Give two problems which arose with the new Munro system of fixing revenue.

During the British colonisation of India, the Munro system was used to fairly distribute revenue, an approach that has been both lauded for its rationality and criticised for various reasons. In this article, we will dig deep into the history of the Munro System and its Problems. Further, we will also discuss some of the Frequently asked questions related to this topic.

What was Munro System?

The Munro System, otherwise referred to as the Ryotwari System, was proposed by Thomas Munro in the year 1820 as an alternative to the Permanent Settlement System, which dealt with long-standing farmers, or ryots. However, this attempt at reform encountered several issues which ultimately led to its downfall. Despite the objective, the program’s complexity caused major disruption in the farming industry, which ultimately ruined its success.

What were the Problems with the Munro System of fixing revenue?

Problem 1. High Revenue Demand

The revenue officials who implemented the Munro System often fixed extremely high revenue demands. Driven by a desire to increase revenues from land, these officials believed that the ryots would become enterprising and rich farmers under the new system. However, this anticipation was misplaced, and the high revenue demands led to several issues for the farmers/ryots.

Problem 2. The inability of Peasants/Ryots to Pay Revenue

The increasing and high revenue demands gave an enormous financial burden on the farmers/peasants, who were unable to meet these demands. As a result, many ryots fled the countryside, and entire villages were deserted in some regions. The inability of the peasants to pay revenue ultimately led to the failure of the Munro System in achieving its goals.

Problem 3. Fluctuating Prices

Unlike the Permanent Settlement System, the prices under the Munro System were not fixed and could be raised. The fluctuating prices created further difficulties for the ryots, who were already struggling to pay the high revenue demands.

Problem 4. Evictions and Loss of Land

If the ryots failed to pay the taxes, they faced eviction by the government. This resulted in a loss of land for many cultivators, further aggravating the issue of deserted villages and a declining agricultural sector.

Conclusion

After the new systems were implemented for a few years, it became obvious that something was wrong with them. Revenue officials set an excessively high revenue demand in an effort to increase land income. Peasants were unable to pay their debts, ryots left the countryside, and villages in many areas became deserted. The new systems, in the optimistic officials’ minds, would turn the peasants into wealthy, enterprising farmers. But this did not take place and the system faced huge backlashes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Que 1. What was the Munro system, and when was it implemented?

Answer – The Munro system came into being under Thomas Munro’s guidance as a way of collecting land revenue in British India in the year 1820. This gave the government the ability to collect revenue directly from the cultivators while simultaneously giving the peasants/farmers the liberty to purchase or sell fresh land.

Que 2. What were the key principles behind the Munro system?

Answer – The key principle behind the Ryotwari system involved the government officials collecting land revenue directly from farmers/cultivators. In order to achieve this, an evaluation of each holding’s actual and potential crop production was necessary. This evaluation was integral to measuring the land for revenue collection.

Que 3. How did the Munro system determine revenue allocation during that time?

Answer – To determine the land tax for each region or village, various areas underwent land surveys to assess their productivity. The resulting productivity rates were employed as groundwork for deciding the tax amount. This was done to maintain a just system where regions having better agricultural yields paid taxes in proportion to their harvests.

Que 4. What were the factors or criteria used in the Munro system for fixing revenue?

Answer – The Munro system didn’t overlook land quality as it was one of the significant factors taken into account. Areas with favorable soil and excellent natural resources were expected to provide more than regions with weak land conditions. Additionally, population size was considered by the system because larger populations were deemed capable of generating more revenue.

Que 5. What were some of the drawbacks of the Munro System?

Answer – Revenue generation for the Munro System was solely dependent on property taxes. Such dependence resulted in an uneven distribution of funding, favoring riches over lower-income communities.

This system frequently failed to account for changes in property values or the economy, which resulted in incorrect assessments.

Que 6. Were there any criticisms or challenges associated with the Munro system back then?

Answer – During its time, the Munro system faced several criticisms and challenges despite being effective at revenue allocation. Inconsistencies in determining the quality and productivity of land were attributed to the subjective assessments by colonial administrators, which was one common critique. Less populated or underdeveloped regions received fewer resources for development compared to their more developed counterparts as some critics argue that the Munro system favored certain regions over others. Particularly, those areas with higher population densities and agricultural potential were prioritized.

Que 7. What were some of the notable outcomes or impacts of the Munro system during its implementation?

Answer – By considering the resources and conditions specific to each region, the system effectively tackled disparities on a local level. Moreover, it facilitated a fairer dispersion of wealth across a range of territories, leading to significant strides in the advancement of previously neglected regions.