and
40. Judge and Magistrate
Magistrateo of BurdwantotoG.G.GG,
f Burdwan . ininCC,,
„ 9 9March
March1802,
1802,P.P. P.,
P.,
The
T he fifth
fifth Report,
R eport, 1812,
1812, P544,
F544, App. 10,
10, vol. 7.
 204 Permanent Settlement
Settkment in
in Bengal
Bengal

farmers they
farmers they alienated
alienated lands
lands byby various
various subtle
subtle means,
means, so so the
the
judge and
judge and magistrate
magistrate of of Burdwan
Burdwan declared,
declared,beyond beyondthe thecom-
com­
prehension
prehension of of any
any other
other man man notnot directly
directly in in the
the business.4'
business.4 1
In short,
In short, thethe whole
whole structure
structure ofofthe thezamindari
zamindarimanagement
management
and organisation
and organisation was was such
such thatthat no amount of
no amount ability, and
of ability, and
vigilance
vigilance on on the part of
the part of the
the proprietors
proprietors was sufficient sufficient to
prevent their
their officers
officers from
from indulging
indulging in maipractices
malpractices completely.
completely,
These
These officers
officers were so so powerful
powerful in in their
theirpositions
positions that thatititwas
was
never impossible
never impossible to to dismember
dismember an estate if they
an estate they wished
wished to to
do so.
But
But thethe management
management picturepicture of thethe very small estates
very small estates was
was
not so dismal.
dismal. Unlike the considerable estates, the small small families
families
could not afford to maintain maintain elaborate
elaborate amla arnia. . HowHow then
were the
were the small zamindaris,
zamindaris, such such as were found found especially.
especially,
in Sylhet, Chittagong, Tipperah, Dacca, Mymensingh Myniensingh
and Jessore districts, managed ?? In In these
these districts
districts most
most
proprietors were
proprietors were so small that
so small th at many
many of of their
their sadar jarna jam a
was as
was as nominal
nominal as as aa fraction
fraction of of aa rupee, Those Those of of the
small
small zanjinclars
zamindars who who were
were comparatively
comparatively rich rich managed
managed their
estates themselves
estates themselves with with the the help
helpofofa anumber
numberofofofficers
officers and
and
pikes.42 But aa great
pikes.42 great many
many of of them
them could could not not afford
afford any
establishment at all. Their
establishment Their poverty
poverty and and illiteracy
illiteracy prevented
prevented
them
them fromfrom keeping
keeping up up anyanyformal
formalestablishment
establishment while while their
their
intimate contact with
intimate contact with th
their
eir tenants
tenants made
made itit unnecessary.
unnecessary. "Many *fMany
of thethe landholders,"
landholders/’ the the Rangpur collector reported, could
R angpur collector could
'neither read
‘‘neither read nor
nor write,
write, and and only
only [kept]
Ckept]their theiraccounts
accountsby by
notchinga a stick
notching stickoror tying
tying knots
knots inin a string."43
s tr in g /’43 A greatgreat many
many
of the
of the proprietors
proprietors in in Chittagong
Chittagong also also never
never keptkept any
any accounts
accounts
for their
for estates. Memory
their estates. Memory was was their
their onlyonly guide.44
guide.44 In Dacca,
Dacca,

41,
4J. P,
P. P. The Fifth Report,
F ifth R eport, 1812, vol. 77 Appendix 10,
1812, vol. 10, 544.
544.
42,
42, Francis Buchanan, p. P. 252.
252.
41.
'l3, Raogpur collector to
Rangpur collector to B.
B, 0.
O. R.,
R ., 17 1793, B.
17 August 1793, 0. R,
B. O. R, P 9 28
P., February
28 February
1794, N
1794, o. 3.
No. pars. 3,
3, para. 3, P72/27,
P72/27,
44. Chittagong collector
Chittagong colkctor to
to B- O. R,*
B- C). R.. 20
20 July 1793,BB,
Juty 1793, , Q.
0. R. P ., 28
R. P. 28 February
February
1794,
1794, N o. 14,
No. 14. P72127.
P72127.
 Expectations and Achievements 205

the Majority
the M ajority of of the
the small according to
small zamindars, according to Ascoli,
Ascoli,
rent-roll.45 Such methods
never kept any record or rent-roll.45 methods of of manage-
manage­
ment must have been almost
have been almost universal
universal among
among all all those
those proprie-
proprie­
tors
tors who
who werewere nothing
nothing but butrespectable
respectable peasants
peasants paying
paying theirtheir
revenues
revenues direct
direct to Government.
Government. "Of “ Of the
theaggregate
aggregate number
number of of
landholders paying
landholders paying revenue
revenue immediately
immediately to to Government
Government in in this
zillah, more
zillah, more than
than three quarters,
quarters, or
or upwards
upwards of of 1600
1600 persons,
persons, are are
merely one to two connies
proprietors of from merely one to two connies to less than to less than three
doons
doons of of lands,
lands, bearing an assessment
assessment of of from
from one
one to to fifty
fifty rupees
rupees
per annum,"
annum /’wrote
wrote the
th eChittagong
Chittagongcollector,46
collector.48 In In Tipperah, ^>ut out
of two thousand proprietors, 1,288
two thousand 1,288 paid
paid less
lessthan
thanoneone thousand
thousand
rupees
rupees as as government
government revenue.47 Naturally, for
revenue.47 Naturally, for these
these peasant
peasant
proprietors, itit was not
proprietors, notabsolutely
absolutely necessary
necessary to to maintain
maintain records.
records.
Their
Their ámla,
amla, ifif they
they had any at
had ^any at all, were
were alcoaleo their
theirdomestic
domestic
servants responsible
responsible for for cattle and cultivation. Hence
and cultivation. Hence the the
small proprietors
small proprietors were
were comparatively
comparatively free free from
from the the ruinous
ruinous
effects of
effects of the
the intrigues and embezzlements
embezzlements of the rapaciousrapacious amla amla
as almost invariably existed among among thethe considerable
considerable families.

Costs and
Costs Profits
and Profits

While we have
W hile we have discussed
discussed so far the
so far the general
general patterns
patterns of
of the
the
zamindari managements,
zamindari managements, ititisis important
im portant here
here to
to say
say something
something
about
about the
the costs
costs and
and profits
profits of
ofsuch management. In
suchmanagement. In other
other
words what
words what waswas the average percentageofof profit
average percentage profit that
that the
the
zamindars derived
zamindars from land
derived from land control? How far
control ? How far that
that profit
was drawn
was drawn from
from the real improvement
improvement of
of land
land ??
In the
In the absence
absence of
of zamindari
zamindari records relating to
records relating to their
their rent-
rent-
rolls and costs
costs of collection, is impossib1e
collection, it is impossib'e toto determine
determine the the

45. F,, D,
F A scoli, Survey
D , Ascoli, and Settlement
Survey and Settlement Operations
Operations in Dacca District,
in Dacca District,
p.162.
p. 162.
46,
46. Chttagong collector
Chittagong collector to D,
13,O.0. RR.,
., 22 August
August 1797, quoted in H. J S.
H. J, S.
Cotton, p.p. 75,
75, One canny or kani of
One conny o f land is equal
land is equal to
to about
about one
one third
third
of
o f an acre.
acre.
206 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

average
average percentage of profit
percentage of that
profit th at accrued
accrued from
from land
land control.
control.
However, from
However, from other supplementary
supplementary sources some idea,
sources some idea, inaccurate
inaccurate
thoughitit must
though mustbe,
be, can
can be
be formed
formed about
about their
their income and
expenditure.
The costs of
The costs ofzamindari
zainindari establishments
establishments employed
employed in revenue
revenue
collection were met in three ways
collection were ways :: by
by th
the
e payment
payment of of regular
salaries,
salaries, by the
the grant
grantofofcommissions
commissionsand and by
by the
the assignment
assignment
of rent
of rent free lands. M Most
ost of the senior ofllcers
officers atat the
the
sadar who
sadar who were
were the
the subject
subject to
to change,
change, were
were paid
paid monthly
monthly
salaries, while
salaries, while almost
almostall
all the
the mufassal
mufassal officers were paid
officers were either
paid either
by
by commission
commission or or in
in rentfree
rent-free lands. Such assignment
lands. Such assignment were
known
known ininthe
the revenue
revenue records
records asas cllakaran
chakaran lands,
lands, that
that is,
is, the
the
lands
lands granted
granted to
to zarnindari
zamindari servants
servants in
in lieu
lieuofofmoney
moneywages.
wages.
The
The chakaran
chakaran lands
lands of of the
the Dinajpur
Dinajpur raj,
raj, for
forexample,
example, will
will
indicate the
indicate the types
typesofofservants
servantswho
who enjoyed
enjoyed free
free lands
lands instead
of salaries.

TABLE 12
12
Chakaran landsfor
Chakaran lands for the
the Amla
Amlaof
of the
the Dinajpur
DinajpurRaj,
Raj, 1803.
1803. i
Types of
Types of servants
servants Lands in
Lands in bighas
bighee
House servants
House servants of
of the rajbari 22,878
Servants attending to the
Servants the
house of the family
family deity 14,073
Peons 11,925
Dak Paikes 1,070
Horsemen 6,006 -

Officers (for
Officers (for their houses) 916
Chaukidars 261
Thatchers 557
Bearers 9,747
Washermen 108
 TABLE-12
TABLE—12(Cont.)
(Cont.)
Types of
of eervents
ervents Lands in bighas
Lands in bighas
Drummers 67
67
Barbers 369
369
A honey
honey furnisher 12
12
Tailors 226
226
Market
M arket servants 191
191
Poddar 93
93
Matchmakers 6464
Slaves 1,152
1,152
Khidmatgar or
Khidmatgar or personal
personal attendents
attendents 211
211
Boatmen 211
211
Nakibs
Nakibs or heralds 75
75
Kulis 558
558
Grooms 23
23
Idolmakers 15
15
Carpenters 7575
Bricklayers 2525
Woodcutters 113
113
Flowermen 1111
Mango attendants 71
71
Mistrj
Mistri 101
101
Paikes 77,993
77,993
Grant total 1,61,483
1,61483

Source g%B.
B. R. 1803, No. 2, P54/33.
C., 99 June 1803,
R. C.,

It is
It is obvious
obvious that
that only
only the
the servants
servants like
likethe
the peons,
peons, paikes,
paikes,
chaukidars,bearers,
chaukidars, bearers, poddars,
poddars, boatmen
boatmen andand kulis
kulis were
were directly
directly
or indirectly
indirectly connected with actual
connected with actual zamindari
zamindari manage-
manage- ment
ment
and allall the
the others
others were
were pure
pure domestic servants in various
domestic servants various
capacities. It will
will be
be noticed
noticed that thethe village
villageoflicers,
officers,such
such as
as
the
the mand&s,
mandals, patwaris, karmacharia and
patwaris, karmacharia and halshanas
haishanas have
have not
not
appeared
appeared in the chakaran list. Customarily, all
chakaran list. all of
of them
them received
received
208 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Benge 1

a percentage of commission on the

commission on the rental collected.48 The rate
collected.48 The
of commission variedfrom
commission varied fromdistrict
district to
to district. In Dinajpur,
Dinajpur, the
mandals received
mandals receivedone
one percent
percent commission
commission on on the
the rental
rental and
and
the commissions
commissionsofofthethepatwari
patwari and
and other
other officers
officers varied
varied from
from
four to six percent.49
percent.49 TThe
he custom of granting
custom of granting commission
commission for
village officers probably grew
officers probably grew out
out of the
the necessity
necessity for
for punctuality
punctuality
collections. As the acknowledged
in the collections. acknowledged profitprofit of
of these
theseofficers
officers
dependedon
depended on the
the amount
amount ofof the
thecollections,
collections, it was wassupposed
supposed
that they would
would exert themselves
themselves toto secure
secure maximum
maximum collections
collections
so as to
so to obtain the maximum
obtain the maximum commision
commission possible,
possible, Besides
their usual
their usual remuneration all the zaxnindari
remuneration all zamindari officers,
officers, whether
whether
paid in
paid in terms
termsofofmoney
moneywage
wage or
or assignment
assignm ent ofofland,
land,increased
increased
their usual
usual income
incomebybyreceiving
receivingtahuri
tahuri or
or unauthorised
unauthorised excess
excess
collections from
collections from the
the farmers and
and tenants50
tenants.50
How much
How muchdid didthe
thezamindars
zamindars normally
normally derive
derive as
as net
netprofit;
profit
from their
from their estates
estates after meeting
meeting all their costs ?? The decennial
their costs decennial
settlement was intended
settlement was intended to
to allow
allow the zamindars only one eleventh
of the net
of the net proceeds
proceeds of of their
their estates.
estates. InIn 1802,
1802, the
the collectors
collectors
were required
required to answer this question %
"Do
“ Do the proprietors
proprietors of
of estates
estates inin general
general
derive a profit
derive exceeding the
profit exceeding the ten
ten per cent
cent
on the
on the Jumma—the
Jumma-the profit
profit estimated
estimated toto be
be
left to them
them on
on the
the conclusion
conclusion of of the
the Decennial
Decennial
Settlem ent ?"
Settlement f”
The
T he Burdwan
Burdwan Collector
Collector replied
replied that
that the
the Raja
Raja of
of Burdwan.
Burdwan.
derived not
derived not more
more than
than five
five percent. on the
percent, on the rental
rental and
and other
other
zamindars inin the
zamindars the district
district even
evenless
less than
thanththat,5'
at,51 The
The Rajshahi
Rajshahi
Collector's opinion
Collector’s opinion was
was that
that some
some proprietors
proprietors received
received more andand
some less than ten All others reported
some less than ten percent,52 A ll others reported that the
percent.52 that the

48.
48. Francis Buchanan, Dinajpur
Francis Buchanan, p,252.
Dinajpur p ,2 5 2 .
49.
49. Ibid.
ibId.
50.
50. Ibid.,
ibid., also
also see,
see, FF,
, DD.. A
Ascli, Survey and Serilement
scj II, Survey Settlement ooff Dacca
Dacca District,
p. 162 ,
p. 162,
51.
si. C. J. P.,
C.f. P., 8 July
July 1802,
ISO?, N o. 83, Q.
No. Q, 8,
8, PP147/57.
147/57.
52.
52. Ibid., NN.
Thid., o. 112.
112,
 Expectations and
and Achievements
Achievements 209

proprieLors derivedfar
proprietors derived farmore
morethanthan ten percent.
percent. Thus, the the profit
profit
of
of the
the propietors
proprietors of
ofChittagong,
Chittagong, it it was
was stated,
stated, ranged
ranged from from
sixteen to
sixteen to twenty
twenty percent
percent on rental,53 of Jessore
on the rental,53 Jessore upwards
upwards
o.f twenty percent,54
of twenty percent,54 of of Mymensingh
Mymensingh from from twenty
twenty to to fifty
fifty per-
per­
cent and
cent and in
in some
some cases
cases more
more than one hundred percent.85 The
hundred percent.55
CollecLor
Collector of of
thethe 24.Parganas
24-Parganas even
even wentwentso sofarfarasas to
to say
say that
that
"some
“ some proprietors do not
proprietors do not on
on average
average paypay more
more than
then one rupee in
a thousand of their gross collections.5
collections.56 Others reported
6 Others reported thatthat the
gamindars never admitted
zamindars never admitted their incomes,57 With the increase
their. true incomes.57 increase
in
in population, commercial activity
population, commercial activity and
and agricultural prices, the
agricultural prices,
profitmargin
profit marginmustmust have
haveincreased
increasedduring
during the
the later
later period.
period. But,
as the
as the actual profit was
actual profit was always influencedby
always influenced by the
the original
original
assessment,
assessment, the the quality
quality ofof management
management and and the the productivity
productivity
of the land,
of the the percentage
land, the percentage of profit
profit always
always varied
varied from
from oneone
estate to
estate to another.
another. The
The following three select
following three select examples
examples will will
provide aa clearer
provide clearer idea
idea about
about the variation
variation ofof profit.
profit.
TABLE 13
13
1.Estimate
Estimateof the expeness
of the and and
expeness profit forfor
profit 1809 of the
1809 of the
eight lots
eight lots of
of the
theDinajpur
Dinajpurraja
rajawhich
whichwere
werepurchased
purchased by
by rani
rani
Tripura
T ripura Sundari and rani
rani Sarasati.
Sarasati.
Sadar jama
Sadarjam Rs. 79,000,
a Rs. 79,000, Gross
Gross rental
rental Rs.
Rs. 1,10,000.
1,10,OOCK
Outgoings
The eight lots required the following
The following establishments.
establishments.
Land
Land grants Annual
in bighas.
bighas. salaries
__________ ; ininrupeos
rupeos
11 Diwan
Di wan 1,200 .
Talisildars or colletors
8 Tahsildars 2,440
40 Muharrirs
40 Muharrira or writers
w riters 3,800

53.
53. Ibid.,
IbId., N o . 96,
No. 96,
54.
54. Ibid., NNo.
IbId.. o. 101,
101.
55. Ibid.,
55. IbId., NNo,
o , 106,
106,
56. Ibid., NNo.
56. Ibid., o. 83.
81.
57.
57. C. J.
C. I. P„
P.,8 8July
July1802,
1802,Nos.
Nos.97,10*,
97,1O, Q. 8, P.147/57,
Q. 8. P.147/57a

14-
14—
 TABLE 13 (cont.)
TABLE (cont.)
Land grants Annual
Land grants Annual
in bighas salaries
in rupees
rupees

24 Sardars or officers of the

officers of
old militia 1,200
16 Mridhas
M ridhas of the same militia 480
200 Paiks 4,000
8 Dafadars 384
24 Barkanduz
Barkaaduz 864
16 Daft aries or
Daftaries or keepers of
papers 192
200 Kutwals or
Kutwals or messengers
messengers 2,000
(
7,872 8,688
7,872 bighas of land at
ten annas
annas per
per bigha
bigha 4,924

Total costs of establishment 13,612

Commission,atat four
Commission, four percent,
to the ijaradar8
ijaradars 4,400
Government revenue demand 79,000
Total outgoings 97,012
Total receipts 1,14,924

Net
N et income
income 17,912

The
The profit
profit here
here is
is about
about fifteen
fifteen anda half percent
and
The expense
on the gross rental. The expense of
of collection is about
collection is
sixteen percent

Source : Frascis
Francis Buchanan,
Buchanan,pp. 247-8.
p. 247-8.
 TABLE
TABLE 14
14
2. Estimate of the
Estimate expences
of the andand
expences prots for 1809
profits o.f the
for 1809 of the
estate of
estate of Wahid
Wahid Chowdhuri,
Chowdhuri, aamerchant,
merchant, who
who did
did nOt
not reside
reside on
his estate in Dinajpur.
his

Sadar jama
Sadar jama Rs.
Rs, 4,500.
4,500. Gross
Gross rental
rental Rs.
Rs. 6,300
6,300
Ouu tg
O tgoings
o in g s Land grants
Land Annual
in Lighas.
bighas. salaries
in rupees

1 Tabsildar
Tahsildar 120
1 Jatnanavis
Jamanavis oror accountant
accountant 84
1 Muharrir
M uharrir 36
1 Poddar
Poddar 24
2 Barkandus
Barkandus 51
51
11 Sardar
Sardar or chief
chief paik 20
10 Paiks
10 Paiks 120
7 Kutwals
Kutwals 56

196 315
196 bighas
196 bighas at 10 annas per bigha
bigha 112

Total costs
costs of
of establishment
establishment 427
Ijaradar's
Ijaradar’s commission
commission at at 44 percent 252
Governments
Government’s revenue
revenue demand
demand 4,500
Total outgoings 5,179
Total receipts
receipts 6,300
Net income 1,120
Here the profit
Here the profit was
was about
about eighteen
eighteen percent on the
percent on the gross
gross
rental and the expense
expense of
of collection
collection was ten percent.
percent.

S o u rce; Francis
Source: Francis Buchanan, A Geographical,
Buchanan, 4 statistical and Historical
Description
Description ooff the
the District
Dltrict of
o fDlnojpur,
Dinajpur, p.
p. 248
248
 TABLE 15
3. Estimate
Estimate of
of the
theexpences,
expences and
and profits
profits for of the
for 1828 of the
estate of Mir Karimuddin
Karimuddin inin Hughli.

Sadar jama
Sadar jama Rs. Gross rental
17,781.. Gross
Rs. 17,781 rental Rs.
Rs. 45,212
45,212
Receipts Rs. 45,212
Rs.
Outgoings
Collection charges 2,724
2,724
-
Taxes 188
188
21,470
Γ
21,470
Upkeep ofof aa mosque
mosque 777
1

Government demand 17,781

17,781
j
Net income
income Rs. 23,742
23,742

Here
H ere the profit
profit was
was fifty
fifty two
tvro percent
percent on
on the
the rental
rental and
and
the cost
cost of collection
collection was only six percent.

ou rce: Ge
Source
S rge Toyabee,
G eirge Toyabee, AA sketch
sketch ofo fthe
theAdministration
Administrationof
o fHughli
Hughli District
District
from 1795 to 1845,
1795 to 1845, p.
p. 63.

Collectors' reportsand
Collectors’ reports and the
the above
above select
select cases
cases suggest
suggest that,
by the'
bv the endend of ofthe
theeighteenth
eighteenthcentury,
century,the thezamindars'
zamindars’profits
profits
certainly
certainly exceeded
exceeded the lim it of
the limit of ten percent intended
ten percent intended to to be
be
left by
left by the
the decennial settlement. There
decennial settlement. There cannot
cannot be any any doubt
doubt
that the tempo
tempo of their rising
rising incomes
incomes from
from their
theirestates
estatescent 1-
conti­
nued all
nued all throughout
throughoutthe the first
first.quarter
quarter of of the
the nineteenth
nineteenth century.
century.
By
By the 1820s, according
the 1820s, according to to A.A, 1),
D. Campbell,
Campbell, the zamindars
zamindars
became
became an an affluent class. He
affluent class. said in
He said in his
his evidence
evidence before
before the
the
Parliamentary Select Select Committee
Committee : Most of the ancient ancient aristocratic
aristocratic
zamindars are in easy circumstances,
zamindars circumstances, and some of
and some of them
are wealthy
are wealthy men.men. II have,
have, asas aa member
member of the Board Board ofof Revenue,
Revenue,
acting inin the
acting the capacity
capacityofofCourt
Courtofof W Wards
ards for minor
minor zamindars,
zamindars,
known
known of surplus surplus funds
fundsininsome somezaminclaries
zamindaries to thethe extent
extent of
of
four or
four or five
five lacs
lacs of rupees.
rupees. Similar
Similar accumulations
accumulations occur
occur in
in
zamirdaries contested
zamindaries contested inin our
our courts and generally
courts ;; and generally all
all persons
persons
Expectations and Achievements 213

of that
that description
description expend
expend aa great
great deal
dealof
ofmoney
money in in celebrating
celebrating
marriage
marriage oror festivals,
festivals, and
and in
in keeping
keeping up up the
the usual
usual establishments
establishments
of the
of the family,
family, such
such asas elephants,
elephants, horses
horses and
and also
also houses."58
houses.” 68
The negligible transfer
The negligible transfer ofof landed
landed property
property duedue to
to arrears
arrears from
from
the
the beginning
beginning of of the
the nineteenth century is another
nineteenth century another added
added
testimonytoto the
testimony the affluent
affluent ccrndition
condition of of the
the zamindars.
zamindars. It may may
then
then be asked what
be asked what were
were thethe reasons
reasons for
for their
their prosperity?
prosperity ?
Was itit due
Was due toto aa general
general increase
increaseinin rents
ren ts or
or due
duetoto aátual
actual
improvementininagricultural
improvement agricultural techniques
techniques or or the
the prosperity
prosperity of of the
the
country as a whole ?
country
To take
take up
up the
the rent question
question first,
first, all the
theevidence
evidence leads
leads us
us
to believe that, as
believe that, as raja
raja Ranunohan
Rammohan Roy Roy put it, "under the
put it, ‘'under the
permanent settlement
permanent settlement since
since1793,
1793,the
the landholders
landholders have
have adopted
adopted
every measure
every measure to raise
raise the
therents,
rents,bybymeans
meansofofthe
thepower
power put
put
into their
into their hands".59
hands” .59 T The
he rules
rules ofofthe
thepermanent
permanentsettlement
settlement
made
made thethe regulation
regulation of rent rent entirely
entirely a aprivate
privatesubject
subjecttoto be
be
mutually
mutually settled between the zamindarszamindars and other parties. ItIt was was
only requiredthat
only required that‘'rents
"rentstotobebe paid
paid by
by the ryots, by
the ryots, by whatever
whatever
rule or
rule or custom
custom they
they may
may bebs regulated,
regulated, [should]
[should]bebespecifically
specifically
stated in
stated in the Pottah.” 60 For the
the Pottah."6° the klzudkast
khudkast or orlong
longresident
resident
ryot it was
was vaguely provided that
vaguely provided that their
their rents
rents should
should be
be regulated
regulated
by
by the
the pargana
pargana nirk nirk oror rate.61
rate.61 ButBut thethe notion
notionofofpargana
pargana
rates utterly
rates utterly failed
failed to
to give
give any
any legal
legal protection
protection to
to them
thembecause
because
the
the courts
courts found confused by the
themselves confused
found themselves the bewildering'
bewildering
variationofof nirk
variation nirk from
from oneone pargana
pargana totoanother,
another,even
evenfrom
from one
one
village
village toto the
the next. The The nirkibandi
nirkibandi of of Pargana
Pargana Puliva
Pullua in
Burdwan district
Burdwan districtwill
willindicate
indicate how
how widely
widely the rate varied
varied from
from
one village
one villagetotoanother,
another, even
even within
within the
the same
same pargana,
pargana, though
though
land was
land was more
more or less of same quality.

58. A.. D.
A D„ Campbell's
Campbell’s evidence,
evidence, 14 April 1832, P. P.
14 April P. 1831-2, vol. XI,X I,
Evidence, p. 198,
Evidence, 198, Q. 2386,
Q.'238§,
59.
59. Raja Rammohan R.oys
Raja evidence, p,
R oy’s evideace, P . p,, 1831, vol. 5, Q. 7,
P „ 1831, 7 , p. 716
716'
AppendixNNo
Appendix o 39.39.
60.
60. Regulation 88 ooff 1793»
Regulation 1793, Section
Section 57.
57.Clause
Clause1.1,RIt. Clarics,The
. Clarks, The regulations
regulations ooff
government ooff Fort
the government Fort William in Bengal,
William in Bengal, vvol.
o l. 1,
1, p.
p. 75,
75»
61. ibid.
Ibid.
 TABLE 16
Nirkibandi of
Nirkibaodi of Taraf
TarafPuIIua,
Pullua,Burdwan,
Burdwan,1799
1799
Types of
of lands Pullua Fulbari Padapukaria
village one vage
village two village
village three

Rate
Kate per bigha
bigha
Re. Annas
Rs. Annae Rs. Annas
Re. Ra,
Re, Annas
Paddy land/Aus 0 12 1 0 11 0
„ /Aman 00 2 11 0 0 15
House plots 11 44 1
1 4
4 1
1 2
Garden 11 14
14 11 88 —
- —
-
Cotton 00 15 0 14 0 14
14
14
-- --
15 0 0

Long pepper
Long 3 2 3 0 —· —
Bamboo 11 4
4 11 4 — —
Indigo 11 11 11 6 11 22
Tobacco 11 20
20 1
1 10
10 1
1 88
Chilly 1 6 0
0 12
12 0
0 8
8
Danga/udbasto 0
1

0
14 00
0
12
0
— -
00
_
77
-
Waste/cultivable
W aste/cultiva ble 6
Source:
Source 28.B.0.O.R.R.F,P„
2424 May
May1799,1799,Appendix
Appendix G,
G, P73/47.
P73/47.

The claims
The claims of
of the khudkast ryots ryots toto perpetual
perpetual rates
rates andand
the zamiüdars'
zamindars’ attempts
attempts to to fix
fixnew
new rates
rates at
at the expiry
expiry ofof every
every
lease,
lease, which never exceeded ten
which never ten years
years inin duration,
duration, led
led toto
conflicting verdicts
conflicting verdictsinin the courts. At last this
the courts. this customary
customary right
right
to nirk was
to was invalidated
invalidated by Act 5 of of 1812 which
which empowered
empowered the
zamindars
zamindars totogrant
grant "lease
"lease for for whatever
whatever period
period they
they may
may seem
seem
proper and
proper and at whatever
whatever rent."82
ren t.” 82 Thereafter
T hereafter the
the zamindars
zamindars
pushed
pushed upuptheir
theirrents
rents though
though their
their claims
claims could
could rarely
rarelybe
be met
met
by increased
by increasedwealth
wealthininthethehands
bandsofof the
the tenants.03
tenants.®3 Continuous
increase in rents
increase rents led
led to to peasant
peasant disturbances
disturbances in in some
some parts
parts
of Bengal,
of Bengal, as in Rangpur,
Rangpur, where where there
there were
wereconstant
constantbreaches
breaches

62. Regulation
Regulation 55oof 181, Section
f 1812, Section 2, see R. Clarke,
see R. Clarke, Digest,
Digest, or,
or, consolidated
consolidated
arrangement of
o f the regulations and
and acts
acts of
o fthe
theBengal
BengalGovernment
Government from
from
1793 to 1854,
1793 to 1854, p,175. -
63. T.. Fortescue’s
T eortescue's evidence,
evidence, 33 April
April 1832,
1832, F.
P. F.,
P., vol.
vol. XII,
XII, Q,
Q.484,
484, p.
p, 49,
49,
ortescue held
Foriescue held various
various high judicial
judicial posts from 1789
1789 to 1830.
1830,
Expectations and Achievements 215
21
of the peace.
peace. The The Commissioner reported from
Commissioner reported from that
that district
district
that the
in 1825 that the rise in the
rise in the rents
rents since
since the
the decennial
decennial settlement
settlement
had been considerable.64
considerable,°4 The The peasants
peasants of pargana
pargana Sherpur
Sherpur in
Mymensinghopenly
Mymensingh openly revolted
revoltedagainst
against their oppressive
oppressive landlords
landlords
in 1825. The judicial investigation
T he judicial investigation found
found inhuman
inhuman exactions
exactions
which had led
which had led to
to their
their actual
actual rebellion.
rebellion. TheThe Commission
Commission gave
the following
following table
table of
of rents
rents for
for five
fiveselect
select villages,
villages, showing
showing the
the
enormous increase
enormous increaseinin the
the rents
rents since
since the
the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlem ent

TABLE 17 '
Rents in five select
select villages in
Sherpur Pargana
Villages Rent in Rent fixed
fixed Ijaradar's
Ijaradar’s
1793 in 3826
3826 demands on
the ryots
ryots
Rs. R sT
Ra. Rs.
Rs.
1. Ghosh
Ghosh Gaon 652 1,300
1,300 2,650
2,650
2. Gonai
2, 134 400400 -—
3. Bangaon
Bangaon Dubah
Dubah 11 7272 200
200
4. Borak
4, 40 150
150 301
301
5. Telikhali
Telikhali -
- 4040 160
160

Source:
Source: B.
B. 0.
O. R.
R. to G.G.
toG. G.ininC,,
C,,19
19November
November 1827,
1827, B.
B. 0.
O. R.
R, P.,
P.,
19 November 1827, No.
19 No. 32,
32,, para.
para. 3, P.80/47.
P.80/47.
A
A similar
similar kind
kind of
of rack-renting
rack-renting was reported from
was reported from other
other
districts. Considering
Considering allallthese,
these, the
the Board
Board ofof Revenue
Revenue at at last
last
recommended
recommended the the Council
Council toto enact
enact such
such regulations
regulations as
aswould
would
ascertain
ascertain and
and clearly definethe
clearly define the rights
rights of
of the
the respective
respective parties.
parties.
Otherwise,
Otherwise, the Board
Board apprehended,
apprehended, "the
“ thelandholders
landholders will
will conti
conti­
nue to increase
nue to increase their rents
rents whenever
wheneveraaconvenient
convenient opportunity
opportunity
may present itself for doing
may present doing so,” 88
O."05

R.angpurCommissioner
64. Rangpur CommissionertotoBB. . O0. ft., 88 August
. R·, August 1825,
1826,B.B,O.
0. RR.. P.,
P.. 18
18 May
May
1827,
1827, N No.
o . 75. P,80/39.
Ρ.8Θ/39.
B..O0.. Rft.. to
65. B to G. G.. in C.,
G. G C ., 19 November 1827,
19 November 1827, para. 3, B. B. Or R. F.,
0, R. P„
19 November
19 November 1827, 1827,NNo. 32, pP,80/47.
o . 32, .8 0 /4 7 .
 216
216: Permanent Settlement,
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

Zamindars'
Zam indars’ role
role in the
the improvement
improvement of of agriculture
agriculture
It would
would be be aa serious
serious mistake,
mistake, however,
however, to suppose
suppose that the
zamindars' prosperity
zamindars’ prosperity rested
rested only
only on
on the arbitrary
arbitrary increase
increase ofof
their rent
their rent rolls.
rolls. ItIt is beyond question th
beyond question that
at there
there was
was also
also aa
considerable expansion of
coisiderable expansion of agriculture from from thethe permanent
permanent
settlement onward.
settlement onward. All All the
the district
district collectors
collectors were
were unanimous
unanimous
in their opinions
opinions that from
from 1790
1790 to
to 1801
1801 there
there had
had been
been aaremar-
rem ar­
kable extension
kable extensionofof agriculture
agriculture in their
their respective
respective districts.68
districts.68
In 1811, Dowdeswell, the Secretary to the Board of
Revenue, said
said that
that vast
vast tracts
tracts of
of land
land were
were brought
brought under
under
cultivation
cultivation since
since the
the permanent settlem ent.^7 The expansion
permanent settlement,t3 expansion
of agriculture inevitably
of agriculture inevitably ledled to increase in the profits
to an increase profits
of the zamiadars.
zamindars. But But opinions
opinions differed
differed asas to whowho had
been responsible
been responsible for such expansion.
for such expansion. One school school believed
that the permanent
that the permanent settlement
settlem ent waswas itself
itself responsible
responsible forfor the
the
boost to
boost to agricultural production.
production. Colebrooke,
Colebrooke, the the champion
champion of
this scbocl,
school, believed that the the incentive
incentivegivengivenbybythe
thefixed
fixed gover
gover­
nment
nment demand
demand and by by government's
governm ent’s recognition
recognition of of the zamin-
zemin­
dars' proprietary
dars’ proprietary rights
rights over
over the
the waste
waste land
land surrounding
surrounding their
estates
estates was
was responsible
responsible for the the reviving
reviving prosperity
prosperity of of the
the
province. He wrote :: "The
He wrote “ The happy
happy result
result of of the
the permanent
permanent
settlement was
settlement was now
now witnessed
witnessed in Bengal. The
in Bengal. The reviving
reviving pros-
pros­
perity
perity of
of the
the country,
country, its
itsincreasing
increasingwealth,
wealth,and
andrapid
rapid improve-
improve­
ment are
are unquestionably
unquestionably due due to
to the
thepermanent
permanentsettlement
settlem ent the
the
principle
principle ofofwhich
whichwas
wassosowise
wisethat
that even
even th
thee serious
serious errors
errors
whichwere
which were committed
committedininfilling
fillingupupthe
the outline
outline ofof the
the plan,
plan,
could not ultimately
could not ultimately disappoint
disappoint its views."68
views.” 68 But Colebrooke's
Colebrooke’s
opinion
opinion was
was seriously challenged by
seriously challenged by other.
other groups,
groups, especially
especially
the utilitarians.
the They admitted
utilitarians. They without reserve
admitted without reserve that
th a t cultiva-
cultiva­

66.
66. Collectors to
Collectors to the Chief
C hief Secretary, C. J. P.,
C. .1. P.,8 8July
July1802,
1802, NNos.
os. 79,83, 96.7,
96-7,
101. 106,108,
101, 106. 108, 111-12, 21 , P.147/57.
11142, 21 P.147,57.
67.
67. DwdeswlPs
DJwdeswell’s Minute,
M inute, 16 October 1811,1811, ΒB4O,R.P.,
,Ο ,Κ .Ρ ., 16
16 October 1811,
1811,
N o. 22;
No. 2 2. Pp76/68
76/I60
68.
68. Councillor Colebrooke's
Colebrooke’s Minutes
MinutCi 2020 June
June 1808,
1808, para. 27.27. Mito
M ioto Papern
Papers:
M 338
Xvi (Scottish NNational
338 (Scottish ational Library).
Library).
Expectations and Achievements 2i7
tion
tion had
had expanded
expanded phenomenally
phenomenally since since 1793.
1793. But for for all
all such
such
progress,
progress, according to them,
according to them, itit was
was the
the ryots,
ryots, not
notthe
thezamin-
zamin­
dars, who
dars, who were
were actually
actually responsible,
responsible. In evidence, James
Tn his evidence, James
Mill said: "1
Mill “ I have no idea
idea that
that the
the zemindary
zemindary system
system iis favoura­
favoura-
ble to the accumulation
ble to accumulation of capital
capital inin the hands of
the hand of the
the ryots,
ryots,
and there
and there is express evidence
evidence of of the
the fact,
fact, that it is the ryots,
ryots, and
not the zeinindars who have
zemindars who have extended
extended thethecultivation."89
cultivation.” 69 Mill
continued :: “"II am
further continued
further am not
not aware
aware Oiany
of any instanóe
instance of encour-
encour­
agements having having been been given
given by the the zemindars,
zemindars, and and I have have
a distinct recollection
recollection of of statements, moremore than
than one,
one,by by the
thecollec-
collec­
tors in
tors in those
those districts,
districts, that
that the
the progress
progress of cultivation
cultivation is owing owing
entireTy
entirely totothe theryots,
ryots,and and not
not to thethe zemindars."70
zemindars,’’70 The role
of the
of the ryot in the agricultural
agricultural expansion
expansion was was further
further emphasised
emphasised
by
by H enry Newnham of Bengal Civil Service, who declared:
Henry Newnham of Bengal Civil Service, who declared :
“"Many persons advocate
Many persons advocate the the zeinindari
zemindari cause
cause by by alleging
alleging outlay
outlay
of capital, but
of capital, but it is seldom more
is seldom more than than aa mere
mere current
current loan,loan,
repayable
repayable at at aa very
very high
high interest,
interest, or,
or, which
which isis worse,
worse, the the repay-
repay­
ment in
ment in commodity
commodity at at aa very
very much
much lower
lower price
price than the marketmarket
price;;but
price butasasfor forany
any permanent
permanentoutlayoutlay ofof capital
capital in digging
digging
wells and making tanks, I fear that
weils that there
there are
are very
very few
few instances
instance's
of
of the
the zemindars
zemindars laying laying outout capital
capital inin that
that way
way ;; the the great
great
improvements inin the country
improvements countrytaketakeplace
place from
from thethe junction
junction of of
the ryots in in different
different labours, least I have
labours, at least have seen
seen them
them making
making
bunds across
bunds acrossrivers,
rivers, sinking
sinking wells,
wells, making
making water
water courses:
courses from from
tanks
tanks or or collections
collections of of water,
water, and
andundertaking
undertaking manymany important
important
worksofofthat
works thatkknd."7'
nd.” 71
Newnham was
Newnham was probably
probablyrightright in
in his
his belief
belief that thethe zamindars
zamindars
paid little
paid little attention
attention to to laying
laying out
out capital
capital in thethe development
development of of
the agricultural infrastructure. Instead,
agricultural infra-structure. Instead, they gave
gave small takavi
loans
loans towards
towards the the reclamation
rclarnation of of wasteland,
wasteland, repayable
repayable with inter-inter­

69.
69, J,
J. Mill's
Mill's evidence,
evideoce, p.p , P.,
P .,1831,
1831,Vol.5.
V ol.5.P.314,
P .3 14,Q.Q,3348-49.
3348-49.
70.
10. Ibid,
ThId, Q . 3355,
Q. 3355,
71.
71, H. Newahanfs
Ncwnham’s evidence,
evidence, 77 May
vay 1832,
1332, P,P. P.
P. 1831-2, vol. X
1831-2, vol. XL
I. Q,
Q, 2737,
2737,
EvidenCe, p. 233.
Evidence, 233.
218 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

est either in
in cash
cash or in
in kind.
k in d ,; In 1O2,
1802, thethecollectors
collectors were
were requi-
requi­
red to
red to inform the Council
inform the Council whether
w hether or or not
not the
thezarnindars
zamindars had had
turned themselves
turned into improving
themselves into improvinglandlords
landlordsafter after the
the permanent
perm anent
settlement. TheThe interrogatory
interrogatory was was:: "Do “ Do thethe proprietors
proprietors of of
land in
land in general attend toto the
general attend the permanent
permanent improvement
improvementofof their their
estates by
estates by the
the making
making of embankments,
embankments, digging digging o tanks and
of tanks and
establishingsuch
establishing suchother
otherworks
worksasas are are calculated
calculated to to increase
increase thethe
produce of lands ?"
produce ?” The
The collectors
collectors without
without any any exception
exception
replied that they
replied they found
found nono trace
trace ofof such
such works
works undertaken
undertaken by by the
the
zamindars,72 But why ? Why
zaniindars.72 Why did did not
not they,
they,like
like their
their British
British
contemporaries, develop
develop agricultural capitalism
capitalism in in Bengal
Bengal ? This
query does
query doesnot
notadmit
admitany any simple
simple and and straightforward
straightforward answer.answer.
It has
It has social, psychological, economic,
social, psychological, historical and
economic, historical and political
political
reasons.
reasons. We
W e do not, of course,
course, intend here to
intend here to engage
engage in in aa grave
grave
and detailed discussions
discussions onon the problem.
problem. The The zamindars
zamindars were were
under crushing pressure during the first first decade
decade of of the
the permanent
permanent
settlement. The dusts
settlement. dusts raised
raised by by the
the storm
storminin the the land
land market
market
during
during this period quite settled
period quite settled downdown from from thethe beginning
beginning of of
century. By
the nineteenth century. then the
By then the zarnindars
zamindars got got themselves
themselves
adjusted with
adjusted w ith the new
new system.
system. But But Lbat
that does not not mean that they
mean that
would atatonce
would once embark
embark upon
upon aa campaign
campaign of of land
land improvement.
improvement.
Under the
Under the normal
normal economic behaviourthe
economic behaviour the capitalists would
would
invest his capital
invest his capitalonlyonlyininthose
those section where his
section where his capital
capital would
would
enjoy maximumsafety
enjoy maximum saietyand
andatatthe
the same
same time
time fetch
fetch satisfactory
satisfactory
dividends. Capital investmentinin land
Capital investment land was
was certaialy
certaialy most
most safesafe
and profitable comparedtotoother
profitable compared otheropportunities
opportunities available
available at the
Land control
time. Land control was
was also
also socially prestigious.
prestigious. To To th
thee inves-
inves­
tors there were
w ere several
several alternative modes
modes ofof capital
capital investment
investment
in land
in land:; firstly,
firstly, to
to undertake
undertakeimproving
improving measures,
measures, such as, irri­ irri-
gation,agricultural
gation, agriculturalloans,loans, supply
supply ofof seeds,
seeds, implements,
implements, etc. etc. ;
secondly,
secondly, to toextend
extendcultivation
cultivationbyby clearing the wastelands;
clearing the wastelands; and and
thirdly, to buy
buy new
new estates.
estates. The
The zamindars,
zamindars, old
old and
and new,
new, usually
usually

72. District Collectors

District Collectors to
to the Chief Secretary, Government ooff Bengal, C. J.P.,
Bengal, C.
8 July 1802,
1802, Nos.
N os. 79,
7 9 ,883,
3 , 96-97,
96-97, 101, 105, 108,
101, 105, 108, 111-112,
111.112, QQ.. 10,
10, P147/57.
P147/57.
Expectations and Achievements
Achievements 219

preferred the last alternative. Instead

preferred Instead of
ofimproving
improving orr extending
extending
cultivation,it itwas
cultivation, wasmuch
muchwiserwiserfor
forthem
them toto buy
buy new
new estates
estates
already under
already cultivation. Such
tinder cultivation. purchase enlarged
Such purchase enlarged their parent
estates, consolidated. their social
consolidated their social positions,
positions, and
and at the same
same time:
time
opened up newnew sources
sourcesofofincOmes.
incomes.
Besides land
Besides land purchase,
purchase, thethe zamindars
zamindars had had Other
other lucrative
lucrative
opportunities,
opportunities, such such as
as the purchase
purchase of of government
government bonds,
bonds, the
financing
financing of of agency
agency houses,
houses, xnoney4ending,
money-lending, etc. The affluent affluent
zamindars mostly bought
zamindars bought new
new lands
landsandandalso
alsopurchased
purchasedgovern-
govern­
ment securiteS. They liked
securites. They liked to buy buy securites,
securites, because
because these
these
pleased the
pleased the government
government andand brought
brought certain
certain dividends
dividends too.73
too.73
The
The raja
raja ofof Burdwan,
Burdwan, as as for
foran aninstance,
instance, bought
bought numerous
numerous
new lots
new lots atat auctions
auctionstoto enlarge
enlarge his
his already great estate,
estate. He also
bought government
bought government securities
securities worth
worth several
several lakhs
lakhs of rupees.7*
rupees,7'
That other wealthy
wealthy zamindars
zamindars also followed
followed his footstep is is made
made
clear by
clear by the Council's
Council’s advice
advice totothetheBoard
Board ofofRevenue
Revenue inin 1819,
1819,
not totoliquidate
liquidate the
thebonds
bondsofofthe
theraja
rajaofofBurdwan
Burdwantotomake
makegoodgood
his huge
huge arrears, because such action,
because such action, the Council
Council feared,
feared, would
would
“"shake
shake the confidence ofoother
confidence of landholders" who
th er landholders” who phadQ
[had] purchas.
purchas*
bonds.’’75
ed bonds."75
This will be.
This will quite unhistorical
be quite to suggest
unhistorical to suggest that
that zamindars
zamindars
were always
always guided
guided by
by the
theeconomic
economicconsiderations.
considerations. In explain.
In explain­
ing their
ing their economiá behaviour we
economic behaviour we must
must not
not lose
lose sight
sight ofof their
their
social
social and
and religious
religious roles.
roles. Historically,
Historically, aa zamindari
zamindari inin Bengal
Bengal
was more aa political
was more political and
and social
social institution than
than ananeconomic
economic one.
one.
With
W the coming
ith the coming of of the
the British
British th
their
eir political
political role
role was
was ruined,
ruined,
but their social
but social role remained. The
role remained. The society
society expected that aa
expected that
zamindar must befittingly
zamindar must befittingly spend
spend in marriages,
marriages, religious
religious festivals,
festivals,
pilgrimages, and
shradhs, pilgrimages,
shradlis, and numerous
numerous other
otherceremonies
ceremonies inin which
which
the tenantry
tenantry would
would participate
participate directly
directly or
or indirectly
indirectly and
andwould
would

73.
73. Prinsep’s Report,C.C.J· LP.,8
Prinsep'sReport, P., 8 October 1819, N
October 1819. o . 38,
No. 38, P149/o7.
P149/67,
74.
74. BurdwanCollector
Burdwan Collector to
to B
B.. O.
0. R ., 27
R., 27 M ay 1819,
May 1819,
B,
B. O. R. P
0. R. ., 11 June
P., June 1819,
1819, N o . 12,
No. 12, P78/35.
75.
75. G.
G. G, ia C
G, in C,, to
to B,
B, O.
0. R ., 15
K., 15June
June 1819,
1819,NNos.
os. 40,
40,40A , PP78/35.
40A, 78/35.
 220
22 Permanent Settlement iii
in Bengal
Bengal

boast
boast ofof their
their landlords,
landlords, powerpower of of consumptions.
consumptions. It was was expec-
expec­
ted that he would
ted would support
support the Brahmins,
Brahmins, pundits,pundits, pirsp irs (muslim
(muslim
sphitual
spiritual guides,
guides'), etc,
etc, byby liberal
liberal landland grants
grants and and cashcash dona-
dona­
tions. It was also
was also the people's expectation that their zamindars
people’s expectation th at their zamindars
would
would finance
finance educational
educational institutions charitable houses,
institutions, charitable houses, and
build templesand
build temples and mosques,
mosques, for for them.
them. All All zamindars
zamindars seeking seeking
social recognition
social recognition and and leadership,
leadership, rank rank and andstatus
statuswere
weresocIally
socially
boundtoto spend
bound spend generously
generously on on all
all these
these economically
economically unpro unpro­
ductive projects
ductive projects and and purposes.
purposes. The The whole
whole social
social philosophy
philosophy
was otherworldly
was otherworldly and fatalistic. Under such
and fatalistic. such an an anti-life
antilife enviroenviro­
ninent
nment we we cancan hardly
hardly expect
expect that
that aa zamindar
zamindar as as an
an integral
integral part part
of society, would
would behave like like an
an economic
economic man.
?(Even
Even if if we
we suppose
suppose th that
at the
the zamindars
zamindars w were
ere quite
quite readyready
to participate
to participate in in developments,
developments, could could they they have
havereally
really done
done so
profitably?? Did the conditions
profitably conditions under which the British landlords landlords
brought
brought agricultural
agricultural revolution
revolution exist exist in in Bengal ?? Certainly
not. AA certain
not. certain amount
amount of ofindustrialisation
industrialisation is is an essential
prerequisitefor
prerequisite for agricultural growth. No
agricultural growth. No trace
trace ofof such
such indus-
indus­
trialisation
trialisation was was there
there in Bengal. Rather,
in Bengal. R ather, whatever
whatever industries
industries
were previously
were previously there there steeply
steeply declined
declined ever ever since
since the coming coming
of the
of the British. The landholders landholders in Britain were
in Britain were basking
basking
under a rising economy. Steadily
rising economy. rising prices
Steadily rising prices of of agricultural
agricultural
products
products induced
induced the landholders
landholders to to improve
improve land land andand maximise
maximise
their profits.
profits. But in Bengal Bengal thethe prices
prices of of agricultural
agricultural products
products
showed decreasingtrends
showed decreasing trends upto
upto the
the end
end of of the
the eighteenth century.
From
From the the beginning
beginning of of the nineteenth
nineteenth centurycentury pricesprices tended
tended
to rise. But But itit was
was tootoo dimdim and
and dull
dull for forcapital
capital investment
investment in in
land. The The British
British landholders,
landholders, again,again, got patronage
patronage from from the
Infrastructure was
state. Infrastructure was developed
developed to to minimise
minimise the the time
time andand
cost of
cost of transports. Agricultural industries
transports. Agricultural industrieswere were built
built up up to
absorb
absorb the the farm
farm products.
products. BoardBoard of of Agriculture
Agriculture was was established
established
to co ordinate agricultural developments.
co ordinate agricultural developments. But But such
such kind kind of of
state
state responsibility
responsibility was was always
alwaysavoided
avoidedby bythethe alien merchant
merchant
government of Bengal. Bengal. The Company's Company’s government
government was was in- in­
terested oniy
terested only in in the
thepunctual
punctual collection
collection of of revenues
revenues and and their
their
due home remiLtance;
remittance. It is quite utopean toto expect
quite utopean expect that th at uu nder
n d er
 Expectations and Achievements
Achievements 21

such circumstances
circumstances zaniindars
zamindars would
would develop
develop capitalistic
capitalistic outlook
outlook
and improve
and improve agriculture. ,
One remarkable
One remarkable feature
feature of
of the
thepost
postpermanent
permanent settlement
settlement
developments was the increasing
developments was increasing tendency
tendency of
of the
thelandholders
landholders
to reside
not to reside on
on their
their estates. Towards
Towards the end of the eighteenth
centuryaa great many
century many rich
rich landholders
landholders retired
retired totothe
thecitiea.7
cities,78
With greater
With greater prosperity
prosperity from
from thethebeginning
beginning ofofthe
thenineteenth
nineteenth
century,the
century, thecity-ward
city-wardmarch
marchincreased
increaseditsits momentum.
momentum. By the the
1820s, according
1820s, according to to Holt Mackenzie, the Secretary
H olt Mackenzie, Secretary to to the
the
department,
territorial departm majority of the rich
ent, a majority rich zamindars
zamindars
taken up their residence in the cities. .Thus
had taken
bad Thus ‘'thethe
Baboos," wrote
Bengal Baboos,3’ wrote Sutherland,'
Sutherland,” and and persons
persons of that
description, whonow
description, who nowappear
appeartotobe be the principal
principal zemindars,
zemindars, are
as much foreigners
foreigners inin their habits and pursthts
pursuits to the cultivating
cultivating
classes as
classes as we
we are.
are. They live in cities and towns far
live in cities and towns far away
away
from
from their
their zemindarees,
zemindarees, and and know less of
know less of the
the people
people than-
than
either our
our judges
judges or
or collectors
collectors who
who live
live amongst
amongst them."7
them.’’77
It does
It does not
not seem
seem that
thatthis
thisnew
newsocial
socialdevelopment
development grew
grew
merely
merely out out of
of the
thezamindars'
zamindars* urge
urge forforgreater
greatercomforts
comforts and
and
luxuries,
luxuries, as the popular belief
belief goes.
goes. It seems that absenteeism
seems that absenteeism
was the
was the direct
direct product
productofofthethecompetitive
competitiveland land market
market that waswas
intorduced under
intorduced under the aegis
aegis of the Government.
Government. Every Every aspirant
aspirant
bought auction
bought auctionland
landwherever
whereverititwaswas toto be
befound
found and
and thus built
built
up a patch
patchwork
work zamindari with estates unconnected
zamindari with unconnected and and distant
distant
from each other. The Kassimbazar
from family thus
Kassimbazar family thus purchased
purchased some
some
hundreds of estates
estates all over the country.
country. The The Kandi
Kandi zamindari
zamindari
was scattered
was scatteredfromfromAAgra
gra ininthethe west
west to to Noakhali
Noakhali in in the
the east.
east.
The
T he state
state of
of all considerable new
all other considerable new families
families was
was very
very
similar, Under these
similar. Under circumstances,the
these circumstances, the proprietors
proprietors had
had nono
alternative but
alternative but to choose
choose a c3nvenient
convenient city city base
base wherefrom
wherefrom
they could well operate their
could well their remote
remote control
control system.
system.

76. Judges
Judges oof Burdwan, DDacca,
f Burdwan, acca, Jessore
Jessore acd
and Rangpur
Rangpur toto Judicial
Judicia! Secretary,
Secretary,
C. J. P.,
C. P .. 98 July
July 1802,
1802, Q26,
Q 26,Nos.
Nos.26,
26. 45,
45, P147,55,
P !47,55, 53
53, 69,
69, 1147j56
I-14?/56
77. J. Sutherland,
Sutherland, Sketches
Sketches of
o f the
the Relation
RelationSubsisting between the
Subsisting between the British
British
Government
Government and the different native
native States,
3'ates, P14,
P14.
222 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

Frequent local
Frequent resistance to
local resistance to the
the auction-purchasers
auction-purchasers whose whose
possession
possession was was often
often disputed
disputed was was another
another important
im portant factor
factor
for
for absenteesm.
absenteesm. The dispossesseddispossessed zamindars
zamindars in in combination
wiLh thechief
w ith the chiefryots
ryotsapplied
appliedallalltheir
their local
local influence
influence to to beat
beat off
off
the nilamdar
nilaindar or or lotdar
lotdar as as they
they were
were called
calledin in ridicule.
ridicule. Their
fierce resistancetook
fierce resistance tookthe the form
form of endless
endless civil
civil andand criminal
criminal
suits,
suits, of of physical
physical violence,
violence, of of non-cooperation,
non-co operation, and andofofsocial
social
excommunication,” 78 Being
excommunication."18 Being put put into such
such predicaments,
predicaments, the
new purchaser was
new purchaser wasoften
oftenforced
forcedeither
either to
to sell
sell his
his right
right or
or make
make
terms with
terms with thethe oldoldproprietor
proprietor installing
installing him himas asthe
the perpetual
perpetual
leaseholder. In either case
In either casehehe was
was then
then likely
likely to to leave
leave again
again
city. A great many
for the city. many old old proprietors,
proprietors, again,
again, mademade them-
them ­
selves functionallyabsentees
selves functionally absenteesinin the the sense
sense thatthat they,
they, though
though
physicallypresent
physically presenton ontheir
their estates,
estates,abstained
ab5tainedfrom from anyany personal
personal
supervision of
supervision of their
their zamindaris.
zamindaris. From the disgust disgustand and annoyance
annoyance
they
they recived
recived from
from all public and
all public and private
private importunities
importunities underunder
the
the newnew system,
system, theythey found
found"it“ itmore
more safe
safeandandconvenient
convenient to
their estates,
their estates, to to relieve
relieve themselves
themselves and and thus
thusleave
leave thethe onus
onus of
these impositions
these impositions or or duties
duties to be be executed
executed and and undertaken
undertaken by
their representatives, mustageers ,” 79 In the words
representatives, the mustageers."79 words of of
Buchanan,
Buchanan, these theseresident
residentlandlords,
landlords,‘‘never
'never pass
pass thethe threshold
threshold
of their
their doors,
doors, except
except to to assIst
assistatatsome
somereligious
religiousceremony
ceremony and and
are either
are either sunk
sunkininaa miserable
miserable superstition,
superstition, aa preyprey totoreligious
religious
mendicants,and
mendicants, andother
otheridle
idlepersons,
persons,ororare
are totally
totally abandoned
abandoned to
dissipation, and
dissipation, some are
and some are addicted
addicted to both vices.”
vices."80 80
short, the permanent
, In short, permanent settlement,
settlem ent, asas expected
expected by by its
its
authors, did not
authors, did not turn
turn the
the zamindars
zamindars of of Bengal
Bengal into
into landed
landed
entrepreneurs. The T h e zamindars
zamindars faithfully
faithfullypreserved
preservedand andprac-
prac­
tised
tised the Mughal
M ughal pattern
pattern ofofmanagement.
management. TheirTheir traditional
traditional
dependence on
dependence on their
their underlings
underlings rather increased
increased with
with the
the increase
increase
of absenteeism.
absenteeism. If [f they
they formed
formed an
an affluent
affluent class
class at
at the end
end

778.
8. R Carstairs, Human
R.. Carstairs, Nature in
Human Nature in Raral
Raral Bengal,
Bengal, PP. 287-308,
287-308.
79. G .AA,
79. G. . Blake
Blake toto B.
B. 0.
O. R.,
R ., 5 August
August 1827, B .O
1827, B. 0.. R.
R. P.,
P., 16 October,
October,
1827,
1827, N o. 37,
No. 37. Query N o. 5,
Query No. 5, PaO/45,
P80/45,
80. Fian'is
80, Francis Buchanan, Dinjpur, p.251
Buchauan, Dinajpur, P.251
 Expectations and
and Achievements
Achievements 223

of our period,
of period, it was positively
positively not because
because of their capitalistic
capitalistic
enterprise and capital
enterprise and capital investment
investment bnt
but because of the increased
because of increased
population, increased rent, increased prices and and increased
increased
value of Janded
landed property.

Zamindar.Ryot Relations
Zamindar-Ryot
Cornwallis believed
Cornwallis believed th that,
at, since
since the
the prosperity
prosperityof of"zeminclars
“ zemindars
was inextricable
was inextricable boundboundupupwith with [thEthat ofj their
at of] their ryots,
ryots, theythey
could
could notnot but
butbe
belenient
lenientwithwith their
their tenants;
tenants ; andand for
for the
the sake
sake
of their own
of their own interests
interests theythey must
must look
look after
afterthe
thewelfare
welfare of of the
the
ryots under
ryots under them."81
them.’181 The T henoble
nobleman's
man’sbelief
beliefwas
wasbased
based on on
his European experienc.
experienc. Moreover,
Moreover, he he himself
himself was
was anan improving
improving
landlord. ButBut in in the
the context
context of of Bengal
Bengal hishis idea
idea waswas utterly
utterly
utopean. Here
H ere the condrict
conduct of zamindars
zamindars was was notnot regulated
regulated by by
the economic dictumsbut
economic dictums butby
by dictates
dictates ofof their needs
needs andand averice,
averice,
their
their rank
rank and
and status.
status. HisHis rank
rank andand status
status constrained
constrained him him
to live economically.
economically. The The society
society around him expected
around him expected of of himhim
to be
to be generous
generous in spending. As
inspending. As regards expenditure
expenditure at at times
times
of births,
of births, deaths,
deaths, marriages,
marriages, pilgrimage,
pilgrimage,festivals,
festivals,etc.
etc, it was was
aristocratic not to
aristocratic not to count
count thethe cost.
cost. It was again
again aristocratic
aristocratic not not
to inquire into how the money was raised for
to inquire into how the money was raised for his consumption.his consumption.
So long
So vigour of
long vigour of life
life kept
kept them
them lively
lively they
they must
must remain
remain
immersed in
immersed in sensual
sensual pleasures,
pleasures, ceremonies
ceremonies and and consumptions.
But when weakened by
when weakened by age
age they
they tended
tended toto turn
turn into
intomystic
mystic and and
othetworidly
otherworldly to to the
the utmost.
utmost. ThatT hat was
was how
how thethetypical
typical Bengali
Bengali
zamindars ended up up their
theirliven.92
lives.88
In records we find
records we find numerous
numerous letters,
letters, petitions,
petitions,memoranda,
memoranda,
from collectors,
from collectors, judges,
judges, magistrates, missionaries, about the
missionaries, about
zamindari oppressions. But as to
zamindari oppressions. to the
themethods
methods of of oppression
oppression we
we

81. G. G. in c,,
C,, toto C,
C. D,
D ,12
12April
April1790,
1790,General
GeneralRevenue
RevenueLetter
Letter12/4/638,
E/4/638,
also in
also in G
0.. G.
G. in
in C.
C. to C D..D„ 19
19 September
September 17'2.
17*2, General
General Revenue
Revenue Letter
Letter
0,
O ,G.
G.ininC.
C.totoC.C.D.,
D .,6 March
6 March1793, General
1793, Revenue
General RevenueLetter
Letter£14 /52.
E/4/52,
Sec Sirajul
82, See
82. Sirajul Islam
Islam,, “"The
The lif&ty10
lifestyle oof zamindarsinin the
f zamindars the nineteenth
nineteenth century,
century.
Dacca University S'(qdies,vol.
University Studies, 'vol. XXXI,
X I, June 1973.
1973,
 224 Permanent
Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Benghl

got very
got little idea
very little idea from
from those
those evidences.
evidences. The Thakbust
Thakbust andand
Revenue Surveys
Revenue Surreys of of 1850s
]850s revealed
revealed that the zamindar's
zamindar’s process
process
of social
of social control
control and
and exploitations
exploitations was
wasmuchmuchmoremoreoppressive
oppressive
than we
than we thought
thought toto be. Over and
be. Over above the
and above the normal
normal rents
rents the
the
ryots
ryots were
were subjected
subjected to to uncertain
uncertain number
num ber of of illegal
illegal abwabs
abwabs
under various
under various denominations,
denominations,such suchasastahuri,
tahuri, bhet,
bhet,naib
naib nazar,
nazar,
khad
k h o d nnazar, roshan, dakhila
a z a r , roshan, dakhila chanda,
chanda, and and so on.on. Following
was the nature
was nature of of abwabs,
abwabs, prevelent
prevelent in the
the village
village ofof Patuakhali
in Barisal district in 182O.1820s.
Mauza
M auza Patuakhali
Estate TouzL
Estate Touzi No. 4645
Zilla Barisal
Kanungo
Kanungo K Kagajat
a g a ja t
Bundle No.No. 123
123
Nathi
N a t hi No.
No. 7,
7.
Barisal Collectorate
Collectorate Record
Record Room
Room
Khod
K h od nazar or present
present to
to zamindar
zamindar Rs. 44 per
per jarna.
jama.
Naib
N a ib nazar or present
present to the naib
naib Rs.
Rs, 22 per
per jama.
jama.
Tuhuri oror miscellaneous
miscellaneous 1 anna per rupee.
Roshan
Roshan or or charges
charges for light in
for light in the zamindar's house
the zamindar’s house and
and
kacharies1 1anna
kacharies anna per
per kura
kura of
of land,
land,
((Rentoflkura=Rs.
Rent of 1 kura —Ks 5).
5 ).
Bhandari
Bhandari and
and Muhuri,
Muhuri , 12
12 annas
annas per jama.
jama,
Dahhila
Dakhila or or possession
possession charge
charge 22 annas
annas per
per jama,
jama,
Peada
P e ada and
and mridha,
mridha, Rs,
Rs, 33 per
per jama,
jama,
Matbari
M albari or
or charge
charge for
forvillage
village leaders,
leaders, Rs. 1 per jama.
jama.
The amount
The amount of of abwabs
abwabs paid
paid by
by each
each tenant
tenant averaged
averaged of about.
about
one fourth of the
one fourth the actual
actual rent. The The Revenue
Revenue Survey,
Survey.reports
reports
from each
from each revenue
revenue circles in Bengal
circles in Bengal indicate that one
indicate that one fourth
fourth
of the actual
actual rent was the usual rate everywhere.83
everywhere.83 TThe he rabkari
or papers
or challenging the
papers challenging the decisions
decisionsofofthe
the Thakbust
Thakbut andand Revenue
Revenue
surveyors tell us
surveyors tell us that
that the
the practice
practice of
of abwab
abwab exactions
exactions existed
existed

83. Tbe Tbakbust and

TbeTbakbust and Revenue Survey rerports
Revenue Survey rerports are now preserved
are now the
at the
preserved at
district coltectorate in manuscript
collectorate record rooms in manuscript forms.
forma.
 Expectations and Achievements
Achievements 225
from the time
from the time of Warren
W arren Hastings,
Hastings, evenevenbefGre.
before. In In spite
spite of
of
the abolition
the abolition of of all these
these oppressive
oppressive taxes
taxes with
with proper
proper com-
com­
pensations
pensations in in 1790,.
1790, the zanjindars
zamindars never
never stopped
stopped collecting
collecting
these illegal
these illegal cesses. Besides these
cesses. Besides these cesses
cesses toto which
which thethe"ry'ots
ryots
were more
more oror less
less accustomed,
accustomed, the the zamindars
zamindars hadhadoth'er
other devices
devices
extortions. 'No
of extortions, ‘ No marriage
m arriage couldcould take
take place
place without
without thethe
permission and
permission and sanction
sanction of of the
the landlords
landlords andand the
the interference
interference
of
of the
the agents
agents (peadas
(peadas andand mridhas,
m ridhas, etc.)
etc.) who
who conducted
conducted the the
matrimonialaffai
matrimonial affairs
rs ofofthethe tenants
tenants as as they
they liked.
liked. An abwababwab
called "sadiana"
called “ sadiana ” was wasexacted
exacted on on each
each case
case ofof marriage.”
marriage."8' 84 AsAs
the lord
the of his
lord of his area, thethe zamindar
zamindar usedused totomaintain
maintaincut cliery
cutchery
court to try all cases
court cases of offence
offence andand complaint,
complaint, bothboth civil
civil and
and
criminal,
criminal, and finethe
and fine the guilty
guilty persons
persons very heavily and
very heavily and realise
realise
the finge
finge sosoexacted,
exacted,withwithiron
ironhands.85
hands,85Of Ofallall the
the means
means of of
making money the
making money the chanda
chanda or or subscription
subscription system
system was was the
the most
most
portant. By
important.
im this methQd
By this method the zamindars realised large
zamindars realised large sums
of money, and
of money, andititseemed
seemedtotobebethe the chief
chief concern
concern of of them
them to to
invent any means
invent any meanstotodemand
demandchandaclianda from
from their ryots
ryots. On On the
following occasions
following occasionsthe
theryots
ryots were
were required to pay clianda
chanda ;866 :

(i)
(1) If a zamindar
zamindar oror any
any one
one of
of his
his family
family happened
happened to
to go
go
in pilgrimage
pilgrimage ;
(ii) if the sons of the landlord
landlord or
or himself
himself took
took any
any pleasure
pleasure
trip to
to Calcutta,
Calcutta, Dacca
Dacca or any
any distant
distant place
place ;
on the
(iii) on the occasions
occasions of ofmarriage,
marriage,deathdeathand
andfeasting
feasting etc.
etc.
of the zamindars
zamindar *s family
family or
or of
of aa relative
relative of
of his
his ;
(iv) the
the auspicious arrival of
auspicious arrival of the
the zarnindar at the
zamindar at the local
local
cutcheries, etc.
etc.
On
On payment
payment of satisfactory salami, sanad or
satisfactory salami, or patent
patent was
was
issued toto these
issued theseaffluent
affluentryots
ryots who
who sought
sought higher social
social status
status

84,
84, J.
J. C,
C. Jack, Survey and Settlement Opera/Ions
the Survey
Jack, Final Report on the Operations in
in the
Bakarganj District, 1900 1908, Appendi,
1900 to 1908, Appendix p.p. ciii
ciii
85, Ibid.
85, ibid.
ColonelGastrell's
86. Colonel
86, Gastreil'sreport
reportononthe
the operations
operations ooff the
the Revenue
Revenue survey
survey in
io
Dacca,
Dacca. Barisal,
Barisal. and Jessore,
Jessore, 18
18 December
December 1859,
1859, Jessore District Records,
Records,
Jessore Collectorate
lessote C ollectorate Record Room.
R oom .
115—
226 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

in the village
in village society.society. The tenants tenantswho who enjoyed
enjoyedhigherhighersocial
social
status,
status, but but not not on onthe thebasisbasisofofzamindari
zamindarisanads a n a dwere
were required
required
to givegive fines fines occasionally particularly during
occasionally particularly during the the Durga
Durga PujaPuja
and
and Nabanna
Nabanna or or new
new harvest,
harvest, and and failure
failure to this was
to this was dealt dealt
with
with further
further fine, fine, etc. In most most zamindaris
zamindaris tenants
tenants were w ere also
also
required to
required to pay
payaassalamia la m i to tozamindar
zamindar before before they
they usedused aa palan-
palan­
quin, umbrella,
umbrella, shoes, shoes, etc. etc. These feudal charges charges were werecollected
collected
as tokens of of submissions.87
submissions.®7
It may
It may be be asked,
asked, w’hy why did did thethe ryots
ryots submit
submit to to all
allthese
these
oppressions?? Every
oppressions Every zaniindar
zamindar used used to to maintain
maintain an an army
army of
lathials,
l a t h i a l s , pykes,
p y k e s , peadas,
p e a d a s , mridizas.
m r i d h a s , etc. resist internal
etc, to resist internal ris ris­
ings
ings or or external
external attack from the neighbouring neighbouring zamindars.
zamindars.
Tenants were made made d6cile docile and and submissive
submissive by by aa policy
policy of divide
divide
and rule. In order order to to check
check the the possibility
possibility of the tenants being being
combinedagainst
combined against them, them,the the zamindars
zamindarscontrivedcontrivedtoto take take into
their services,
their services, the the mostmost articulate
articulate and and influential
influential tenants,
tenants, as as
ppe3da,
e a d a , mridhas,
m r i d h a s , ssikdars,
i k d a r s , jam
j a m aadars,
d a r s , and
and matbars,
m a tb a r s , etc.
etc. They
were granted the
were granted the best
bestland landofofthe the village
village at at the
the lowest
lowest ratesrates of of
rent, and they were were also also exempted from the payments payments of abwabs a b iv a b s
and
and other
other feudal exactions. In return of these
feudal exactions. theseprivileges
privileges they
were required
required to to render
render blind support support to to all measures
measures of of
zamindars. Through Through the the agency
agency of of these
these privileged
privileged men men thethe
zamindars
zamindars dominated dominatedover averthe the social
social andand private
private affairs
affairs of of their
their
tenants. In In the absence
absence of of any
any leadership
leadership and and orgarlisation
organisation the
poor ryots
poor ryotswere wereforced forcedtotoresign resigntotoththeir fate and
eir fate and survival
survival in in
the
the midst
midst of of servility,
servility, ignorance,
ignorance, fatalism fatalism andand all all attended
attended
superstitions.
In short,
short, whatever
whatever the theorytheory and
and principle
principle of of permanent
permanent
settlement
settlem ent might have been,
might have been, the
th e zamindars
zamindars never
never appreciated
appreciated
the intentions
intentions ofof its authors. Through their
authors. Through their greed,
greed, chicanery
chicanery
and evil
and evil devices
devices the
the whole
whole purpose
purpose of the system
system was was defeated
defeated
and the rights of ryots
and r y o t s were robbed.88 The ryots
were robbed.88 r y o t s were
were thrown
thrown

87. Ibid.
88. Thomas Fortesene's evidence,
Thomas Fortescue’s evidence,1212Appril
Appril1832,
1S32,PP,
.P P. 1831., vol.
. 1831-2, Xl,I ,
vol. X
Q, 2312,
Q.
Expectations and Achievements
Achievements 227

to such
to such aa vicious
vicious circle of subsistence
circle of subsistence economy
economy as would would never
never
enable them
enable them to accumulate
accumulate capital in their
capital in their hands
hands and and rise
rise from
from
the vicious
the vicious life
life ofof poverty
poverty and and ignorance. ' -To To quote Raja
Rammohan,
Rammohan, “"when when graingrain is is abundant,
abundant, and and therefore,
therefore, cheap,
cheap,
they are
they are obliged
obliged to sell their their whole
whole produce
produce to to satisfy
satisfy thethe
demands
demands of oftheir
their landlords,
landlords, and to subsist
and to subsist themselves
themselves by by their
their
own
own labour...
labour...InIn short,
short, such
such isisthe
themelancholy
melancholy of ofagricultural
agricultural
labourers, that
labourers, that itit always
always gives
gives me the greatest
me the greatest painpain toto allude
allude
to it.’’89
t<j it."89 TheT he Governor
Governor General
General Lord Lord Hastings
Hastings recorded
recorded in
1819,
1819, “"Never
Never was there aa measuremeasure conceived
conceived in in aa purer
purer spirit
spirit of
of
generoushumanity
generous humanityand and disinterested
dsinterested justice, than the Plan
justice, than Plan for
the Permanent
the Perm anent Settlement
Settlement in in the
the Lower
LowerProvinces.
Provinces. It It was
was
worthy the
worthy the soul
soul of aa Cornwallis.
Cornwallis. Yet Yet this truely
truely benevolent
benevolent
purpose, fashioned
purpose, fashioned with great care care and deliberation,
deliberation, has, to our our
painful knowledge,
painful knowledge, subjected
subjected almost
almost thethe whole
whole of of the
the Lower
Lower
classesthroughout
classes throughout these these provinces
provinces to mostmost grievous
grievous oppression
oppression
too,
too, soso guranteed
guranteed by by our
our pledge,
pledge, thatthat we
we are unable to relieve relieve
the sufferes."°°
sufferes.” 90 InIn the
the sametone
same tonethe theParliamentary
ParliamentarySelect SelectCommi-
Commi-
tee from the HouseHouse of Commons announced the
Commons announced the complete
complete failure
of the
of the permanent
perm anent settlement.
settlem ent. The Committee reported: "A
Committee reported: “A
great body
body of Evidence
Evidence has has been
been taken
taken on the nature, object object and
and
consequences
consequences of ofthis
this Permanent
Permanent Zemindary
Zemindary Settlement,
Settlement, and and our
Committee cannot
Committee cannot refrain
refrain fromfrom observing
observing that that 'it
it does
does not not
appear
appear to havehave answered
answered the the purposes
purposes for forwhich
which ititwaswas benevo-
benevo­
lently intended by its author,
lently author, Lord
Lord Cornwallis,
Cornwallis, in 179293."D1
1792-93.’’91

89. Raja Rarnmohin

Raja R Roy's
am m ohin R oy’s evidence.
evidence. P. P. 1831. vo 15,
1831. vo 15, Appendix
AppendixKo,'o, 39.
39.
90. Lord Hastings
Lord Hastings Minute, p.P. P.
P, 1831-2, vol. XI, Report,
1831-2, vol. pp. 1V-V.
Report, pp. W-V.
91. Ibid,
Ibid.
 CHAPTER
C EIGHT
HAPTER E IG H T

THE
THE LIFESTYLE
LIFESTYLE OF
OF THE
THE ZAMINDAR
ZAMINDAR CLASS
CLASS

Jt
It was theoretically assumed
was theoretically assumedby
bythe
theauthors
authors of
of the permanent
permanent
settlement
settlem that the
ent that the newnew system
system will will turn
turn the the zamindars
zamindars into into
improvinglandlords
improving landlordsasasththeir counterpartsininEurope.
eir counterparts Europe, But practi-practi­
cally itit never
cally neverhappened.
happened. Why Why?? rt It has been
ben partly
partly explained
explained in in
the preceding chapterwhy
preceding chapter whythe the zamindars
zarnindarsfailedfailed toto turn them-them ­
selves into
selves into improving
improving landlords.
landlords. In In this chapter
chapter aa further
further attempt
shall be mademade to to illustrate
itlustrate the lifestyle
lifestyle ofof the
the zamindars
zamindars in in order
order
to show
show thatthat the feudal values were still too too triumphant
trium phant to to per-
per­
mmit
it them to give give up the the habits
habits of of consumption
consumption for enterprise
enterprise and and
improvement. For
improvement. For our
our treatment
treatment mainly
mainly the
the lifestyle
lifestyle of of the lead-
lead­
ing zamindars
zamindars will will bebe considered
consideredhere. here. The
The paucity
paucity or or absence
absence of
information of
information of all
all landed
landed groups
groups makes
makes itit impossible
impossible to to classify
classify
the zamindars
zamindars into into different
differentsocial social groups
groups on on thethe basis
basis of their
their
origins,
origins, incomes,
incomes, caste
caste andand professions,
professions, and then to look look at their
their
social behaviour,tates
social behaviour, tates andand attitudes
attitudes towards
towards life life as as various
various
social groups. T
social The
he life
life of
of the
the great
greatzarnindars
zamindars certainly
certainly differed
differed
from that
from thatofof their
their inferiors
inferiors with w ith modest
modest incomes.
incomes. Again, Again, it
was also to
was also to be
be expected
expected that the mode mode of of life
life of
of anan established
established
old
old family should differ
family should differininmanymanyrespects
respects from
fromthat that ofof an
an upstart
one. But But whatever
whatever the the differeces
differecesamong amongthemselves
themselvesinin regard
to their
to their origins
origins and
and incomes
incomes and consequent attitudes
and consequent attitudes towards
towards
life, it isis true
true that
that for
for the
the contemporaries
contemporaries they they formed
formed aa reaso-
reaso­
nably homogenous
nably homogenousgroup groupquite quitedistinct
distinctfromfromthe therest
rest of
of thethe
society. The zamindarzamindar class class asas a whole
whole formed
formed the solid solid core of
the society,
society, mainstay
mainstay of its itsreligious
religious and
and cultural.
cu ltu ral.activities
activities andand
backbone of
backbone of the
the local
local committees
committees that that managed
managed the the social
social affairs.
In spite ofofmanymany differences
differences the thesmaller
smallerzamindars
zamindars always always tried
tried
 the
TheLifestyle
Lifestyle of
of the
theZamindár
Zamindar Class
Class 529
29
to im
imitate the lifestyle
itate the lifestyle of
oftheir
th eirsocial
socialsuperiors
superiorsas
astheir
theirmeans
means
permitted them.
them.
A zamindar's attitude to
zamindar’s attitude to money,
money, when
when he hewas
was once
once accepted
accepted
by the established
by the established society,
society, was generally
generally extravagant
extravagant especially
especially
when
when an an occasion called for
occasion called display. At birth,
for display. birth, marriage,
marriage, Orr
shrad/l and
shradh above all
and above Puja, the
all at aa Puja, the Durga
Durga Puja
Puja most
most of
of all,
all, it
it
was aristocratic not to
was aristocratic count the
to count the cost.1
cost.1 A
A man of rank
man of rank must
must
behave likea a man
behave like manofofrank
rank and
and the
the acid
acid test
test was
was expenditure.
expenditure.
His every
His every activity
activity involving
involving expenditure
expenditure was
was to
to be
be marked
marked by
by
aa publicity
publicity which
which served toto emphasise
emphasise and
and enhance
enhancethethe standing
standing
of his
his family.
family.
The chief
The chief annual
annual occasion
occasion ofofdisplay
displaywaswas the
the Durga
Durga PujaPuja
when the
when the keenest
keenest competition
competition was was exhibited
exhibited to see,
see, "who
“ who shall
shall
have the themost
mostsplendid
splendidilluminations,
illuminations, the thechoicest
choicest singers,
singers, the
the
richest viands, the most distinguished guests, and
richest viands, the most distinguished guests, and the greatest the greatest
liberality.” 2 The
fame for liberality."2
fame great Rajas
The great Rajas andand Babus “"had had not
not
the moral
the courage toto think
moral courage think of of abating
abating oneone item
item ofof extra­
extra-
vagance, or or running
running the the hazard
hazard of of being eclipsed in one
being eclipsed
particular, in in the
the approaching
approaching contestcontest : forfor such
such it it truely
truely
is."3 The
is.’’3 The widest
widest gateway
gateway to to social reputation was
social reputation was to entertaiii
entertain
the senior
the senior civil,
civil, judicial
judicialandandmilitary
militaryofficers
officerswho
whowerewere invited
in'ited
in advance
far in lestthey
advance lest theyhadhadthethemisfortune
misfortuneofof having
having no no Eurd-
Euro­
pean to
pean to adorn
adorn their
their houses
houses at all.4 The most splendid feature
at all.4
of the
the celebration
celebration ofof the
theDurga
Durga Puja was the natch or dances
Puja was dances
performed
performed by by the
the professional
professional girls. Most of
girls. Most o these
these natch
natch girls
girl's
were
were Muslims
Muslims and
and came
came from Hindustan. The most celebrated
from Hindustan.
and expensive
and expensive Muslim
Muslim natch
natch girlsgirls whose
whose performance was
frequently displayed toto the
frequently displayed th e Europeans
Europeans were were Niki,
Niki, Ashroom,
Ashroom,
Ninnat,
Ninnat, Faiz Begam Jan, Hingul, Nani, Supajan
Baksh, Begam
Faiz Baksh, Supajañ

1.
1. See,NN.
See, K Sinha,
. K, Sinha,vol.
vol.I II'.
I 1. pp. 954M. Otitho
pp. 95-101. On thebasisbasis of o fthe
the Suprene
Supreme court
records, he has given some
given som case examples
e case exawples as as to
to the
the religious
religious extravagance
extravaganceoof
f
the zamiadars.
zamindars.
2. Friendoffadia,
2, Friend o f India,Editorial,24
Editorial, 24Sept.
Sept.1833,
1833.vol.
vol. 1.1. p.
p. 305,
305, col.
col. 1.
3. Friend ofof India, Editorial.
Editorial.24 24SSptember
eptember1835,
1835,vol.vol.1,I, p.
p. 305,
305, coL
col, I.
1.
4. Calcutta Courier, 6 Oct. 1333,
4. 1833, aalso,
ls o , 10 Oct. 1832,p.p.2.
Oct. 1832, 2.
230 Permanent
Permanent Settlement:
Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

and Baiji
and Baiji Bhai.5
Bhai.5 The Banaras
The Banaras branch
branch of of the famous
famous DuttDutt
family
family ofof Calcutta
Calcuttaperformed
performedDurga DurgaPuja
PujaininBanaras
Banarasinin suchsuch aa
gorgeous style
gorgeous style that
that they
they appointed dozens dozens of of top
top ranking
dancing girls for for aa whole fortnight and entertained the
stream
stream of of visitors by their nonstop
visitors by performance.6 Even
non stop performance.6 Even aa
like Raja
man like
man Raja Ranimohan
Rammohan Roy Roy did
did notnot lag
lag behind with
regard to the pomp
pomp of of life.
life Fanny
Fanny Parkes
Parkes narrated
narrated anan expensive
expensive
party
party given
given byby him.
him. As As she
she recorded
recordedinin herher diary:
diary : "1823,
“ 1823,
May.-The
May.—The otherother evening
evening we went to
we went to a party
party given
given by by Ram
Ram
MohunRoy,
Mohun Roy,aa rich
rich Bengaliee
Bengallee baboo
baboo; the grounds,
; the grounds, which
which areare
extensive,
extensive, were well illuminated»
were well illuminated, andand excellent
excellent fireworks
fireworks disdis­
played. In various
various rooms
rooms of thethe house nach girls
house nach girls were
were dancing
dancing
singing. The style
and singing. style ofof singing was curious ; at times the
singing was curious ; at times the
tunes proceeded finelyfrom
proceeded finely fromtheir
theirnoses
noses;; some
some ofof the
the girls
girls were
were
very pretty ; one
very one of
of the women
women waswas Nickee.
Nickee. the Catalani
Catalan! of the
East.’' 7 The Asiatic
East."7 A siatic Journal
Journal reported
reportedininAugust
August1816 1816 that
that most
most
the landed
of the landed families
familiesinin Calcutta
Calcuttamaintained
maintaineddancing
dancing girls
girls for
entertainment.8
entertainment.8

The maintenance
maintenance of expensive
expensive dancing girls in the the households
households
of zamindars whose
0± zamindars whoseriserisetoto power and consequence
consequence was a recent
phenomenon, was
phenomenon, was a direct imitation of the darbar of
direct imitation of the
established landed aristocracy.9 Most of
aristocracy.9 Most of the
the zamindars
zamindars of
and status held regular darbar
rank and darbar.. The audience
audience was
was composed
of important visitors,
visitors, estate officers, local
estate officers, local gentry,
gentry, priests,
priests,poets,
poets,
pundits, etc. all of whom
pundits, etc. whom customarily
customarily offered
offered some
some presents
presents asas
mark of
a mark of their
their respect and and loyalty
loyalty to
totheir
their masters.
masters. Dance
and music
and musicconstituted
constitutedananimportant
importantpartpartofof that
that darbar
darbar life.
life.
The followingextract
The following extractfrom
froma adescription
descriptionofofthethedarbar
darbar ofof the
the
Raja of
Raja o Nadia
Nadia inin the
the late
late eighteenth
eighteenth century
century byby the
the Raja's
Raja’s court
court

5. See
See Btajendra
Brajendra Nath
N ath Banarji
Banarji (ed.),
(ed.), vol.
vol. I,
I, pp Calcutta Courier,
pp. 465-66, and Calcutta Courier,
6 Oct. 1832.
1832.
6,
6. Mitter
M itter Family at Banaras, Tract
Tract 369369 {(V.V . 0.
O.L.L ),
. ),p.
p. 21.
21.
'I.
7, Fanny parkes,
Parkes, Wanderiags o f aa Pilgrim, vol.
Wanderings of vol. 1,
I, pp. 29-30.
29-30.
8.
8. See, BrajendraNath
See, Brajendra NathBanarji
Baoarji (ed
(edj,
,), vol.
vol. I,I, p, 466.
466.
?,
9, See,
See* Dinesh Chandra
Chandra Sea,
Sen,Glimpses
Glimpses of o f Bengal LIfe,
Life, pp.
pp. 38,
38, 45.
45.
The Lifestyle of
of the Zamindar
Zamindar Class
Class 2à1
231

poet Bharat
Bbarat Chandra
Chandrawouldwouldgive giveananidea
ideaofofthe
the court
court etiquette
etiquette
aristocracy; “"The
of the old aristocracy.: The sepoys
sepoys (soldiers)
(soldiers) 8tood
stood in rows
rows
in the
in the audience
audience hallhail with
with clasped
clasped hands,
hands, with
withshields
shields on
on their
breasts and
breasts and swords
swordshanging
hangingfrom from their
their belts.
belts. The gharials or
officers-incharge
officers-in- charge ofof royal
royalciocks
clocks stood on on either side. Chapdars,
side. Chap dors,
or
or office peons,stood
office peons, stoodinina aline
linewith golden staffs
with golden staffsinin their
theirhands.
hands.
In a prominent
prominent place
place stood
stood the
the arojbegi,
arojbegi,the
theofficer
officer who
who received
received
applicationsand
applications andsubmitted
submittedthem them toto the king.
king. The Bhats, or
the court minstrels, sang
court minstrels, sang His
His Majesty's
Majesty’s praises,
praises, thethe Masahibs
Masahibs
or the court parasites, were
court parasites, were allall there. TheThe latter
latterwatched
watched the
mood of
mood of their royal
royal patron. There There were
were thethe Munshis,
Munshis, the
the
Baxis, the
Baxis, the physicians,
physicians, the
the Kazis
Kazis or
or the magistrates, the
the Kanungos
Kanungos
or the surveyors
surveyors and others whom
whom thethe king
kingallowed
allowed access
access to his
court. The musicians with the
musicians with the Rarab, the Ta?nmura,
Tammura, the Vina,
V ina,
the
the Mridanga
M ridanga and
and other
other instruments
instruments had had aa place
place reserved
reserved
for them."1°
them.” 10
In many
In many darbars
darbars there
there were
were also
also male
male dancers
dancers performed
performed
along
along with
with their
their female
female partners'1 atmosphereinin the
partners11 The atmosphere
dancing hail was
dancing hall was always
always rigidly
rigidly formal,
formal, Any
Any loud
loud laughter,
laughter,
talk or display of jubilation
display of jubilation was
was considered
considered as
as serious
serious violation
violation
of the
of daxbar etiquette. So grave an atmosphere
the daibar atmosphere at at the
the time
time of
of
music
music and
and dance
dance was was a strange
strange phenomenon
phenomenon for for the
the invited
invited
European guests. An
European guests. An anonymous
anonymous English poet wrote
English poet wrote about
about
the scene
scene in the dancing
dancing hall inin the
thefollowing
followingwords:12
words:13

"native
“native grandee thinks
thinks of
of songs
songs and
and dancing
dancing
But as amusement
amusement to to be
be heard
heard and seen;
seen;
He'd
He’d be
be be.boormutted
be-boormutted who came in in prancing,
prancing,
and roaring out a persian
and persian stave, I ween.
ween.
Grave looks
Grave looks and
and solemn
solemn carriage
carriage isis the
the screen,

10. Translated by
Translated by and
and quoted
quoted in.
in, Dinesh
D ioesh Chandra
Chandra Sen.
Sen, pp.
pp. 45-46.
45-46.
11. Nadia
Nadia Coflector to B.
Collector to B. 0.O R.,
. R 19 April
,, 29 1817,
April 1817,B.B.R.R.C.,
C.,2727June
June1817,
1817,
No.4.
N o . 4.
12. Bengal Harkuru, 22 Aug.
Bengal Harkuru, Aug. 1822,
1822, “"india",
India” ,Stanza
Stanza19.
19.
232 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

many a merry thought and

To many and droll
droll conception,
conception,
intrigues,
Intrigues, collusions,
collusions, heart burningburning andand spleen,
spleen,
That playplay within—
within-they they an
an unguarded
unguarded step step shun,
shun,
And all
And all without is merely flummeryflummery and,and deception."
deception.’’
Religion provided
Religion provided the the great
great occasions
occasions forfor extravagance
extravagance and and
the prestige
prestige of ofaafamily
family in in the
the eyes
eyes of c>fthe
thesociety
society increased
increased or
decreased according to
decreased according to the amount of of money
money spent upon upon religious
religious
ceremony. According to N. N. K.
K. Sinha, “Gangagobind Singh
Sinha, "Gangagobind
spent 15 15 lakhs on the occasionoccasion of of his
his mother’s sradh. Nobkissen
mother's sradh.
spent 99 lakhs
lakhs on on aa similar
similar occasion.”
occasion:'13 Maharaja Nabakrishna
18 Maharaja Nabakrishna
wrote
wrote in in his
his will:
will: "I
“I direct
direct and
and order
order that
thatmymysonson Raja
Raja Rajkissen
Rajkissen
shall erect or cause cause a pagoda to be erected and and built
built in
in Sootanoty
Sootanoty
or neartotothe
or near the house
houseI Inow nowinhabit
inhabit andandthat
that he he shall
shall laylayout
out
and spend on
and spend onthethe erecting
erectingor orbuilding
building thethe same
same aasum sumofof58,000
50,000
rupees.
rupees. My My sonson Raja
Raja Rajkissen
Rajkissen and hisheirs
and his heirs shall
shall constantly
constantly
furnish
furnish and and supply
supply to to mymy four thakoors (idols
four thakoors ( idols )-Salgrarn,
) —Salgram,
Gopeenath, Gobinda
Gopeenath, Gobirtdaand andMadangopal
Madangopal and and the Thakuranis
Thakuranis of of the
said
said Gopeenath,
Gopeenath, GobindaGobinda and Madangopal-
Madangopal —all all the expenses,
expenses,
money and
money and property
property for for keeping the usual usual and
and accustomed
accustomed pooja pooja
((worship)
worship ) in ia the
the same
samemanner
manner in in which
which they were were keptkept in mymy
life time.’
life time.'1' 14Mohini
MohiniMohan Mohan Tagore
Tagore similarly
similarly wrote
wrote in his his will:
will:
"You
“ You will perform the
will perform the services
services of of my
my paternal
paternal idol
idol according
according to
my share.
my 30,000 rupees
share, 30,000 rupees are set set apart
apart with
with thetheinterest
interest ofof
which you
which you will perform that service,
will perform service. You You willwill cause
cause the the
.Bhagbat to
Bhagbat to bebe read
read onceonce forforme meforforRs.
Rs.500/-,
500/-,Mahabharat
Mahabharat
Rs. 1500/-,
1500/·, Rainayan
Ramayan Rs. 500/-. 500/-. Establish the
Establish the worship
worship of of 1212
shivas
shivas andand images
images of Thakur Thakur and and Thakurani
Thakurani Rs. Rs.30,000/-.
30,000/-.
After the
After the images
images are are installed,
installed, makemake an endowment
endowment of of Rs.
Rs.
30,000 to feed persons, lay out Rs, 3,000/-for
30,000 to feed persons, lay out Rs. 3,000/-for digging a tank.” 15digging a tank."5

13. N.
N . K.
K. Sinha,
Sinha, vol.
vol. 111, p. 98.
I l l , p. 98.
14. Maharaja Seebkisro
Maharaja SeebkisroBahadur
Bahadur vs. vs. RKisto
isto Chunder
Chunder Ghosh,
G hosh, Apri 1833
April, 1835
quoted
quoted in N.
N . K.
K , Sinha, vol. III,
Ill, p,
p, 97.
97.
15. Connylol Tagore and another vs. Ladleytnohan
Connylol Tagore Tagore and
Ladleymohan Tagore and another,
another j 1828
1828
quoted in N.
N . K.
K . Sioha,
Siiha, vol.
vol. lii,
Hi, pp.
PP. 97-98.
97-98.
The Lifestyle
Lifestyle of
ofThe
the .Zamindar
Zamindar Class 23
233
The contemporary
contemporary newspapers
newspapers and and periodicals
periodicals widely
widely reported
reported
how the
how the wealthy
wealthy aristocrats
aristocrats werewere vying
vying withwith each
each other
other in in
reckless spending
reckless spendinginin thethe name
name of of religion.
religion. The shradh shradh of
the wife
the wife of of Raja
Raja Gopimohan
Gopimohan Deb Deb of ofSobha
Sobha Bazar
Bazar was was so so
gorgeously performed
gorgeously performedthatthat tens
tens ofof thousands
thousands of of poor
poorpeople
people andand
Brahmins received
Brahmins received cash
cash presents
presents fromfrom the theRaja
Rajaandand such
such was
the rush
the rush when
when money
money was was distributed
distributed that fourteenfourteen men were
trampled
trampled to to death
death andand aagreat
greatmany manyothers
otherswerewereinjured
injured inin
spite
spite of of the
the fact
factthat
thatmagistrates
magistratesand andthetheRaja's
Raja’s officers
officers had
had
taken special
taken special precaution to avoid such incidents.18 The
Serampur based
Serampur based Samachar
Samachar Darpan
Darpan elaborately
elaborately reported
reported these
these
Hindu
Hindu shradhs
shradhs including
including thethe massive
massive amount
amount of moneymoney spent.
In the shradh of Gopimohan
Gopimohan TagoreTagore aboutabout three lakhs
lakhs of rupees
were spent.17
spent.17 More More than
than twotwo lakhs
lakhs of ofpeople
people attended
attended his his
shradh and they were were accommodated
accommodated in in aa hundred and and six
six houses
houses
till their final
final departure with
with presents
presents for for all.18
all.18
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage to to holy
holy places
places waswas another
another wide outlet outlet for
expenditure. No No zamindar
zamindar of of any
anysocial
socialstanding
standingcould
could avoid
avoid
social criticism if he failed failed to to visit
visit the
the holy shrinesshrines at
least
least once
once every
every two
two or three
three years.
years. It was such aa common common
practice that
practice that many
many zamindars purposely left
zamindars purposely left their
their homes
homes in
order
order to to avoid
avoid payment
payment ofofrevenue.18
revenue.19 When they moved moved out
for genuine
for genuine pilgrimage
pilgrimage itit was was cubtomary
customary to to take
take thethe entire
entire
household with
household with them. For instance,
them. For instance, the Kandi
Kandi zamindar of
zaniindar of
Murshidabadwhen
Murshidabad when he he proceeded
proceeded toto Gaya Gaya and and Kasi
Kasi in in July
July
1822 was
1822 wasaccompanied
accompaniedbybysome someseven
sevenororeight
eight hundred
hundred family
family
members, relations,
members, relations, private
private tutors,
tutors, priests, pundits, friends,

16. The Bengal Hurkaru

The Bengal Flurkarn and
and Chronicle,
Chronicle, 29
29 Jaouary
January 1833,
1833,p,p. 3,
3, co
cot,
l. 3,
3,
17, The Samachar
The SamacharDarpan,
Darpan,2424Oct,
Oct.1818
1818, ,see
seeBrajendar
BiajendarNNath Banarji ((ed.
ath Banarji ed. ),),
vol. I.
1, p.
p, 294.
294.
18.
18. The Samachar
Sarnachar Darpan,
Darpan, 24 l e l S , See,
24 October 1818k B. N.
See, B. N . Banarji
Banarji (ed,),
(ed.), vol.
vol. I.
p.
P . 294.
294,
19.
19, II. O.
Π. 0. R,
R. tn
to G.
G . G.
G. in
in C.
C. 11 11 April
11 April 1794.
1794, B. 0.
O.R.R.P. Λ1111April
April1794,
1794,
Nos
N os 30.
30. 34,
34. p72/29
P72/29
 234 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

estate officers
estate officers and
and Baisnava
Baisnava singers,
singers,accommodated
accommodated in
in twenty
twenty
eight luxury boats.2°
boats.20
To build
build temples,
temples, ghats,
ghats, tanks,
tanks,alms-houses,
alms-houses, and
and to
to live
live in
Ban aresoror in
Ban ares in other
other holy
holy places
places during
during one's
one’s old
oldage,
age, were
were
other features
other features ofof the
the religious
religious behaviour
behaviour of
of the
thezamindars.
zamindars.
In
In the
the following
following words,
words, N.N. K.
K. Sinha
Sinha has rightly described
has rightly described
the
the minds
minds of thethe wealthy
wealthy Hindus,
Hindus, especially of the
especially' of the banians
banians
of that
of “ Almost all banians could
that time. "Almost be regarded
could be regarded as as
upstarts but but sosooverwhelming
overwhelming was was the
the Hindu
Hindu religiou8
religious tradition
tradition
that every
that every oneone felt
felt aa natural
natural yearnig,
yearnig, asas he
hegrew
grew inin years,
years,
to earmark
to earmark or or to spend
spend aa veryvery considerable portion porticn of of his
his
accumulated wealth on religion and
accumulated and charity.
charity. The overwhelming
overwhelming
tradition was
Hindu tradition was that
that all
all great
great accumulations
accumulations were were forfor
subsequent
subsequent distribution.
distribution. The greedy greedy astute
astute banian,
banian, as he grewgrew
in years,
years, waswas no no longer
longer thetheeconomic
economicman. man.There
Therewas
wasnow now aa
mellow serenity about him,
mellow serenity calculations, vanity,
Enterprise, calculations,
him. Enterprise,
greed, ambition,
greed, ambition, parsimony
parsimony werewere suddenly
suddenly replaced
replaced byby aa religious
urge."21
urge,” 21 ToTo cite some typical
typical examples
examples maymay not be out of place
here. Krishna
here, Krishna Chandra
Chandra Sinha
Sinha grandson
grandson of the famous
famous Ganga
Ganga
Gobinda Sinha,
Gobinda Sinha, made
madeaalarge
large fortune by his his astute
astute business
business deals
with the
the Europeans
Europeans and and built
built up
up aa large
large but scattered
scattered zamindari
zamindari
stretching
stretching from from Noakhali
Noakhaliinin the the East
East to Agra in the
to Agra the West.
West.
But graduallyhe
But gradually hebegan
begantoto lose
lose interest
interest in worldly
worldly affairs.
affairs. In
the end
end hehe forsook
forsookthe the zamindari
zamindari that that he
he had
had bult
bultupupso so stre-
stre-
nously
nously andand turned into a Baishnabh
Baishnabh Bhikhari
B hikhari ororbegger
begger residing
residing
permanently in
permanently in Brindaban
Brindabantill till his
his death
death in
in 1820.22
1820.28 Kalisankar
Roy, the
Roy, the founder
founder of the NarailNarail family
family ofof Jessore
Jessore started
started his
career as as aalathial
lathialororclub-man.23
clubm an.23 It has been been stid
said earlier
earlier that
that
his intrigues
his intrigues and and defalcations
defalcations were were partly
partly responsible
responsible for for the
the

20.
20. Samachar Darpan.
Sainacliar Darpan. 66 July
July 1822, quoted inin Brajendra
1822, quoted Brajendra Math
Nath Banarji
Banarji (ed
( ed )
vol.
vol. 1,
1, p.
p. 265.
265.
21. N. K. Sinha,
Sinha, vol.
vol. lIT,
IIT, pp. 95-6.
pp. 95-6.

Krisbna Chandra's
22. Krishna Chandra's will,
will, BB.R.C.,
.R .C ., 25
25 April 1820,
1820, Nos,
N os, 8 - 10, P5833.
10, P58/33.
23. James
James Westland,
Westland, p.
p. 78.
78.
The Lifestyle
Lifestyle of
of the
the Zamindar
Zamindar Class
Class 25
235

break-up of
of the
the Rajshahi
Rajshahi Raj.
Raj. But
But when
when he
hegrew
grewold
oldhe
hebecame
became
so dgvout
so devout that
that he
he repaired
repaired all the
the decaying
decaying temples
temples formerly
formerly
built
built by
by Rani
Rani Bhavani of Rajshahi.2*
Bhavani of Rajshahi.2' About
About his piety'in
piety4n his
his
old age the Chandrika reported
reported:: "We
“ Wehave
haveheardthátKalisan-
heard that KaHsan-
kar Roy lived a long life of eighty eight-years. His
Hisfirst
firstseventy
seventy
three years
years were
were spent
spent in
in accumulation
accumulation of immense
immense wealth which
which
is mauifeted
is manifested in in hishisacquisition
acquisition of of aa vast
vast zamindari.
zamindari. At At the
the
end
end ofof his
his life
life he
he entirely retired
retired from
from worldly
worldlylife life and
and settled
settled
in Banares where he died died in 1835 after fifteen years of constant constant
prayer and
prayer and distribution
distribution of of alms.”
alms."25 28 Joynarayan Ghoshal, as
Joynarayan Ghoshal, as a
merchant
merchant and andbanian,
banian, acquired
acquired great
great landed
landed property
property in Chitta-
Chitta­
gong,
gong, Bakarganj
Bakarganj and and Banares,
Banares, But But with
with the approach
approach of of old
old
age
age hehe lost
lost all
all interest
interest ininworldly
worldly affairs
affairs and putting his
and putting his scn
sen
Krishna Chandra
Krishna Chandra Ghoshal
Ghoshalinincharge
chargeof ofhis
hiszamindari,
zamindari, he he retired
to Baiiares.2°
Banares.20 He wrote wrote in an anintroduction
introduction to to one
one ofof his
his books
books :
"The
“ The prime
prime of of my
my life was spent spent in inworldly
worldly affairs.
affairs. Sickness
began
began at the end endof ofmy
my middle
middle age.age. After fifty,fifty, decline
decline of of my
my
and health started. Then
body and
body Then fearfear of death
death penetrated
penetrated into into
my mind. I was thinking thinking howhow to achieve
achieve salvation.
salvation. For some some­
time I moved
moved from temple to temple in Banares Banares in in search
search ofof God.
God.
At last I got thethe scent
scent of
of Krishna.
Krishna. I Ideveloped
developedlove loveforforHim
Him and and
now
now II see
see nothing
nothing butbut Krishna.”
Krisbna.'
Such other worldly
Such other worldlyattitudes
attitudesafterafter achieving
achievingsuccess
successwere were to
be found
be found among
among most most of thethe new
new families.
families. It ft is difficult
difficult to saysay
whether
whether theythey adopted
adopted such
such an an attitude
attitude in in Lnitation
imitation of of the
the old
old
established familie8, most
established families, most of ofwhom
whomwere wereimmersed
immersed in in religious
religious
About the habits
bigotry. About habits ofof the
the old
old established landedlanded families
families
Buchanan wrote :; "A
Francis Buchanan “A great
great part
part of
of them nevernever pass
pass the
threshold
threshold of oftheir
theirdoors,
doors, except
except to to assist
assist atat some
some religious
religious cere
cere­

24.
24, Samachar Darpan,
Samacbar Darpan, 10
10 April
April 1824,
1824, quoted
quoted in
in l3rajendra
Brajendra Nath
Nath Uanrrj
Banrrj (ed.)
vol. J,
vu!, I, p.
p. 316.
316.
25.
25, Chandrika, 14
Chandrika, 14 February 1835, Jlrajendra
February 1835, Nath Banarji
Brajendra Nath Banarji (ed.
{ ed. ),
), vol.
IT, pp. 451-2.
IT, 451-2.
26.
26, Tracsldted from
Tracsldted from an extract of
o f "Karunanidhan Bilash” quoted in
‘•Karunaoidhan13i!ash" in Brajen-
Brajen­
dra Nath B3narji
Banarji (ad.),
(ed.), vol,
vol, &,p,433.
8 , p.433.
236 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in l3engal
Bengal

mony,
mony, and areare either
either sunk
sunk inin aa miserable
miserable superstition,
superstition, aa prey
prey
to religious
to religious mendicants,
mendicants, andandother
other idle
idle persons,
persons, or or are
are totally
totally
abandoned
abandoned to dissipation;
dissipation; and and some
some are addicted to both
are addicted
The name
vices."27 The
vices.’’27 name ofof the
the Rani
Rani bhavani
Bhavani of- of Rajshahi
Rajshahi became
became
a household wordinin Bengal
household word Bengal for
for her
her munificent activities. Her
munificent activities.
son Raja
Raja Rain
Ram Krishna
Krishnawaswaslikewise
likewise known
known as as the
the Raja
Raja saint
saint of
of
Bengal for his
Bengal for his whole
whole hearted devotion
devotion toto religious
religious causes.28
causes.28 He
was
was aa devotee
devoteeofofthe
theSakti
Sakticult
cult and
and composed spirituI songs.
composed spiritual songs.
The following extract from
following extract fromone
oneofof his
hissongs
songs would
would indicate
indicate his
attitude towards
towards life.
life. He sang :

"If only my mind

“If can reach
mind can reach realisation,
realisation,
you may do
you may dowith
withme
mewhatever
whatever youyouwill
will;; no
no
matter if you place-me on a band
place me on band ofof sand,
sand.
Only recite
Only recite the
the name
name of
of the
the divine
divine Mother
in my ears. -This
This body of mine is so difficult
difficult
to control; it yields
to control ; it yields to passion. 0 Bhola,
passion, O Bhola,
my guide,
my guide, bring
bring me
memymyrosary
rosary;; I shall
shall throw
- - -
- it into the Ganges,
Ganges, no more formality."20
formality.” 29

The mother
The and wife
mother and Raja Girish
wife of Raja Girish Chandra
Chandra Roy of Nadia Nadia
narrated that the
narrated that the Raja
Raja hadhad "devoted
“devoted himself
himself since
since hehe came
came ofof
age to
age to the
the most austere
austere performance
performance of of his
his religious
religious rites
rites and
and
being
being aa Brahmin
Brabmin of of the
the highest
highest degree
degree his his chief
chief time
timehashasbeen
been
spent in
spent in religious stuti without
religious stuti without respect
respect to to worldly
worldly affairs..."3°
affairs...” 80
Raja
Raja Banikanta
Banikanta Roy Roy of
of Jessore
Jessore was
was soso.much
much under
under the the influence
influence
of the
of the religious mendicants that
religious mendicants that he
he granted taluqas to
granted taiu-qas to them
them
without considering
without consideringhis hisown
ownfate
fateasasa aresult
resultofof alienating
alienating much
much
of his lands.31

27. Francis Buchanan,

Francis Buchanan, T)iaapur, p25l.
Dinapur, P.251.
28,
28. Sen, History of
Dinesh Chandra Sen, o f Bengali Language and Literature,
Language and Literature, p.
p, 721.
721.
29. ibId.,
Ibid.. pp.
pp. 721-2.
721-2.
30. B. R. C. 15 January 1814
C. 15 January 1814 N
No, 25, P.
o, 25. P . 56/12.
56/12.
31. Or R. P. 19
See B. 0,. Nov,
19 N 1827,.No,
ov, 1827 ,-N o , 8,
8, P80/47.
P80/47. .
- -
 The Lifestyle
Lifestyle of
of the
the Zamindar
Zamindar Class
Class 237

Births and
Births and marriages
marriages were marked in the thearistocratic
aristocraticcircles
circles
by a publicity
by publicity which
which served
served toto emphasize
emphasize and and enhance
enhance the the
standing
standing of of the
the family.
family. The usual usual practice,
practice, whenwhen aa successor
successor
was born,
was born, was
was toto.entertain
entertainthethe neighbouring
neighbotiring members membersof of the
the
aristocracy, distribute food
aristocracy, distribute food and
and money
money among among the the Brahmins
Brahmins
and poor and
and poor andtoto arrange
arrange aa performance
performance by bythe
the dancing
dancing girls32
girls.32
But
But the
the greatest
greatest publicity
publicity through
throughextravagant
extravagantexpenditure
expenditure
was reserved for
was reserved for the
the occasion
occasion of marriage. The marriage
of aa marriage. marriage of of
of Raja
Raja Harinath
Harinath Roy of of Kassimbazar,
Kassimbazar, for for example,
example, was was con-con­
tinuously celebrated
tinuously celebrated forfor fifteen
fifteen days,
days,during
duringthe the course
course of of which
which
more than two
more than two lakhs
lakhs of
of rupees
rupees were
were spent.33
spent.83 From From the prin-prin­
cipal tenantry
cipal tenantry of of the
the zarnindari
zamindari to to the
the Governor
Governor General
General and and
Nawabof
the Nawab ofMurshidabad,
Murshidabad, all all were
were invited
invitedtotoattend
attend the cere-
cere­
inonyon
mony on various
various days
days fixed
fixed for eacheach category
category of ofinvitees.34
invitees.34
Hundreds
Hundreds and and thousands
thousands of of people
peoplethronged
thronged toto look look at at the
the
adjuncts of
adjuncts of the
the ceremony,
ceremony, such as horse
such as horse and elephant
elephant shows,
shows,
partes, two
band parties, twoand
acd aahalf
halfmiles
miles long
long fence
fence ofof fireworks,
fireworks, dances
dances
and songs,
and songs, drama, comicscomics and caricatures.36 After desôribing
and caricatures.35 describing
all the scenes
scenes the Sarnachar Darpan commented, “'Jt
Samachar Darpan It would not
have been
have wonder if Raja
been aa wonder Raja Harinath
Harinath had had spent
spent muchmuch more,more,
because one
because one must
mustnot not forget that he
forget that he is
is the
the grandson
grandson of of Kantu
Kantu
Babu,"3°
Babu.” 86
The Durga
The Durga puja,
puja, births,
births, marriages
marriages and and deaths
deaths were were thusthus
the principal
principal occasions
occasions when when the
the zamindars
zamindars vied vied with
with eacheach
other inin spending
other spending money
moneyand andtried
triedtoto make
make people
people marvel
marvel at
their wealth
wealth andand bounties.
bounties.

33',
’. See, Brajendra
See, Brajendra Nath
Nath Banarji
llanarji (ed,),
(ed ,), vol.
vol. 1,
1. pp.
pp. 217,
217, 221.
221.
33. Samachar Darpan. 27
Sainachar Darpais. 1819 ; see,
27 March 1819 see, Brajendra
Brajendra Nath
Nath Banarji
Banarji (ed),
(ed ),
vol. 1. pp. 267-8.
vol.
34, Ibid. p.
Ibid, p. 268.
26 8.
15.
35. Samachar Darpan,227
Samachar Darpan, 7 MMitch
ir c h 1819; BariendraNath
1819; see, Barieodra Nth Baoa
Baajiji (ed
(ed ),
),
vol. 1,
1. p. 268.
268.
36, Ibid., p. 269.
269. ForFar more
more instance
instance oof
f similar kind, see
similar kind, see Brajeodra
Brajendra Nath
Nath
Banarji (ed
Banarji (ed,)vol,
,),v o l.1,1,pp.
pp.266-275.
266-275.
233
238 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

It was considered both unsafe

considered both unsafe and
and unaristocratic
unaristocratic to keepkeep the
family-mansions
family unguardedorortoto move
mansions unguarded move out alone,
alone. Rajshing,
an old
an old zainindar
zamindar of Pargana
Pargana Susang
Susang in in Mymensing
Mymensing paying
government revenueofofabout
government revenue about thirty
thirty thousand
thousand rupees,
rupees, kept
kept one
one
hundred
hundred xnatchlockmen
matehlockmen and and numerous
numerous other
other armed
armed guards
guards and
and
when he
when he moved
moved out he was attended by
was attended by his
his officers
officers and
and friends
friends
in palanquin
palanquin or or on
on horseback
horseback and
and was
was guarded
guarded by by about
about twenty
twenty
five matchlockmen.37
five matehlockmen.37 Bhabindranarayan
Bhabindranarayan Chowdhury.
Chowdhury. an an old-
old
zamindar with
zamindar annas share
with a 5J annas share of
of Pargana
Pergana Lashkarpur
Lashkarptir in in
Rajshahi kept
Rajshahi kept more
more than oneone hundred men menarmed
armedwith,
with swords,
swords,
shields and
shields and inatchlocks.38
matchlocks.38 The The greatest part of them
greatest part them were.
were
employed
employed in in guarding
guardinghishisfamily
familymansions
mansionsand andabout
about fifteen
fifteen ofof
them attended
attended him
him abroad.39
abroad.39 - -

The aristocratic custom of

aristocratic custom of keeping
keeping armed
armed guards was quickly
quickly
borrowed by the new aspirants to
borrowed to social
social status. Shambhuchandra
Shambhuchandra -
Pal and
and Krishnachandra
Krishnachandra Pal, Pal, the
thetwo
twofounding
foundingbrothers
brothers ofof the
the -
Ranaghat family of Nadia, asg has has been
been stated
stated before,
before, were
were men
men
of bumbul birth. But
humbul birth. But when
when they
theybecame
becamewealthy
wealthyzamindars
zamindars-
they adopted the stately mode mode of life
life of
of an
an established
established aristocrat.
aristocrat.
Each
Each ofof the brothers maintained
maintained about fiftyfifty armed
armed guards,
guards, about
about
half of
half of whom
whomattended
attendeduponuponthem
themwhen whenthey
they came
came out of their
their
mansions.40 The
mansions,40 The palace
palace ofof Rajendra Mitter, another another newnew
zamindar
zamindar fromfrom Calcutta,
Calcutta, waswas encircled
encircled by by aa regular
regular setset of
of
sentinels, with muskets
sentinels, muskets and fixed bayonets. Besides, he
maintained aa big
maintained big set
set of
of drummers
drummers and and pipers
pipers toto play
play at
at particular
intervals every
intervals every day
day inin royal
royal style.4'
style.41 He always moved moved out out in
a silver tanjam
tanjarn (( a sort of
a sort of palanquin
palanquin resembling
resembling a buggy,
buggy, withwith

37.
37, Dacca Provincial Court
Court of
o f Circuit,
Circuit,99June
June1801,
1801, C.
C..1.
/ . P.,
P., 88July
July 1802,
1802, No.
No,
26. Interrogatory
26. Interrogatory 26,
26, p147155.
P147/55.
38,
38. Rajshahi JudgetotoJudicia/
Rajshahi Judge JudicialDepartment,
Department,1010April
April 1802,
1802, C.
C J,
J. P.,
P., 88 July
July
1802, NNo.
1802, 65, Interrogatory
o, 65. Interrogatory 26.
26, p147/56.
P147/56.
39. Ibid
Ibid
40. Nadia Judge
Nadia Judge toto Judicial
Judicial Department*
Department' 16 16 June 102,
1802,C.C.
.1.J.P.P.8 8July
July1302,
1802,
No.
N o, 65. Interrogatory
Interrogatory 26,26, P147/56.
P147/56. -

41.
41. Au account of
An o f Mitter
Mitter family,
family, p.
p. 20,
20, Tract
Tract 369.
369.
The Lifestyle
Lifestyle of
of the
the Zamindar
Zamindar Class
Class 239
poles borne
poles borne on
on the
the shoulders
shoulders of
of bearers) accompanied by
bearers ) accompanied
numerous bodyguards armed
numerous bodyguards armed with
withgold
gold and
and silver sticks,
sticks, swords
swords
spears.4·2
and spears.42
There isis no
There no statistical
statistical data
data indicating the expense
indicating the expense towards
towards
the maintenance of armed guards. The Raja
Raja of
of Nadia
Nadia granted
granted
them rent-free
them chaheran-landsA 3 The
rent-free lands called chakeran-lands.43 The other
other
zamindars probably followed
zamindars probably followedthethe same
same principle
principle of
of payment.
payment.
But their
But their visits
visits abroad
abroad seemed
seemed totoentail
entailgreat
greatexpense.
expense. On
such occasions
such they were
occasions they were invariably
invariably accompanied
accompanied byby aa crowd
crowd
of family
of family members,
members, officers,
officers, friends and flatterers
flaUerers whose
maintenance involvedaa huge
maintenance involved huge expenditure. The Raja
expenditure. The Raja of
of Nadia
Nadia
for example,
for example, paid
paid a visit
visit to
to the
theGovernor
Governor General
General in in 1814
1814
when he had practically no
when no zamindar
zamindar to to boast of . But
boast oL But so so many
many
friends, family
friends, family members
membersand andother
other armed
armed Gvards
Gvards accompanied
accompanied
him to uphold
him uphold his
his rank
rank and status that he
and status he had
had to sell
pargana Modarsa,
pargana Modarsa, one
one of
of his
hislast
last remaining
remainingestates,
estates, in
in order
order to
raise the cost of his stately travel.44
travel.44
A zamindar’s
A zamindar's family
family was wide
wide in in extent,
extent, embracing
embracing several
several
generations and degrees
degrees of cousinhood. The inner family
ofcousinhood. family lived
lived
on the
on the incomes
incomes ofofthethe estate
estate and
and the the estate
estate was
was expected
expected to to
succour the distant members of the
succour the distant members of the family. family In 1799, Graham,
a member
member of of the Board
Board of Revenue, was in infavour
favour ofof abolishing
abolishing
the
the practice
practice ofof selling
selling defaulting
defaulting zamindars'
zamindars’ estates
estates onon thethe
humanitarian ground
humanitarian ground that
that every
every landed
landed family
familyhad hadnumerous
numerous
dependentswho
dependents whoatatonce
onceturned
turned into
into beggars
beggars with
with the salesale of
of
their patron's
patron’s property.45
property.46 The religious
religious and
and social
social obligation
obligation
to support their
to support their kith
kith and
and kin,
kin,including
including thethefamilies
families of of their
their

42. An account
An accouut ooff Mitter
M itter family,
family, p,
p. 20,
20, Tract
Tract 369,
369.
43.
43, Nadia Collector
Nadia Collector to
to B,
B, 0.
O. R,,
R „29
29April
April 1817.
18!?. B. R,C,,
R ,C „ 27
27 June
June 1817. No.4.
1817, No. 4.
44. Kartilc
Kartik Chandra
Chandra Roy,
R oy, Khiilsh
Khitish Banshabatli
Banshaballl Charita (The
(The Story
Story of
o f the Nadia
Nadia
p. 172,
R a j l , p. 172, Tract
Tract Ben.
Ben. 1855.
1855. In the
the introduction
introduction of
o f the
the book,
book, the
the
author says
author says that
that he
he and
and his
his ancestors
ancestorswere
werethe
thePrincipal
Principal officers
o1icers oof
f the
Raja of
o f Nadia.
Nadia.
4,
45, B.
B. R C ,, Graham's
R.. C,, Graham’s Minute,
Minute,2.9
29 August
August 1799,
1799, No,
N o. 55,P5414.
P54/4.
240 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
slaves, ixnpc redaagreet
impcsed grrt burden
burden on
on the
the exchequer
exchequer ofofaazamindar.-
zamindar.-
The Raja of Birbhum
Raja of Bjrbhnni had
had about
about four hundred
hundred family
family members
members
on the roll of his regular
regularmonthly
monthly allowances.46
allowances.48 However,
However, very
very
few zamindars
few zamindars employed
employed their
their own
ownrelations
relationsininthe
thezamindari
zamindari
services farmers, renters, collectors
services as farmers, collectors oror clerical
clerical officers..
Europeans like.G.
Europeans like. G.A.A.Blake,
Blake,who
who was
was an
an indigo
indigo planter
planter in
in
Purniafor
Purnia forabout
about twenty
twenty years
years from
from 1788
1788 believed
believed that such.
such
exclusion of
exclusion of relations
relations from
from the offices of the zaniindari
offices of zamindari emanated
emanated
from
from “ the native jealousy against immediate relatives.’’47But1
"the native jealousy against immediate relatives."47 But
while the element
while the element of jealousy
jealousy may
may have
have been
beenpresent
present in
in many
many
cases, the
cases, the most important
important factor
factorwas
wasprobably
probably the
the family
family pride.
pride.
It was considered
considered aa family
family disgrace
disgrace inin tha context
context of the Bengali
Bengali
society of
society of those days for a zamindar's
zamindar’s relations to to have
have to
to work
work
for him
for him into
into zámindari
zamindari seresta
seresta along
along with
with others
others ofofhumble
humble
That strong
birth. That strong feelings
feelings ofofkinship
kinshippredominated
predominated in in their
attitude towords
attitude towords their
their relations
relations is manifested
manifested in
in their
theircommon
common
habit
habit of
of buying
buying lands
lands benami
benami inin the
the names
names ofoftheir
theirrelations
relations
and also
and also in
in their habit of granting lands
lands collusively
collusively in the names
names
of their relatives
relatives at aa reduced
reduced rate
rate of
of rent.48
rent.48
Instead of
Instead of employing
employing the the junior
junior members
members in in their
their Own
own
seresta, the
seresta, the zamitidars tried to
zamifidars tried to provide
provide them
them in inGovernment
Government
services or
services or inin any
any European
European business
business firm
firm byby using
using their
their in-
in­
fluence. The official
fluence. posts appeared
official posts appeared valuable
valuable inin their
their eyes, from
eyes, from
the dignity
dignity and
and standing
standing which
which they
they gave
gaveininsociety,
society, and
and from
from
the
the opening
opening whichwhich they afforded
afforded for
for indirect
indirect gains.
gains. "A “ A good
good
situation in the
the judicial,
judicial, revenue,
revenue, oror commercial
commercial line is is moreover
moreover
considered as
considered as aa provision
provision for
for a whole family ;; since
since a native whowho
may haveobtained
may have obtainedone onealways
alwayspushes
pushes hishis own
own relatives
relatives into
into

46. Raja Zaman

Raja Zaman Khan's
Kban's Petition
Petition to
to B. 0. R,,
B. O. R „ 28
28April
April1790,
1790, see B, 0.
see B, O. R.
R. P.,
P.,
33 M
May 1790(no
ay 1790 (no number
number and
and pagination). P71,24.
F71/24.
47. 0. A.
G. A . Blake
Blake to to B.
B . 0,
O,R,R 5
, 5Aug,
A ug, 1827,
1827, B.
B. O. R, P.,
0. R. P., 16
16 Oct, 1827, N
Oct. 1827, o.
No.
37.
37, P80/45.
P80/45,
48. Burdwan CCollector
Burdwan ollector to to B.
B . 0.
O,R.,
R .,16
16January
January 1802.
1&02. 3. R. C.,
B· R. C .t 11
II Feb.
Feb.
1b02,
1602, No.
N o. 13-14.
13-14, P54/23,
The Lifestyle of the Zamindar
Zamindar Class
Class 241

every
every employment
employment within within his his reach."4°
reach.” 4» To To give
give aa typical
typical1
example, Krishnachandra
example, Kri8hnahandra Mitter,Mitter, was
was appointed
appointed diwandiwan to the
CollectorofofDacca
Collector Daccainin17901790through
through the the patronage
patronage of of Edward
Edward
Colebrooke.5°
Colebrooke.89 He He then
then influenced
influenced his superior officer officer to appoint
his nephew
his nephew Abhoycharan
Abhoyeharan Mitter Mitter as as the
thediwari
diwan to tothe
theCollector
Collecto/
of the
of the 2424 Parganas.5'
Parganas.51 He He also
also pished
pushed his his brother
brother Ananda
Ananda
Mitter into
Mitter into the
thepost
post of
of diwan
diwan in in the
the Rajsbahi
Rajshahi collectorate.5
collectorate.®2
Abhoycharanthen
Abhoyeharan thenininhishis turn
turn pushed
pushed his his èousin,
cousin, Shambhu
Shambhu
Chandra Mitter to the post
Chandra post of of aa deputy
deputy in Mynpuri.88
Mynpuri.53
Besides government
Besides governmentand and other
other services,
services, the the junior
junior members
members
of the zamindar families also took
zamindar families took up
up law
law and
and other
other professions,
professions,
or entered
entered into
intothe
theold
oldprofessions
professions of of the
the families
families before their
entry into and. This flow from landed
flow from landed circles
circlesinto
into business
business and
other
other services
services and
and professions
professions was was oneone factor
factor inin preventing
preventing
those
those families
families from
from being
being fully
fully isolated
isolated fromfromthe therest
restof
of the
the
society.
While religious
While religious ceremonial
ceremonialand and the pleasures
pleasures ofofsocial
social life
life
occupied
occupied mostmost of
of the
the zamindars,
zamindars, some some at least
least devoted their lives
to the
the cultivation
cultivation of of literature
literatureand andmusic.
music. The greatest figure figure
amongthe
among the writer-zaminders
writer-zaminders was was Radhakanta
Radhakanta Deb Deb of ofCalcutta.
Calcutta.
His range
range ofof activities
activitiesasasaa writer
writer andand as aa patron
patronof ofeducation
education
among
among the the Bengalis
Bengalis had had been
been best
best expressed
expressed in in one
one of bishis
letters to
letters to Government
Government in in 1833.
1833, He He wrote
wrote about
about himself
himself in
the third
third person:
person : "Babu
“ Babu Radhakanta
Radhakanta Deb, Deb, whowho isisaaDirector
Director
of the Hindoo
Hindoo College,
College, Member
Member of of thetheCalcutta
CalcuttaSchool
School Book
Book
Society, Native Secretary
Society, Native Secretary of of the Calcutta
Calcutta School
School Society,
Society, Vice
Vice-
President
President of of the Agricultural
Agricultural and and Horticultural
Horticultural SocietySociety oi of
India,
India, Corresponding
Corresponding Member Member of the Royal
of the Royal Asiatic
Asiatic Society
Society
of Great
Great Britain
Britain and
andIreland,
Ireland,Member
Memberofofthe theAsiatic
AsiaticSociety
Society

49.
49. Frknd off India,
Friend o india, 19 Nov.
N ov.1835,
1835,p.p.369,
369,vol.
vol. 1,
1, col.
col. 1.
1.
50. An
50. AnAccount
A ccount
ofo Mitter
f M itterFamily,
F am ily,p.p11, Tract 369.
. 1 1,Tract 369.
51.
51. Ibid,, p. 12.
mId,. p. 12.
52.
52. Ibid., p.
ibtd., 14.
p. 14.
53.
53. Ibid., p.
ibId. p, 18
18

116-
6-
242 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

of Bengal
Bengal and
and waswasaamember
memberofof thethe late
late Saugor
SaugorIsland
IslandSociety,
Society,
has compiled,
has compiled, translated, corrected several
translated, and corrected several publications
publications
for the School
School Book
Book Society. In In 1821»
1821, he published
published aa Bengali
Bengali
Spelling Book
Book after Lindley
Lindley Murray's
Murray’s plan,
plan,and
andalso
alsoan anAbridge-
Abridge­
ment thereof
ment thereof in in 1827.
1827. HeHe translated
translated aaCollection
Collectionof of Fables
Fables
['Nitikatlzaj
PN itikatha 3 from Englishinto
from English Bengali and
into Bengali and revised
revised the the Bengali
Bengali
translation of
translation of anan Early Introduction
Introduction to Astronomy...He
Astronomy... He has has for
for
many years
many years been
been engaged
engaged in the compilation
compilation of of aa Sanskrit
Sanskrit dictio-
dictio­
nary, entitled
nary, entitled Sabda-Kalpa-Druma
Sabda-Kalpa-Druma in in imitattion
imitattion ofof the
the Encyclo-
Encyclo­
paedia Britanica,
Britanica, of of which
which three
three volumes
volumes havehave since
since been
been
issued from the
issued from the Press,
Press, containing
containing nearly
nearly 3000
3000 quarto
quarto pages,
pages,
take some
and it will take some years more to complete
m oreto complete the the work."54
work.” 54
His uncle Raja
His uncle Raja Rajkrishna,
Rajkrishna, sonsonofofRaja
Raja Babukrishna
Babukrishna and and Raja
Raja
Rajkrishna's
Rajkrishna’s sonson Raja
Raja Kalikrishna
Kalikrishna also
also earned
earned considerable
reputations writers,56 His
reputations as writers,55 His brother
brother Gopi
GopiMohon.
Mohon DebDeb was
was
elected as one
elected one of
ofthe
theoriginal
originaldirectors
directors of
of the Hindu
Hindu College
College
for his
for his liberal
liberal contribution
contribution to
to th College atat the
th^ .College the time
time of
of its
its
foundation.58
foundation.58 LikeLike the
the the
the Debs,
Debs, the
the Tagores
Tagoreswere
werealsoalso given
given
to intensive
to intensive literary cultivation and to
cultivation and to the
the patronage
patronage of educa-
educa­
tion. Gopi MohonTagore,
Gopi Mohon Tagore,thetheactual
actual founder
founder of of the
the Tagore
Tagore
family, gave the biggest subscription
family, gave subscription atat the
the time
time of
of ihe
the founda-
founda­
tion of the
tion ctf the Hindu
HinduCollege
Collegeandandhehewas
washonoured
honouredby by his
his fellow
fellow
founders of the College
Collegewho
whomade
made hihimm the
the heredita.ry
hereditary Governor
Governor
of the
the College.57 Kali Mirza
College.57 Kali Mirza whose
whosesongs
songsand and hymns
hymns are still
known
known in Bengal,
Bengal, Lakhi
Lakhi Kanta,
Kanta,thethefamous
famouscomic
comic lyric
lyric poet,
poet,
Radha Goala,
Radha Goala, the
the greatest
greatest wrestler
wrestler of
of that
that time
time and
and great
great many
many
other talented
other talented people
people from professions lived and
from different professions
flourished on
flourished on his
his bounties.58
bounties.58 Joynarayan
Joynarayan .Ghoshal, the zamindar
Ghoshal, the zamindar

54,
54. Radhakanta Deb
Deb to W. H. Macnaghten,
M aenaghten, Secretary
Secretary to Government
Government 9 Nov.
Nov.
1833,
1833, public
Public Consulation'
Consulation* 25.25 Nov.
Nov. 1833,
1833, No,
N o, 59,
59, quoted
quotedininBrajendra
Brajendra
Nath Banarji.
T4.tth Banarjivol.
volI,I pp
pp. 445 5
445-5,
55, Ibid..
55, Ibid.. p.
p. 477.
477,
56, The C'alcnrc
56. The Calcutta Annual Bengal Register
Directory, Bengal
Annual Directory, Register for 1817.
1817, p. 118.
118.
W d.
57, Ibid.
57.
58, Loke Nath
8. Loke Nath Chose,
O hose, part
part 2,
2, p.
p, 164.
164.
The Lifestyle of
of the
the Zamindar
Zamindar Class
Class 24-3
243

of Sandwip,
of Sandwip, aa big big island
island near
near Noakhati, was the
Noakhali, was the author
author ofof
of about
about aa, dozen books,
books,writt en on,
written on religion, musics philosophy
religion, music,
and language.8*
language.5 in
In Banaras
Banaras he he"spent
“spent80,000
80,000 Rs.
Rs to
to build
build
a college
college for
for the
theinstruction
instructionofofthe thepoor,
poor,and
and50,000
50,000totodefray
defray
its expense
expense...... ”"60
eo The The greatest
greatest patron of learning
patron of learning was
was Pran-
Pran-
krishna
krishna Biswa,
Biswas, zamindar
zamindar of of Khardah
Khardah of of Calcutta district.
His
His father,
father, Ramhari
Ramhari BiswasBiswas was was aa diwan
diwan to the
the salt
salt agent
agent
Noakhali.61 Prankrishna
of Noakhali.61 Prankrishna inherited
inherited thethe vast
vast zamindari
zamindari that
that
was newly
was newly built
built byby his
his father
father in 1805.62 He appointed
in 1805.82 appointed many
many
scholars
scholars to to write
write books
books about
about religion, medicines, language
religion, medicines,
and music
music and
and got
got them
them printed
printed and
and distributed
distributed among
among scholars
scholars
and
and students
students entirely at his his own
own cost.63
cost.83

For the
For the education
education ofofthe theSons
sonsofofthe
thearistocrats
aristocratsof
ofBengal
Bengal
there were
there were nono public
public schools
schools asas inin England. Instead they
England. Instead
obtained their educatian
obtained mainly from
educatian mainly from private
private tutors
tutors who
who taught
taught
them Persian, Bengali. Sanskrit, Arabic
Arabic and English.84 But such
English.64
an education
an educationfrom
fromprivate
privatetutors
tutorsliberated
liberatedfewfewofofthem
them from
from a
life of mere ceremonial display. Citing
ceremonial and display. Citing a typical
typical example,
example,
an anonymous writerwrote
anonymous writer wroteininthe
the Samachar
Samachar Darpan
Darpan that
that the
the
scions of
scions of the aristocratic
aristocratic families could makemake hardly any progress
in education
in education because
becauseofo the flattering servants
servants who surrounded
surrounded
them day
them day and
and night
night and
and also
alsobecause
because of of insecure
insecure service
service of the
tutors who
tutors who had
had toto pamper
pampertheir
theirpupils
pupils inin order to retain their
jobs.®5 In a satire called
jobs.°5 called 'Babu Bilash' or 'The
‘Babu Bilash’ ‘The Babu's
Babu’s Luxury'
Luxury’

59. See Brajendra NNate

See Brajendra Banarji (ed,),
ate Banarji (edj, vol.
vol. 1.I, p.433.
p.433,
60
60. Samad Kumudi, 5 Feb. 1822, quoted in Brajendra Nath
Samad Kumudi. 5 Feb. 1822, quoted in Brajendra Nath Banarji
Banarji vol.
vol. 1,
I,
pn. 4345.
pt>. 434-5.
61,
61. Se Brajendra
5'!β BrajendraNath
NathBanarji,
Banarji,voLvol. 1,
1, p.
p. 480,
480.
62. Ibid.
Ibid. He
H e did
did not
not appear in the the list
list ooff the
the great
great new
new fam
families
ilies because
because ofof
the benami nature of o f his
his purchases.
63. IbId.,
Ibid., pp. 13,
73, 15,
75, 480-1.
4804.
64. Dacca Provincia/
Dacca ProvincialCourt
Court ooff Circuit,
Circuit, C.
C. J.
J. P., 8 July 1802.
1802, No.
N o. 23, inter.,
Inter1

14.
14, P147/55.
65. Samachar Darpao;
Samaeliar Darpan; 24
24 Feb,
Feb, 1821,
1821, Brajendra
Brajendra Nath
Nath Baoarji,
BaDarji, vol.
vol. 1,
1, pp.
pp.
108.12.
108-12.
244 Permanent Settlement inBengal

published in 1823, Babu

Babu Pramatha
Pramatha Nath Sarma, the author
author of
of the
book, attacked
book, attacked the
the aristocratic
aristocratic class
classas
asan
an ignorant lot incapable
ignorant lot
of supervising
supervising the
the education
education ofoftheir
theirown children. The tale
ownchildren.
of aa representative
of representative aristocrat
aristocrat was
was told
toldbybyhim
himwith
with sparkling
sparkling
humour. The
humour. Thefollowing
followingisisan
anextract
extractfrom
fromthe
thebook,
book, describing
describing
the selection
the selection of of aa tutor
tutor ; ''A 'After
fter a longlong search
search made
made for for aa
Persian teacher for for the
the young
young boys,boys, Dhar,
Dhar, thethe officer
officer of the Babu,
Babu,
at last succeeded
succeeded in in securing one one from
from Jessore.
Jessore. The The Babu said,said,
Listen to
‘Listen to me,
me, Munshi,
Munshi, you you are are toto teach
teach my myboysboysPersian.
Persian.
You
You will put put up
up in the the outer
outer apartments
apartments of of my my house.
house. WhenWhen
my boys have
my boys have occasion
occasion toto go go abroad,
abroad, youyou should
should accompany
accompany
them in
them in their
their carriage.
carriage. You will will have
have free
free board
board and
and lodging
lodging
besides
besides aa paypayofofRs.Rs.33 aa month.
month. The The Munshi
Munshi of ofJessore
Jessore heard
heard
this
this and
and departed
departed without
without sayingsaying anything.
anything. Then Then many
many moremore
Munshiswere
Munshis werecalled
calledininfrom
fromNatore,
Natore, Faridpur,
Faridpur, Sylbet,Sylhet, Dacca,
Dacca,
Comilla,
Comilla, Baokerganj
Backerganj and other places. places. For full two two months
months this
coming and
coming and going
going wentwenton, on,but but no
no selection
selection couldcould be be made.
made.
The BabuBabu waswas not pleased with with their
their pronunciation
pronunciation and
dismissed
dismissed them them allall on that ground. Finally
that ground. Finally aa sweet tonguedtongued
Munshi
Munshi fromfromthethe Chittagong
Chittagongside sidewas
wasappointed.
appointed. He He produced
produced
a certificate, showing that he
certificate, showing he had worked as
had worked as aa boatman.
boatman.
We
We havehave already
already indicated the extent of of thethe knwledge
of
of the
the Babu possessed in languages.
Babu possessed languages. He He glanced
glanced at the the
certificate that
óertificate that waswas written
written ininEnglish
English and and affecting
affecting a full
knowledge of
knowledge of its
its contents
contentssaid saidYes Yesthis
thiscertificate
certificatesays saysthat
that you
worked
worked for foraa long
long time
time as as tutor
tutor ofoi Persian,
Persian, the the reason
reason why why
your serviceswere
your services were dispensed
dispensedwith withhave
have also also been
been stated
stated in
certificate.’ Then
this certificate.'
this Then he he looked
looked at the the teacher
teacher andand asked,
asked,
'How long
‘How long did
did you
you serve
serve under this EuropeanEuropean gentleman ? The
Munshi said, *Why,
Munshi said, 'Why, that that isis also
also written
written in in the
thecertificate.
certificate. You
may kindlyread
may kindly readitit again
again and see.' The Babu
and see,' Babu said, 'Yes, it is
said, ‘Yes, is
written
written airight,
alright, here. Under Under whom whom did did youyou serve
serve ?' The
batman
boatman replied,
replied, 'Sir,
‘Sir, I Iserved
served underunder the theBalabar
BalabarCompany.'
Company.’
The Balmwas
The Babu wasveryverymuchmuCh pleased
pleased to tolearn
learnthatthathehe had
had been
been
a servant office of aaEuropean
servant in the office European company.
company. The
The boatman
boatman
 The Lifestyle ,f
of the
theZamindar
Zamindar Class
Class 245
was thus
was thus appointed
appointed to to teach
teachthetheboys
boysPersian
Persian on on the paypay andand
conditions stated
conditions stated above."66
above.’*®6
The very
The verytitle
title of
of the
the book
book indicates
indicates thatthat the writer
writer was
mercilessinin scorning
merciless scorningthe the efforts
efforts ofof the
the newcomers
newcomers to adapt
to adapt
themselves to aristocratic culture. But the established
aristocrats were
aristocrats were reluctant
reluctant to to recognise
recogoise them them asastheir
theirequals.
equals.
Their
Their court
court poets
poets and
and writers
writers always
always ridiculed
ridiculed the
the strivings
strivings
of the
of the upstarts
upstarts for recognition and
for recognition and expressed the greatest
expressed the greatest
disappoinment
disappoinment at at the breakdown of
the breakdown of the
the social
social structure
structure in
consequence of
consequence ofthe
the entry
entry of
of new men menfrom
fromdiverse
diversesocial
socialback-
back­
Krishnakanta Bhaduri,
grounds. Krishnakanta Bhaduri, the early nineteenth century
early nineteenth century
court poet
poet of
of the
the Raja
Raja of
of Nadia, wroteininaapoem
Nadia wrote poem:: "This
“ This country
country
has
has nono future
future at all, because
at all, because thethe whole
wholesocial
social structure
structure hashas
become so upset now that to-day the sudras recite the vedas
become so upset now that to-day the sudras recite the vedas
and the
and the Brahmins
Brahmins listen
listen to
to them.
them. The The thirty
thirty sixsixmajor
majorcastes
castes
are now amalgamated into
now amalgamated into one.
one. Its proof is 'H uku’ or bubble-
Huku' hubble-
bubble [Implying that now
bubble now the people
people ofofdifferent
differentcastes
castessmoke
smoke
the same huku which was not the custom before].,,e7
was not beforeJ, ' The most
glaring example
glaring example of of the
the destruction
destructionof ofthe
the country,
country, for for Krishna
Krishna
Kanta,
Kanta, waswas that
that his
his patron
patron Raja
Raja Girish
Girish Chandra
Chandra "who “ who waswas
the chief of the princes was now being looted and robbed by
the chief of the princes was now being looted and robbed by
other forces” .88
forces".68

But ifif the

But the old
old zamindars were proud
zamindars were’ proud of of their
their ancestry,
ancestry, s5 s
were the new
were new zamindars
zamindars of theirtheir wealth,
wealth, ability,
ability, enterprise
enterprise
and
and above
above all their
their closer
closer association
association withwith the
theGovernment
Government
officials. They
officials. They squarely
squarely attacked
attacked the
the older
olderaristocracy
aristocracy for
for their
their
false ignorance, dissipation
false pride, ignorance, dissipation andand profligacy.
profligacy. Ramlochon
Ramloehon
Ghosh,
Ghosh, aa new new zamindar
zamindar ofof Dacca
Dacca and
and formerly
formerlyaadiwan
diwanof ofHas-
Has­
tings wrote inin aa signed
tings wrote signed article that "The
article that ' ‘The old
old zamindars
zamindars were
were
victims of their uncontrolled
victims uncontrolled passions
passions andand lead
iead their
their lives
lives like
like
animals".. He
animals” Hecontinued,
continued,"one
'"onecan
cansee
seevery
veryfew
fewold
oldzamindars
zamindars

66. Quoted
66. Quoted in in Dinesh ChandraSea,
D1neh Chandra Glimpses of
Sen, Glimpses o f Bengal
Bengal Life.
Life. pp.
pp. 278-279.
278-279.
67.
67. Life
Life oof
f poet
poet Rashshagar, p. 44
Rashshagar, p 44.Vera.
Vem.Tract
Tract20)3
2 0 13(1.
(I. 0.
O . L.)
L.)
68.. Ibid,
68 ibid.
246 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
inBengal
Bengal

of wealth and substance

substance who who follow
followaacivilised
civilisedmode
mode of of life".69
life” .6®
He was
He was advocating
advocatingthat thatthethe Government
Government should should take over over all
all
of their rent free lands, the
free lands, the sources
sources ofof their
theirlazy life, in order
lazy life, order
to activise them towards education and enlightenment.76
enlightenment.70
One most
One most important
important aspect zamindar's life
aspect of a zamindar’s life was
was hishis
building activities. In In his
his K alikata-K am alaloy, which
Kalikata-Ka,nalaloy, which waswas
published in
published in 1823,
1823, Bhavani
Bhavani Chnran
Chnran Banerji
Banerji observed
observedthat that itit
was socially and religiously
socially and religiously unbecoming
unbecomingon onthe
the part
part of
of aa wealthy
aristocrat not not to to leave
leave behind
behind himhim some
somelasting
lasting memorials
memorials
such
such as as roads,
roads, tanks, ghats, temples,
tanks, ghats, temples, schools,
schools, almsalms houses,
houses,
etc,71 They also
inns etc,71 also liberally
liberally contributed
contributed to togovernment
governmentspon- spon­
sored public works
sored public works. One One main
main aim
aimbehind
behind all all these
these charities,
charities,
however, was
however, was toto come
comeintointo the good booksof
good books of the government
government
so as
as to
to get
getsome
sometitletitle of rank
rank which
which would fulfil the highest
would fulfil highest
ambition
ambition of of a native.72
native.72 Raja Raja Bodynath’s
Bodynath's letter
lettertotogoveanment
goveanment
provides a typical example example of of the nature of zamindar's zamindar’s
public works. The
contribution to public Raja wrote
The Raja that his
wrote that his family
family
deserved
deserved the the highest
highest appreciation
appreciation fromfrom the
the authorities,
authorities, because
because
his family contributed
his family contributed lakhs lakhs of rupees
rupees toto public
public works.
works. He
claimed that
claimed that from
from L79Oi790 to to 1826
1826 his
his family
family built numerous
numerous
roads,
roads, ghats,
ghats, tanks,
tanks, almsalmshouses
housesand
andhospitals.73
hospitals.73 In 1835, the

69,
69. Ramlochan Ghosh
Racnlochan Ohosh to
to Bangabhasha.
Bangabhasha.Praka&hika,
Prakashika, 31 31 Dec.
Dec, 1836, Ouoted
in Brajendra
in Brajeudra Nath
Nath Banarji
Banarji ((ad),
e d j . vol. II,
11, p.
p. 404,
404,
70.
70. Ibid.
Ibid.

71. Bbavani Charan

Bhavani Charan Banarji, Kallkatta-Kumalaloy.
Kallkatta-Kumalaloy. pp. pp. 10-11.
10 -U , HHee was one
one ooff
ooff the greatest writers
the greatest writers ooff early
eariy nintheenth cenluary Bengal.
nintbeenth cenluary Bengal. Most
M ost
ooff his
his works
works including KaIIkatta.Kamalalo,
Kalikatta-Kamalaloy were were social
social satires.
satires. His
other satirical
other satirical writings
writings were
were BabuJ3iIasIz,
Babu.Bilash, Bthi-BiIash
Btbi-Bilash and Duti-Bilash.
Duti-Bilash.
In atithese
ailthese books
books he
he described
described the
thelife-style
life-style of
o fthe
thenew
new riches.
riches·
72. Calcutia Courier
Calcutta Courier,, 1)
10 July
July 1833,
1833,p.p. 2,
2, col.
col. 3.
J.
73. political I)epartment
DepartmentProceedings,
Proceedings, 77March
March1845, 1845, No.
N o . 10$,
108, See, Brajendra
Nath Banarji
Banarji (ad
(ed ),
) , vol,
v ol, 1,
1, p.
p. 417. Raja Bodynath
417. Raja Bodynath was was thethe son
son ooff Raja
Raja
Shuhkrnoy, the
Shuhkmoy, the founder
founder ooff the Posta
posta Raj
Raj family
family in Calcutta.
Calcutta. Shukhmoy,
' father
(ather oof Naku Dbar
f Naku Dbarwas wasananinterpreter
interpretero fofihthe Companybefore
e Company before and
and for
for
sometime after the
sometime after the battle
battle ofo fPiassey.
Plassey.
the Lifestyle
The Lifestyleof
ofthe
theZaminclar
Zamindar Class
Class

Board Revenue made

Board of Revenue made a list
list of
of the public
public works
works recently
recently done
done
by the zajnindars
by the zamindars of of Bengal.
Bengal, The report
report gave
gave the
the following
following
account of
account of remarkable works 5”
remarkable works :" 74
1. 4 iron
iron bridges
bridges
2 . 86
2. 86 brick bridges
bridges
3. 70 roads, some were about
some were about thirty miles
miles long
long
4. 412 tanks
5. 113 reservoirs
6 . 107
6. 107 ghats
7. 1515 inns
inns along
along the
the high roads.
All these
these charitable
charitable activities
activities obviously
obviously followed
followed after the
building of their
building of their own
own mansions
mansionsand andoffices
officesbefitting
befitting their
their ranks
ranks
and
and wealth.
wealth. AAzamindar's
zamindar’shouse,
house,ititwas
wasconsidered,
considered, mustmust 1.e
be
big enough
enough to to accommodate
accommodate all ail the
the dependents
dependents of of the
the zamindar,
zamindar,
his principal
principal officers,
officers, all
all his household servants from from the
the
meanest
meanest slaves
slaves toto the
the puruhits
puruhitsor or priests
priests and
and pundits.
pundits. There
must alsobe
must also behouses
housesfor forstorage
storageofof grainand
grain andfor
for cattle,
cattle, horses
horses
and elephants. OtherOther essential parts of aa zamindar's
essential parts zamindar’s house house
were schools,
were schools, playgrounds,
playgrounds, orchards,
orchards, tanks
tanks and
andtemples,
temples. But
the most
most fashionable
fashionable thing
thing was
was to to possess
possessaa garden
garden house
house farfar
from the family
from family mansions
mansions for for receptions,
receptions, sports
sports andand holiday
holiday
stay. The following
following account of the gardengarden house
house of of Harimohon
Harimohon
Tagore,
Tagore, forfor example,
example, in inthe
thesuburb
suburb of of Calcutta,
Calcutta, waswas given
given byby
Bishop Heber
Bishop Heber:: "The house is surrounded
“ The house surrounded by by an an extensive
extensive
garden laidout
garden laid out in’
in'formal
formal parterres
parterres of of roses,
roses, intersected
intersected by by
straight walks, with
straight walks, with some
some finefine trees,
trees, and
and a chain
chain of of tanks,
tanks,
fountains
fountains andand summer
summer houses
houses not ill adapted
adapted toto aa climate
climate where
where
air, water,
water,and
and sweet
sweet smells
smells are almost
almost the only natural
natural objects
objects
which
which cancan be realised during
be realised during thethe .greater part of
greater part of the
the year-
year-
whole is little less
The whole less Italian
Italian than
than the
the facade
facade of his his house,
house,
...He himself
...He himself received
received usus at
at the
the head
head of
ofaa whole
whole tribe
tribe of
of rela-
rela­
tions and
and descendants
descendants on on aa handsome
handsomeflightflightofofsteps,
steps, in aa splen'.
splen­

74. Judicial and

74. Judicia' andRevenue Deartmen, 55 March
RevenueDepartment, M arch 18 3. See,
1833. See, Brajendra
Brajendra Nath
Nath
Banarji (ed,).
Banarji (ed,). vol,
vol, 11,
Ii, 311-12,
311-12,
248 ?ermanent
Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

did shawl,
did shawl,bybyway wayofofmantles
mantleswith witha alarge
largerosary
rosaryofof coral
coral set
set
in gold
gold leaning on an an ivory crutch
crutch with gold head.”
head."7575
Though
Though the the landed families essentially essentially revolved
revolved roundround
their men-folk,
their men-folk,there there were
were manymany gifted
gifted ladies
ladies who
who ventured
ventured
into the
into the men's
men’sworldworldand andestablished
establishedtheir
their reputation
reputation by by their
their
own
own right.
right. The name name of RaniRani Bhavani
Bhavani of of Natore
Natore whose
whose active
active
role as aa ruler
role ruler ended
ended before
before our peried
peried is still
still aa household
household
word in Bengal. Thermost celebrated ladies in
Bengal. The«most in our
our period
period were
were
Rani
Rani Bishnukumari
Bishnukumari of of Burdwan, Rani Rani Tripura
Tripura Sundari
Sundari of of
Dinajpur,
Dinajpur, Rani
Rani Kattani
Kattani of ofKandi,
Kandi, Mannisjan
Mannujan Began.of
Began of Hughli
Hughli
and
and the
the two
twoRanis
RanisofofRaja RajaLokoath
Loknathofof Kassimbazar.
Kassimbazar. It has has
already been
already been said
said how
how RaniRani Bishnukumari
Bishnukumari saved saved the the vast
vast
zamindari
zamindari of of Burdwan
Burdwan from from disintegration
disintegration and and how
how Rani
Rani Tripura
Tripura
Sunduri of of Dinajpur
Dinajpur saved
saved considerable
considerable portions of of her
her husband,
husband,
zamindari
zamindari by by selling
selling herher jewellery
jewelleryand andby byher
hersubsequent
subsequent able able
managementafter
management afterthethe death
death of of her
her husband.
husband. Rani Kattani.
the wife
the wife of
of Krishnachandra
Krishnachandra Sinba, Sinba, thethe builder
builder ofof the
the Kandi
Kandi
family mostsuccessfully
family most successfullyruled ruledher herhusband’s
husband'sgreatgreat but exceed-
exceed­
ingly
ingly scattered
scattered zamindari
zamindari for for twelve
twelve years
years when
when herherhusband
husband
renounced
renounced the the world
world and and turned
turned into
into an an ascetic
ascetic in in 1808.76
1808,7®
But
But the
the most
mostcapable
capable ladylady zamindar
zamindar was was Monnujan
Monnujan of of Hugh.
Hugli.
She was
She was oneone ofof thethe leading
leading aristocrats
aristocrats of of Bengal.77 She
was the
was the only
only issue
issue of her her father,
father, Agha
AghaMutahar,
Mutahar, whowho dieddiet!
before the decennial
before decennial settlement.78
settlement.78 The The Permanent
Permanent Settle-
Settle­
ment
ment waswas concluded
concluded with with Monnujan
Monnujan ands and* she managed her
she managed
zamindari, called
zamindari, called Syedpur,
Syedpur, so efficently that her estate emerged
effieently that emerged
completely unhurt fram the landed
completely unhurt landed crisis
crisis of the
the 1790s.70
179Qs.

Quated in
75. Quoted in “"}1ury MohunTagore—A
Hury Mohun Tagore-A Sketch",
Sfceteh’%The
The Oriental
Oriental Miscellany.
Miscellany.
Dec. 1880, p 433.
1880, p* 433.
76. B. O.
76. 0. R.
R. to
toG.
G.G.C,,
G.C.,28
28March
March1820.
1820,B. B.R.
R.C..
C..25
25April
April1820,
1820, Nos.
Nos. 8,
8, 20,
20,
P58/33.
77. Hughli
Hughli Judge to to Judicial
Judicial Secretary,
Secretary, 3 3May
May18O21802, C.
C,I,i ,P.P.88July
July1802,
1802,
No. 52, para. 26, P141/56.
Pl47^56.
78. See Brajendra Nath Baoarji,
Banarji, vol.
vol. 11,
11, p'p‘297.
297.
79. Ibid., pp. 296-299.
IbId., pp. 296-299.
The Lifestyle
The, Lifcstyle of the Zamindar
Zamindar Class 249
According
According to to Mrittunjoy
Mrittunjoy Biddalankar,
Biddalankar, aa Supreme Supreme Court
Pundit in
Pundit in the
the 1820s
1820s and and formerly
formerly aa lecturer
lecturer at at the
the Fort
William
William College,
College, the the aristocrats
aristocrats tried
triedtotopossess
possessmany many things
things
as status
as status symbols,
symbols; one one waswas totohave
haveone oneorormore moresuits
suitsbeing
being
heard
heard before
before the the Supreme
Supreme Court.80
Court.30 The The Sàuiachar
Samachar Darpan
wrote,
wrote, "We“ We remember
rememberthat thatititwas
wasconsidered
considered by by one as a great
honour
hononr to keepkeep a casecase inin the Supreme Court. The
Supreme Court. Thehonour
honour which
which
was achieved
achieved by by proudly announcing
announcing that that he
he had
bad three causes in
the Supreme Court simultaneously
simultaneously could couldnot notbe begotgot by
by spending
spending
twenty thousand rupees
twenty thousand rupees during
during thethe Durga Puja.81 The zamin-
Durga Puja.81 zamin­
dars, however,
dars, however, were were often
often compelled
compelledtoto indulge
indulge in in litigations
litigations in
view of
view of thethe undefined
undefined boundaries
boundaries of of their
their estates,
estates, transfer
lands by
of lands by public
public sale,
sale, contumacious
contumacious conductconduct of of their
their farmers
farmers
and
and renters,
renters, etc. etc. ButBut thethe most
most ruinous
ruinous was was thethelitigations
litigations
between
between the the members
membersof oflanded
landed families
families overover property
property shares.
shares.
On
On thethe basis
basis ofofthe theSupreme
SupremeCourt Courtrecords,
records,N. N.K. K,Sinha
Sinha has
has
tried
tried toto show
show that thatcontinued
continued litigations between different
members,
members, eithereither ruined
ruined or impoverished
impoverishedaa great great many
many families
families
in Bengal in the early early nineteenth
nineteenth century.88
century.82 Very Very often
often family
family
disputesoriginated
disputes originatedfrom fromflimsy
flimsydifferences
differences in inthe
thedayday toto day
day
life of
life of aa joint
joint family
family andand ultimately
ultimately endedended in in partitions
partitions andand
litigations. The Pal
continued litigations.
continued Pal Chowdburis
Chowdhuris ofofRanaghat,
Ranaghat, ,for for
example, were
example, were aa happyhappy joint
joint family
family tilltill1813
1813when whenruinous
ruinous
litigations among
litigations among different
different members
members of of the
the family
family started.83
started.83
The judicial
judicial proceedings
proceedingscontinued
continuedtill tillthe
the 1840s
1840s leading
leading to the
total ruin of the family.8*
family.84 The original
The original cause
cause of of the
the quarrel
quarrel
was believed
believed to be a goat.85goat.85
All our above
above discussions as to the life style style ofof the
the zamindars
zamindars
make it sufficiently
sufficiently clearclear that most
most of the zamindars
zamindars were more
were more

80. See Brajondra

Brajendra Nath
Nath Banarji,
Banarji,(Cd.).
(ed.), vol,
vol, 1,
I, p.
p. 180.
180.
81.
81, Ibid,
Ibid.
82. See N. K. Sinba,
Sinha, vol.
vol. 111,
I ll, pp. 88-92,
88-92.
83.
83, Ibid., p. 90.
Ibid., p.
84. Ibtd.
Ibid.
85. Life of
of Kabi Rashs agar, Tract
B,asbsagar, Tract Veen.
Vera. 2013,
2013, p. 39,
 250 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal
mindful
mindful ofof proudly
proudly upholding
upholding andand extending
extending their authority
authority
and state than
and state than of
oftrying
trying totoplace
place itit on
onaasecure
securefoundation
foundation by
by
improving their estates.
estates. Their religious
religious extravagance,
extravagance, ostenta-
ostenta­
tious public
tious public charities,
charities, display
display of of wealth
wealth on on occasions
occasions like
births and
births and marriages-all sprangfrom
marriages-all sprang fromthethe idea
ideathat
that they
they were
were
the social
social superiors
superiors and that one one method
method for thethepreservation
preservation
and promotion
and promotion of of that
that superiority
superiority waswas liberal
liberal expenditure.
expenditure.
. Such
Such a tendency
tendency waswas particularly
particularly marked
marked amongamong the the new
new
families who,inin general,
families who, general,tried
tried toto use
use their solid
solid wealth
wealth in in
buying social acceptance. In
social acceptance. In search
search of social
social recognition
recognition they
not only
not only spent
spent recklessly
recklessly but
but also
alsotook
took special
special care
care to
to furnish
furnish
themselves with aa coat
themselves with coat of
of arms,
arms, andand quite
quite often
often with
with aa pedigree
pedigree
(In short,
match, (in
to match. short, most
most of
of the
the zainindars,
zamindars, both old old and
and new,
new,
held land more as a means
means to establish and enhance
establish and enhance social
social stan-
stan­
ding
ding than
than toto accumulate
accumulate more
more andand more
more wealth
wealth & iSs landed

entrepreneurs.!
entrepreneurs.)
 C H A P T E R N IN E
CONCLUSION

It has
has been
been pointed
pointed out
outin
in the
the beginning
beginning of this study
study that
that
this workisis designed
this work designed toto explore
explore thethe changes in the
changes in the structure
structure
and
and constitution
constitution of the
the landed
landed society
society under
under the
theoperation
operation of
of
the permanent settlement. With
permanent settlement. With this end end ininview,
view, attempts
attempts
have been
have been made
made to to explain
explainand andillustrate
illustrate the
the zamindar's
zamindar’s positon
positon
under the
under the original constitution
constitution and and subsequent
subsequent changes
changes in it,
the dismemberment
dismemberment of ofthe
thegreat
greatterritorial
territorial families
families andand general
turnover of lands,
turnover lands, the riseriseof of new
new landed
landed families
families ininplace
place of
of
the old
old. LIt It has then been
has then been explained
explained whether
whether or or not the per-
not the per­
manent settlement succeededsucceeded in in achieving
achieving thethe objects
objects for
for which
which
introduced. It is
it was introduced, is thus
thus possible
possible nownow toto sum
sum upup the
the impor-
impor­
tant findings.
findings.
So far
So far asas the
thestructural
structuralchanges
changes areare concerned,
concerned, Cornwallis's
Cornwallis’s
constitutionfor
constitution for the
the permanent
permanent settlement
settlement was was itself
itself revolu­
revolti-
tionary in
tionary in the
thesense
sensethat
thatit itcreated
createda azamindar
zamindarclass
classprivileged
privileged
with absolute
with absoluteproprietary
proprietaryrights
rights over land which which waswas then, and
largely still is. is, the foundation
foundation of the the Bengali
Bengali society.
society. It was was
still more revolutionary
still more revolutionary in in the
the sense
sense that thethe zamindars
zamindars were were
shorn
shorn of all their traditional
traditional powers
powers over
over their
their inferiors
inferiors and,
and,
on top
top ofof all,
all, it introduced
introduced a state state sponsored
sponsored land
land market
market by by
making land
making land the security
security for public
public revenue
revenueand andthereby
therebyfacili-
facili­
tating the exit of the incapable
incapable and and indigent
indigent proprietors
prop rietors as as well
well
the entry of the new
as the new elements
elements into into land.
land.
The authors
authors of of the
the system
system fervently
fervently hoped
hoped that everything
everything
was
was set for
for aa dramatic
dramatic change
change in
in the
the country. But after the
country. But
first flush
flush of
of excitement
excitement their
their idealism
idealism began
began to
to wane
wane when
when they
they
saw that they
saw they unduly
undulyundea ruinedthe
undermined the strength and
and resiliency
resiliency
 252 Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

of the traditional
traditional landed
landed class.
class. TheThe zamindars,
zamindars, though
though appre-appre­
ciating
ciating the principle
principle of permanently
permanently fired fixed assessment,
assessment, never never
acceptedthe
accepted the other
other details
details of of the
theconstitution
constitution such such asas rasad,
rasad ,
distribution of
distribution of assessment, separation of
assessment, separation of talaqas,
taluqas , abolition
abolition of
sayer,
sayer , abatement
abatement of of traditional
traditional powers over over tenantry
tenantry and,and, above
above
all, the provision
all, the provision for the the invariable
invariable sale saleofoflands
landsfor forrevenue
revenue
arrears. TheyThey fought
fought hardhard to topreserve
preservetheir
theirstatus,
status, authority
authority
and power. Their Their stubborn
stubborn resistance
resistance to the operation
operation of of the
new constitution
new constitution made made thethe public
public revenue
revenue so insecure that
so insecure
within six
within sixyears
yearsofofthe
the permanent
permanent settlement
settlement the the Government,
Government,
for the sake of the security of the public public revenue,
revenue,was wascompelled
compelled
to compromise
to compromise with the thezamindars.
zamindars. The result result ofof the
the compro-
compro­
mise waswas the
the enactment
enactment ofofRegulation
Regulation77ofof1799 1799which
which restored
restored
all the feudal
feudal powers.
powers. By the same same method of agitation
agitation zamindars
zamindars
forced
forced the the Government
Government to to pass
pass Regulation
Regulation 55 ofof1812 1812which
which
empowered
empowered them themtotoletlettheir
theirlands
landsatat whatever
whatever rate rate ofof rent
rent they
they
liked. In 1819, they acquired
1819, they acquiredthe thepower
powertoto create
create patni
patni tenures
and
and thereby
thereby the the right
righttotolive
liveonon their
theirunearned
unearnedincome.
income. All
the subsequent
subsequent developments
developments of of zamindari oppression and
exploitation
exploitation which which were
were so so much
much discussed throughoutthroughoxxt the
late nineteenth
late nineteenthand and early
early twentieth
twentieth centuries
centuries originated
originated from from
these laws
these laws which
which were
were thethe outcome
outcomeof ofzamindars'
zamindars’pressure
pressure and and
compromise with
government's compromise
government’s them. Thus
with them. Thus all all the
the radical
radical
changesinin the
changes the structure
structure of of the
thezamindar
zamindar class
class brought
brought aboutabout
by the
by the permanent
permanent Settlement
Settlement constitution
constitution werewere nullified
nullified by by the
the
subsequent developments.
developments.
constant agitations the zamindars
By constant zamindars could succeed in
could succeed
getting back
getting back most
most of
of their
theirfeudalistic
feudalistic powers
powers andand privileges
privileges
but they
but they failed
failedtotopersuade
persuadethe the Government
Government to to repeal
repeal the sale
laws
laws which
which worked
worked as as the
themain
mainengine
engineofoftheir
theirdestruction.
destruction.
The
The worst
worst victims
victims ofof the sale
sale laws
laws were
were the
the great
great territorial
territorial
The most
families. The most common
common factors that forced
factors that forced them
them to
to come
come
under the
under the operation
operation ofof the sale
sale laws
laws were
were the
the intrigues
intrigues of
of the
the
zamindari amla,
zamindari amla, natural
natural calamities and the
calamities and the zamindars'
zamindars5 own own
indifferenceor
indifference orincapacity
incapacitytotomanage
mrnage their
their vast eatates efficiently.
efficiently.
 Conclusion
Cbnclusion 25
258

Besides these common

Besides factors, each
common factors, each of of these families
families suffered
suffered
from some
from some peculiar
peculiar difficulties. For For example,
example, the the Rajsháhi
Rajshahi
raj
raj waswas overrated
overrated at at the
the time
time of of the
the decennial settlement.
So
So waswasthethe Bishnapur
Bishnapur raj raj which
which was was alsoalso sinking
sinking under
under the the
pressure
pressure of of long
long standing
standing family
family feuds.
feuds. The rajas of ofNadia,
Nadia,
Yusufpur and
Yusufpur and l3irbhum
Birbhum were were inextricably
inextricably immersed
immersed in in debt.
debt.
The raja of
The of Dinajpur
Dinajpur was was never
never freefree to to manage
manage his his estate
independently because because of of the
the most
most unjust
unjust interference
interference from from
the authorities.
authorities.
While
While the above above forces
forces were were enough
enough for for their
their fall
fall, two
two
other forces
other forces worked against the territorial
worked against territorial integrity of of thethe
principal zamindars.
principal zamindars. In the first place,
the first place, it was was government
government
policy, from
policy, from both
both political
politicalandandeconomic
economic considerations,
considerations, to break
up these big big estates
estates into
into more
moremanageable
manageable and and economic
economic units.
units.
Such
Such aa state
state policy
policy of of freezing
freezing the overgrown zamindaris
must
must havehave put putthemtheminto intoconsiderable
considerabledisadvantages,
disadvantages, becausebecause
they were
they were denied
denied all all government
government support support and and leniency
leniency whenwhen
they needed
they needed themthem in in the
the event of of distress from
from natural calami-calami­
other causes.
ties or other causes. The Thenextnextinvisible
invisible force
force that hastened their
hastened their
fall was aa natural one. one. It is indeed
indeed a strange
strange coincidence
coincidence that that
all the great
all the great zamindars
zamindars who who were
were ruined
ruined werewere in in their
their teens
teens
when the
when the destructive
destructive sale sale laws
laws were put into into full
full force
force inin 1794.
1794.
The onlyonly exception
exception was was thethe raja
rajaofofBishnapur
Bishnapur who who was,was,again,
again,
disabled by
disabled by his
his great age of over seventy. The juvenile
over seventy. juvenile zamin-
zamin-
dars were circumstancially
circuinstanciallyso soillillequipped
equipped bothboth from
from their
their lack
lack
of worldly
worldly experience
experience and andfrom
fromtheirtheir traditional
traditional reluctance
reluctance to to
work to
work to face
facethethe challenge
challengeofofthe the new
new system
system thatthat they
they became
became
an easy
an easy prey to their their rapacious
rapacious amla amla who
who could,
could, under
under thethe new
new
system
system promote
promote themselves
themselves at ease from zamindari officers
ease, from officers
to the
to the rank
rank of of zamindar
zamindarby by throwing
throwing their their masters'
masters’ landslands into
into
default and sale. It is,
and sale. is, however,
however, impossible
impossible here to infer infer from
from
the survival
survival of of the
the three
three large zamindaris
zamindaris whichwhich were were beaded
headed
by adult
adult propritors
propritors that that the
theeight
eightruined
ruinedzamindaris
zamindarismight might have
have
survived
survived had bad they
they not
not been
been piloted
piloted by by the
the most
most inexperienced
inexperienced
boys at the
boys the timetime of of the
the greatest
greatest crisis
crisis inin their
their history
history as as
zamindars. The official
zaxnindars. policy towards
official policy tcccsrdslie iFelfrge
hrgezfmindsris
zmindarisend nd
254 Permanent Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

measures that were taken

the measures taken to destroy them
to destroy them made
made it
extremely difficult for for them to
them to survive unassailed. Their
internal conditions
internal conditions made
made them
them still
still more
more incompatible
incompatible with
with the
new system.
system. To Ta endure
endure this
this system
system the the small-sized
small-sized holdings
holdings
decidedly more
were decidedly morecapable
capablethan
thanthe
thelarge
large states. In fact, this
realisation led
realisation led the
the raja of Burdwan to divide his zamindari
divide his into a
zamindari into
confederation of of patni taluq as .
pat ni taluqas

The breakdown
The breakdown of of the
the monopoly
monopoly ownership
ownership of land land and
and its
redistribution certainly
redistribution certainly enlarged
enlarged the thecomposition
composition of of the
the landed
landed
society,
society. But But that
that waswas aa limited
limited enlargement
enlargement because because of of thethe
emergenceofofaafew
emergence few dozen
dozen new new families
families who who rnonopolised
monopolised the the
purchases
purchases ofof landland on on the
the market.
market. One One peculiarity
peculiarity of of these
these
families was
families wasthat
that their
their estates were invariably
invariably scattered
scattered all overover
the country.
country. Because
Because their their demands
demands for for land
land were
were muchmuch greater
greater
than the
than the limited
limited supply
supplyof ofland
land available
availableinin any any oneone area
area they
were compelled
compelled to to look
look forfor land
land wherever
wherever this this was
wasto tobebefound.
found.
Such scattered
scattered situations
situations of their estates
of their estates ledled totounavoidable
unavoidable
absenteeism. PowersPowers had had to be be delegated
delegated to the the resident
resident naibs
naibs
who thus
who thusbecame
becamethe thevirtual
virtualmasters
mastersofofthe the areas
areas under
under theirtheir
management.
The entry
The entry of new new men of capital into land
capital into land did
did not
not introduce
introduce
anything new
anything new inin the methods
methods of of zamindari
zamindari management.
management, They
faithfully
faithfully copIed
copied thethe traditional
traditional method
method of estateestatemanagement
management
and accounting. Some Some differences
differenceslay layin in the
the personal
personal participa-
participa­
tion in management.
management. While While thethe older
older class
class of
of zamindars
zamindars were were
almost wholly
almost whl1y dependent
dependent on on their am la * the new
their amla, new proprietors
proprietors
seemed to
seemed to have
have taken
taken greater
greater personal
personal interest in the day to day
administration
administration of of the zamindari. But
the zamindari. But such
such interest
interest gradually
gradually
faded when they
faded when they got
got themselves
themselves established
established ininsociety
society and
aod theirs
their*
successorsasasrecognised
successors recognisedmembers members of of the
the aristocracy
aristocracy tended
tended to to
withdraw themselves
withdraw themselves from from estate
estate management
management almost almost entirely,
as did most
most of the otherother older
older zamindars.
zamindars.
It is
It is claiaied
claimed that the medium
that the medium and and small
small zamindars
zamindars were were
less affected
less affected byby the
the operation
operation of of the sale laws, It has has been
been esti-
esti­
mated that about
mated that about 45 45 percent
percent of the landedlanded property
property of ofBengal
Bengal
Conclusion
Conclusion 255

was
was transferred
transferred through
through default
defaultofofrevenue
revenueduring
duringthetheperiod
period
under survey.
under About 70 percent
survey. About percent of of these transfers
transfers belonged
belonged
to only
only ten
ten great
great families,
families. Here
Here wewe find
find the relative
relative stability
stability
in structure
structure and
and composition
composition ofof the
the medium
medium andand small
small Ian-
lan-
dowing
dowing class. Their stability
class. Their is further
stability is further emphasised
emphasised by by the
fact that among
fact that amongthe the purchasers
purchasers of lands the established
lands the zamn
established zamin­
dars constituted the
the biggest
biggest occupational
occupational group.
The dismemberment
The dismemberment of monopolistic families isis the
monopolistic families the most
most
visible demonstration
visible demonstration of structural changes
of structural changes in in the
the districts
districts
formerly under
formerly under their
their control.
control. But But though
though theirtheir lands
lands were
were
purchased by
purchased byhundreds
hundredsand andthousands
thousandsofofnew new people
people they they did
did
not represent
not represent a significant
significant social force so
social force so far
far as
as their
their territorial
acquistions
acquistions were concerned.
concerned. For For the
the bulk
bulk ofof the
the lands
lands trans
trans
ferred to new new men
men was purchased
purchased by only only about
about thirty
thirty wealthy
wealthy
families, the majority
families, the majority ofof whom
whom werewere formerly
formerly either
either zamindari
zamindari
or government officers. It is entirely
government officers. entirelyaawrong
wrongnotion
notion to to believe
believe
however that
however that the Calcutta
Calcutta banians
banians andand merchants
merchants monopolised
monopolised
the purchases of the zamindari lands. The The banian
banian and and
merchants from
merchants from all
all over
overthethecountry
countryconstituted
constituted the the third
third most
most
extensive purchaser
extensive purchaser of lands.
lands. TheThe top top group
group of ofpurchasers
purchasers
were the
were theestablished
established zamindars
zamindars themselves
themselves who who werewerefollowed
followed
by their amla and officers
officers of the government.
government.
,/
(In fine,
(in fine, the
the permanent
permanent sett1ement
sett’ement laid laid the foundations
foundations of
the British
the British administrative
administrative system
system in Bengal,
Bengal, at at least,
least, though
though
not in the
not the whole
whole of of India.
lodia. But But itit was
was dote
done atatthe
the expense
expense
of social
of social orders.
orders. The system system put put the
the whole society society in in aa
state
state of of flux.
flux. The official ideology behind
official ideology behind the system system was
to bring
to bring about
aboutan an agrarian
agrarian revolution
revolution which,
which, inin turn, would would
bring automatic
bring structure and
changesinin the structure
automatic changes and habits
habits of of the
the
landed classes for
landed classes for the better. This This ideological pattern and
ideological pattern and the
measures designed to
measures designed freeze the traditional social
to freeze social structure
structure
introducedananenvironment
introduced environmentininwhich which families
families werewere moving
moving up
and
and downdown inin the socIal
social and
and economic
economic scalescale at at a faster
faster rate
than
than any any time beforebefore thethe permanent settlement. But But all
all
these changes unfortunately proved to be
changes unfortunately be mere
mere social
socialdisorders.
disorders.
256 Permanent Settlement in Bengal

The loss of rights

loss of rights of
ofryots,
ryots, growlh
growth of subinfeudation,
subinfeudation, conflicts
conflicts
between old
between oldand
andnewnew houses,
houses, absenteeism,
absenteeism, pressure
pressure of the sale
'aws, inadequate
laws, inadequate law law courts and police
courts and police system,
system, exclusion
exclusion ofof
the
the natives
natives from
from the important
important offices, decline of
offices, decline of trade
trade and
and
commerce
commerce and andindustries—all
industries-all contrbuted
contrbuted toto an
an extremely
extremely tense
tense
and unstable social environment Within
social environment. Within that
that atmosphere
atmosphere the
zamindars failed
zamindars failed to
to stand
stand for improvement. Instead of of becoming
becoming
improving landlords
landlords they turned out
they turned out to
to be
betyrannical
tyrannical and
unproductive.
unproductive. All All expectations
expectationsofof their
their becoming
becoming the agents
agents
of progress
of progress and and improvement
improvement thus thus vanished
vanished into
into a painful
painful
frustration from
frustration from which
whichthe the people
peole and
and the
the government
government of of Bengal
Bengal
suffered till its formal
formal abo1ition.
abolition.»
 GLOSSARY q
Am in
Amin An
An Indian
Indian judicial
judicial functionary,
functionary, also
also aa zamindari
zamindari
officer responsible for survey and valuation of lands.
officer responsible
Abwab Subjects
Subjects ofof taxation
taxation or
or the
the taxes which
which were
imposed under
imposed under the
the Mughal
Mughal government in addition
government in addition
to
to the
the regulariasessthent
regular'&ssessment onon land.
land, Miscellaneous
cesses and
cesses and imposts
imposts levied
levied byby the zamindars on
the zamindars
their
their ryots.
ryots.
Settlement or
Bandobast Settlement or agreement
agreement between
between the the zainindars
zamindars
and
and government
government and and between
between the the zarnindars
zamindars and and
the farmers
farmers and
and ryots.
ryots. ,
Banian A Hindu
A trader;; term
Hindu trader term commonly
commonly applied applied to mean mean
an Indian cashier
cashier or man of business
business in in the
the service
service
of an European
Europeanofficer.
officer or trader.
Hastabud A compatative account,
account, showing
showingthe.present
the present and and past
past
produceofof an
produce an estate,
estate, aa detailed
detailed statement
statement of of any
any
lands yielding revenue.
Jama Revenue
Revenue demand
demand payable
payable by by zamindars
zamindars to to govern-
govern­
ment, also
also rent
tent payable
payable by by ryots
ryots to
to zamindars.
zamindars.
Jot edar
Jotedar A farmer or or an
an overgrown
overgrown ryot ryot who
who held their lands lands
with some special privileges
some special privileges fromfrom the the zamindars
zamindars or
government.
Kachari An office from where revenue
office from revenue collections
collections were were made
made
and general administrations
administrations were were conducted.
conducted.
Kanungo Under the Mughal
Mughal administration
administration aa kanungokanungo was was aa'
district
district revenue
revenue officer
officer who recorded all
who. recorded
- all circums.
circums­
tances within their
tances within their areas
areas which
which concerned
concerned landed
landed
and the realization of revenue.
property and
Kist
K ist Instalment of revenue paymentpayment by by the zainindars
zamindars to to
government and also by the tenants tenants to to the
the zamindars.
zamindars.
Mahal
M ahal A revenue division
division ofof aa zamindari,
zamindari,
17-
17—
 258 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

Mandal
M andal The headman
The headmanofofaa village village whowhoacted
acted as as a middle-
middle­
man
man between
between the the ryots
ryots of of hishis vilisge
village andand thethe
government.
Mat
Matbarbar A village leader.
Mridha
M ridha The head
head peon
peon or 6r messenger.
messenger.
Mufassal A relative term meaning
relative term meaningoutside
outside thethe headquartes.
headquarters.
An officer stationed
An officer stationedinin Calcutta
Calcutta wentwent to to inufassal
mufassal
when
when he he visited
visited any anydistrict
districtheadquarters;
headquarters; again,again,
an officer
an officerstationed
stationedinina a district
district headquarters
headquarters went went
to rnufass
mufassal when when he visitedvisited aa place
place outside
outside his
his
station. A zmindar
station. zamindar visited mufassal mufassal when when he
visited
visited one one oU of his mahals. Its exact
his mahals. exact opposite
opposite is is
-
'Sadar'. The
‘Sadar’. The zamindari
zamindarikachari
kachariwas wasaa sadar
sadar for a
village officer
officerand ad the
the collector's
collector’s kachati
kachari was sadar'
was a sadar
for the zamindar.
zamindar. -

ustajir ! A
Mustajir
M A farmer
farmer or or aa renter
renter whowho heldheld lands
lands under
under a
zamindar
zamindar at atstipulated
stipulatedrate rate;; also
also aa revenue
revenue farmer
farmer
appointed
appointed totomake itakéthethe collections
collections on on behalf
behalf ofof the
zamuidars
zamindars on condition
condition of paying a fixed fixed sum
sum.
Lathial Club-men trained to fight
Club-men trained for their
fight for their masters.
masters.
Pargana A revenue district within zamindari. The smaller
within zamindari smaller
units of
units of aa pargana
pargana were were termed
termed as taraf,taraf, joar,
joar,;
mouja, etc.etc.
Paa
Patta A deed of lease, a;document
a document given by bythe
thezami-ndar
zamindar
i·. ,· to under,
to,under tenants
tenants specifying
specifying the
the condition
condition on
on which
which
the lands
the were held
lands were held andand the
the value
value to to be
be paid
paid to to
the authority or person from
the from whom
whomthe the lands-wart
lands were
held.
Patwari
Patw ari A zamindari
zamindari village
village officer
officer whowhokept
keptaccounts
accountsof- of-'
the village.
.Patni Permanent lease
Permanent lease at fixed rate of
fixed rate of rent.
rent. A land
land
tenure
tenure atat first
first practised
practised by
by the
the raja
raja of
of Burdwan
Burdwan
after the permanent
permanent settlement.
settlement.
Peada Servant under
under thethezamindari
zamindariofficers.
officers.
Rasad Progressive
Progressive increase
increase of revenue
revenue settlement.
Glossary 259

Ryot Cultivator holding landslands from

from the zamindars
zamindars under
various rights and obligations.
Sajawal An officer
An officer specially
specially appointed
appointed to administer
administer an an
estate the proprietor
estate proprietor of of which
which was
was removed
removed on on
default.
head of
Serestadar A head ofaadepartm
department:
ent: aa superintendent
superintendent of an an
office,
Sicca A newly
A newly coined
coined rupee
rupee which
which waswas the
the standard
standard
moneyand
money andinin terms
terms ofoi which the revenue
which the revenue settle-
settle­
ment took
took place.
place. WhenWhen the the new
new coins
coins were
were in in
circulation,
circulation, aa batta
batta was
was charged
charged on onold
oldones.
ones. One
hundred sicca
hundred sicca rupees
rupees were
were equal
equal toto one
one hundred
hundred
and
and sixteen current rupees
rupees which
which were
were the money
money
account.
of account.
Tahsildar A loal
localzamindari
zamindarior orgovernment
governmentofficer
officerwho
whocollec-
collec­
ted revenue from the ryota ryots.
Takavi Advances
Advances of of money
money made
made by bythe
the government to the
cultivators
cultivators in order
order to
to encourage
encourage extension
extension of
cultivationoror sometimes
cultivation sometimesmade madetoto the cultivators
cultivators
at the time
time of
of bad
bad seasons
seasons.
Zila subdivision or district,
A territorial subdivision district.
 All figures in sicca
figures are in aiccarupees
rupeesand
andend
end inin thousand8
thousands. Upper APPENDJX B
APPENDIX ' : Λ ’
line of figures
line of figures against
againsteach
eachdistrict
district indicates
indicates jama
jawa of
of lands
lands . . .

advertised
advertised forforsale
saleand
andlower
lowerline
linegives
give8the the jama
jama of
of lands
lands of lands
J*ma of
Jaina 1»ηίβ advertised for
lor aale and actually
eale and actually sold
sold .

actually sold.
sold. 1793.1819 '
1793-1819 . .

Bengal Annnl
Annual 1745
1794*5 1795-6
1795-6 1796.7
1796*7 1797 e
1797$ 1798-9
1798-9 1799-0 1800.1
1800-1 1801.2
1801-2 1802-3 1803*4
1803-4 1804-5 18056
1805·6 1806-7
18067 18078
1807-8 1808-9 1809-10 1810-11 1811-2 1812-3 1813-44
1813 1814-5 1815-6 1816-7 1817-8 1818*9
1s18-9 Totaj
Total %on the
Ji£on the baf>8
basis %
%on
on the besia
basis
jazna
JSJ33& in
ill 1804-5 of total
r.istricts
Districts 17941819 of the district
1793
1793 1201 B.
1201 B. S.
S. 1202 1203 1204 1205 1213 & 4
1214 1215 1216 1217 1218
1218 1219 1220 1221
1221 1222 1223 1224 1225 1794-1819 revenue salea and
sales
1204 1205 1206
1206 1207 1208 1209 1210 12lii
12ll 1212 ' .

.
advertisements
advertisementa
Birbbnm
Birbhum 6920
692*0 nil 254-9
254'9 154631.o132.o
154*6 131*0 132*0 1120
112*0 901
90*1 1255
125*5 238
23*8 147
14*7 325365
32*536*5 .
•4
.4 collectorate . 1108*0
1108'O 16011
160-11 103
1*03
nil 53*9
53 9 128*3
128 3 66*4
4 /■ • 3856
385*6 84*53
84 53 4*49
4 49
119*2
119 2 93*6
93'6 36*6
36 6 46Ί
46'1 91*8
91 8 99*7
7 nil ;
Burdwan
BurdwaD 4488-3
448&3 6652
665*2 654
65*4 8919
891*9 1033 38 2656*8
265&8 62
6*2 3127
312*7 630
63*0 7190
719*0 4453
445*3 1146*9
114&9 3906
390*6 2414
241*4 1221 4879
487*9 15376
1537*6 1411*5
14115 *5
5 *4
.4 nil nil 765'7
763‘7 789
78*9 9000
900*0 144748
14474*8 32280
322*80 13'52.
13*52
534*0
534O .

6328
632*8 nil '1 14
1*4 67 46901
6450
645*0 773'7
773*7 2046*2
2046'2 3.4
3*4 2128
212*8 430
43*0 642
64*2 471
47*7 494
49*4 330
33*0 128*6
12&6 nil nil *8
8 i
*1 *1
1 '5
*5 •4
.4 nil nil *1 6*7 4690*1 1O449
104*49 3613
36*13
Chittagong 539.9
539-9 289
28*9 261
26-7 230
23*0 558
55*8 467
46*7 287
28*7 79
7*9 300
30*0 1081
108*7 1431
143*7 214*0
214'O 2608
260*8 1526
152*6 2676
267*6 7528
752*8 339
33*9 1888
188*8 18
1*8 598
59*8 54
5*4 4.3
4*3 5635
563*5 5663
566*3 5672
567*2 44172
4417*2 81811
818*11 412
4*12
2783
278*3 .

19
1*9 78
7-8 16
1*6 5*4
5.4 40
4-0 222
22*2 31
3*1 61
6*1 32
3*2 3*7
3.7 80
8*0 58
5*8 21
2*1 12
1*2 27
2-7 *3
.3 4
*4 13
1*3 18
1*8 598
59*8 54
5*4 43
4*3 4*5 46
4*6 56
5*6 1439
143*9 2648
26*48 1*09
1'09
Dacca 1285*8
1235'S 3728
372-8 8568
856*8 5111
511*1 372*1
3721 295*3
2953 3429
342*9 2500
250*0 3350
335*0 3358
335*8 5641
564*1 6749
674*9 699*4
6994 9839
983*9 2626
262*6 2141
214*7 5274
527*4 11150
1115*0 12908
1290*8 27
2*7 1*5
1 36
3*6 19
1*9 1657*0
1657'O 5636 5988
598*8 128337
12833*7 99805
998 05 1199
11-99
. 2'l
2*1 264
26*4 19*0
19'O 9*9
9.9 73.9
73*9 2150
215*0 1891
189*7 2626
262*6 189
18*9 81
8*1 30 30
3*0 15
1*5 21
2*1 *9
9 j77
17-7 -7
.7 32
3*2 27
2*7 F5
1*5 „ 36
3-6 r9
■' ' 1*9 26
2*6 25
2*5 . 2*8
28 8773
877*3 68*20
6&20 673
6*73
Dinajpur 18395
1839*5 nil nil 1582
158-2 7258
725*8 129*5
129'5 732
73*2 1000
100*0 2162
216*2 1564
156*4 1818
181*8 59*8
59'8 5469
546-9 5834
583*4 793
79*3 608
60*8 4173
417*3 10390
1039*0 . . 30816
3081*6 3873
387*3 64
6*4 34
3*4 142
14*2 4
•4 11401
1140*1 4712
471*2 107222
10722*2 58414
584*14 1008
10*08
nil nil nil 4409
440*9 8342
834*2 722
72-2 817
81*7 1162
116*2 334
33-4 183
18*3 *8
8 110
11*0 nil nil 158
15*8 •4
4 nil i5
1*5 70
7*0 6*4
&4 3'4
3‘4 14'2
14*2 nil 58
5*8 ail
nil 1663'2
1663‘2 9040
90*40 1299,
12*99
Jessore 11766
1176*6 1134
113-4 2900
290-0 4824
482-4 722
72*2 3952
395*2 187
18-7 216*0
21&O 556
55*6 407'5
407*5 5918
591*8 2147
214*7 1934 3655
365*5 3O8
30*8 236
23*6 6233
623*3 3891 371-9
371'9 *1
1 '
nil 14
1-4 *2
2 18022
1802*2 11344
1134*4 1405a
1405*3 92077
9207*7 78250
782*50 860
8*60
10-8
1O8 ' 1144
114*4 2O64
206-4 456
45*6 3082
308*2 13
1*3 1168
116*8 355
35-5 45*8
4&8 73
7*3 18
1*8 •4
4 1*0
1O 11
1*7 *1
1 5'6
5*6 nil *1
1 *1
1 nil 14
1-4 *2
2 13
1*3 11
1*1 nil 9069
906*9 7700
77*00 '
6*96
96

Murshidabad 11771
1177-1 2481
248-7 138
13-8 1117
111*7 3391 2800
280*0 1011
101*1 2377
237*7 412
41*2 2113
211*3 8&8
88*8 1355
135*5 149
14*9 861
86*1 1638
163*0 1481
148*7 268*0
268O 4708
470-8 3581
358*1 *1
1 nil .' 85
8*5 ' *9
9 18424
1842*4 229&1
2296*1 20838
2083*8 94959
9495*9 80664
806*64 887
8*87
95*2
95'2 11.0
0 81
8-1 1269
126-9 577
57*7 53*7
53.7 1321
132*7 242
24*2 185
18*5 IS'9
18*9 128
12'8 •8
8 1*0
1O F2
1*2 22
2*2 1*1 14
1*4 *2
2 1
•1 nil 885
5 •9
9 *6
6 60
6*0 3*2
&2 5795
579*5 49'18
49*18 444
4*44
MymensingL
Mymenaingh 747.9
747-9 31'4
31-4 275
27-5 605
60-5 452
45*2 1607
160*7 371
37*7 45*9
45.9 71O
710 534*0
534O 3191
319*1 1432
143*2 1611
161*1 188
181*8 18955
189 1421
142*1 l'3
1-3 2594
259-4 27*1
27'1 *1
1 nil •5
.5 *6
6 6563
656*3 5934
593*4 948*0
94&O 46374
4637*4 62000
620*00 433
4*33
142
14-2 3.4
3-4 120
12*0 50
5*0 136
13*6 117
11*7 238
23*8 560
56*0 320
32*0 22
2*2 11
1*1 1-0
1O 3*3 •5
.5 r8
1-8 13
1*3 ■1'1 •9
9 :11 nil *5
5 *6
6 nil 4
*4 *5
5 1830
183*0 2446
24*46 140
1*40

Nadia 15563
1556-3 5046
504-6 2849
284*9 ' 575-9 6814 2258
225-8 2646
264*6 3590
359*0 2770
277*0 846
84*6 660
66*0 214
21*4 260
26-0 81
8*1 81
8*1 103
10*3 101*5
iors i1*9 3*3
3.3 nil 581
58*1 652
65*2 *6
6 5473
547-3 761*8
761 6945
694*5 55716
5571*6 35796
357*96 520
5*20
*2
2 10
1-0 104
10-4 3715
371*5 5O6
50*6 ' 175*9
1759 2571
257*7 1177
117*7 846
84*6 660
66*0 214
21‘4 260
26*0 81
8*1 nil 103
10*3 nil P9
1*9 33
3*3 nil 5&I
58*1 nil 6 *8
8 nil 11
1 1*1 12672
1267*2 8141
81*41 9*73
9.73

Purnia
Piirtha 10228
1022-8 105
10*5 88
8*8 371
37-1 36-6
3&6 598
59-8 64'4
64*4 278
27*8 300
30*0 899
89*9 4&8
48*8 25'9
25*9 1019
101*9 961
96*1 486
48*6 265
26*5 5242
524*2 76.2 88*3
8&3 857
85*7 1010
101*0 824
82*4 3538
353*8 1726
172*6 . ' 169
16-9 6819
681*9 28951
2895*7 28304
283*04 270
2*70
■66 46
4*6 119
11-9 176
17*6 53
5*3 302
30*2 128
12*8 nil 49
4*9 205
20*5 *8
8 nil
nIL 12
1*2 nil 16
16 10
1*0 nil nil
ni 24
2*4 &5
8*5 nil nil *4
*4 nil nil 1243
124*3 1212
12*12 ' *95
.95
\
ajshahi
'kajshahi 14088
1408-8 6572
657*2 1033'6
1033-6 76'8
76*8 $41 '
84*1 2244
224*4 3000
300*0 10120
1012*0 1256
125*6 2129
212*9 4400
440*0 6254 * 320*9
625*4 3209 4760
476*0 1052
105*2 566
56*6 ' 366
36*6 5096
509*6 7557
755*7 4.5
4-5 6321
632*1 1930
193*0 10148
1014*8 6185
618*5 2191 ' 11089
1108*9 108435
10843*5 76966
769*66 1013
10*13
■3 1059
105*9 131
13*1 386
38*6 j4.9
64-9 45.7
45*7 6579
657*9 826
82*6 247
24*7 211
21*7 71
7*1 86
8*6 52
5*2 80
8*0 *9
9 nil *8
8 2*6
2 45
4*5 *9
.9 3*3
3.3 21
2*7 32
3*2 11
1*1 10
1*0 11059 7843
78*43 849
8*49
.3
angpur
tangpur '
8821
882-7 241
24*7 809
80*9 99*0
99Ø o-i
Ø.] 201
20*1 265
26*5 397
39-7 712
71*2 996
99*6 331
33-7 nil 127
12*7 403
40*3 241
24 1 12'4
12‘4 *5 45.9
45*9 31
3*1 2103
210*3 216*9
216 nil 5604
560*4 3663
366*3 4527
452*7 4jo
461*0 28820
2882*0 32649
326*49 . 2'69
2*69
nil ' 311
31*1 231
23*1 nil 133
13-3 126
12*6 39'?
397 38*1
3&1 332
33*2 16
1*6 nil 40
4-0 nil nil 3 22 *5
.5 ♦2
2 *2
2. nil nil nil nil nil
iitl 16
1*6 160
16*0 21&4
218*4 2469
24*69 167
1*67

yiliet
jsylhet 2906
290*6 nil nil nil 82
8*2 105
10*5 325
32*5 277
27*7 501
50*1 828
82*8 1014
101*4 18
1*8 15
1*5 14 1*9
1.9 32
3*2 2722
272*2 •1
-1 •2
'2 *2
2 j*1 nil nil 311
31*1 513
51*3 554
55*4 7306
730*6 25129
251*29 *68
68
nil nil nil 2'4
2*4 3'4
3*4 48
4*8 197
19*7 20*6
2U6 27
2-7 46
4*6 18
1*8 15
1*5 *8
8 14
1*4 27
2*7 13
1*3 i•1 ■22 *2
2 nil nil nil *1
1 *1
1 nil 68*2
6&2 2&40
23*40 *55
55

ipperab
upperab 10461
1046-1 *2
2 •7
7 114
11*4 1019
101*9 1348
134*8 45'4
45*4 394
39*4 79
7-9 2244
224*4 2102
210*2 1004
100*4 756
75*6 671
67*1 941
94*1 810
81*0 13898
1389*8 2767
276*7 7744
774*4 2 *9
9 58
5*8 18
1*8 15545
1554*5 8195 14145
1414*5 74336
7433*6 71043
710*43 694
6*94
1
*1 nil 38
3-8 318
31*8 553
56*3 144
14*4 99
9-9 69
6-9 107
10-7 92 76*2
76'2 33
3-3 27
2*7 . 1'4
1*4 3*9
&9 39.7
39*7 21
2*7 109
10*9 20
2*0 *9
9 58
58 18
1-8 35
3*5 71
7*1 nil 3054
305*4 2915
29*15 . 234
2*34
|4-Parg<inas
4-Pargdnas 8652
865*2 84
8*4 705
70*5 2845
284*5 4619
461*9 ' 3537
353-7 646
64*6 35*0
3&0 109
10-9 1712
171*2 1749
174-9 146*9
1469 3920
392-0 1737
173-7 1671
167*1 1706
170*6 4068
406*8 567'1
567*1 nil 18
1*8 *8
8 '6
*6 F6
1*6 22133
2213-3 19141
1914*1 19791 977F6
9771*6 112933
1129 33 92
9*12
,

nil ' •9
9 859
85*9 1090
109*0 582
58*2 95
9*5 213
21-3 70
7*0 104
10-4 95
9*5 192
19*2 18
1*8 *7
7 *8
8 160
16*0 nil *1
1 nil 14
1*4 *8
8 *6
6 16
1*6 nil *2
2 nil , 2959
295*9 3409
34*09 226
2*26
u— ----------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:

K otals:
otals : .

evenne of lands advertised

Revenue ,

B>rr sale 190196

19019*6 26660
2666*0 S0146
3014*5 S481
3458*1 51492
S149‘2 6162
6165*2 1518-5
1518 20O
2800*9 14602
1460*2 3461‘9
461'9 S413 2884
341&-3 2884·? 3941
3943*7 37l2
3715*2 15689
1568*9 13269
1326-9 5818'6
5818*6 63223
6322*3 8354
8354*3 648
694*8 1O00
1080*0 .698
369-8 J955]
19551 12789*1
127891. 106082
10608*2 133696
13369*6 107025*5
10702&5 100*00
heir percentage
■heir percentage , , ,

IE the revenue of ,

mgal
■engal 1401
14*01 1584
15*84 1818
18*18 2181
21-81 32‘41
32'41 798
7*98 1412
14‘72 767
7*67 1819
18*19 1797
17*97 1594
15*94 2013
20*73 1953
19*53 8'24
8*24 697
6*97 3058
30*58 3&23
33*23 4392
43*92 364
3*64 567
5*67 194
1*94 1027
10*27 6724
67*24 5577
55*77 7029
70-29 56270
562*70 , ,
10000
100*00
Revenue of lands
[Revenue . ' '-
actually sOld
■actually sold 758*2
75&2 3504
350-4 1108*7
11O&7 20978
2097*8 36854
3685*4 3928
392*8 18258
1825*8 9055
905*5 3936
393-6 249*0
249O 2035
203*5 l0O2
100*2 1532
153*2 18*3
18'3 62'1
62*1 681
68-7 79
7*9 245
24*5 228
22*8 1393
139*3 325
32*5 288
- 28*8
. 17*1
17'1 319
31*9 36*9
3&9 130148
13014*8
ercenetage of
■Percenetage *

otal revenue
■total revenue . ,

■off Bengal 398

3*98 184
1*84 582
5*82 1102
11*02 1937
19-37 363
3*63 959
9*59 4.75
4*75 206
2*06 130
1*30 106
1*06 . *52
52 *80
80 *09
O9 *32
32 ' *35
35 '03
*03 *12
12 *11
11 13
•73 *16
16 *14
14 *08
08 *16
16 *18
18 682
68*2

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p «Ο so 00 CO
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 APPENDIX 2
Sources oE the figures
o f the figures in Table 10
10
Si No
SI. No. Orz
O gin al Purchases
riginal Purchases SI No
SI. No. Subsequent Sales
i B.O
fl. BORP, .R.P., ilAug
11 Aug.1797
1797 1. BORP,8Aug
1 B .O .R .P , 8 Aug.1801,
1801,
„ No
No. 1,
1, P73/22
P73/22 ,, No
No. 37
37. P74/33
P74/33
29 Aug.
29 Aug 1797
1797. 30 Sept,
Sept 1800,
1800,
No 58,
! No. 58, P73/22
P73/22 App
App. CC., P74/23
,

2.'
2. · ,
17 April 1798,
17 1798, 2. . ,,„ 29 Sept. 1801,
1801,
App. D,D, P73/31
P73/31 No. 31,
31, P74(35
P74/35
,» 8 June, 1798
1798 ,, 15 Feb. 1799,
15 1799,
L App. E, ?73/33
P73/33 App
App Q,Q, P73/43
P73/43
i, 3 August 1798,
1798,
App.
App. D,D, P73-35
P7335
„ 12 Aug. 1800,
1800,
No. 29, P74/15
No. 29, P74/15
3. „,, 5 June 1793,
1793, 3. ,, 13 Aug.
Aug- 1799,
1799,
Board's
Board’s App. A, P73/Si
App. A, P73/51
Proceedings ,, 6 Dee.
Dec. 1799,
(no number) No. P74/13
4. ,,„ 15 May 1798,
1798, 4. ,, 18 Sept. 1801,
1801,
i]; :[ App D,
App. D, P73/32
P73/32 App B,C,
App. B,C, P7/41
5
5. ,, 5 April 1799,
1799, 5.
5, ,, 18 August 1801,
1801,
App.
App. C, P73/46 App. A. P74/41
App. P74/41
„ 11
11 June 1799,
1799, ,, 18 Sept.
Sept. 1801,
1801,
App. M,Μ, P73/49 App. A.,
A„ P74/41
P74/41
p. : ·; „ 30 July 1799,
1799,
App, F,
F, P75/SO
P75/50
6. „,, 19 April 1799,
1799, 6..
6 ,, 30 Sept.1800,
30 Sept. i00,
No.77
No. App. (I
Arm. C, P74/23
P74/2

2 January 1801,
1801,
App. C.D., P74/4
App.
12 July 1801,
1801,
App. B, P74(41
App. P74/41
 262 Permanent Settlement
Permanent Settlement in Bengal
7. , 23 Aug.
Aug. i799,
1799, B.O.R.P.
7. B.O.R.P. 16 Dec. 1800,
16 1800,
No. 49,P73/51
No. App. D, P74/23
8. 7 July 1801.
1801. 8. ,,„ 7July
7 July 1801,
1801,
No. 38, P74/32 No. 38, P74/32,
P74/32
9.
9 , 11 Aug.
11 Aug 1797,
1797, 9.
9 „,, 30 Sept.
30 Sept 1800,
1800;; '
No.' I,
No. 1, P73/22 App' c,
Appi C, P74/23
Ρί4/2ί3
,, 4 Aug. 1801,
1801,
App. B,
E, P74/91
P74/91
10. ,,99 May 1799,
14 Mey 10. ,;M 9 July 1802,
1802, ;
App. B, P73/47 App. B.
B.
11. .,«
9 20 Sept. 1799, 11. ,,
I* 9 July 1802,
1802,
■ .. No. 14, P73/52
No. App.
A pp.QQ,,P75/9
P75/9
12. ,,»1 18 June 1799.
1799, 12. ,,
99 5 June 1801,
1801,
App. D, P73/49 App.
App. A, P74/41
>♦ 8 July 1800,
1800,
No. 34, P74113
P74/13
13. 99
11 June 1799,
1799, 13. 99 13 January 1801,
1801
App. 0, P73/49
App. Ο, P73/49 App. H,
Η, P74/23
P74/23
9* 23 Aug. 1799,
1799,
App. A, P73/51
App.
14. ,,
*P 6 June 1797,
1797, 14. >» 20 Feb. 1987,
1987,
No. 7, P73/20
P73/20 App. B, P73/29
App.
'15.
15. *'T .,
*9 23 Aug. 1799,
23 15. >1 16 Dec. 1800,
1800,
App, A, P73/Si
App. P73/51 App. E, P74/23
P74/23
16,
16. ,,
99 21 May
May 1799,
1799, 16,
16. » 7 Oct. 1800
1800
App. A, P73/47
P73/47 App. F,
App. F, P74/2S
P74/23
17. ,,
»♦ 11 Nov. 1796, 17. 99 7 Oct. 1800,
1800,
No. 22, P73/10
No. No. 12, P74/S8
P74/38
II 14 April
14 April 1797,
1797,
·:. ..
No. 3, P73/18
No. P73/18
.- J ■
21 April 1797,
1797,
No 13, P73/18
No. P73/18.
 APPENDIX
APPENDIX 33
THE
THE VALUE
VALUE OP
OF LANDED
LANDED PROPERTY
PROPERTY
Year of purchase reckoning zamindars' profits at 10
10 per cent of
of the
the sadar jama

1201
1201 B. S. 1202 1203 1204 1205 1206 1207 1208 1209 1210 1211 1212 1213 1214 1215 1216 1217 1218 1219 1220
1220 1221 1222 1223 1224 1225 Average
year of
1794.5
1794-5 -6
- 6 -7
- 7 -8
—8 -9
-9 1800 -1
—1 -2
-2 - 33 - 44 —55 —6
6 —77 --8
8 - 99 -10
—10 - 111
1 -12-13
—12 - 13 -14
—14 -15
—15 -16
-1 6 -17
-1 7 -18
-1 8 --19
19 purchase

Birbhum 21 14 10 7 5 9 2 3 8 Collectorate abolished in 1805

1805 8
Burdwan nil 12 7 6 4 8 9 7 11 4 2 12 30 7 64 46 65 12 88 12 7 160 14 29 22
Chittagong 17 21 12 37 37 10 25 29 33 16 16
16 26 52 49 17 94 74 71
71. 44 58 72 7 74 56 41
Dacca 23 23 21 12
12 2 23 7 8 18 10 18 30 7 41 64 7 42 49 32 25 23 48 14 17 24
Dinajpur nil nil 10 5 99 10 11 11
11 19 62 16
16 nil nil 18
18 28 nil
nil 52 28 27 73 15 nil 60 nil 27
Jessore nil 18 15 7 13 16 21 23 24 9 14
14 32 83 47 7 23 55 161
161 10 30 26 9 50 29 30
Murebidabad
Murshidabad 30 15
15 15 nil 16 14 19 23
23' 10 14 21 23 19 12 144 11 11 52 11
11 61
61 30 196 44 57 36
Mypienaingb
Mymensingh 15 24 2I
25 17 6 200 19 12 13
13 13 19
19 36 14 82 4 20 101
101 18 15 26 14 22 25 50 25
Nadia
Naclia 20 18 10 10 8 15 10 6 16 12 88 54 nil 11 nil
nil 5 23 48 106 nil 50 82 · nil 42 24
Purnia 8 16 16 25 9 10 4 2 11 nil nil.
nil 44 nil 8 62 nil nil 3 36 nil nil nil nil nil 17
Rajahahi
Rajshahi 9 17 7 77 nil 13 5 7 77 8 1 9 29 18 nil 20 3 7 72 11 39 100 66 80 23
Rangpur 15 24 nil nil 12 7 7 9 1 nil 63 nil nil 48 44 247 465 nil nil 123 nil
nil nil 76 nil 62
Sylbet
Sylhet nil nil 2 8 14 5 12 16 3 5 19 9 22 22 21 41 19 12 nil nil 25 120 8 40 20
Tipperab
Tipperah nil 18 11 8 7 9 9 8 13
13 6 18 7 11 27 18 12 39 3 4 10 16 24 • 8 13 12
24-Parganas 23 9 6 8 10 8 10 10 11 10 23 , 7 41 36 nil 160 nil 5 38
38 13 60 nil 80 11 26

Total 20 13 9 6 7 10 12 11 11 9 8 15 ' 24 28 29 23 41 24 68 40 30
80 70 42 29

Sources:; See the

Sources the sources of Appendix
sources of every year.
1 against every
Appendix 1
 APPENDIX
APPENDIX 4
i
The estates purchased
purchased by
by the Kandid
Kandidfamily,
family,Murshidabad
Murshidabad
Nam.s o,fparganas
Names of-^akganas - DDistricts
istricts w here situated
where Jama
Jam a
Pargana BuItua
Buliua )
„ Amidabad Noakbali
Noakhali Not given
„ Babupu r
Babupur )

„ Naldi Jessore ; ,,
Turuf Tulsipur
Tulsipur Rajsbahi
Rajshahi „
„ Shasan ,:, 24-Parganes
24-Parganas „
ParganaBagaun
Pargana Bagaun Nadia »»
Hishnulaksipur
Lot E1ishnu1ksipur Burdwen
Burdwan ,»
Taluk Gopalpur
Taluk Midnapur „
Lot Joyi
,, Srihati
Srihati
Birbhum
Diruoum „
„ Dalia
Dali a
„ Kagash
Turlif Saktoris
Turuf Saktoria and
and
Sadipur Burdwan „
Pargana Radhaballabpur
Pargana 1
1

Kismat Radhaballabpur Jj Murshidabad

Murshadabad „
Bhalagachi )V
Bhalagaohi
Kasimpur C . Dinajpur „
Amnagur }
)
Rogupur I\
Rainnia
Ramnia jf Purnia „
Pargana Rahuni }I
Cuttach
Cuttaoh „
„ Chabukad
Cbabukad JJ

,, Anupsha Balandhar
Alatnpur
Turuf Alampur Aug
Alig „
„ MMathura
athura Mathura „
Total Jama
Total Jama:: S. R,
R. 4,75,413
4,75,413

Source Kissory Chand

Source : Kissory Chand Mitra,
MHra, “ Territotial Astocray ofofBengal.
Territorial Aristocracy Bengal,
Kandi Fam
pamily".
ily”. Te
TneCalcutta
CalcuttaReview,
Review, vol.
vol. 58
5 8 s1874,
1874, p.
p. 116.
116,
 APPINb1x
A p p e n d ix 5
s

Tte
The estttes
estates purchased by the Banarji
purchased by Banarji fam ily
family
of
of Teliopara,
Telinpara, Hughli
Hughti

l'arganas/Districts
Parganas I D istricts Jamaa
Jam Amount
Am ount ppaid
a id Sources
at purchase
S.R.
S. R. S.R.
S. R.
F'argana Amirabad, Rajshahi
Fargana 5,961 665 Ί1
Tuppab Aruognagar
Arungnagaf ,, ft 2,252 400
Bongong Khalsa ,, if 21,421 2,525
Basuras Mababbatpur
Mahabbatpu r ,,>> 8,738 1,512
BongongJagir
Bongong Jagir ,, 9t 11,495 1,177
Begamabad
Begamabid Jessore 7,651 1,330
Berahimpur ,,** 19,184 1,205 ?'
lelihati
I elihati Amirabad
Amirabad ,. f 13,805 1,505 1

Turf Kachabaria
Kachabaria 1,287 185 1

Pargana Havely
Havely *· ,. -
— -
—

Sudya i,, i 37,989 3,570

Tuppa Binudpur *,, t 2,841 500 j
In the name
name ofof his
son Joyram
son Joyram Dutt :
Pargana Eussufpur
Pargana ,, 14,168 16,100 Ί
,
Begamabad
Begamabad ((the the
remaining
remaining half of of 2
the mahal
mahal ) ,, 7,651 13,500
)
1
Belgatchi ,, 7,908 15,600
Jj
In the names of
Shibnath, Ramnath
Ramnath
and Kamalkrishna :
and
Pargana Khattia
Pargana
((66 mahals)
mahals ) ,, 6,791 2,309 3
Dhee Shajadpur
Dhee ,, 10,342 4,700 4
Total jama
jama and
and
amount of parchase
parchase S. R. 1,68,673
1,68,673 66,783

11 B. O.
B. R. P,.
0. R. P.. 11
11 September 1795, No.
September 1795, N o.1,1. P72/46.
P72/46.
22 Ibid.,
ibId., 28
28 June
June 1796, No. 2,
1796, No. 2, P73/5.
P7315.
33 Ibid., 23
ibId., 23August
August 1799,
1199,Appendix
Appendix A,
A, P73/51.
P73/Si.
44 Ibid.,
IbId., No. 49.
No. 49.
 APPENDIX
APPENDIX 66
The estates purchased
The estates purchased by by the
the Marail
Narail family
family
Jeesorp.,_,j
Jessore . ^
!'James
Names o fof Former Amount AfHouni
Amount ‘
Parganas
Far g a m s Proprietors of
Proprietors o fjam
jana a ppaid
a id at
at Source
Source
purchase
'S.R.
••S. R. \ S.R'.
SLRi·'"-'
Tuppa Bbadaressnr,
Bhadaressur, Raja
Rajaof ofBurd wan 2,347 13,100
Burdwan 13,100 1
Burdwann
Noapur Burdwan Ramnidhi
Ramnidhi Ghosb
Ghosh 10,547 2,600
Rajgram
Rajgratn „ ,, „ ,, „ 9,872 2,400 |
,,

Khurd Selampur,, ,,„ „,, 11,105 4,500 |

Nilganj - „ ,, „ ,, „ 13,987 2,000 1
,, 1 2
2
Kisinat Pandua „
Kismat ,, „ ,, 43984 13,100
„ 43,984,, 13,100 "
Tuppa Ganghadharpur, J
Burdwan : „ ,, „ 3,395 2,900
,, 1

Tuppa Serajàbad,
Serajabad, '1

Burdwan ,, „ 2,745
,, 1,100 J
1,100
Turf Ghidganj,
Ghidganj, Burdwan
Burdwan „ „,,
6,896 13.100
13,100 3
Uzzedia „,, Natu Sinha 11,191 2,355 4
Pargana Okra. Nadia
Nadia Raja of Nadia
Nadia 57,819 6,20,000 5
Total S. R. 1.73.888
1,73,888 6.77.155
6,77,155

1 B .O
1 8. 0,.R
R..P .. 23
P.. 23 May 1798, No.
May 1798, No. 37A,
37a, P73/19.
p73/l9.
B .O
22 B. 0. .R
R..P ., 10
P., 10 May 1799, Appendix
May 1799, Appendix5,B. P73/47.
P73/47,
3 Ibid., 17
3 IbId., 17 May 1799, No.
May 1799, No.1,1, P73/47.
P73/47.

4 Ibid.. 11 February
4 Ibid.. 1814, NNo.28,
February 1814, o .28, P77/31.
P17/31.
 APPENDIX 7
The estates
The estates purchased
purchased by
by the
the Manik family, Dinajpur
Manik family, Ilinajpur
Names
Names ooff mahals
mahals Former
Amount
Am ount /*
/ Amount
Am ount ooff
Pro
P prie,tor DDisçrict
roprietor istrict oof,jama
f jam a purchase SourcesSources
s,1<.
S. K. S.R.
S. R.
In the
In the name
name ooff M
Manik chand
anik Chand
ParganaBurbila
Pargana Bbi1a RajajofRaj^ of
Dinajpur Dinajpur 35,520 35,520 31,100 11
„ Taria
Tarla ,, „,, 5,377
5 ,3 7 7 2,750 22
Mouja Rogonatpur „ ,,„J,,>5> 7,927 8,000 8,000
Kashba Ghajnagar ,, »,, 4,233 9,000
4.233
Mouja Keshabpur „ ,, ,,tf 7,288 6.000
,, 6.000 y 3
SinguianJ
„ Siaguriganj ,, 9» «6,675
, 2,000
nnn
2,000
o
Madabpur
Pargana Madabpur „,, „ 5,494
,, 1,400 j J
InthenameofKirti
In the name o f K ir ti t' · ' .
Chand, his grandson
Milanpur , „ JJ 5,590 3,300
Pallashbari ,» if 7,335 1,800
Matikatha
Matikatba „ 15 4,588 1,750
In tke
t h e name o f Mitunlal
name of M itunlal
Chand, his grandson
Jatmanpur ,, „ ft 5,592 1300
1,800
fl2,300
1

Fulpur „ 4,520
A flt. '!)lCt .1 - - -

name ooff Anand,

In the name A nand Y
chand,'Bhoyrob Chand
Chand,'Bhoyrob hand |
Ramchand, his grandsons ,j
Golabor
Golahor „ „ 4,835 2,400
Shamnagar „ ,, 3,842 1,040
Maheshpur
Maheslipur : „ ,» 5,178 1,775 I
Inthe
In the name
name of
of I
Ullumchand, his
Ullumchand, hts grandson
grandson J!.
fro m his
front Jzs daughter’s
dauffhter's side
Shujapur
japur .»,, >·
,, 5,140 3,425 1
Krishnapur
Krishnapur „
,,
,, 4,694
.4,694; 4,025 ,
Mariamganj
Martamganj ,, „,, < 2,210 2,500 t
Bahuganj
Bahuganj ,, m
,, 3,364 3,725 y
Tagarah „,, U'
, 4,713 3,550
Surbari “ »»
,, »,, 2,219.!
2,219.; 2,325
2.325 J
Total S.R.1,36,334
S .R . 1,36,334 67,965
1
1 B. 0.
B. O. R,
R, P.,
P., 1
1 August
AuguSt 1797, No.
1797, No. 37, P73122.
P73/22.
22 Ibid., 22 April
IbId., April 1799,
1799, Appendix
Appendix Q, P73/46.
P73/46.
33 Ibid., 11
»1 May 1798,Appendix
May 1798, AppendixB,B,P73/3'.
P73/3,
44 Ibid., 14
14 May 1799, Appendix,
May 1799, B. P?3/4n,
Appendix, B. P73f4',
55 Ibid.,
IbId., 30 July 1799,
1799, Appendix
AppendixΟ, P73/50.
0, p73/50.
66 Ibid., 31 MIY
IbId., 31 M»y 1803,
1803,Appendix
Appendix A,
A, P73/23,
P75/23,
 APPENDIX 88
APPENDIX
The estates purcha8ed by the family of
purchased by
AbhoyCharan
Abhoy haran Dutt of Calcutta
Calcutta
Names
Names ooff parganas
parganas Formei
Former Amount of
Amount Amount
< , Proprietor of
o f jama
ja m a purchase * Sources
S.R.
S. R. S.R.
S. R.
Woolusi,
Wool usi, Nadia Raja4of
Raja 'of Nadia 6,087
6,087 1,400
1400 )1
Krisbnapur
Krishnapur *9 ,,»* 4,169,
4,169ç 1,300
1,300 I
Bashbaria ·,,
» •t ., 3,447
,447 *2,000
2,000 j
Rampur ,, 99 ,,. 4,977
4,977 1,100 i
Kanairali ,,
M ,,
>t 5,066 1,500
1,500
Samtab ,,
99 ,, if 4,088 1,600
1,600
Chandurah ,,
if ,,
1« 5,349 2,800 1.
1.
Rudrapur ,,
V
,,
99 5,381
5,381 2,000
2,000 I

Barakpur '.,,
II »· ,. 5,186
5,186 2,100
Diarah ,,
M ,,
II 4,922
4,922 2,000
2,000
Ganganandpur,,
Ganganandp i r » ,, 99 4,562
4,562 1,200
1,200
J
Malchulah M ,,
1»
,, 5,245
5,245 4,800
4,800

Total S. R. 58,479
58,479 23,800
23,800

I1 B. O.
0. R.
R . P,
Λ ,1111August
A ugust1791,
1797,No.
N o .1,1.P73/22.
P73/22.
2 B Ibid..
id., 29 August 1797, No.
1797, N o . 58, p73/22.
P73/22.

APPENDIX 9
The estates
The estates purchased by the Kassimbazar
family of
of Murshidabad
Murshidabad
Districts
D iñwhich
istricts in which the
the Sadarjam
Sadar jama
a oof
f
Kasthnbazar
Kassim bazar estates
estates the estate in
were situated each
each district
S.R.
' 'S. R .' ;
Murshidabad 29,451
29,451
Rajsahahi 46,169
46,169?.
*Rangpur
♦Rangpur 78,900
78,900
Dinajpur 24,588
24,588
Nadia 57,257
57,257
*Bhagalpur
♦Bhagalpur 1,063
1,063
Jessore 3,267
3,267
tirbhum
Birbhum 1,547
1,547
Burdwan 558558
Dacca 87 87
Total jama S. R. 2,42,905
2,42,905

C. O
Source : C, 0.. W.
W . P..
P .. 28
28 Pebruary
February 1809,
1809, No,
N o , 23, P114/28.
P114/28.
• Estates that
* that Lokuath
Loknath Nandi
Nandi inherited
inherited from his
hi» father.
 APPENDIX
APPENDIX. 10 10
The estates
The estates purchased byby th
the
e Tagore family
((senior
senior branch
branch )) Calcutta
Names
Names ooff Parganas
Parganas Former Amount
Am Amount
ount Am paid
ount paid
pproprieto'
ro p rieto r Jama
ooff Jam a at
at purchase Source
Sourcb
S.R.
S. R. S.R.
S. R.
ChingotteahJessore
Chin gotleah; Jessore Raja
Raja of
of Jessore
Jessore 19,522
19,522 36,100 ^ 11
1"urnagar
f'.urnagar „,, 6,161 10,700 '■•■,2
2
Behgong, 1 Nadia RajaRaja of
of Nadia 10,672 10,100 3
((He
He 8hared
shared it with
his brother
brother.
0· "i ‘ '
Harinunohon Tagore)
Harimmohon
Rajshahi Raja
Kaliganj, Rajahahi
Kaligaoj, ofRajshahi„10,943
Raja of JajshahJ0,943 5,200 4
Hakimpur ,, ,, „,, 6,494 8,500 55
Serdah „ l3alram
Balram Roy 32613 21,000
32,613 6
Total -:. S. R.
S. R.. 86,405
86,405 1,11,600
1,11600

118.
B. 0.
O. R.
R .P.,
P.,17
17January
January1797,
1797, No.
N o . 1,
1. P73(19,
P 73/19,
Ibid., 24
2 Ibid., 24 January 1797, No.
1797, N 1, P73/15.
o . 1, P 73/15,
3 Ibid., 18 August
IbkL1 August 1797,
1797,NNo. 41, PP73/22,
o . 41, 73/ 22,
4 Ibid., 10 SePtember
Ibid.. 1799, NNo.
September 1799, o . 55, P73/52,
55, P73/52.
5 Ibid.,
Ibid., 12
12 August
August 1800. No.
1800. N o . 29, P74/IS.
P 74/15.
6 1b14,
I U 4 , 29 September,
September, 1801,
1801, N
No.
o . 31, p74/35.
P 74/35.
 APPENDIX 11
11
estates purchased
The estates purchased by
by the
thePal
PalChowdhur.y
ChoifdhjDfi family.
family of
Ranag hat, Nadia
Ranaghat,
. vt-.! .

Names of ma/this
Names ofm ahals DDistricts
istricts Former Amount Amount
proptietors ooff jam
proprietors jamaa ppaid
a id at
a t Sources
Sources
purchase
S.R.
S. R. S.R.
S. R,
Dhees Sibpur } · ,
„ Digrah J Nadia Rajá ôf
Raja off;· 13,509 11,500
„ Sikarpur Rajshahi
Vp-.
Dantia Jessore Raja
Jessore Raja Srikanta
Srikanta 27,580
27,580 54,500)
54,500"!
Hussainpur , M
,, of Jessore 9,189 19,900 JJ
Magura and .

>
),
Gonah 1* ,, 2,666 99 6,200 |
Munagacha ») ,,
,, 3,090 99 9,000JJ
9,000
Bhagmarah »,, 2,800 ,, 9,900 3
p f* m 'p
Alarnpur
Alampur Nadia
N.Rdia Raja of Nadia
Nadia 11,757 13,700)
13,7001
Bagmarah S*
,, $9 ,,9,499 14,700J
14,700/
Ghoubaria M
,, 5638
5.638
t,,
p 4,500]
4,500
Beezriah . ,,
99 f» 4,338 3,900 I
Anandpur
Anandplir ,,
99 M
3,663 3,000
3,000 Γ1'
Sibpur ,,
$* 99
5,473 4,200J
4,200 J
Barbakabad a,, ,,
994,729 2,100
2,100'
Serampur , ,, 4,708
9» 2,100 I

Gourshali 9,,
* ,,
9*4,625
4,625s; 2,700
' 1
’
Kumargorab
Kumar gorah ,,
99 9 4,944
. ,,
* 2,900 r" 6
Surapur ,,
99
,,
$94,145 2,700 I .1.

Maragateb
Maragateh ,,
9$
,,
»95.005 3,400 ] 1

Pallah ,,
*f
5,174
,,
*9
2,700J
2,700J
Dhee Alfa
Dhee ,,S» Ramlochon
Ghosh 8,128 3,4O
3,400 . 7
S. R.
S. R. 1,32,714
1,32,714 1,82,100
1,82,100

B..O0.. R. P., 22
1 B 22 Augus
August1797, No. 36,
1797, No. 36, P73/22
1*73/22
2 Ibid.. 24 January 1797,
ibid., 24 1797, No.
No. 1,
1, P73/15.
P73/15.
3 flbtd.,
v'mIS, 17 June 1797,
1797, N
No.40.
o .:# , pp.
Auguet 1797.
4 f /6/d., 11 August
4Ibld,, 1797, NNo.
o . 40, P73/22.
P 73/22.
5 ibid.,
Ibid., 11
11 August
Auguet 1797,
1797, No.
N o . 1.
1, p73/22.
P 73/22.
6 Ibid,, August 1797,
Ibid, 29 August 1797, No.
N o . 58,
58, P73122.
P73/22.
Ibid, 22 July 1802,
7 ibid. Appendix Q
1802, Appendix Q,, P75/9,
P75/9.
 APPENDIX 12
APPENDIX
The estates purchased by the Danishmand
Daniehmand family,
Murshidabad
Names
Names ooff pargana
pargana Former Amount Amount
proprietor
p ro p rieto r ooff jam
jamaa paid
p a id at
at Source
Source
purchase
S.R..
S.R S.R.
S. R.
Dacca, Birbhum Raja of
Birbhum
Birbbum 15,665
15,665 40,000
40,000 1
Giashpur
Giaahpur ,,„ »»,, 14,894
14,894 31,100
31,100 2
2
Fatehpur ,,
,, Rajshahi x 11,235
11,235 14,625
14,625 3
3
Sherpur ,,„ $,,9 4,383
4,383 6,125
6,125 4
Sadatpur
Sad atpur Dinajpur Raja of
Dinajpur 7,717
7,717 10,4601
10,460 "O
Shanbari
Shanbax „ 9»
,, 4,786
4,786 9,600
9,600
Krunjerah
Kurunjerah „ ,,
>»
,, 2,790
2,790 1,825
1,825 66
Kutcha „ ,,
9» 6,610
6,610 7,1001
73100'
Woodhub „,, 99
,, 6,476
6,476 6,575
6,575j
Rasulpur „ 1»
,, 5,216
5,216 5,300
5,300 I

Khamar y 7 7
Durgapur „,, ,,
»9 3,476
3,476 3,250
Rogobindiir
Rogobindpur „ ,, ,,
99
4,205
4,205 3,400
3,400 I

Jat Ganesham „,, ,,

9$ 4,409
4,409 3,500
3,500JJ
Kharaxnjurah
Kharamjurah „ $9
,, 2,790
2,790 1,8251
1,825
Shahiam: r : „
;,
3,625 J 8
Shahlam 9,,.
* 5,698
5,698 3,625
Kalidassi
Kalidaasi Rangpur Raja of - ,

Idrikpur in
Rangpur 40,100
17,999 40,100
17,999 9
Harinarayanpur
Harinarayappur „,, Rajsbahi
Rajshahi Raja's Raja*s
t .. - - lands is in
Rangpur 771 1,736'
771 1,736
Hajipur „,, *,,9 1,189
1,189 3,455
3,455
Chandranarayan
Chandranarayan „ ,,
$t
945 3,061
945 3,061
Angurpui:
Angurpur '
,·„λ ,,
** 563
563 1,956
1,956
Bhagabanpur „ ,
IJ 523
523 1,812
1,812
Kburd Miapur
Khurd „,, . 9 ,,·
711
711 2,435
2,435
Dhunapara ,, ,,
ft 156,
156 (► 10
Balari „ f,,
) 88 I 1,565
1,565 I
Bhargallabpur „ ,,
tf
103
103 ' Ii
Mahaljulkar
Mahal Julkar ,,
,, 2921
2921
18 fj 28 J
,,

Mahal Bankar
Banka r ,,
,, ,,
99
'

Total S. R. 1,20,613
1,20,61,31,97,259
1,7,259
Permanent Settlement
Settlement in
inBezga1
Bengal 171
■'■•'i {;■ s i j - '7C
I1 B. 0. R.
B. O R, F,,
P„ 12
12 FobruaFy 1797No. 33,
February;17975frp. 3 3 ip73/I.
,P ^ l.
2 Ibid., 14 April 1797, No,
1797, N o. 3,
3. P73/18
P 7 3/18 , ... ,
3 Ibid
B i d 30
^ 3June
i m e1795
m s , NNo
o A12A p ,73
2 A ,P ni A
' 44 Ibid., 44August
August 1795,
1795, No.
N o, 40, P..
40. P
5 ibld.,2
Ibid., 2 April
April 1799,
1799, Appendix Q,, P73,46.
Appendix Q P 7 | /46.
6 JW<#,, 22 August
Ibid., !22 August 1Ϊ00,
1800,Appendix Q, P74/23.
Appendix Q, P7423. ,T ,
7 Ibid.,
Ibid., 10 May1799,
10 May 179. Appendix
AppendixF F,P1/47,
.P 7 3 /4 7 .
8 IbId., 22 August
Ϊ6Μ-, 22 August 1$0O, Appendix G
leOO, Appendix G,, P74/23.
P74/23. ,{ a ,
Ibid505May
9 /6M M iy1797,
1797, Appendix
Appendix A.
A , P73/19.
P 73/19. ; "
fl "
10
10 Ibid,
Ibid*12Ϊ2August 1800k No
A ugust1800, N o.P74/23
P74/23, ■ 01 . ^4

■
;
-' . ιΌ
APPENDIX 13
APPENDIX 13 . · .·■ · . · / . · ) : , .
u
,t « ->

The estates
The estates purchased by the
purchased by the Haidar
flaldar family of r
ffughli
Noapara, Hughli
Name
N am e ooff pargana
pargana Former Amount
Am ount Amount
Am ount =
. s ■ ”· ' ; .·
proprietor oojjama
f jam a paid at
at Source
Source
purchase .',°Γ

S.R.
S. R. S.R..
S. R, ·.
Jagdisbpur
Jagdisbpur Burdwan
Burdwan Raja
Raja Tejehandra
Tejchandra 6,269 44,500 1“
1 .
Tuppa
Thppa Hughli „,, 50,212 / 35,100 2
Bbagavatpur „ „
,, 9,721 *
9.721 ,, 14,35
14,3(i0'! - 3
Bâhadurpur
Bahadurpur
Naruttainpnr
Naruttampur
Haripur
,
„
„ „
,,

,,
9,634
5,367
6,391
.,, ,,

.,
7,000 y , :·
7,200 I... 4 „
20,000 ))
'

Mühmudpur
Mahriudpur „,, Rainnidhy
Ramnidhy Ghosh
Ghosh 10,118
10,118 ^ y4tJ0)..rr
4,7O0, %$..

Total , S. R. 97,712
97,712 1,32,800 ?

S-Λ1 ·· ·. ' ■. - - A

11 B. 0.
B. O. R.
R. P.,
P., 28 April
28 Aoril1797, No.
1797, N 33, P73/18.
o. 33, P73/la.
2 Ibid., 30
ibid., 30 July
July 1799,
1799, No,
N o , 33,
33, P.
3 mid..
Ibid.. 44 May
May 1796;
1796, NNo, 1, PP73/47.
o. 1, and 11
73/47. and Ii September
September 1798, App. A,
1798, App. A, P
P
4 Ibid., 17 May 1799, No.
N o. 11, P73/47.
P73/47, .^
5 ibid.,
Ibid., 10
10 May
May !799m
/799m Appendix
AppendixE,E,p73,f 47,
P73/47, t
 APPENDiX
APPENDIX 14 14
The estates
estates purchased by Owarkanath
Dwarkanatit Babu
Babu of
Singhur, Ilughli
Singhur, Hughli
Names of
o f lots Districts
D istricts Former Amount Amount
Amount Amount ,
Proprietors of
Proprietors jama
o f jam a paid
p a id at
at Source
Source
purchase
SR.
S .R . S.R.
S. R.
Kismat Kbalore Burdwan
Kismat Khalore Burdwan Raninidhi
Ramnidhi
Ghosh 7,31 7.100 1
7,100
Tuppa Joypur 9 43,3
43,3 11 13,500
Pergana Endrain »» 24,332 18,100
18,101)
Gopalnagar
Kismat Gopalnagar tf 8,337 4.500
4,500
Birlak »> 13,963 3.500
3,500
Somidah
Soniidab Ϊ» 3,27S
3,27ft 250)
2-50»
Kismat Dashpur >> ft 27,909 21,700 I

Ksmat Gongapur
Kismat Gong-apur 9f
225 160 I
Kiimat Musaffarhahi
Kismat Musaffarshahi .. ft 9,643 4.000
4,000
Hidarampur „ J* 10,982 24,100
24,10 0 1
Ganashpur
Ganaahpur „ ft 10,508 4.700
4,700
Kianiat Joykrishnapur,,
Kismat Joykrisbnapur,, ft 3,499 3500
3 500
Saljhaur
Sal jhaur M >9
10,010 5.200
5,200
Sawarah
Sawarab I* 9,718 3,700
3.700
Beldhia
Beidhia tf 10,170 4.100
4,100
Julkarniayal
Julkarmayal 9,848 2.000
2,000
Ramohandrapur
Ramchandrapur „ 9,684 3,000
Paschiraparah
Pasobimparab , 6,106 1.200
1,200 1

Baur Radbakr!ahnapur,,
Radhakrishnapur,, 10,073 3,100
3,100 j
Huzla Sankhakhali
Huda ,,
it Raja of
Burdwan §,597
,597 10,200 2
Kumarmarah
Kumaimarab M ff .
9,403 4,100
Turf Bear
Beni ft Ramlochon
Ranilochon
Kund 9,500 2,380
Turf Bahirgarh tf M ' 7,369
,_ TQ 5,905
159fl
,- - I

Pargana Mandaighat
Mandalghat if Govern-
ment
m ent 2,09,988 5,100 4
Total S. R. 4,74,852
4,74,852 1,57,245
1,57,245

1
1 B. O,
fl. 0. R.
R. P..
P..10
TOMay 1799, Appendix
May 1799, E , P73/47.
ApDefldix E. P73/47.
2
2 Ibid., 17
Ibid., 17 M»y 1799, No.
May 1799, N o. I,
I , p73147.
P7J/47.
33 Ibid.,
ibId., 2525May
May 1799,
1799,Appendix
Appondx CC andand D,
D , P7519.
P75/9.
Ibid,, 20
4 ibId,. 20 January 1807;
18Q7J No,.
N o. 42, p.
42, p.
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 INDEX
IN D EX
Abhoycharan Dutt Dutt 174-
174- 5,178-9
5,178*9 Assessment.
A ssessm ent,
Abhoycharan
Abhoycharan Mitter 241 241 '. decennial 22-31
22-31
Absenteeism 221-22221-22 Unequal 58
unequal ..
Abwabs 7,16,40,224 appeal.for' reduction of
appeal for reductiop of 86.7
86·7
Accounts 101-102,197-200
Accounts lO1-l02,197-2w overassessxnént
overaseessment oof f ' Diaajpur
Dinajpur
Raj
R 94
Adalat 1.10,
110, 113
unequal 139-40,
139-40,169 169
Advertisement 168 168
Auction purchaser
Auction puréhaser 22l-2;
221-2'
Agra 221
221
Baboos, of Bengal 21, 229
Baboos, of Bangal 221, 229 80
Agrarian economy
economy 34
.

34 244 .
Agriculture 22,33,70,
22*33,70, Babu Ram 108 108 9.9. 113-3
113-5 - .
capitalistic enterprise inr79
capitalistic in 79 Baden-PaweIl
Baden-Powell 145 145 '
expansion of 0c 216 ! Bakarganj 235 235
catises for expansion
naftees expansionof οί2217-8
17*8 Balance of revenue
Balance.of revenue 97.8 97*8
zamindar's role in
zemindar's role in the
the impro-
impro­ Bangadhut 170 170
vement of 2.1849
218*19 Balram Bo8e
Bose 176-77
176-77
<growth of. o f 220 Banarashi Ohosh
Banairashi Ghosh 97
Akbarabad, pargana (Dina5pur)
(Dinajpur) Banares 176, 178, 230,
176,178, 230, 234.5
234-5
117 -
Banians
Banians 179,179, 182-4
18-4 186,
186, 234-5
234*5
Aliyaxdi Khan
Aliyardi Khan 173
.

Bankers 123123
Allowance 140
Banwari LalLal 185
l85
Amboa (Burdwan)
Amboa (Burdwan 59
.

'Baiddanath
Baiddanath Banerji
Banerji 174-5
174-5
Amla 12, 12,
Baretto, Lewis
Lewis 123 123
influeice of 102.
influence 102.
Barwell, Richard 77
dismeinbermeot
dismemberment of Dinajpur Batta 88
zamindari
zamindari by 10742,
107*12, 113
113 Benami transactions
transaction8 93,' 93, 147147
iraudulent
fraudulent purchase
purchase of lands
lands methods of of 151-54
151-54
. by 114
114 total transactions in 155 155
treachery ofof zamindari
zamindari 130-33;
130-33; motives of
motives of 172
172;; 175,
175, 177-8,
177-8,
137, 140, 142,152,158-9,204-7
137, 142.152,158-9,204-7 181, 186, 188
181,186, 188
'Aristocracy
Aristocracy 58, 58, 76,
76, 143,
143, 162,
162, Bengal. Eastern
Bengal, Eastern 4
180, 212, 223,
223, 230, 231,
231, 237-8
237*8 Bengal, western 4
Bengal,
243 '' Bengali language
language 112, 112, 117
117
Atsad-uz-Zaman Khan,
Asad-uz-Zarnan Khan, Raja,
Raja, Bbagalpur 181
Bhagalpur 181
128 Bharatchandra 231 231
 280 Permanent Settlemeit in
Permanent Settlement engat
in Bengal

Bhavani,
Bbavani, Rani
Rani 38,38, 93
93 Capital
Capital 165,
165, 168, 170, 175-
168,170, 175- ,
Bhusna, pargana 69.
Bhusna, 89. 92 217, 220
Bikrampur. pargana 39
Bikrampur. Capitalist 168, 169169
Birbhum
Birbhum 154.154. 159,
159, 169,
169, 173,
173, Cesses,
Cesses, illegal 224.6
224-6
190
Chakladar 91 91
Birbbum Raj 3,76
Birbhum Chandannagar 183 183
account of the
account of fall of 128-35,
the fall Chandradip, pargana
Cbandradip, parganà 39, 60
140
Chand Thakur
Chand Thakur 91 91
Bird, Cornelius
Cornelius 108 108 Chinsura 140
Cbinsura
Bisnapur
Bisnapur Raj, account of
Raj, account of its
its Chittagong
fall 135-41
135-41
revenue demand
demand on on 4
Bishnapur, Rajaof 52-3,76,140
52-3,76,140 peculiarities
peculiarities ofof cultivation
cultivation in
Bisbwanàth,
Bishwanath, Kumar (of
Kümar ( ofRaj-
Raj· 20, 154, 204, 235
shai) 89-90
89-90 ; Chowdhuries 4
Blake, George
George 201201 City 221-2
Board ot
Board oiRevenue:
Revenue 20, 20, 22,
22, 27,
27, Colebrook, Edward 179,259
Colebrook, Edward 179, 259
5, 57, 64,67,
5,57, 64, 67,73,73,87, 102 108-
87, 102 108- Colebrooke, Henry 179 :
Colebrooke,
105,9, 112,114,127,
105,9, 112, 114, 127, 135,135. 147,
147, Collctor 17,
ColJetor 17, 19, 28, 43, 45,
28, 43, 45,
150, 171,
J50, 171, 175,
175, 212,
212, 215. 216 52-3, 59,
52-3, 59, 68-9,
68-9, 91,
91, 99,
99, 101,
101,
l3oiddanath.Raja
Boiddanath. Raja ((Dianjpur
Dianjpur )) 102-3, 107-11, 113-4,
102-3,107-11, 113-4, 122, 130130
99-
99 Collectorate
Collectorate 1C 1(6,
6, 169, 178'
169, 178
British rule 17,
17, 3535 Commerce,
Commerce, growth of 164-5 164-5 | |
Buchanun.
Buchanun. Fra-ucis
Francis 185185 Commercial agent 185
Commercial agent 185
Burdwan
Burdwean 159, 165, 167-8, Commisbioner 113
Commissioner 113
171-5,204,219
171-5, 204, 219 Cornwallis.Lord
Cornwallis, Lord 1,1, 9,
9, 14,
14, 19.
19,
Burdwan Raj
Burdwan Raj 3, 22,22, 23-24,
23-24, 59,
59, 22-3,
22-3, 32,
32, 34-6, 66, 78, 78, 80,
80,
76 137, 144,
137, 144, 165,
165, 223, 227
Calcutta 27
27, 97,
97, 123, 165, 169,
123,165,169, Courts 51,
Courts 51,73;
73; 106
106
184, 188
188 - Court of Directors 6-7, 18, 18, 22.
22.
Calcutta Gazette
Calcutta Gazette'190190 5, 56,
53, 56, 77,
77, 146,
146, 162, 167, 170
162, 167, 170
Calcutta Port 164164 Court of Wards,
Calcutta Revenue Commitee
Revenue Commitee Regulation limiting
Regulation limiting the
the juris-
juris­
173, 178, 179,
173,178,179, diction of
diction of 30-1
30-1;; Rajahahi
Rajshahi Raj
Campbell, A.
Campbell, A. D.
D.212
212 - under the 89-90;
89 90; 92.
92. 105, 124
105,124
Canóngoe 167-8
Canongoe 167*8 130, 172, 175-6, 181, 212
130, 172,175-6, 212
Cantunagar 181J 81 Criminal Court 15 15
tndex
Index 281
Crops, destruction of 97-8,
97-8, 134
134 disorder in 1004
disorder in 100-4
197-8 collusive sale of 114
114
Cultivation 20, 67, 192, 217 217 government's view*6
government’s view as to
to. fall
Cultivators 98,
Cultivators 98, 135
135 116-7
of 116-7
Currency
Currency 10 10 178, 206-7
purchase of 178, 206-7
Customary law 137 20940
profit and loss of 209-10
Dacca Diwani91
Diwani 91
estates in 26
26 Diwani adalat 15, 47,
Diwani adalat 47, 61,
61, 108
108
zamindars of
zamindars of 38-9
38-9 Dow, Alexander.76
Alexander 76
merchants
merchants buy buy reveune landslands Drainage 9-10,
9-10,164
164
6Q,
60, 153, 159, 178, 189-90,201, Drought
Drought 97-8,
97-8, 121-22,
121-22, 133-4,
133-4,
204,241,245
204, 241, 245 139
187
Dacoit 187 Mukherji 123
Durgacharan Mukherji 123
Damudar,
Damudar, river 20 20 Puja 229-30,
Durga Puja 229-30, 237
237
DamudharSingh
Darnudhar 136
Singb 13& Durpnarayan
DurpnarayanBabu Babu 123
123
Paniihmand Nittananda 169
Daniabmand Nittananda 169 Dwarkanath
Dwarkanath Babu Babu (Hughli)
Darbar 230, description of
Darbar 230, description of a 186*7
186-7
231 Dwarkanath Tagore 170,183-4
Dwarkanath Tagore 170, 1834
Darpanarayan Tagore 182 182 Economic
Davis, S. 52-3
52-3 activities i163‘5
63-5
Decennial Settlement 12-3. depression 164164
23, 26, 31,
31, 35, 45, 81,
81, 93,
93, 100.
100. recovery 166166
122, 128.
122, 128, 133,
133, 136,
136, 139,
139, 145, decay 88
>1
163, 168.
163, 168. 183
183 Elephant 97
Delhi, dmin
Delhi, drain of Bengal
Bengal wealth
wealth Eliot,
Eliot, J.
J. 102,
102, 103-4,
103-4, 106-7,
to 9 111,116
111, 116
Deogarh (Birbhum) 130 130 England 6, 79
Dinajpur
Dinajpur 68, 68, 76,
76, 98, 1067,
106-7,
112, 115,
112, 115, 133,
133, 140.
140. 153,
153, 159,
159,
Estate 4, 13,
Estate 4, 13, 26,
26,30,
30, 30-1,
304, 51,
51,
59, 61,
59, 61, 76,
76, 92,
92, 113,
113, 117,
117, 132,
132,
173, 178, 190,
173»178, 190, 206
14 1-2, 150,
141-2, 150, 167.176,
167, 176, 190,
190, 197,
197,
Dinajpur Raj 3,93-94,
Dinajpur 3,93-94, fall
fall of
204. 208
95-6,
household effects
sale of household effects 97, Europe, remittance toto 10
10
effects of
effects of drought
drought andand fakir
fakir Eusufpur 3,142
3,142
98-9
raids 98-9 Fakir-sannasie
Fakiy-sannasje raids
raids 98
 282 Permanent Settlemcnt in 3engai
Permanent Settlement Bengal

Families Gauga Góvind Singh '173-

GaDga Govind 173-
great families
families of Bengal
Bengal 76 76 4,232-4
4,232-4
British attitude great families
British families Gaya 233
233
76-80
7680 Girls, dancing 229-30
229-30
resistance t*f
resistance of the
the ruling
ruling 135 Gokul Ghosal 179
137,140-5
137, 140-5 Gopimohan Deb, Raja 233
Gopimohan 233"
account of Kandi 172.4,
account 172-4, 18's,
186, Gopimoban Tagore 168,183,233
Gopimohan 168,183,233
221,229,233
221, 229, 233 Government 12,19, 12, 19, 23, 23,'25,25,
of Telinipara
Tel ini para 174-76 29, 33,
29, 33, 36, 38, 45
36, 38, 456,'
6, '50,
50, 58,58,
account of
account of the Banarjis of 60,
60, 62,
62, 65,
65, 78,
'78,80,80,88, 90, 98,
88,90, 98,
Telinpara 174-5
174-5 / ICO, 107,
10, 107, 109,
109, 1L3, 115-6,
113, 115.6,
accunt of
account of Narail
Narail 175-76,
175-76, 234 121-2. 131,
121-2, 131, 133;133; 135, 135, 137,
137,
Mañik ' family of Dinajpur
Manik Dinajpur 140, 146,
140, 146, 149,
149, 158,
158, 161,161,: 169,
177-78
177-78 192, 216,220
192,216,220 '

?
of Krishnacharan
of Krishnacharan Dutt 17&9 178-9 Governor General
Governor GeneràliñCótincil
in Council
* merchant and banian 179-89 1.79-89 12, 20-1,
12, 20-1, 30,30, 38,
38, 40,40, 52;
52 '54,5^
of Kantu Babu
Babu 180-82
180-82 'b5, 70, "88,
b5, 70, 88, 102,
102, 10 10I,>, 10&-7,
106-7,
. Tagore 182-4 110, 113,
110, 113, 116,
116, 134, 138, 146.
134, 138, 146.
Ranaghat 184
Ranaghat1P4 Govindapur (Dinajpur)
Govindapur (i)inàjpur)100.1 100-1
of Danishmand Nittananda Graham, Thomas
185-5
185-5
Nilamani Haider
of Nilamani Halder 186,
186 ,
106.:
106
Thomas- 646,
.'.
64:6, ,87,
.’87,
, ,
Guutur 142142
Mallick 187-88,
187-88, 199
199
Haftam (Regulation vri,
Haftam VII, 1799)
1799
' Kassimbazar 221 66-68
66.68 .

Dutt family
family ofof Calcutta
Calcutta 230230 Harington, J. HH*..6n,
Harington, 6a, <64-5,
64-5,
Famine 9,139-40,
9,139-40, 164164 171 66-67
Farmers 12, 12, 45,
45, 51-2, 64, 67-
51-2, 64, 67- Hastings, Warren
Hastings, Warr.n 20, 20, 77,77, 9999,
88,71,141
,7 1 ,141 173-4,180-1,
173 4 180-1, 225 ^ ;
Fanny Parkes 230 Hastings, Lord 227
F,udlism
Feudalism 66 ; Hatch,
Hatch, George
George 64-5, 64-5, 66, 66, 88,88,
Fifth Report .52, 145
5Z, '145 -
99, 1.00,
.99, 100, 132-3.
132-3. 106,.
1.06.1U , 116 ,
111,116.
Foster, Η.
Foster, H. T.
1. 45 Henckell (collector)
(collector) 102 102
Foujdar 174 : _ , House of Commons
Commons 227 227 -.
Foujdari adalat.
adalat 61 , ; Hugh 174,j86,
Hugli;i74v 186, 18&,
188, 21^"
212 ^
Philip, Francis
Francis 1,1, 8,
8, 77
77 Hunter, W. W W, W, 145145,
Free trade 164
Free 164 Husbandry 70
Index 283

Hyder All
Ali 35
35 Justice 54,
54, 58
58 .

Hydedrabad, Tupeh 39
Hydedrabad, 39 Kali Mirza
Mirza 242
242
Jdrikpur
Idrikpur 3,
3, 185
185 Kalishankar
Kalishankar Roy
Roy 92-3,
92-3, 175-6
175-6
Improvement,
Improvement, agricultural 19,
19, 235, see also
235, also Family
34, 78-79,
34, 78-79, 81,
81, 165,
165, 192, 213,
192, 213, Kantu Babu
Kantu Babu 180-1,
180-1, see eé also
also
215-6, 218
2156, Family
Indebtedness of Nadia
Indebtedness Nadia Raja
Raja Kasi 176,
176, 233
233
122-3
1223 Kasinath 174-5
174-5
Induatry, decliue of 220
Industry, Kasinath Babu
Kasinath Babu 179179
Inhabitants, loss
loss of
of 99 Kassimbazar 1804
180-1
Investment 166,166, 176,
176, 220,
220, 228
228 W. 202
Kaye, J. W. 202
Isakabad, pargana
pargana 39 39 Khaja Abdul Gani
Gani 190190
Jagadindra Banwari 185
JagadindraBanwari 18 Khaja Alimulish
Khaja Alimullsh 190
Jagadish Chowdhury 123 123. Kisory
Kiseory Chand
Chand Mitra 172 172
Jahangirpur 33 Kothies 188
Jail 97
97 Krishnachandra Ghoshal
Ghoshal 233
Jalalpur, pargana 39 Krishnachandra Pal 184
184
Jama, Todar Mall's
Mail’s 7, 7, 19,
19, 22 Krishnachandra
Krishnachandra Sinha 174,234
of Bengal, Behar and
Bengal, Behar and Orissa
Orissa Kyd
Kyd, Robert
Robert 77
77
23, unequal
23, unequal distribution
distribution of 25, Labour 98
of 25, 98
28 of Dacca parganas 39 39 Lala Rarnriith
Ramnath 128,
128, 132
Jama5undi 198-9
Jamabundi 198-9. Land
Lend
Janaki
Janafei Ram
Ram 99.iOO
99-Ϊ00 waste lrnd in Chittagong
waste Irnd Chittagong 20 20
Jessore 3,3, 12,
12, 141, 154, 159,
141, 154, 159, monopoly control of
monopoly control of land .33,33,
175,183,
175, 183, 188,
188, 190
190 "66 zamindari and taluqa:
taluqa land
Joseph, Messers 123 123 in Dacca 3939
Jotedar 67,
67, 203
203 as security 46
Joykrishna
Joykrlshna Siugh
Singh 188188 transfer of 58,58, 66
Joynarayan
Joynarayan Ghoshal
Ghoshal 20, 20, 233,
233, breaking monopoly
breaking monopoly control
242 in 80
Joyram Tagore 182-3
Joyram 182-3 Bishnapur land 139 139
Judicial Report on ryots 670
Judicial 69-70 British policy to monopoly
monopoly of
Judicial system,
Judicial system, defects
defects in 48- land control 143,
143, 150150
54 Purchonsers of
Purchonsere 154, 1 5 4 ,169»,;
169k 171,
171,
Judge 69,
69, 115,
115, 223
223 172
 284 Permanent SetUement
Settlement in
in Bengal
Bengal

purchasers who sold their Law

rights 156
156 revision of
revision of 48,
48, 51,
51, 63
63
Professions of purchasers
purchasers ]]59-
59-operation of distraining 67,7967,79
62 Hindu law ofof succession
succession 136-7
136-7
capitalism in
capitalism in 165
165 law of primogeniture 136-7136-7
price of 165
165 Lawyers 186
market value
value of 166 166 Legal profession 186
value of 165-70, 174. .178,
165-70,174, Litigation 186
178, 184 186
186 Mackenzie, Holt 18
Mackenzie, Holt 18
quality
quality ofof land
land for
for assessment
assessment McNeille,
McNeille, D.D 3.J. 145
145
197-8 Madras 142
alienation of of zamindari
zamindari land
land
Magistrate 223
Magistrate 223
203,218 Management 90, 90, 99
99,
market 144,
market 144, 146,
146, 149,
149, .162-3,
162-3,
Manikchand 106 111-2,2, 115,
9, 111
106-9, 115*
165-6.
165-6, 166,
166, 168,
168, 170-1, 218,
170-1k 177-8
177*8 ·
221 Merchants
Merchants 159-60,
159-60, 179
179
revenue 80 80 Middle class 4
sale 166
166 Midnapur 189
Midnapur 189
transfer
transfer 144,
144, 146,
146,151-158,172
151-158,172 Minutes 64-5,
Minutes 64-5, 108
108
interests 76-80
76-80 Mir Karimuddin
Karinraddin 212212
intermediary 71, 71, see also
also patni
patai
Missionaries
Missionaries 223 223
tenure property 34, 76, 80,
tenure property 34, 76, 80,
Mobini
Mohini Mohan Tagore 232 232
145-6 165-70
165-70 Moira, Lord .126-7
Moira, Lord 126-7
Landed society Money 203203
composition 1-5,1-5, Moneylender 97, 97, 123,
123, 135,
141,159
141, 159
rights an4
and privileges of
of 6-8
6-8
Monson,
Monson, Col. 183 183
economic condition
economic condition ofof 8-12,
8-12, Mosques 220
158 162
162 Mughal 31, 33-37,
Mughal 6, 31, 33-37, 190,
190, 193'
193
Landholders Mughal army 185 185
restrictions
restrictions on
on 13-15
13-15 Muhammedshahi 142,
142, 181
181
disqualified 31, 45-6,
disqualified Murshidabad 89, 89, 93,153,
93, 153,'160,
160,
166, 179, 186
166,179,186
policy about the big
policy about big 76-80
76-80
Mymensingh
Mymensingh 17, 17, 367.
36-7, 154,
Lashkarpur
Lashkarpur 3, 3, 143
143 190, 204
190,204
Lathials
Lathiale 175
175 Mysundi, Tupeb
Tupeh 39 39
Index 285

Nabakrishna. Dab,
Nabakrishna Deb, Maharaja Phool Chand
Phool Chand 107-8,
107-8. 110-12,
110-12,
179, 232 115, 177
115,
Nadia 35, 52,
Nadia 35, 52, 76,
76, 154,
154, 160,
160, Pilgrimage 233
175, 179, 183, 184. 188,
188, 236 Plassey 180 :,
Plassey 180 -r
Nadia lRaj
Nadia a j 3,21,
3,21, 118-27,
118-27, 140,
140, Population
Population 163, 165:
163,165
174 Pramatbanath
Pramathanath Barma
Barma 187-
187
Naib 91
91 Prankrishna Sinha
Sinha 173-4
173-4 :
Naku Dhar
Dhai 179
179 Prices 209, 220
Narái1
Narail 175-6
Prinsep, R. T.
T, 74
Natural calamities 15, 20,
calamities 15, 20, 99,
99,
Productivity 164-66
58, 121-3,
58, 121-3, 133,
133, 140-1, 158,
162-3 Profits 205-6, 209
Natives 177,
177, 231:
231: Purnia 201
201
Natore 176; 183
176,183' Radhagovinda Sinha 173-4
Radhagovinda 173-4
Nawab (Murshidabad)
(Murshidabad) 185,185, 237
237 Radhakrishna Dab,
Deb, 241-2
Newspapers 233 Raja
Nizamat
Nizam at adalat 6363 Choyton Siogh
Singh 136-8,
136-8, 139
139
Haldar 186
Nilmani Haidar 186 Devi Siogha
Singha 168, 188
168,188
Nilmani :Tagore
Tagore 182, 184
182,184
Girish Chandra 118,
118, 124,
124, 126-
126-
Noakhali
Noakhali 221
221
7,236
7, 236
Noapara 186
186
Harinath
H arinath 180-1,
180-1, 237
237
Okra, pargana
pargana 124-5
124-5
Iswarchandra 121-4
121-4
Pal Chowdhuries
Chowdhuries ofof Ranaghat
Ranaghat
249 Krisnnachandra 123
Krisnnschandra 123
Panjab 187187 Luknath Nandi
Nandi 168,
168, 180-1
180-1
Parliamentary*
Parliamentary SelectSelect Comm-
Comm­ Muhammad Zaman
Muhammad ZanianKhan
Khan 128,
ittee
ittee 161
161 130, 133-5
130,133-5
Patna 111
111
Patni tenure
Patni
Radhanath 93.
Radhanath 93, 98-99,
98-99, 1017,
101-7,
definition 71
71 109-12, 116-7, 133
109-12,116-7,133
reasons for'71-2
for 71-2 Rajkrishna 232,
232, 242
242
creation of inferior
inferior 72-3
72-3 Ramkrishna 38, 38, 85-6,
85*6, 90-2,
Prinsep's report
Prinsep’s report onon 72.5
72-5
236
Regulation 75 75 ;; 143,
143, 200
200
Pattà
Patta 5,
5, 16-7,
16-7, 37,
37, 39-47
39-47 Raminohan
Rammohan Roy Roy 161-2,
161-2, 213,
Peasantry 67-967-9 227, 230
286 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

RajaA
Raja t/f 200-1, 205-7, 208-9,215-16
200-1.
l3irbhuni
Birbhum 185185 Renter 45
Burdwan 174 174 Reza Khan 173 173
Dinajpur 185185 Revenue
Nadia 174 rules of
ol the payment
payment of 13-14
13-14
Rajshahi 153, 176, 185
153,176,185 fixed 19
Rajbari 16, 92,
Rajbari 76, 92, 97,
97, 100,
100, 105,
105, sayer
sa yer 23, 25
25
126 policy before
policy before the decennial
decennial
Rajnagar 33 settlement 35,35, 40
Rajshabi
Rajshahi 160,
160, 179,
179, 183
183
laws 48, 5353
Rajsbabi
Rajshahi Raj,Raj, 3, 81,
81, 85-93. balances of 58,58, 61-2,
61-2, 64-5
64-5
102. 235.6
235-6 public
public 86,
86, 100,
100, 102,
102, 105-6,
105-6,
Rajnagar, pargana
pargana 39 39 122,
122, 138,
138, 141, 144, 147 147
Ramcbandra
Ramchandra Sen 173, 173, 179
179 sale laws 76, 171
76,171
Ramdhan 174 174 administration 192192
Ramkanta Roy 93, 99-1, 99-1, 103-9
103-9 Rogonath Sing 152-3 152-3 :i
115,178
115, 178 Roushanabad 3, 12
3,12
Ramkishor,e Roy 91-2
Ramkishore Roy Danishmand
Roy Danishmand Nittananda
Ramlochañ Banerji 174.5
Ramlochan 174-5 184-5
Ramlochan Babu 123 123 Rule of
Rule of law
law 5050
Rainnaryan Sarker 176-7
Ramnaryan 176-7 Rural population
population 203203
Rangpur 106, 112,
Rangpur 106, 112, 154,
154, 169,
169, Ryots
181, 183. 185, 186,
183.185, 190
186,190 classes of 5, E,6, 10
10
Rath
Rani not accepting
accepting patta 44-6,
Bbavani
Bbavaxii 81,176,
81, 176, 235-6 rights curbed
curbed 54-5
54-5
Sarasati 99-100, 102102 resistance of 60, 6363
Tripura Sundari
Tripura Sundari 117117,, policy towards 66.766·7
Reforms (ol
Reforms (of revenue laws) 68, desertion
desertion ofof 98,
98, 111,
111, 121-22
121-22
70
142
Regulation
Regulation 31, 31, 40,
40, 54,
54, 64,
64, 66,
66,
oppression of 67-9 ,
70, 74,
70, 74, 79, 102, 105, 109,
102,105, 109, 113-
113-
4, 118,
118, 124,
124, 1131,
31, 149, 151,162,
151,162, relation with
with zamindar
zamindar 223-26
223-26
167, 170 Sadananda Singh 117 117
Religion 231.33
231-33 Sadar Diwani
Sadar Diwani Adalat
Adalat67.67, 136-7
36-7
Rent 33, 46,
46, 50.3.
50-3, 64. 70,100,
70,100, Samachar Darpan 175n,
Samachar Darpan 175n, 183,
183,
132, 141-2.
141-2. 158,
158, 162, 167,198,
167, 198, 233, 237 :
;
4ndex
Index 287
287

Sale
Safe ofoftevenue
ovenue la-
lapdr 15, 90,
15, 90, Tenure *-13,
13, 73-4,. patii
73-4, see 5;patni
94-6, 119,
94-6, 119/124, 129^30^ 148-
124, 129-3Q.148- tenure
50, see also land, revenue Thakoor
T hakoor Das
Das Gossain
Gossain 188 :
Salt agent
Salt agent184
14 Tipperah
Tipper ah 26,
26, 45.
45, 108,
108, -154,
154,
SantirainSingh
Santiram Singh 188
188 ;'
- ■ 161, 190,
190, 204
Sayer 23, 31 Tipu Sultan (Mysore) 6162
Serampur
Seram put 188,.
188, 233
2&3 „ Todar Mal
Mail 7,
7, 41
41
Servant 187,
187, 206-7
206-7 Towns 221
221
Shah Alim,
Shalb Alm, émpérór
emperor 78,185
78, 185 Trade 10,
10,164-5
164-5
Shambuchandra
Shambuchandra Pal Pal-184
184 5 twenty Four
Twenty Four Parganas 178,
178,
Shamcharan Chatterji
Chatterji 133
133 182
182
Shore,
Shore, John
John I, 9n,9n, 11-,
11, 22-3,
22.3,
Value (of
Value Iandd property)
(of landed
88
88
169.70
Shardh 229,
229, 233
Villages 4, 142, 168,
4, 142, 168, 174,
Sirajuddowla,
Sirajuddowla, Nabob
Nabob 78,
78, 173,
173,
181
181 196.
196, 220, 202-3, 207,
220, 2023, 207, 215,
215, 226
226
Society 171,
171, 223,
223, 229,
229, 232
232 Wages8 100
Wage 100
Social mobility 171
171 Wahid Chowdhury 204
Sunset laws
laws 79, 142, also
79, 142, also seesee Weaver 185
185
revenue, land
land Webb, Edward 110-11,
110-11, 115
115
Supreme Court 136,136, 180
180 Westland, 3.
J. 4In,
41n, 168 69, 217
168 69, 217
Survey, Thakbust 224 Westmacott, E. V.
V. 100
100
Sylhet 4,
4, 154,
154, 161,
161, 190,
190, 204
204 Wellesley. Lord 40,
40, 154,
154, 162
Taluqa 16-7,
16-7, 31, 34,37, 79-80,
31, 34,37, 79-80, Wheeler.
Wheeler, Edward
Edward 183
183
86 Wullee Muhamnied
Muhammed 108,
108,110
110
Taluqdar 5, 5, 15,
15, 31-2, 33, 64,
31-2, 33, 64, Zamindars
Zarnindars
87,
87, 201
201
great zamindars
zamindars of
of l3engal
Bengal 33
Tarash 92
Tax 12,
12, 80
80
under the
the Mughals
Mughals 6-7
6-7
abwabs levied by
by 7,
7, 224-6
224-6
J. 99
Taylor, J.
Tejchandra 27-30
27-30 economic conditions of 8-12
economic 8-12
Telinipara
Telini para 174
174 incapacity of 11
11
Temples 220,
220, 234
234 constitutional position of 15-16
15-16
Tenants 13,
13, 47, 49, 61.
47, 49, 64-5,
61, 64-5, reaction to permanent
reaction permanent settle-
settle­
67, 80, 155,
67, 80, 155, 158,
158, 162,
162, 167.
167, mert 17-18,
ment 17-18, 20-1,25-6,
20-1, 25-6, 36,
36, 38
38
196,
196, 208,
208, 224,
224, 226226 52
52
288 Permanent Settlement in Bengal
Bengal

traditional powers of 50-1

powers of 504 causes for
for relative
relative stability'
stability of
of
principal 51-2
principal 51-2 lesser 157-58
15 7-58
summary powers to 54-55,54-55,170
170 coercive powers of 162
162
resistance from
from 61
61
role in
in the
the improvement
improvement of
summary powers
summary powersgranted
granted to
64-5
64-5 land 216-221
216-221
65-6
confinement of 65-6 relation with ryot
ryot 223-26
223-26
powers of 70-7
powers 70-7 attitude to money 229,234-6
229, 234-6
tenants
taaants resistance to to new
habits of 237-40
habita 237-40
Zamindars 155
155
Zamindari oppression 223
Zan*indari management
management 71,88,
71,88,
91.
91, 107,
107, 112,
112, 124,
124, 130,
130, 158/
158/ public works of 246-7,
246-7, 249
249
192-204,206-12
192-204, 206-12 r '
---