A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. b. Holt Mackenzie
2. a. Cultivators
3. b. Planters
4. a. 1917
5. d. Saleable
B. Gap Filling:
1. Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and the Benaras division of UP
2. Ryotwari, 51
3. United Provinces, Central Provinces and Punjab
4. Bengal, 1770, 1943
5. Digambar, Bishambhar Biswas, Nadia
6. Mahatma Gandhi
7. Ryot
8. Java
9. Opium, Indigo
10. Dual, revenue
C. True or False:
1. T
2. F
3. F
4. T
5. T
D. Match the Following:
1. Permanent Settlement – d. Lord Cornwallis
2. Mahalwari System – c. UP and Punjab
3. Opium – b. Chinese Tea
4. ‘Lathiyals’ – e. Armed goons
5. Champaran – a. Bihar
E. Short Answer Type Questions:
- 1. With what intention did the British introduce the Land Revenue Settlements in India?
The British introduced the Land Revenue Settlements with the intention of timely collection of revenue in a predictable manner.
- 2. Where did the French begin cultivating indigo?
The French began cultivating indigo in the Caribbean islands.
- 3. What did the Permanent Settlement actually mean?
The Permanent Settlement, introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793, gave zamindars hereditary rights over land, making them revenue collectors for the British.
- 4. How did the Bengal economy fall into a deep crisis?
Artisans deserted villages as they were forced to sell their goods at low prices, and peasants failed to pay the high revenue demands, worsening the crisis.
- 5. Discuss two problems that arose in the new Munro Settlement?
i.) Revenue was collected directly from ryots, even if crops failed.
ii) Cultivators faced high taxes and had no intermediary protection.
Here is the complete text for Sections F, G, and H of the C
F. Long Answer Type Questions:
1. What was the Permanent Settlement? How was it advantageous for the British?
The Permanent Settlement covered Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, and the Banaras division of UP, accounting for 19% of British Indian territory. It gave zamindars hereditary rights over land and made them responsible for collecting revenue. The British benefited as they got a fixed, assured income without dealing directly with farmers. It also created a loyal class of landlords who supported British rule.
2. What were the consequences of the economic crisis that gripped Bengal?
The Bengal economy faced severe strain due to high revenue demands, low wages for artisans, and forced sales at low prices. Artisans began leaving villages, peasants couldn’t pay taxes, and many went into debt. This deepened poverty, reduced agricultural productivity, and created widespread dissatisfaction.
3. Briefly discuss the history of indigo cultivation in India under the British and its effects on the lives of the farmers.
Indigo was cultivated using two main systems: ‘nij’ and ‘ryot’. Under nij, planters grew indigo on their own land. Due to labor shortages and land scarcity, this failed. In the ryot system, planters forced farmers to grow indigo on part of their land in exchange for loans. Farmers were paid poorly and faced exploitation. This caused debt, land degradation, and eventually led to revolts like the Indigo Rebellion of 1859–60.
4. How was the ‘nij’ system different from the ‘ryot’ method of indigo cultivation?
- Nij System: Planters directly cultivated indigo on land they controlled. However, it was difficult to find enough labor, land, and tools because farmers were already busy growing rice.
- Ryot System: Farmers (ryots) were forced to grow indigo under contract. They received loans and had to sell indigo at low, fixed prices. This method became widespread but led to exploitation and revolts due to poor compensation and soil exhaustion.
5. The indigo cultivation under the ‘ryot’ method was ridden with problems. What were they?
- Farmers were forced to accept unfair contracts.
- They were paid very little for their produce.
- Indigo’s deep roots ruined soil fertility.
- Farmers couldn’t grow food crops afterward.
- Inability to repay loans led to exploitation, beatings, and even violence by planters’ hired goons (‘lathiyals’). This ultimately sparked the Indigo Revolt.
G. Distinguish Between:
1. Ryot and Mahal
- Ryot: An individual peasant or cultivator who directly paid land revenue to the British.
- Mahal: A village or group of villages treated as a single unit for revenue collection under the Mahalwari system.
2. Permanent Settlement and Ryotwari Settlement
- Permanent Settlement: Introduced by Lord Cornwallis; revenue collected through zamindars; fixed and hereditary.
- Ryotwari Settlement: Revenue collected directly from ryots; no intermediary; revised periodically; cultivators had land ownership rights.
H. Give Reasons:
1. The opium and indigo trade were beneficial for the British.
Opium and indigo were high-demand products. Opium was exported to China in exchange for tea, and indigo was sold in Europe. These trades earned huge profits for the British and financed their rule in India.
2. The revenue was fixed in the Permanent Settlement.
To ensure predictable and stable revenue from land, the British fixed land tax under the Permanent Settlement, which made it easier for them to budget and avoid yearly reassessments.
3. Planters invested in commercial crops.
Commercial crops like indigo, jute, cotton, and opium were in high demand in Europe due to the Industrial Revolution. British planters cultivated these for export, neglecting food crops and exploiting farmers for profit.