Pre-1857 Revolts & Land Revenue Systems

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Land Revenue Systems

(British policies affecting agriculture & peasants)

Permanent Settlement (1793)

• Introduced by Cornwallis, also called Zamindari System
• Implemented in Bengal, UP & MP
  👉 Fixed land revenue; zamindars became intermediaries

Ryotwari System (1820)

• Introduced by Munro & Reed in South India
• Direct settlement with peasants (ryots)
  👉 Government collected tax directly from farmers

Mahalwari System (1822)

• Introduced by Holt Mackenzie (Bengal) & William Bentinck (Punjab)
• Settlement with village headmen (mahal)
  👉 Revenue fixed collectively for villages

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Early Revolts (Pre-1857)

(Resistance against British policies & exploitation)

Sanyasi Revolt (1764)

• Occurred in Bihar & Bengal
• Leaders: Manju Shah, Bhawani Pathak, Devi Chaudharani
  👉 Revolt by monks & peasants against oppression

Paika Rebellion (1817)

• Occurred in Odisha
• Leader: Bakshi Jagbandhu Bidyadhar
  👉 Military class (Paikas) revolted against British rule

Ahom Revolt (1828)

• Occurred in Assam
• Leader: Gomdhar Kunwar
  👉 Reaction against British interference

Pagal Panthis (1825)

• Occurred in Bengal
• Leaders: Karam Shah & Tipu
  👉 Tribal-peasant resistance movement

Kol Mutiny (1831)

• Leader: Budho Bhagat
  👉 Tribal uprising against exploitation

Moplah Uprising (1836)

• Occurred in Malabar
  👉 Muslim peasants revolted against landlords & British

Santhal Rebellion (1855)

• Occurred in Rajmahal Hills
• Leaders: Sidhu & Kanhu
  👉 Major tribal revolt against British & zamindars

Indigo Revolt (1859)

• Occurred in Nadia (WB)
• Leader: Digambar Biswas
  👉 Farmers resisted forced indigo cultivation

Ho & Munda Uprising (1899)

• Occurred in Ranchi & Singhbhum
• Leader: Birsa Munda
  👉 Tribal revolt against land alienation

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Memory Tricks 🧠

• Land Systems Order:
  👉 Permanent → Ryotwari → Mahalwari (PRM = “Paise Roz Milte”)
• Major Revolts Flow:
  👉 Sanyasi → Paika → Ahom → Pagal → Kol → Moplah → Santhal → Indigo → Munda
  (“SPAP-KMSIM” → break into chunks)
• Santhal (1855) & Indigo (1859)
  👉 Remember: Just before & after 1857 revolt