Q. Lord Cornwallis introduced
(a) Zamindari system
(b) Mahalwari system
(c) Mansabdari system
(d) None of the above
Ans: (a) Zamindari system
Explanation: Lord Cornwallis introduced (a) Zamindari system.
Lord Cornwallis, during his tenure as the Governor-General of India from 1786 to 1793, introduced significant land reforms in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. One of his notable reforms was the introduction of the Zamindari system.
Under the Zamindari system, the British East India Company recognized the Zamindars (landlords) as intermediaries between the state and the peasants. The Zamindars were given hereditary rights to collect land revenue from the peasants in exchange for fixed payments to the British administration. This system aimed to streamline the collection of revenue and stabilize land ownership in British-controlled territories.
However, the implementation of the Zamindari system led to various issues. The fixed revenue demands imposed on the Zamindars often resulted in exploitation and excessive taxation of the peasants, leading to widespread agrarian discontent. The system also contributed to the concentration of landownership in the hands of a few privileged individuals, further exacerbating social and economic inequalities. It is important to note that the Mahalwari system, which involved direct settlement with individual farmers, was introduced by another Governor-General, Sir Thomas Munro, and the Mansabdari system, which was a military ranking system, was introduced during the reign of Emperor Akbar and was not associated with Lord Cornwallis.
