Izaradari system
Also called: Farming system, Quinquennial settlement · Topic: Colonial Economy: Land Revenue, Drain, Deindustrialisation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The izaradari system was a way of collecting land revenue in Bengal. It was started by Warren Hastings in 1772. The right to collect revenue was auctioned to the highest bidder, who was called the revenue farmer. At first this right was given for five years, so it was also called the quinquennial settlement. Later it was given for only one year at a time. Revenue farmers squeezed peasants for as much as possible, a practice called rack-renting, and many peasants were ruined. Its failure led to the Permanent Settlement of 1793.
Example
After 1772, bidders in Bengal promised the Company very high sums to win the right to collect revenue. They then collected harsh dues from cultivators. Many of them still could not pay what they had promised.
Don't confuse with
- Permanent Settlement (1793): under izaradari, short-term rights went to the highest bidder. The Permanent Settlement fixed the revenue forever with zamindars.
Related concepts
- Lord Cornwallis
- Permanent Settlement
- Mahal
- Collector
- Amlah
- Cutcherry
- Sunset law
- Bengal Tenancy Act 1885