question_answer

Why did the zamindars fail to pay the revenue demand in the early decades after the permanent settlement? Explain any two reasons briefly.

Answer:

The Permanent Settlement, initiated in 1793, imposed on the zamindars the responsibility to collect land revenue and pay a fixed amount to the Company. Several zamindars defaulted payment as the revenue demand was high, being assessed at a time when prices were depressed, hence ryots were unable to pay, increasing the zamindar?s unpaid balances. The Company had implemented this to ward off any anticipated loss as it revenue share was fixed, once the system became streamlined, agricultural production rose and prices increased.

Further, the Company?s demand remained invariable, irrespective of the harvest and had to be paid within the given time.