Proceedings of the Committee of Revenue, 12nd-22nd July, 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.
It is with great concern I find myself under the necessity of representing to you the present very alarming situation this District, it is occasioned by the most astonishing and sudden rise of water that was ever heard of in the memory of the oldest resident in the division [...] villages to the Eastward with Inhabitants and Cattle have been destroyed and I much fear unless a very sudden and favorable changes does happen the District in general must experience the worst of disaster. The Bhadun Crop which was ready for reaping is destroyed [Page 387] and that of November in many feet under Water and must [...] should it continue to rise and which the season is to be expected.
The city and its inhabitants are under the greatest alarm and very [...] particularly the poor.
Merchants having grain have stopped the sale of it, and have had the greatest difficulty for some days past in bringing a sufficiency to market for the consumption of the City. It is certain that an astonishing quantity of Grain has been transported from the Division in the course of the last ten Months; notwithstanding I am still of opinion that a sufficiency to be prevent any immediate bad consequences may be still left to answer the consumption of the district in general for a few months but in the exportation of Grain in authorized and providence should not come to the relief of the country I am [...] convinced the most dreadful consequences will infallibly ensued. Permit me therefore to solicit your directions for [Page 388] any conduct and at the same time I make this request I beg leave to inform you that one of the Contractors in now transporting a very considerably quantity of grain to Patna which may I should suppose be detained here without any detriment to either the Company or Contractor and by being Golah’d in the City might answer any imergency which may possibly arise.
1.2. Ordered a copy of the above letter be transmitted to the Board with the following Letter
On the 5th Instant we had the honor to lay before you a copy of a letter from the acting collector of Sylhet informing you of an unusual and sudden rising of the River by which a great part of the Country has been inundated and several villages with their inhabitants Cattle and effects [Page 389] swept away by the waters. And expressing his apprehension of General distress We have now the honor to lay before you a copy of a letter we have from the Chief of Dacca informing us of a similar misfortune having befallen that District and expressing his apprehensions of the most dreadfull consequence if the exportation of grain from that district is continued.
We have transmitted a copy of Mr Day’s letter to the Committee of Grain for their information and have written to Mr Day to ascertain the amount and extent of the damage done to the country and the situation of the people.
We consider it our duty to lay before your Hon'ble Board the whole information we have received of this alarming calamity- it is impossible for us to determine how far the assistance of Government will be necessary to relieve the distresses or for the preservation of the people but as some assistance may be necessary we request to be [...] with the orders of your Hon'ble Board upon the subject.
1.2.1. Ordered the copy of this Letter an Letter from the acting [Page 390] Collector of Syllhet be transmitted to the Committee of Grain with the following Letter.
We have the honor to transmit your copies of two letters we have received from Syllhet and Dacca for your information.
We are &ca
1.3. Agreed we reply to the Chief of Dacca as follows
We have been favored with your Letter of the 9th Instant advising of the inundation which has deluded your district and the dreadful consequences you apprehend from it.
As the orders of the respecting the exporting grain from one Province to another still exists we cannot take upon us to give you any order on that point, but we have referred your letter to the Board and will transmit their orders when received. In the meantime we hope you will exert all you influence to prevail upon the owners of [Page 391] Grain to sell it in the Markets and desire you will ascertain the amount and extent of the damage done to the country and the situation of the people. The mofussil and inform in particularly of them. And every other information you can afford us on the subject.
1.4.
We have received your letters of the 24th Ultimo, 1st, 5th and 12th Instant with their several enclosures.
5th July- We agree to the Settlement which has been made of the Sylhet District for the Bengal year 1191 and we shall hereafter send you such orders as we may deem necessary with respect to the Inundation which has happened in that part of the Country.