Proceedings of the Committee of Revenue, 3rd May-4th June,1784
About this text
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 1781 the Court of Directors decided to centralise the Committee of Revenue based in Calcutta. The office of the Provincial Councils were abolished on February 9, 1781. The Committee of Revenue was placed in full control aided by a Diwan. Collectors were appointed under the Diwan at various districts. The new Collectors were mere figure-heads, and zamindars were encouraged to pay their revenue direct into the Khalsa or Exchequer at Calcutta. The Committee of Revenue continued to operate till it was replaced by the Board of Revenue in 1786.
Selection details
On 1781 the Court of Directors decided to centralise the Committee of Revenue based in Calcutta. The office of the Provincial Councils were abolished on February 9, 1781. The Committee of Revenue was placed in full control aided by a Diwan. Collectors were appointed under the Diwan at various districts. The new Collectors were mere figure-heads, and zamindars were encouraged to pay their revenue direct into the Khalsa or Exchequer at Calcutta. The Committee of Revenue continued to operate till it was replaced by the Board of Revenue in 1786.
1.
1.1.
The farmer has represented to the extreme difficulties [Page 53] the Ryots will have to pay their Cheyte kists owing to the extreme drought of the Season- no rain having fallen these eight months. The ground is so burnt and hard that nothing can be sown- the oldest man in this place does not collect so dry and so hot a season, it is usual in this part of the Country to have frequent showers at this period. Borah Pangah Toote which are the most considerable Province of those districts are perishing for want of Rain where they have attempted to culture the Ground. In many place the beds for the Toote are quite uncultivated I advised the Ryotts to raise water by means of levers but I found the expence would exceed their capacity, and the few wells that are in the Country are dried up This is no exaggerated Picture but within the bounds of Description. This circumstance added to the demand on the zemindars fro the Wassilauts collected by Inderjeet Sing render peculiarly hard upon them in particular the zemindars of Atteah. Under this impression I take [Page 54] the liberty of requesting your reply to the representation of the Ryotts.
In Ishangurpore, it is now near nine months, that not a drop of Rain has fallen In pergunnah, Pistole they are [...] for Grain for the purpose of cultivation I have delayed this Representation to your Board, the flattering expectation that the cause of it would cease but the continuance has impelled me to lay it before you
Silberries The 10th April 1784I am & ca
1.2. Agreed to reply as follows
We have received your letter of the 10th Ultimo.
We are not under the smallest apprehension of the Ryotts finding any difficulty in paying their Kists. The great quantity of Rain which has lately fallen must have proved sufficient for the purposes of cultivation. [Page 55] We desire that you will not give any encouragement to such complaints made frequently without foundation As we are determined to allow no remission on account of Drought. Except very evident proofs be produced of the loss sustained.
We are & ca