Question

Why did the Ryotwari system fail in investing in agricultural improvement like the zamindar system?

• A. The British did not encourage improvement.
• B. The revenues were fixed at very high rates initially, and this was to be forcibly taken.
• C. The cultivators eventually realised that they could generate profit by just owning land and renting it out and did not invest in improvements.
• D. All of the above.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B The revenues were fixed at very high rates initially, and this was to be forcibly taken.
C The cultivators eventually realised that they could generate profit by just owning land and renting it out and did not invest in improvements.

The revenue collected initially under Ryotwari areas was high and needed to be taken forcibly. These were set for 20-30 years and only changed after its tenure keeping current changes in mind. As the prices increased and cultivation rose, the cultivators understood that by owning land and renting it out, they could be profited. Hence they did not invest in improvement as observed in the Zamindar system.