Where was the 'Summary Settlement' of 1856 imposed?
Bengal
Understanding the Summary Settlement of 1856
The question asks about the location where a specific land revenue settlement, known as the 'Summary Settlement', was imposed by the British in the year 1856. To answer this, we need to know the historical context of British administration and their policies regarding land revenue in various regions of India.
The year 1856 is significant because it immediately precedes the Indian Mutiny of 1857. During this period, the British were actively annexing territories and introducing new administrative and land revenue systems.
What was the Summary Settlement?
The Summary Settlement of 1856 was a rapid process of assessing and settling land revenue demands in a newly annexed territory. The primary aim was to quickly establish British control over land and revenue collection, often disregarding existing land rights and titles.
Where was the Summary Settlement of 1856 Imposed?
The Summary Settlement of 1856 was imposed in the region of Awadh (also spelled Oudh). Awadh was annexed by the British on the pretext of misgovernance in 1856, just before the settlement was introduced. The settlement led to widespread dissatisfaction among the taluqdars (landholders) and peasants of Awadh because it often resulted in the confiscation of their lands or significant increases in revenue demands. This policy is considered one of the contributing factors to the widespread participation of Awadh in the 1857 uprising.
Let's look at the options provided:
- Jhansi: Jhansi was annexed earlier, in 1854, under the Doctrine of Lapse. While land policies were changed, the specific "Summary Settlement of 1856" is not primarily associated with Jhansi.
- Bengal: Bengal was one of the earliest major territories acquired by the British. Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal in 1793, much earlier than 1856. Land settlements in Bengal in the mid-19th century would be different from the 1856 Summary Settlement.
- Kanpur: Kanpur was a significant town in Awadh. While Kanpur was part of the region where the settlement had an impact, the settlement itself was imposed across the annexed territory, not just the city.
- Awadh: Awadh was annexed in 1856, and the Summary Settlement was specifically introduced there in the same year to quickly settle land revenue.
Based on historical records, the Summary Settlement of 1856 was specifically imposed in Awadh following its annexation.
| Region | Relevant Historical Event | Association with Summary Settlement 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Jhansi | Annexed 1854 (Doctrine of Lapse) | Not the primary location of 1856 Summary Settlement |
| Bengal | Permanent Settlement 1793 | Land policies introduced much earlier |
| Kanpur | Part of Awadh region | Impacted by the settlement, but not the imposition location |
| Awadh | Annexed 1856 | Primary location of the Summary Settlement of 1856 |
Conclusion on Summary Settlement Location
Therefore, the 'Summary Settlement' of 1856 was imposed in Awadh.
Revision Table: Key Land Settlements in British India
| Settlement Type | Period/Year | Region | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Settlement | 1793 | Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, etc. | Zamindars recognized as owners; fixed revenue |
| Ryotwari Settlement | Early 19th Century onwards | Madras, Bombay, etc. | Direct settlement with cultivators (ryots) |
| Mahalwari Settlement | Early 19th Century onwards | North-Western Provinces, Punjab, etc. | Settlement with village community (mahal) or landlords |
| Summary Settlement | 1856 | Awadh | Rapid, often arbitrary assessment after annexation |
Additional Information: Impact of Summary Settlement in Awadh
The Summary Settlement in Awadh had significant consequences. It drastically altered the landholding structure. Many taluqdars, who were traditional landholders, were dispossessed of their estates. This alienation of the landed elite, along with the increased revenue burden on peasants, created deep resentment against British rule. This resentment played a crucial role in the widespread participation from Awadh in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, where both the dispossessed taluqdars and the burdened peasants joined the rebellion.
Important Questions from Colonialism and the Countryside
Match List I with List II.
List - I List - II A. Bargadar II. Sharecropper B. Raja I. Powerful Zamindar C. Diku IV. Moneylender D. Lathyal III. Strongman of a Zamindar Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Colonial rule was first established in which part of India?
Colonial officials were strongly influenced by the ideas of which British economic thinker in 19th century?
Arrange the following events in a chronological order. (A) Santhal Rebellion (B) Ryots Rebel in Deccan Villages (C) Permanent Settlement of Bengal (D) First Revenue Settlement in Bombay Deccan
Who wrote, “Gunjiuriya is just sufficiently cultivated to show what glorious country this might be made, its beauty and riches might be made equal to almost any in the universe”?
