Home > Indian History > History of India > Mahalwari System
Mahalwari System
Mahalwari System was a system of land revenue intended to draw money from the newly acquired provinces by the British administration.

Share this Article:

Mahalwari System, British IndiaMahalwari System was amongst the three major land revenue systems implemented by the British in India. The British administration in order to consolidate their position, wanted to establish their control over the administrative machinery of India. Therefore the British introduced the system of land revenue, which became the chief source of their income. Land being the important source of income, the British used it as their instrument to control the entire revenue system. Hence they introduced several land revenue schemes to use land as the instrument to strengthen their economic condition in India. Three kinds of land revenue systems were introduced by the British in India- the Permanent Settlement, Mahalwari Settlement and the Ryotwari system.

Meaning of Mahalwari System
The word Mahalwari is derived from the term Mahal, referring to a neighborhood or quarter. Under this system the unit for revenue settlement is the village. The village lands belong jointly to the village community technically called the body of co-shares. The body of co-shares is jointly responsible for the payment of land revenue, though individual responsibility is always there. If any co-sharer abandons his land, it is taken over by the village community as a whole. The village community is the owner of village common land area, including the forestland, pastures etc. However, the Mahalwari system of land revenue was prevalent in the northern part of India.

Origin of Mahalwari System
The north-western provinces and Oudh came under the dominion of the British supremacy at separate times. In 1801, the Nawab of Oudh surrendered the districts of Allahabad to the East India Company. After the second Anglo Maratha war the Company acquired the territory between the Jamuna and the Ganges. These territories were known as Conquered provinces. After the last Anglo-Maratha war, Lord Hastings acquired more territories in Northern India.

Mahalwari System, British IndiaLord Wellesley, the first lieutenant governor of the ceded districts, made a land revenue system with the Zamindar and the farmers for three years. According to this land settlement, state demand was fixed higher by 20 lakhs rupees during the very first year over the Nawab of Oudh`s demand. Moreover, another burden of rupees 10 lakhs was added before the third year was out. The company in acquiring the land revenues followed a rigid policy. While the Nawab`s revenue collection varied, according to the actual production in a year, the Company`s demand was realised with rigidity. Similar land revenue settlements were also adopted in the conquered provinces.

Under the Mahalwaari System, the recommendation, the survey of land, preparation of the records of rights in land, settlement of the land revenue, demand in the Mahals, and the collection of the land revenue were done through the village headman or Lambardar. Regulation VII of 1822 gave the legal sanction to these recommendations. Under the Mahalwaari Settlement, the land revenue was fixed on the basis of 80% of the rental value, payable by the Zamindars. In cases where estates were not held by the landlords, but by the cultivators in common tenancy, the state demand was allowed to be fixed at 95% of the rental. The System broke down because of the excessive state demand and rigidity in its working and collection of land revenue.

Development of Mahalwari System
The government of William Bentinck later made a thorough review of the scheme of 1822, by which the Mahalwari system was introduced. The government of Bentinck came to the conclusion that the Regulation of 1822 had caused a widespread misery. The Government of Bentinck after a prolonged consultation passed the regulation of 1833. This regulation had somehow made the terms and conditions of the Mahalwari system flexible. It provided for the simplification of the procedure for preparing estimates of produce and rents. This Regulation also introduced the fixation of the average rents for different classes of soil. This new scheme worked under the supervision of Merttins Bird. Under this new scheme of Mahalwari settlement land in a tract was surveyed, showing field boundaries and the cultivated as well as the uncultivated land. Then the assessment for the whole tract was fixed followed by the setting down of the demand of each village. According to the new schemes, the Mahal powers were given the right of internal adjustments. The State demand was fixed at 66% of the rental value and the Settlement was made for the next 30 years.

Decline of Mahalwari System
The Mahalwari system of land revenue that worked under the scheme of 1833 was completed under the administration of James Thompson. Even the 66 % rental demand formula proved to be very harsh. Consequently Lord Dalhousie issued the fresh directions to the settlement Officers. Under the revised Saharanpur Rules of 1855 the State revenue demand was limited to the 50% of the rental value. But the Settlement Officers evaded the new rules unfortunately. As a result the system proved heavily miserable to the agricultural classes. This created widespread discontent and finally the Mahalwari System failed to create any extensive effect.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.