Proceedings of the Committee of Revenue, 14th-28th April, 1783
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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 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.
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I take the liberty of acquainting that I have built under the mountains the following vessels, which will be completely fitted, and ready for [...] as soon as the Northerly monsoon sets in The Sylhet 400 Tons The Highland Queen 260 Tons The Beauty 160 Tons [Page 17] The Tiger 160 Tons The Buffalow 140 Tons The Rhinoceros 140 Tons As this is an undertaking never before attempted from these parts, I flatter myself it will meet the encouragement of the Hon'ble Board. Possessed with this hope I beg leave to request that you will be pleased to allow me the established freights for 15000 bags of Rice to Madrass.
The Rice of the best cargo kind I will undertake to purchase at Backergunge for the Hon'ble Company, and load free of all charges for one Rupee per Maund, On this account I expect no advances, nor that any part of the Freight shall become due, until the vessels which I propose dispatching, the Harringotah passage in the Sunderbunds, are actually sailed- I further beg leave to represent to the Hon'ble Board that there [Page 18] is a very large Quantity of Cowries lying unsaleable at Dacca. The re importing of these Couries will be of infinite service to the Province, already drained of its currency by a continued exportation without any visible importation, and I will readily accept of them at the Bazar Price in payment for the Rice and Freight.
Sylhett The 29th March 1783I have the Honor to be & ca