With reference to the "Mahalwari Settlement", consider the following statements: 1. It was devised by Holt Mackenzie and came into effect in 1822. 2. It was primarily introduced in the Madras and Bombay Presidencies. 3. The charge of collecting revenue was given to the zamindar rather than the village headman. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a). Explanation The Mahalwari Settlement was a land revenue system introduced by the British in India. Unlike the Permanent Settlement (Zamindari) or the Ryotwari System, the unit of revenue assessment in this system was the "Mahal" (village or estate), and the revenue liability was joint and several among the village community. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The system was devised by Holt Mackenzie, who believed that the village was a crucial social institution in North Indian society and needed to be preserved. His proposals were formalized and came into effect under Regulation VII of 1822. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Mahalwari system was primarily introduced in the North-Western Provinces of the Bengal Presidency (covering most of modern-day Uttar Pradesh), parts of Central India, and the Punjab. The Madras and Bombay Presidencies were predominantly under the Ryotwari Settlement. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: Under the Mahalwari system, the settlement was made with the village community as a whole. The responsibility of collecting the revenue and paying it to the government was given to the village headman (often referred to as the Lambardar), not a Zamindar. The Zamindari system (Permanent Settlement) was where the Zamindar acted as the intermediary. Key Takeaway Mahalwari Settlement: - Deviser: Holt Mackenzie (1822). - Region: North-Western Provinces, Central India, Punjab. - Collection: Village Headman on behalf of the entire village (Mahal).

With reference to the "Mahalwari Settlement", cons... - NCERT Class 8 History MCQ

Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The Mahalwari Settlement was a land revenue system introduced by the British in India. Unlike the Permanent Settlement (Zamindari) or the Ryotwari System, the unit of revenue assessment in this system was the "Mahal" (village or estate), and the revenue liability was joint and several among the village community.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The system was devised by Holt Mackenzie, who believed that the village was a crucial social institution in North Indian society and needed to be preserved. His proposals were formalized and came into effect under Regulation VII of 1822.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Mahalwari system was primarily introduced in the North-Western Provinces of the Bengal Presidency (covering most of modern-day Uttar Pradesh), parts of Central India, and the Punjab. The Madras and Bombay Presidencies were predominantly under the Ryotwari Settlement.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Under the Mahalwari system, the settlement was made with the village community as a whole. The responsibility of collecting the revenue and paying it to the government was given to the village headman (often referred to as the Lambardar), not a Zamindar. The Zamindari system (Permanent Settlement) was where the Zamindar acted as the intermediary.

Key Takeaway

Mahalwari Settlement:

Deviser: Holt Mackenzie (1822).
Region: North-Western Provinces, Central India, Punjab.
Collection: Village Headman on behalf of the entire village (Mahal).

NCERT Class 8 History — Chapter 2: Ruling the Countryside

Options

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Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Key Takeaway

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