UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies

Question 76: History and Culture

Under the Permanent Settlement, 1793, the zamindars were required to issue pattas to the farmers which were not issued by many of the zamindars. The reason was

athe zamindars were trusted by the farmers

bthere was no official check upon the zamindars

cit was the responsibility of the British Government

dthe farmers were not interested in getting pattas

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Under the Permanent Settlement of 1793 the zamindars were meant to give written pattas to the cultivators, stating the rent due. Many did not, because there was no official check on them: the Company did not inspect the zamindars' dealings with tenants and cared mainly about receiving its fixed revenue on time. Remember that the Settlement favoured zamindars and left the ryots with little protection until tenancy laws came later.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Farmers did not trust zamindars blindly; pattas were skipped because zamindars could get away with it.
(b) Right: no official check on the zamindars.
(c) Issuing pattas was the zamindars' duty, not the Government's.
(d) Farmers wanted pattas as proof of the rent they owed.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.