Question

Give differences between Mahalwari system and permanent system.

Answer 1

Hint: Mahalwari system and permanent settlement were both land reform policies that were introduced by the British government. The Mahalwari system was brought by Holt Mackenzie in 1822 whereas the permanent system was introduced in Bengal for the first time in 1793.

Complete Step by Step answer: 

	Mahalwari system	Permanent system
	1. Holt Mackenzie devised it and it came into effect in 1822.	1. Permanent Settlement was brought by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
	2. The village was the epicentre of this system.	2. No epicentre
	3. The charge of collecting the revenue and paying it to the Company was given to the village headman, rather than the Zamindar.	3. The rajas and taluqdars were recognised as zamindars by the terms of this permanent settlement.
	4. ‘Mahal’ means village	-
	5. The revenue was to be revised periodically	5. Revenue was fixed.
	6. The charge to collect the revenue was on the village headman.	6. The charge to collect the revenue was on the village zamindar (rajas/taluqdars).

Note: One mustn’t get confused between the Mahalwari system and the Ryotwari system. In the Ryotwari system, a peasant was assessed for the lands that he cultivated. It also allowed the government to deal directly with the ryot or peasant for revenue collection. Peasants had the right to cede or acquire land.