The Mahalwari System was a land revenue system introduced by the British in India. It was a compromise between the Zamindari System and the Ryotwari System, where revenue was collected from entire villages (mahals) instead of individuals or landlords.
Introduction of the Mahalwari System
✅ Introduced by: Holt Mackenzie (1822)
✅ Implemented by: Lord William Bentinck (1833)
✅ Regions Covered:
- Punjab
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Haryana
- Parts of North-Western Provinces
✅ Purpose:
- To improve the flaws of the Zamindari and Ryotwari systems.
- Ensure a flexible revenue system where villages collectively paid taxes.
Features of the Mahalwari System
- Village (Mahal) as a Revenue Unit:
- The entire village (mahal) was treated as a single unit for revenue collection.
- Village headmen were responsible for collecting and paying taxes to the British.
- Ownership by the Village Community:
- The land belonged to the village community, not individuals or zamindars.
- Flexible Land Revenue:
- Revenue was not fixed permanently; it was revised every 30 years based on land productivity.
- Revenue Payment System:
- The village headman (lambardar) collected revenue from farmers and gave it to the British.
- Government as the Supreme Owner:
- The British government retained ultimate ownership over all land.
Comparison of Zamindari, Ryotwari & Mahalwari Systems
| Feature | Zamindari System | Ryotwari System | Mahalwari System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced by | Lord Cornwallis (1793) | Thomas Munro (1820) | Holt Mackenzie (1822) |
| Implemented by | British East India Company | Lord Hastings | Lord William Bentinck (1833) |
| Revenue Collector | Zamindars (landlords) | Individual Peasants (Ryots) | Village Headmen |
| Ownership of Land | Zamindars | Peasants (Ryots) | Village Community |
| Revenue Payment | Fixed & Permanent | Variable, revised periodically | Variable, revised every 30 years |
| Failure to Pay Tax | Zamindar’s land was auctioned | Peasant lost his land | Whole village was responsible |
| Regions Covered | Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Varanasi | Madras, Bombay, Assam, Coorg | Punjab, UP, MP, Haryana |
| Major Drawback | Peasants were exploited by Zamindars | High tax, land insecurity | Burden on entire village |
Effects of the Mahalwari System
✅ Advantages:
✔ Reduced Zamindar Exploitation – Unlike the Zamindari System, there were no oppressive landlords.
✔ Flexible Taxation – Taxes were adjusted every 30 years, based on land productivity.
✔ Community Ownership – Villages collectively owned land, preventing individual exploitation.
❌ Disadvantages:
❌ High Tax Burden on Villages – Even if some farmers failed to pay, the entire village was held responsible.
❌ Corruption in Revenue Collection – Village headmen often misused their power and collected excess revenue.
❌ No Government Support – The British provided no irrigation, loans, or relief in case of crop failures.
❌ Peasants Remained Poor – Farmers had no security and were often exploited by village officials.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Who introduced the Mahalwari System in India?
a) Lord Cornwallis
b) Thomas Munro
c) Holt Mackenzie
d) Warren Hastings
✅ Answer: c) Holt Mackenzie - Under the Mahalwari System, who was responsible for collecting land revenue?
a) Zamindars
b) Individual farmers
c) Village headmen (lambardar)
d) British officials
✅ Answer: c) Village headmen (lambardar) - The Mahalwari System was implemented in which regions?
a) Bengal & Bihar
b) Madras & Bombay
c) Punjab & Uttar Pradesh
d) Assam & Odisha
✅ Answer: c) Punjab & Uttar Pradesh - Which land revenue system was a mix of Zamindari and Ryotwari Systems?
a) Iqta System
b) Mahalwari System
c) Permanent Settlement
d) Ryotwari System
✅ Answer: b) Mahalwari System - What was the main disadvantage of the Mahalwari System?
a) Peasants became landowners
b) Revenue demand was flexible
c) The whole village was responsible for revenue payment
d) Zamindars exploited the peasants
✅ Answer: c) The whole village was responsible for revenue payment
Conclusion
The Mahalwari System was a semi-feudal land revenue system where villages collectively paid taxes. Though it reduced Zamindari exploitation, it created corruption, high taxes, and financial burden on peasants.
This covers all key facts, comparisons & MCQs on the Mahalwari System. Let me know if you need more details! 😊