Page 1 - #18120100101

Class 12 History Notes Chapter 10

Colonialism and the Countryside:

Exploring Official Archives

February 17, 2017 by Bhagya

Class 12 History Notes Chapter 10

Colonialism and the Countryside: Exploring

Official Archives

• In India British rule was first of all established in Bengal.
• Permanent settlement of land revenue was adopted in Bengal in 1793.
• The economic measure adopted by the British government made India a
consumer of goods manufactured in England.
• By the end of the 18th century when zamindars were facing a crisis, A group of
such peasants, on other hand, was consolidating their position in the villages.
• With the emergence of the power of zamindars had considerably diminished. They
did not surrender easily. So they devised many ways to withstand the pressure
and keep their central focus on their zamindaris.
• At the end of 18th century, the most adverse effect of the colonial rule fell on the
economic condition of the peasants.
• As a result of the British occupation of India the Indian economy faced disastrous
consequences. To fulfil their vested interests, they shattered their tradition and
structure of Indian economy.
• Because of the decline of Indian industry, Indian weavers and craftswoman were
completely made jobless. The industries in Surat, Dhaka, Murshidaabad, etc
which were once flourishing were destroyed.
• Historians like Percival Spear, P.E. Robat and R.C. Dutt have praised permanent
settlement of land revenue, because
o Government Income became stable
o Administration became efficient
o British rule got stable.
• Permanent settlement of Revenue was also criticised on the basis of—
o It did not proved beneficial for Zamindars.
o It ingrained the interest of cultivators.
o Burden of taxes fell on other classes.
• Mahalwari system of land revenue was implemented in Punjab. The group of
villages were called ‘Mahal’. So the system was known as Mahalwari system.
• The objective of the Fifth Report was to restrain and control the activities of East
India company in India.