The correct option is 1 only
Explanation
The Summary Settlement of 1856 was the first land revenue settlement introduced by the British in the province of Awadh immediately following its annexation. It was heavily influenced by the Ricardian theory of rent, which viewed the Taluqdars (landed aristocracy) as intermediaries and "interlopers" who intercepted the revenue that should rightfully go to the state.
Statement 1 is Correct: The settlement proceeded on the assumption that the Taluqdars had no permanent stake in the land. Consequently, the British administration sought to bypass them and settle revenue directly with village proprietors. This policy resulted in the dispossession of Taluqdars from a vast number of villages; for instance, the percentage of villages held by Taluqdars in Awadh dropped from approximately 67% to 38%.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: While the British claimed the settlement would protect peasants from the exploitation of Taluqdars, in practice, the revenue demand was often assessed at a very high level. The removal of Taluqdars also dismantled the traditional social security and patronage they provided to peasants during times of distress or poor harvest. Thus, the peasantry was not necessarily happier, and the revenue burden was not effectively lowered.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Summary Settlement was based on the belief that settling land with the actual cultivators or village proprietors (not Taluqdars) would be beneficial. The British viewed Taluqdars as parasites absorbing the surplus; therefore, the policy aimed to eliminate them from the revenue chain to increase the state's share, rather than settling with them.
Key Takeaway: The Summary Settlement of 1856 in Awadh was an anti-Taluqdar measure that aimed to settle land directly with village proprietors, but it alienated both the aristocracy and the peasantry due to dispossession and high revenue demands, becoming a major cause of the 1857 Revolt in the region.