Understanding Francis Buchanan's Survey in Dinajpur

The question asks about the term used for a specific group of people, rich peasants, in the Dinajpur district of North Bengal, according to the survey conducted by Francis Buchanan. Francis Buchanan was a British physician and surveyor who travelled extensively in Bengal in the early 19th century, documenting various aspects of life, including social structures, agriculture, and economy.

Identifying Rich Peasants in Dinajpur

During his survey of Dinajpur, Buchanan observed different layers of people involved in agriculture and landholding. He noted the presence of large landlords (Zamindars) at the top, and various classes of cultivators below them. Among these groups, he identified a class of rich peasants who held considerable land, often controlling smaller tenants or sharecroppers.

The Role of Jotedars

Based on historical records and analyses of Buchanan's work, the term used for these rich peasants in North Bengal, particularly in areas like Dinajpur, was Jotedars. Jotedars were a powerful group who often held land directly under the Zamindar or sometimes independently. They were distinct from the traditional Zamindars who were often absentee landlords and managed vast estates. Jotedars typically resided in the villages, controlled local trade, and exercised significant power over the smaller cultivators (like Adhiyars or Bargadars) who worked on their lands.

Here's a brief look at the options:

• Zamindar: These were the large landlords, often appointed by the state, holding vast tracts of land and responsible for collecting revenue. While rich, they represent a different layer in the landholding hierarchy than 'rich peasants' in the context the question implies.
• Jotedars: As discussed, these were substantial landholders who were richer than the average cultivator and held significant power at the village level. They fit the description of 'rich peasants'.
• Adhiyars: This term refers to sharecroppers or tenants who cultivated the land of others, often Jotedars, and shared the produce. They were not rich peasants; they were dependent cultivators.
• Bargadars: Similar to Adhiyars, Bargadars are also sharecroppers who cultivate land belonging to others, typically the Jotedars or Zamindars, under a system where they share the crop. They were also not rich peasants.

Francis Buchanan's survey highlighted the growing influence of Jotedars in rural Bengal, demonstrating a shift in power dynamics below the level of the Zamindars.

Analysis of Buchanan's Observations

Buchanan's reports provide valuable insights into the agrarian structure of early 19th-century Bengal. His description of Dinajpur reveals a complex society where the Jotedars played a crucial intermediary role, sometimes even challenging the authority of the Zamindars. Their wealth was derived from their extensive landholdings and their control over the labor of sharecroppers and tenants.

Considering Buchanan's survey and historical context, the group of rich peasants in Dinajpur were known as Jotedars.

Revision Table: Agrarian Terms in Bengal

Additional Information on Jotedars and Bengal Agrarian Structure

The rise of Jotedars is a significant theme in the agrarian history of Bengal, particularly evident from the late 18th century onwards. They accumulated land, often through various means including the decline of some Zamindar families, and became dominant figures in village society and economy. Their power base was strengthened by their direct involvement in cultivation or management of their lands and their close ties with the cultivating classes, contrasting with the more distant relationship of many Zamindars.

Buchanan's survey in Dinajpur provides early evidence of this emerging class and their importance in the rural structure of North Bengal.