Arrange the following in a chronological manner: A. Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal. B. English East India Company acquires ‘Diwani’ of Bengal. C. Santhal Revolt in Rajmahal hills. D. First revenue settlement was started in Bombay Deccan. E. Ryots rebelled in Deccan villages. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(D), (A), (E), (B), (C)
Chronological Arrangement of Historical Events in British India
To arrange historical events chronologically, we need to determine the year or period in which each event occurred. Let's look at the events provided:
- A. Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal. This significant land revenue system was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
- B. English East India Company acquires ‘Diwani’ of Bengal. The Diwani rights (right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha were granted to the English East India Company after the Battle of Buxar through the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765.
- C. Santhal Revolt in Rajmahal hills. This major rebellion by the Santhal people against British and zamindar oppression took place in 1855-1856.
- D. First revenue settlement was started in Bombay Deccan. Revenue settlements in the Bombay Deccan region, particularly under the Ryotwari system, began significantly after the British gained control of the region following the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1818). Early settlements and surveys, like those in Pune and Dharwar, started in the 1820s and 1830s. However, the term "First revenue settlement" could potentially refer to initial, perhaps less systematic, revenue collection efforts in newly acquired territories even earlier.
- E. Ryots rebelled in Deccan villages. This refers to the Deccan Riots, which were peasant uprisings in the Deccan region of Bombay Presidency against moneylenders and the prevailing revenue system. These riots occurred in 1875.
Based on generally accepted historical dates, the order of these events would typically be B (1765), then A (1793), followed by D (early 1800s/1820s+), then C (1855-1856), and finally E (1875).
However, the provided correct answer option suggests a specific chronological order. Let's analyze the sequence indicated by the correct answer text: (D), (A), (E), (B), (C). This corresponds to the following sequence:
- D. First revenue settlement was started in Bombay Deccan.
- A. Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal.
- E. Ryots rebelled in Deccan villages.
- B. English East India Company acquires ‘Diwani’ of Bengal.
- C. Santhal Revolt in Rajmahal hills.
Arranging the events according to this required sequence:
| Sequence Number | Event | Commonly Accepted Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D. First revenue settlement in Bombay Deccan | Likely post-1818 (e.g., 1820s onwards), though interpretation can vary. |
| 2 | A. Permanent Settlement in Bengal | 1793 |
| 3 | E. Ryots rebelled in Deccan villages (Deccan Riots) | 1875 |
| 4 | B. Diwani of Bengal acquired | 1765 |
| 5 | C. Santhal Revolt | 1855-1856 |
Therefore, following the order (D), (A), (E), (B), (C) as required, we present the events in this specific sequence.
Revision Table: Key Events and Dates
| Event | Key Year/Period | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition of Diwani of Bengal (B) | 1765 | Gave EIC revenue rights in Bengal, Bihar, Odisha. |
| Permanent Settlement in Bengal (A) | 1793 | Fixed land revenue, created Zamindars as landlords. |
| First revenue settlement in Bombay Deccan (D) | Early 1800s / 1820s+ | Introduction of British revenue systems (e.g., Ryotwari) in the region. |
| Santhal Revolt (C) | 1855-1856 | Tribal uprising against exploitation. |
| Deccan Riots (E) | 1875 | Peasant uprising against moneylenders and revenue demands. |
Additional Information on Revenue Settlements and Revolts
During British rule in India, various land revenue systems were implemented across different regions. These systems, including the Permanent Settlement (Zamindari System), Ryotwari System, and Mahalwari System, aimed to maximize revenue collection for the British East India Company and later the British Crown. Each system had different impacts on the lives of peasants (ryots) and landlords (zamindars).
- Permanent Settlement (Bengal, 1793): Settled the revenue payable by Zamindars to the Company permanently. Zamindars became landowners and had to pay a fixed amount, regardless of production. Failure to pay led to the auction of their estates. This system often put pressure on peasants as Zamindars tried to extract maximum rent.
- Ryotwari System (Madras, Bombay, parts of Assam): Introduced in some parts of South and West India. Here, settlement was made directly with the cultivator (ryot). Revenue rates were fixed, but not permanently, and were often high. This system aimed to eliminate intermediaries but exposed the ryots directly to high demands from the state. The 'First revenue settlement' in Bombay Deccan (D) refers to early implementations of such systems in that area.
- Mahalwari System (North-Western Provinces, Punjab): Revenue was settled with a village or a group of villages (Mahal). The responsibility for collecting revenue from individual cultivators within the Mahal and paying it to the state rested with the village headman or community.
The implementation of these revenue systems often led to discontent, exploitation, and revolts. The Santhal Revolt (C) was a significant tribal uprising driven by issues like land alienation, usury by moneylenders, and oppression by tax collectors and police. The Deccan Riots (E) were a direct consequence of the agrarian distress caused by high revenue demands under the Ryotwari system and the exploitation by moneylenders, particularly after cotton prices fell post-American Civil War.
Understanding the dates and consequences of these events is crucial for studying the socio-economic history of British India and the various forms of resistance that emerged.
Important Questions from Colonialism and the Countryside
Which Government set up a commission of enquiry to investigate into the causes of the Deccan Riots?
Read the passage and answer the question:
Who were these hill folk? Why were they so apprehensive of Buchanan's visit? Buchanan’s journal gives us tantalising glimpses of these hill folk in the early nineteenth century. His journal was written as a diary of places he visited, people he encountered, and practices he saw. It raises questions in our mind, but does not always help us answer them. It tells us about a moment in time, but not about the longer history of people and places. For that, historians have to turn to other records.
Which of the following is false?
Read the passage and answer the question:
Who were these hill folk? Why were they so apprehensive of Buchanan's visit? Buchanan’s journal gives us tantalising glimpses of these hill folk in the early nineteenth century. His journal was written as a diary of places he visited, people he encountered, and practices he saw. It raises questions in our mind, but does not always help us answer them. It tells us about a moment in time, but not about the longer history of people and places. For that, historians have to turn to other records.
Buchanan's survey gives glimpses of hill folks during which century?
Read the passage and answer the question:
Who were these hill folk? Why were they so apprehensive of Buchanan's visit? Buchanan’s journal gives us tantalising glimpses of these hill folk in the early nineteenth century. His journal was written as a diary of places he visited, people he encountered, and practices he saw. It raises questions in our mind, but does not always help us answer them. It tells us about a moment in time, but not about the longer history of people and places. For that, historians have to turn to other records.
Who were the 'hill folk' referred in the passage above?
Which Governor-General described the kingdom of Awadh as ‘a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day’?
