Revenue Board Consisting of the Whole Council, 6th April-30th May,1773
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Introductory notes
The early records preserved in the West Bengal State Archive pertains to the administration of the land revenue system by the East India Company. The Company attained the revenue rights of the Province through the Grant of Diwani in 1765. The records in the repositories of the Archive date back to the Select Committee Records in 1768. Between 1769 and 1786 the revenue administration was managed by various intermediate agencies like the Resident at the Durbar, Provincial Council of Revenue, the Calcutta Committee of Revenue. In the early the revenue administration was managed by various intermediary agencies, these committees reflect the early experiments and confusion of the East India Company over revenue collection.
On May 1772, the Court of Directors decided to hand the revenue administration to a board, consisting of the President and four other members, while the title of the supervisor was changed to that of the Collector. The whole council that was constituted, to sit two days in the week, or if necessary more; the members of the council were appointed to act as auditors of accounts, each a week in rotation, The Revenue Board in the Whole Council continued to operate till 1774.
Selection details
On May 1772, the Court of Directors decided to hand the revenue administration to a board, consisting of the President and four other members, while the title of the supervisor was changed to that of the Collector. The whole council that was constituted, to sit two days in the week, or if necessary more; the members of the council were appointed to act as auditors of accounts, each a week in rotation, The Revenue Board in the Whole Council continued to operate till 1774.
1.
1.1. Read the following Translation of the Petition enclosed in the Letter from the Collector of Bishenpore o be of the 26th April which was ordered to be translated in Consultation of the 4th Instant. Translation of a Petition from Ram Connoy Doss, Govind Persaud Doss, & Kishen Pesaud. Lein Farmers of Bissenpore under fourteen Articles.
Article 1- It is a Condition of the [...] that we should collect the Revenues on the same [Page 569] footing as the former Farmers and Gomosthas. The Riots now evade the accustomed payments. Let it be ordered that the same should be enforced on them or that we should be credited for the Amount.
Ar. 2nd- It is a Condition of the Caboleat that we are to be allowed for the losses sustained from the Inundations of the River. [...] Mahals have been overflowed this year whereby the Revenue of several places is [...]. We hope to have Deductions made on this Account.
Ar. 3rd- As the Collections of Duties on Grain was this year remitted by the Governor and Council We hope to be credited for the same.
Ar. 4th We gave in a computation of the [...] according to the [...] of our Judgments [...] now from the great Plenty of in the [...] [Page 570] the Price is much fallen. Let it be ordered that whatever shall appear to have been produced upon Examination be [...] in account in Jumma of the Malguzzary.
Ar. 5th- The Tax for Marriages , Fines and Bazy Juma were remitted by Government, be pleased to let them be deducted from the Jumma
Ar. 6th – It is a Custom of long Standing in the Pergunnah to prepare to latter and [...] Crops as it may be during the last year and not pay the revenue there of till the Month of Assar in the present year. Let it be ordered to conform to this custom.
Ar. 7th- As we made it a condition of our proposals to be allowed for Serronganny We hope to have it complied with.
Ar. 8th The Weavers had abodes in the Pergunnah, the Land about which they Cultivated [Page 571] and therefore paid the Revenue to Government A few Weavers used to make Cloths for the Company formerly but now the Gomostahs of the Factories put advances on all the Weavers from which cause many run away and instead of the Revenue which they were accustomed to pay a heavy loss has accrued to the Company. Exclusive of this- Bullocks are forced from the Riots to carry the cloths and there is therefore great oppression practiced in the Muffosil. We hope to have this Detriment thus sustained accounted for in the Jumma.
Ar. 9th- The Company's Gomostahs continuously oppress the Riots and as the Gentlemen who superintends the Cloth Business resides [...] great Distance off at Serroul. Difficulties arise in the prosecution of Complaints, Let it [Page 572] be ordered That the Collector of Bissenpore shall have this Management of the Cloth Business.
Ar. 10th- The Company Seapoys are stationed in many Districts of Bissenpore We now hear that they are to be recalled from all places but We hope to see it done as there are many [...] & Robberies in Bissenpore & the country requires Sepoys for its protection.
Ar. 11th- The Weavers used to pay a Tax for their Houses which was joined to the Jumma this year upon Pretence of the Factory they attempt to evade it- Let it be ordered that this Tax shall be discharged according to Customs.
Ar.12th The Post bundoe was allowed in many places this year it broke in from the Violence of the River & We hope to be credited for the Expence [Page 573] which we have been put to in Repairs.
Ar. 13th We came here in Cautick, the [...] from the Cheapness of Grain are unable to pay the Balance of Revenue . We therefore hope that it will be remitted to them for payments till ensuing Year.
Ar.14th The Sum of 20,000 Rupees is due from the Districts of the Dowry and the Zamindars when this Money is demanded. Answer is made that 20,000 Rupees ought to be passed to account for the Zemindars. Allowances – The Collector refuses to admit this Sum in the Wasel baky- We therefore hope for an Order to the Collector directing him to admit it in the Wasel Baky or that the Zemindars may be obliged to pay it.