QUE. Compare the features of the Ryotwari system and the Mahalwari system and explain how these two systems differ from the permanent deposit system.

Various land revenue systems were introduced by the British Company from time to time to exploit the economic wealth of India, which is known as ‘Sone Ki Chidiya’, including permanent deposit, Ryotwari and Mahalwari.

• Ryotwari system: 

• This system was implemented in about 51% of the country; which was mainly practiced in the areas of Bombay, Madras, South and South-West India. 

• Since there were no big landlords in these areas and also not wanting to change the existing system much, the British started collecting land revenue from the farmers i.e. ryots.

• As per the recommendations of Reed and Munro, revenue was started to be collected from the cultivators in these areas.

• Mahalawari system:

• This system was implemented in about 25% of the country. The main areas under this system include the Gangetic plains, North-West India, Central India and Punjab.

• Under this system, the village landlord was given the responsibility of collecting land revenue from all the farmers.

• In Ryotwari, the British government collected land revenue from each farmer, while in Mahalawari, a large farmer of the village was given the role of landlord.

• This revenue system was improved from time to time. 

• Differences between the two above systems from permanent settlement:

• Permanent Jamabandhi was prevalent in 19% of the country, in parts of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Madras.

• In addition to making some landowners zamindars under the British zamindari system, land ownership rights were made hereditary and transferable, which is not seen in ryotwari or mahalwari.

• Under this system, 1011th part of the total land revenue belonged to the government while 1/11th part belonged to the landlord.

• Here the condition of the farmers became equal to that of tenants and labourers.

Thus, the British Company started the process of making India an economic colony through various land revenue systems.