Understanding Kabuliyat and Patta in Land Settlement 

The question asks about the historical figure responsible for introducing the land settlement instruments known as Kabuliyat and Patta. These were important documents related to land revenue administration during a specific period in Indian history.

Introduction of Kabuliyat and Patta Instruments

Kabuliyat and Patta were significant reforms in land revenue management. They aimed to streamline the process and provide clear documentation for both the state and the cultivator. Let's examine who introduced these instruments.

• Patta: This was a title deed or a deed of right issued by the state (or the landholder on behalf of the state) to the cultivator. It specified the area of land given to the cultivator, the type of crops to be grown, and the revenue rate fixed for that land. It essentially documented the state's claim and the cultivator's rights and obligations regarding a specific plot of land.
• Kabuliyat: This was a deed of agreement or acceptance signed by the cultivator. In this document, the cultivator accepted the Patta and agreed to pay the specified amount of revenue mentioned in the Patta. It was the cultivator's counterpart to the Patta, acknowledging the terms and conditions set by the state.

The introduction of these written documents brought greater transparency and formality to the land revenue system, replacing less formal or oral agreements in some areas.

Analyzing the Options

Now let's consider the historical figures listed in the options:

• Sher Shah Suri: Sher Shah Suri (reigned 1540–1545) was the founder of the Sur Empire. He was known for his administrative reforms, particularly in land revenue, currency, and infrastructure. His land revenue system was based on the measurement of land and assessment of revenue based on its productivity. It is widely documented that he introduced the system of Patta and Kabuliyat as part of these reforms to ensure clear records and agreements with the peasants (ryots).
• Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah: He was the last independent Sultan of Bengal (reigned 1533–1538). While Bengal had its own administrative systems, the specific introduction of Patta and Kabuliyat across a broader domain is attributed elsewhere.
• Bahlul Khan Lodi: He was the founder of the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, reigning from 1451 to 1489. The land revenue systems during the Delhi Sultanate period varied, but the systematic use of Patta and Kabuliyat is typically associated with later reforms.
• Humayun: Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor, reigning from 1530 to 1540 and again from 1555 to 1556. He was displaced by Sher Shah Suri. While the Mughals later adopted and refined many of Sher Shah's reforms, the initial introduction of Patta and Kabuliyat is credited to Sher Shah himself during his rule.

Conclusion

Based on historical accounts of administrative reforms, particularly in land revenue systems in the Indian subcontinent, the introduction of Kabuliyat and Patta instruments is specifically attributed to Sher Shah Suri.

Key Features of Sher Shah's Land Revenue System

• Measurement of land (survey).
• Classification of land based on fertility.
• Fixing revenue rates based on average produce.
• Issuance of Patta (title deed) to the cultivator.
• Signing of Kabuliyat (deed of agreement) by the cultivator.
• Direct relationship between the state and the cultivator, reducing the role of intermediaries in some areas.
• Emphasis on protecting the rights of the cultivators while ensuring timely revenue collection.

Therefore, the historical figure who introduced Kabuliyat and Patta as instruments of settlement was Sher Shah.

Revision Table: Important Rulers and Reforms

Additional Information on Land Settlement Instruments

The system introduced by Sher Shah Suri, including Patta and Kabuliyat, laid the groundwork for future land revenue administration in India. The Mughal Emperor Akbar's famous revenue minister, Todar Mal, further developed and refined these principles into the Zabt system or Bandobast system. This system involved detailed measurement, classification, and average produce calculation over a period of time (often 10 years) to fix revenue rates.

The core idea behind Patta and Kabuliyat was to create a clear, documented relationship between the peasant and the state regarding land holding and revenue payment, reducing ambiguity and potential for exploitation by intermediaries or arbitrary demand.

Understanding these instruments, Patta and Kabuliyat, helps in comprehending the evolution of land revenue systems in pre-colonial and early colonial India.