Mahalwari Settlement System Deviser

The question asks to identify the person who devised the Mahalwari settlement system. This was one of the main land revenue systems implemented during the British rule in India.

Understanding the Mahalwari Settlement

The Mahalwari system (from 'Mahal', meaning a large estate or a village) was a system of land revenue collection introduced in North India. In this system, the land revenue was collected from the farmers, but the settlement was made with the 'Mahal' or village as a whole. The village community or the 'Lambardar' (headman) was responsible for collecting and paying the revenue to the government. This system recognized the village community as the owner of the land.

Holt Mackenzie's Role

Holt Mackenzie is credited with devising and introducing the Mahalwari system of settlement. He was a British colonial official who proposed this system around 1822. His efforts aimed to create a more structured and efficient way to collect land revenue, taking into account the existing village structures in the North-Western Provinces (modern Uttar Pradesh), Agra, Punjab, and Central India.

Analysis of Other Options

• Alexander Read and Thomas Munro: They were primarily associated with the Ryotwari settlement system, particularly in the southern parts of British India. The Ryotwari system dealt directly with individual peasant cultivators (Ryots) rather than village communities.
• Richard Wellesley: While a significant Governor-General of India, he is not directly associated with devising the Mahalwari settlement system. His tenure was marked by significant military campaigns and expansion of British territory.

Conclusion

Based on historical records, Holt Mackenzie was the principal architect behind the formulation of the Mahalwari land revenue system. This system marked a significant departure from previous methods, focusing on the village as the unit for revenue assessment and collection.