With reference to the "Fifth Report", consider the following statements: 1. It excluded petitions from zamindars and ryots. 2. It relied heavily on reports from district collectors. 3. It was used by the British Parliament to regulate and control the East India Company's rule. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 and 3 only Explanation The "Fifth Report" was a significant document submitted to the British Parliament in 1813. It was prepared by a Select Committee set up to inquire into the administration and activities of the East India Company (EIC) in India, particularly in the context of the upcoming renewal of the Company's Charter. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Fifth Report did not exclude petitions; rather, it contained extensive appendices that reproduced the petitions of zamindars and ryots, reports of collectors from different districts, statistical tables on revenue returns, and notes on the revenue and judicial administration of Bengal and Madras. These documents served as primary evidence for the committee's analysis. - Statement 2 is Correct. The report relied heavily on the official reports sent by district collectors and judges to the provincial administration. These local administrative reports formed the basis of the committee's understanding of the ground realities of the Company's rule, particularly regarding the Permanent Settlement. - Statement 3 is Correct. From the mid-1760s, the British Parliament sought to regulate the East India Company's activities. The Fifth Report was a tool used by Parliament to scrutinize the Company's administration. The report was often critical of the Company's rule, highlighting maladministration to justify increased Parliamentary oversight and control through acts like the Charter Act of 1813. Key Takeaway: The Fifth Report (1813) was a Parliamentary critique of the East India Company's administration in Bengal and Madras, heavily relying on local reports and petitions to justify greater British state control over Indian affairs.

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 1: Colonialism and the Countryside - Exploring Official Archives

mcqmedium

With reference to the "Fifth Report", consider the following statements:

It excluded petitions from zamindars and ryots.
It relied heavily on reports from district collectors.
It was used by the British Parliament to regulate and control the East India Company's rule.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C2 only
D2 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 2 and 3 only

Explanation

The "Fifth Report" was a significant document submitted to the British Parliament in 1813. It was prepared by a Select Committee set up to inquire into the administration and activities of the East India Company (EIC) in India, particularly in the context of the upcoming renewal of the Company's Charter.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Fifth Report did not exclude petitions; rather, it contained extensive appendices that reproduced the petitions of zamindars and ryots, reports of collectors from different districts, statistical tables on revenue returns, and notes on the revenue and judicial administration of Bengal and Madras. These documents served as primary evidence for the committee's analysis.
Statement 2 is Correct. The report relied heavily on the official reports sent by district collectors and judges to the provincial administration. These local administrative reports formed the basis of the committee's understanding of the ground realities of the Company's rule, particularly regarding the Permanent Settlement.
Statement 3 is Correct. From the mid-1760s, the British Parliament sought to regulate the East India Company's activities. The Fifth Report was a tool used by Parliament to scrutinize the Company's administration. The report was often critical of the Company's rule, highlighting maladministration to justify increased Parliamentary oversight and control through acts like the Charter Act of 1813.

Key Takeaway:
The Fifth Report (1813) was a Parliamentary critique of the East India Company's administration in Bengal and Madras, heavily relying on local reports and petitions to justify greater British state control over Indian affairs.

Your note

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The correct option is 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Fifth Report did not exclude petitions; rather, it contained extensive appendices that reproduced the petitions of zamindars and ryots, reports of collectors from different districts, statistical tables on revenue returns, and notes on the revenue and judicial administration of Bengal and Madras. These documents served as primary evidence for the committee's analysis.
Statement 2 is Correct. The report relied heavily on the official reports sent by district collectors and judges to the provincial administration. These local administrative reports formed the basis of the committee's understanding of the ground realities of the Company's rule, particularly regarding the Permanent Settlement.
Statement 3 is Correct. From the mid-1760s, the British Parliament sought to regulate the East India Company's activities. The Fifth Report was a tool used by Parliament to scrutinize the Company's administration. The report was often critical of the Company's rule, highlighting maladministration to justify increased Parliamentary oversight and control through acts like the Charter Act of 1813.