WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 History Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic A Agriculture In Colonial Period

Chapter 4 Nature of Colonial Economy Salient Points-At A Glance

Industrial Revolution:

Radical changes took place in the industrial production system and the general lifestyle of the people due to the use of advanced technology in the middle of eighteenth-century England and then spread to other countries of Europe.

A number of new machines and devices were invented at that time. This is called Industrial Revolution

1. Muslin:

Muslin is a very fine cotton cloth woven by the weavers of Dhaka in undivided Bengal. Its texture was so fine and smooth that an entire saree could be folded and placed inside a matchbox.

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2. Eksala System:

Warren Hastings allocated land to the Ijaradars on yearly basis. auction. This system was introduced in 1717 and was known as the ‘Eksala’ system.

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3. Panchsala System:

Warren Hastings toured Nadia in June 1772 as the Chief of the Mobile Committee and introduced a new land revenue system.

This was known as Panchsala or Ijaradari system. Here the agreement was made for five years. The Amini Commission was formed in 1776 to evaluate the utility of this system.

On the basis of the commission’s report, the Company authorities replaced the Panchsala by the Eksala system, i.e. one-year agreement.

4. Auction System:

The mediators who collected revenue sometimes used the auction system. Land was handed over to the highest bidder. Here the amount of revenue collected was variable.

The rate of revenue or ryot was newly determined every year. In order to avoid discrepancies, the Company introduced the permanent settlement system.

5. New Mahajans:

Many city dwellers and traders bought lands permanently in order to become landlords but they were not acquainted with rural life or agricultural procedures.

Naturally, they could understand the problems of the farmers.

They simply tried to extract revenue by hook or crook. Thus the farmers of Bengal became the victims of the new Mahajan.

6. Tax Policy of the British Company :

The British company destroyed the indigenous industries through the establishment of the dual government system as well as by using inequal tax policies.

They themselves took tax concessions but imposed high taxes on Indigenous products and thus completed the destruction of indigenous industries.

7. Jewel of British Empire:

The British used the resources of colonial India during the Industrial Revolution.

Since the time of the Sepoy Mutiny, they met all the administrative expenses from the revenue collected from India.

They sent the surplus wealth to England. They used India as a raw material supplier as well as a market for their finished products.

Therefore, India was the most expensive jewel of the British Empire.

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Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic A Agriculture In Colonial Period Descriptive Questions

Question 1. Discuss the system of Permanent Settlement briefly.
Answer:

Permanent Settlement:-

Lord Cornwallis, who succeeded Hastings as the Governor General, wanted to make a permanent arrangement.

He collected all the details about revenue and introduced ‘the Dahsala’, ‘Permanent Settlement’ systems in 1879 with the consent of the landlords.

System Of Permanent Settlement-

1. Terms:

1. In the system of Permanent Settlement, it was decided that
2.  Zamindars would enjoy the ownership rights over their land hereditarily,
3.  they would be able to purchase new lands through auction,
4. 3. they would have to pay a fixed amount of revenue to the government
5.  if any Zamindar failed to deposit the stipulated revenue by sunset on a particular date, his land would be confiscated and new arrangements would be made for it,
6. the government and the Zamindars would be entitled to 90% and 10% of the revenue respectively,
7. the rate of revenue would be decreased in case of a natural disaster.

2. Area of implementation:

The Permanent Settlement system was implemented on an experimental basis in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. Later on, it was implemented in parts of Varanasi, North West India, and Madras.

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3. Results:

The Board of Directors in London expected that the Permanent Settlement system would foster the development of agriculture, industry, trade, and commerce and make the farmers happy and prosperous.

However, the situation was completely different. There were, of course, some immediate benefits but these were mainly enjoyed by the British and their puppet landlords.

The evil effects were more in number and their burden had to be borne mainly by the farmers of Bengal.

Question 2. Discuss the demerits of the Permanent Settlement.
Answer:

Permanent Settlement Introduction:

Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement system on March 22, 1793. It had more demerits than merits.

So historian T.R. Holmes has referred to it as a ‘sorrowful mistake’.

Demerits Of Permanent Settlement-

1. Increase in rate of revenue:

The revenue was determined without measuring the land and without assessing the quality or productivity of the land. So the rate of revenue was quite high in most cases.

2. Deficit in government’s income:

Since the revenue to be paid to the government was fixed, the Zamindars increased their income in various ways but the government’s income remained less.

3. Harmful for farmers:

The farmers were greatly harmed by this system and were completely at the mercy of the landlords.
Eviction of farmers from their lands was a daily occurrence.

4. Emergence of middlemen:

When the Zamindars divided their lands into smaller parts and gave them on lease or ‘ljara’, many ‘ljaradars’ and middlemen emerged and oppression and tyranny over the subjects increased.

5. Auction of land:

If a Zamindar failed to deposit his revenue by the sunset of the assigned day, then his land was confiscated and auctioned by enforcing the ‘Sunset Law’.

In this way, many aristocratic landlords lost their lands.

6. Emergence of a new class of landlords:

Many urban traders and money lenders purchased land on auction to become permanent landowners. They wanted to collect revenue by hook or crook.

Thus a new class of Zamindars appeared in Bengal who could not contribute anything to the development of agriculture.

Question 3. Give an account of the Ryotwari system.
Answer:

Ryotwari system Introduction:

The direct settlement of land between the Company and the ryots (farmers) of South India is known as Ryotwari System.

This system was introduced in 1820 in Bombay and South India (except Madras Presidency) under the initiative of Elphinstone and Sir Thomas Munro respectively.

The system was implemented in Madurai, Canvera, Kurvool, Raipur, Coimbatore, and Chilingput in South India.

1. Ryotwari system Terms and Conditions:

1. An agreement was made between the Company and the farmers that the farmers would get occupancy rights or use rights over the land in return for a fixed revenue to be paid to the Company.
2. The revenue would be increased after 20-30 years through discussion.
3. 45-50 part of the total produce was ascertained as the payable revenue.
4.  The land was divided into 9 parts through a land survey and according to the productivity of the land.
5. The farmers had occupancy rights but no ownership rights.
6. The farmers would be liable to pay the revenue even in case of natural disasters like floods, drought, or crop failure.

Ryotwari system Results:

1. Ryotwari system Merits:

The administrative complications and misunderstanding regarding land decreased as a direct relationship was established between the government and the ryots.

2. There were no intermediaries or middlemen in this system and so the farmers got rid of all exploitations and tortures.

3. Since there were no landlords the farmers could not be evicted and so they could rely on the land for their survival.

4. The ryots were unable to hire bonded laborers in many cases and so bonded labor system went out of practice.

2. Ryotwari system Demerits:

1. The Company officials directly oppressed the farmers

2. Since the ryots had no ownership rights they had to pay rent to the company for their tenancy.

the rate of rent was too high, the peasants were not left with enough money to earn a living throughout the year after paying off the rent.

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Question 4 Give an account of the Mahalwari system.
Answer:

Mahalwari system Introduction:

The Mahalwari system was a changed form of the Zamindari system.

It was called so because the arrangement was made with a village or a mahal instead of an individual farmer or a Zamindar.

This system was implemented in 1822 in the Ganga Valley region of North Western Province and Madhya Pradesh.

Mahalwari System

1. Mahalwari system Terms and conditions:

According to this system,

1. the revenue was determined on a village or a mahal after measuring the land.
2. The villagers had to pay the revenue collection.
3. The individual farmers paid their share of revenue to the village chief who then deposited it into the government treasury.
4. The revenue was determined according to the productivity of the land.
5. There were no intermediaries or middlemen.
6. The agreement was made for 20-30 years.

2. Mahalwari system Motives:

The motives behind introducing the system were

1. the government wanted to increase its income in the future;
2. the company also wanted to do away with intermediaries.

3. Mahalwari system Drawbacks:

The Mahalwari system had some demerits. Some of them were

1. the farmers had no ownership rights over the land;
2.  the misery of the farmers increased and the livelihood of their families was greatly hampered;
3. though there were no middlemen in the village the chiefs resorted to corruption and nepotism;
4.  if any farmer failed to pay his dues on the time it had to be paid by other farmers or they would lose the land.

Question 5. Write the results of the peasant revolts of the Deccan or the Deccan Riots of 1875.
Answer:

Deccan Riots of 1875 Introduction:

The revolt of the peasants of Poona and Ahmadnagar of the Deccan in 1875 is known as the Peasant Revolt of Deccan or ‘The Deccan Riot’.

Results Of The Deccan Riots-

1. Appointment of Deccan Riots Commission:

Though the riots were not exactly anti-British in nature, yet they terrified the British government. So the Deccan Riots.

Commission was appointed in 1876 to investigate the causes of the revolts and to find out the solutions.

2. Implementation of the Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act:

The Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act was passed in 1879 on the basis of the recommendation of the Deccan Riots Commission.

This Act prohibited arresting peasants for non-payment of debt.

Bans were put on the transfer of land or taking loans. Arrangements were also made to examine the validity of the documents of the money lenders properly.

3. Safeguard peasants’ interest:

Old loan agreements (Takkavi) between the farmers and the money lenders were canceled.

Again, the agricultural implements which the Mahajans had given to the farmers in lieu of interest need not be returned.

Question 6. Discuss the effects of British revenue policy on Indian society.
Answer:

British Revenue Policy Introduction:

The revenue system introduced by the British Company was Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari system, and the Mahalwari system.

All these systems left a deep impact on Indian society.

Effects Of British Revenue Policy On Indian Society

1. Emergence of intermediaries:

The big Zamindars divided their lands into small ones. parts and leased them out as Jara. So a number of intermediaries emerged.

2. Eviction of farmers:

The government gave the landlords the right to evict the farmers from their lands in case of non-payment of revenue by Regulation No.7 in 1799. So the Zamindars began to evict farmers on the slightest pretext of applying this law.

3. Abolition of Zamindari:

By the Sunset Law, the land of a Zamindar was confiscated if he failed to pay the revenue by sunset of the stipulated day.

These lands were then sold through auction. In this way, many big Zamindars lost their lands.

4. Commercialisation of agriculture:

The farmers who were pressurized by the high rate of revenue were compelled to take loans from the money lenders. The Mahajan or money lenders compelled.

them to grow cash crops like indigo, jute, and cotton to ensure the repayment of their loans. In this way, agriculture came to be commercialized.

5. Tyranny of new landlords:

Many Mahajan and traders from the cities purchased lands. in villagers in the auctions to become permanent landowners.

They were unfamiliar with the rural ways. They just wanted to collect maximum revenue by pressurising the farmers.

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic A Agriculture In Colonial Period Short Analytical Type Questions

Question 1. What is meant by Permanent Settlement?
Answer:

Permanent Settlement:-

Permanent Settlement is a system in which the landlords could get hereditary rights on their land in lieu of a fixed rent that was to be paid to the Company.

This system was implemented by Cornwallis in Bengal on March 22, 1793.

It was introduced in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa on an experimental basis and the actual intention was to consolidate the colonial according to the productivity of the village’s economy.

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Question 2. What were the results of the Sunset Law?
Answer:

Results Of The Sunset Law:-

1. Effacement of aristocratic Zamindars:

Many aristocratic Zamindars lost their lands due to the implementation of the Sunset Law.

2. Emergence of new Zamindars merchants:

The merchants’ officials of both the company and the landlords, the money lenders, and other rich people began to buy lands of the aristocrats in the auctions and became landlords.

Thus a new class of landlords emerged in society as a consequence of the ‘Sunset Law’.

Question 3. What is meant by the Ryotwarl system?
Answer:

Ryotwarl System:-

In the Ryotwari system, the rent or the revenue was collected directly from the farmers (ryots).

This system was introduced in South and South West Asia on the recommendations of English officials like Thomas Munro, John Reed, and Elphinstone.

Question 4. Mention two differences between the Permanent Settlement and the Ryotwari system.
Answer:

Differences Between The Permanent Settlement And The Ryotwari System:-

 

Question 5. What is meant by the Mahalwari system?
Answer:

Mahalwari System:-

A ‘mahal’ referred to a group of villages. These villages paid their revenue collectively through a group of people who represented the villagers.

The agreement was made between the company and the mahal for 20-30 years and the revenue was determined according to the productivity of the villages concerned.

This system was called the Mahalwari system and was introduced in northwest and central India.

Question 6. Mention two differences between the Ryotwari and Mahalwari systems
Answer:

Differences Between The Ryotwari And Mahalwari Systems:-

 

Question 7. What is meant by the Bhaiyachari system?
Answer:

Bhaiyachari System

Introduction:

The Bhaiyachari system was introduced in Punjab in 1824 under the initiative of Elplinstone and Mackenzie.

1. Terms and conditions:

1.  Separate land agreements would be made with individual farmers.
2. The revenue would be determined in consultation with the farmers, the public representatives, and the collectors.
3. The revenue would be deposited in the government treasury by the village chief or a respectable person.
4.  The rate of revenue would increase after a few years.

2. Drawbacks:

1. Though the income of the Zamindars increased, the amount of revenue collected by the Company did not increase much.
2. The Company took advantage of the provision of increasing revenue after a gap of a few years. This made the farmers bankrupt and increased their misery.

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Question 8. What is meant by the Mahajani system?
Answer:

Mahajani System:-

During colonial rule, the farmers had to pay revenues at high rates even during famines, floods, or any other natural disaster.

Therefore, they were compelled to borrow money from the money lenders at a high rate of interest.

These money lenders or Mahajans exploited the farmers dishonestly and illegally. This system was called the Mahajani system.

Question 9. What is meant by the ‘Dadan’ system?
Answer:

Dadan System:-

After the Battle of Plassey the East India Company paid the weavers in advance to cultivate cash crops like indigo.

Now the weavers could not sell any product to anybody else except the British company.

They were compelled to sell the products to the Company at a low rate after accepting the advance payment. This system was called ‘Dadan’.

Question 10. What is Amini Commission?
Answer:

Amini Commission:-

The commission appointed by Warren Hastings in 1776 to make a detailed investigation into the effectiveness of the existing land revenue system, was known as the Amini Commission.

The task of the commission was to determine the rate of revenue according to the fertility of the land, to collect the revenue, and to improve the condition of the peasants.

Question 11 What do you understand by the Pattani system?
Answer:

Pattani System:-

The Zamindars used to divide their holdings into smaller parts and transfer it to another person in exchange for a fixed rent.

This system is called Pattani and its pioneer was Tej Chandra, the Zamindar of Burdwan.

Question 12 What is meant by Tenancy Act?
Answer:

Tenancy Act:-

The British Government passed the Tenancy Act in 1886 to, protect the peasants from the inhuman torture of the Zamindars.

The ryots or the farmers were given tenancy rights on their land and they could not be evicted without the order of the court.

The Zamindars were also instructed to give sufficient reasons for increasing the revenue.

Question 13 How did the British try to control the Deccan Riots?
Answer:

British Try To Control The Deccan Riots:-

1. Deccan Riots Commission:

The British government appointed the Deccan Riot Commission in 1876 to find out the causes and solutions of these riots.

2. Deccan Agriculturist’s Relief Act:

The Deccan Agriculturist’s Relief Act was passed in 1879 on the recommendation of the Deccan Riots Commission.

This Act safeguarded the farmers from being arrested for non-payment of debt. Moreover, arrangements were also made to examine the documents of the Mahajans.

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Question 14 What is garden farming?
Answer:

Garden Farming Introduction:

The garden crops included tea, indigo, jute, and cotton. The plantation industry or garden farming grew around these crops under European initiative.

1. Development of garden farming:

Tea was the most important garden product. This industry grew up in Assam, Bengal, South India, and Himachal Pradesh.

However, the tea plantations were chiefly owned by the Europeans and they sent the profit to their own countries.

So the Indians were not benefitted from plantation industries.

Question 15. What was the impact of the commercialization of agriculture on Indian farmers?
Answer:

Impact Of The Commercialization Of Agriculture On Indian Farmers:-

There was a negative impact on agriculture the commercialization of
farmers.

1. Discrimination in society:

Only the rich farmers could avail of the irrigation facilities since they could pay high taxes for using the canal water.

2. Loss for farmers:

The agricultural output was dependent on the investment of capital and market demand. Since the farmers could not arrange for the necessary capital,

they received no profit and the profit went to the investors. Thus the farmers incurred heavy losses.

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic A Agriculture In Colonial Period State Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False

Question 1. The Panchsala system was introduced by Warren Hastings.
Answer: True

Question 2. Amini Commission was formed by Lord Dalhousie.
Answer: False

Question 3. The Eksala system was introduced by Cornwallis.
Answer: False

Question 4. Cornwallis introduced the system of Permanent Settlement.
Answer: True

Question 5. Cornwallis Introduced The Sunset Act
Answer: True

Question 6. The Ryotwari system was implemented in 1821.
Answer: False

Question 7. The Ryotwari system was introduced by Alexender Read.
Answer: True

Question 8. The Dahsala System was introduced by . Bentinck.
Answer: False

Question 9. The Mahalwari system was introduced by Elphinston.
Answer: True

Question 10. The Permanent Settlement system is a modified form of the Dahsala system.
Answer: True

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Question 11. The Ryotwari system was an agreement between the farmer and the British Government.
Answer: True

Question 12. The Mahalwari system was an agreement between the native villages and the British Government.
Answer: True

Question 13. Agriculture was the main basis of the Indian economy during the Company’s rule.
Answer: True

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic A Agriculture In Colonial Period Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. The panchsala system was introduced in __________ (1772/1774/1776).
Answer: 1772

Question 2. The Amini Commission was formed in __________ (1772/1776/1780).
Answer: 1776

Question 3. The Eksala system was introduced in __________ (1772/1774/1777).
Answer: 1777

Question 4. The Permanent Settlement was introduced in __________ (1772/1774/1793).
Answer: 1793

Question 5. The Ryotwari system was introduced in __________ (western/south/northern) part of India.
Answer: South

Question 6. The Mahalwari system was introduced in __________ (Uttar Pradesh/Madhya Pradesh/Punjab)
Answer: Uttar Pradesh

Question 7. The Bhaiyachari system was prevalent in __________ (Punjab/Uttar Pradesh/Maharashtra).
Answer: Punjab

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic A Agriculture In Colonial Period Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. Who started the Ijaradari system in Bengal?
Answer: Warren Hastings started the baradari system in Bengal.

Question 2. When was the Permanent Settlement introduced in India?
Answer: The Permanent Settlement was introduced in India in 1793.

WB Class 8 History Chapter 8 Question Answer

Question 3. Introduced Settlement? the Permanent
Answer: Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement.

Question 4. Who introduced the Mahalwari system in India?
Answer: Holt Mackenzie introduced the Mahalwari system in India.

Question 5. State the difference between the Ryotwari and the Mahalwari system.
Answer: In the Ryotwari system, the settlement was made directly between ryot or peasant and the Company, whereas in the Mahalwari system, the settlement was made between Zamindar or pradhan of the mahal (collection of several villages) and the Company.

Question 6. What is ‘abwab’?
Answer: In the Permanent Settlement system, a number of illegal taxes were extracted from the peasants, which is known as ‘abwab’.

Question 7. Which act is passed by the colonial administration as a result of the Deccan riot?
Answer: After the Deccan riot, the colonial administration passes the Agriculturalist Relief Act in 1879 to lessen the burden of loans on the peasants.

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic A Agriculture In Colonial Period Select The Most Appropriate Expla Nation For The Following Statement

Question 1. The peasants were in a critical situation in colonial India.

1. The peasants were burdened with excessive taxes.
2. Everything was seized from the peasants.
3. The peasants were evicted from the land.

Answer: 1. The peasants were burdened with excessive taxes.

Question 2. There was a steady decrease in the export of silk and cotton during colonial rule.

1. The English company began to import silk and cotton from England.
2. There was a crisis in the agricultural system.
3. The popularity of silk and cotton products decreased.

Answer: 2. There was a crisis in the agricultural system.

Question 3. The officials of the English company could not extract rent according to their own wishes.

1. The economic council of the Company began to keep an account of the revenue collected.
2. An accountant was recruited along with the revenue officials.
3. The Company’s allotted revenue was fixed through the Permanent Settlement.

Answer: 3. The Company’s allotted revenue was fixed through the Permanent Settlement.

Question 4. On many many occasions, the ownership of land was transferred through auction.

1. The Zamindars could not deposit the allotted rent at the allowed time.
2. The price of the land could be raised through the auction.
3. The transfer of ownership rights reduced corruption.

Answer: 1. The Zamindars could not deposit the allotted rent at the allowed time.

Question 5. As a result of the Permanent Settlement the farmers became dependent on the grace of the landlords.

1.  It was decided by the Permanent Settlement that the farmers would be given a fixed wage.
2. The farmers survived on the loans taken from the landlords.
3. Though the conditions of the Zamindars improved, nothing was done to improve a lot of the peasants.

Answer: 3. Though the conditions of the Zamindars improved, nothing was done to improve a lot of the peasants.

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Question 6. The Zamindars were given the right to confiscate the lands of the farmers.

1. The farmers became owners of vast lands.
2. The farmers failed to pay revenue at the rate allowed by the Zamindars at the allotted time.
3. The Zamindars got this right from the Company by paying them money.

Answer: 2. The farmers failed to pay revenue at the rate allowed by the Zamindars at the allowed time.

Question 7. The colonial rulers had emphasized the cultivation of crops.

1. The Indian crops were in high demand in the international markets.
2. England’s economy was dependent on these crops.
3. There was the commercialization of crops during colonial rule.

Answer: 3. There was the commercialization of crops during colonial rule.

Question 8. Mutual discrimination was created in the peasant society.

1. The colonial government had commercialized agriculture.
2. The government encouraged caste distinction.
3. The peasant society Ans. encouraged casteism.

Answer: 2. The government encouraged caste distinction.

Question 9. There were famines in India during colonial rule.

1. The economic policy of the company was discriminatory.
2. The production of crops did not increase in proportion to the increase in population.
3. The produced crops were continually sent to England.

Answer: 2. The production of crops did not increase in proportion to the increase in population.

Question 10. The indigo cultivators rose in rebellion.

1. The families of the indigo cultivators were oppressed.
2. The British had started. killing the cultivators.
3. The cultivators were forced to plant indigo in receipt of dadan or advance payment.

Answer: 3. The cultivators were forced to plant indigo in receipt of dadan or advance payment.

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic A Agriculture In Colonial Period Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Which industry was affected due to agricultural crisis?

1. Jute industry
2. Tea industry
3. Agricultural industry
4. Indigenous handicrafts industry

Answer: 4. Indigenous handicrafts industry

Question 2. The Permanent Settlement was implemented in Bengal in the year of

1. 1784
2. 1770
3. 1793
4. 1772

Answer: 2. 1770

Question 3. Through which system land became the private property of Zamindars?

1. Mahalwari System
2. Ryotwari System
3. Dassala System
4. Permanent Settlement

Answer: 4. Permanent Settlement

WB Class 8 History Chapter 8 Question Answer

Question 4. Which land revenue system was implemented in Madras and Bombay?

1. Permanent Settlement
2. Zardari System
3. Ryotwari System
4. Mahalwari System

Answer: 3. Ryotwari System

Question 5. The region which developed as an indigo cultivation center

1. West India
2. East India
3. North India
4. South India

Answer: 2. East India

Question 6. In which region landless peasants became hired laborers or burglars?

1. Bengal
2. Madras
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Bombay

Answer: 3. Madhya Pradesh

Question 7. ‘Dadan’ means

1. Advance payment
2. Abwab
3. hired labor
4. money lenders

Answer: 1. Advance payment

Question 8. Sunset Law is related to

1. Mahalwari system
2. Ryotwari System
3. Permanent Settlement
4. Panchsala System

Answer: 3. Permanent Settlement