Correct Option
The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
In late 18th-century Bengal, following the implementation of the Permanent Settlement (1793), a distinct power struggle emerged in the agrarian structure. While Zamindars were the official revenue proprietors recognized by the British, a class of rich peasants known as Jotedars (also called haoladars, gantidars, or mandals) consolidated significant power at the village level.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Jotedars were residents of the villages where they held land. Their physical presence allowed them to exercise direct and continuous control over the local population and village affairs. They were intimately connected to the daily lives of the peasantry.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Unlike Jotedars, Zamindars often lived in urban centers (such as Calcutta) to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. They functioned as absentee landlords, managing their estates through agents known as Gomasthas. This physical distance weakened their direct authority over the villagers compared to the resident Jotedars.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Jotedars possessed vast areas of land which they did not cultivate themselves. Instead, they employed sharecroppers (known as adhiyars or bargadars), who brought their own ploughs, labored in the field, and handed over half the produce to the Jotedars. This economic dependency gave the Jotedars immense power over the cultivating class.
Key Takeaway
The effectiveness of Jotedars stemmed from their local residence and direct control over sharecroppers, contrasting sharply with the absentee landlordism of the Zamindars who relied on intermediaries.