Question

Give two problems which arose with the new Munro system of fixing revenue.

Answer 1

The Ryotwari system was introduced by Munro.

Problem with Ryotwari System

• After a few years of implementing the Ryotwari system, the British realized that everything was not fine with the system.
• The revenue fixed by the revenue officials was extremely high. It was driven by a very high desire to increase revenues from land.
• Some of the officials were under the impression that with the Ryotwari system, peasants would end up becoming enterprising and rich farmers.
• On the contrary, Ryots had to flee the countryside as the peasants were not able to pay the revenue demanded by the revenue officials.
• In many regions, Villages were deserted.

Ryotwari System – Munro System

• There was an idea for implementing policy in British territories in the South, which was different from the Permanent Settlement.
• This new system which was implemented in the South was known as Ryotwari (or Ryotwar).
• In the areas that were taken by the British after defeating Tipu Sultan, this system was experimented by Captain Alexander Read on a small scale.
• Later on this system was expanded all over South India by Thomas Munro.
• Thomas Munro and Alexander Read were of the opinion that traditional zamindars did not exist in the South.
• They wanted to directly deal with the cultivators (ryots) who were tilling the land for many generations.
• Before assessing the revenue, their fields were separately and carefully surveyed.