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Colonialism and the Countryside – Class 12 History notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 History, chapter 9. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

British rule transformed rural India through new land revenue systems. In Bengal, the Permanent Settlement of 1793 fixed revenue with zamindars, many of whom lost their estates. In the Rajmahal hills, the Paharias and the Santhals faced displacement, and the Santhals revolted in 1855–56. In the Bombay Deccan, the ryotwari system and indebtedness led to the Deccan riots of 1875. Official records such as the Fifth Report (1813) are key sources.

Bengal and the Permanent Settlement

The Permanent Settlement, introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793, fixed revenue permanently with zamindars, who had to pay on time under the 'sunset law'.
Many zamindars defaulted because revenue demand was high, collections from ryots were uncertain and their powers were reduced; their estates were auctioned.
Jotedars, rich peasants who controlled large areas of land, gained power in villages; the Fifth Report submitted to the British Parliament in 1813 described the problems.

The Rajmahal hills

The Paharias lived by shifting cultivation, hunting and forest produce, and raided settled plains; the British tried to pacify them.
The British encouraged the Santhals to settle in the area, called Damin-i-Koh (1832), and clear forests for settled agriculture.
Rising revenue demands, moneylenders and loss of land led to the Santhal rebellion (hul) of 1855–56, after which the Santhal Parganas were created.

The Bombay Deccan

The ryotwari system made settlements directly with peasants (ryots); revenue demand was high and periodically revised.
During the American Civil War (1861–65) cotton exports boomed and ryots borrowed heavily; after the war, prices fell and moneylenders refused credit.
In 1875 peasants in Supa and other villages attacked moneylenders and destroyed their account books (Deccan riots); the Deccan Riots Commission reported in 1878.

Key terms

Permanent Settlement: the 1793 system fixing revenue permanently with zamindars in Bengal
Sunset law: the rule that revenue had to be paid by sunset on a fixed date
Jotedar: a rich peasant controlling large areas of land in Bengal
Ryotwari: a revenue system with settlement directly with peasants
Damin-i-Koh: the area demarcated for Santhal settlement in 1832

Important questions with answers

What was the Permanent Settlement?2 marks

The Permanent Settlement was a land revenue system introduced in Bengal by Lord Cornwallis in 1793, under which the revenue to be paid by each zamindar was fixed permanently. Zamindars collected rent from peasants and paid revenue to the Company; if they failed to pay on time, their estates were auctioned.

Why did the Santhals rebel in 1855–56?3 marks

The Santhals had settled in the Rajmahal hills and cleared forests for cultivation, but the state imposed heavy taxes, moneylenders charged high interest and took over land, and zamindars claimed control. Feeling that their land and way of life were threatened, they revolted against zamindars, moneylenders and the colonial state.

Explain the causes of the Deccan riots of 1875.5 marks

In the Bombay Deccan the British introduced the ryotwari system, under which revenue was settled directly with peasants. The revenue demand was high, and many peasants had to borrow from moneylenders to pay it. During the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, cotton supplies from the USA to Britain were cut, so British traders and the government encouraged cotton cultivation in India; moneylenders gave easy credit and many ryots expanded cotton production. After the war ended, cotton exports from the USA resumed, demand for Indian cotton fell and prices crashed. At the same time, the government increased the revenue demand in the 1870s. Moneylenders refused to give further loans and demanded repayment, and ryots felt cheated by bonds and accounts they could not read, which often showed inflated debts. Resentment over this injustice led to the riots of 1875, starting in Supa in Poona district, in which peasants attacked moneylenders, burnt their account books and bonds. The government appointed the Deccan Riots Commission, which reported in 1878 and blamed moneylenders, though the high revenue demand was also a cause.

Quick revision

Bengal: Permanent Settlement 1793; zamindars' estates auctioned.
Jotedars; Fifth Report 1813.
Paharias, Santhals; hul 1855–56.
Deccan: ryotwari; cotton boom; 1875 riots.

Exam tips

Compare the Permanent Settlement and ryotwari systems in a table.
Remember: 1793, 1813, 1832, 1855, 1861–65, 1875.

Practice MCQs

The Permanent Settlement was introduced in
1. 1765
2. 1793
3. 1813
4. 1857
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1793. Lord Cornwallis introduced it.
The Santhal rebellion took place in
1. 1793
2. 1855–56
3. 1875
4. 1905
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1855–56. It is called the hul.
The revenue system with direct settlement with peasants was called
1. Permanent Settlement
2. mahalwari
3. ryotwari
4. zabt
Show answer
Answer: (c) ryotwari. It was used in Bombay and Madras.
The rule requiring revenue to be paid by a fixed time was called the
1. sunset law
2. sunrise law
3. doctrine of lapse
4. subsidiary alliance
Show answer
Answer: (a) sunset law. Defaulting zamindars lost estates.
Rich peasants who controlled large areas of land in Bengal were called
1. jotedars
2. ryots
3. Paharias
4. mahajans
Show answer
Answer: (a) jotedars. They gained power in villages.
The Fifth Report was submitted to the British Parliament in
1. 1793
2. 1813
3. 1857
4. 1875
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1813. It described Company administration.
Why did cotton cultivation expand in the Deccan in the 1860s
1. the British banned cotton
2. moneylenders refused all loans
3. cotton prices fell
4. the American Civil War cut cotton supplies from the USA
Show answer
Answer: (d) the American Civil War cut cotton supplies from the USA. Britain turned to Indian cotton.
Which was a reason for zamindars defaulting under the Permanent Settlement
1. very low revenue demand
2. support from jotedars
3. abolition of auctions
4. high revenue demand and uncertain collection from ryots
Show answer
Answer: (d) high revenue demand and uncertain collection from ryots. Estates were auctioned as a result.

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Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.