Raja of Burdwan 1797: The Permanent Settlement Quiz and Flashcards

Why were the estates of the Raja of Burdwan being sold at auction?

Who were the purchasers at the auction?

What was the outcome of the auction of the Raja's estates?

What led to the public sale of the Raja's estates?

What system had come into operation in 1793, leading to the auction of the Raja's estates in 1797?

What was the reason for the auction of the Raja's estates in 1797?

Who were the purchasers at the auction of the Raja's estates?

What was the outcome of the auction of the Raja's estates?

What led to the auction of the Raja's estates in 1797?

How did the Raja retain control of his zamindari despite the public sale of his estates?

Burdwan Auction Scandal of 1797

In 1797, an auction was held in Burdwan, present-day Bardhaman, which was a significant public event.
The Raja of Burdwan had several mahals (estates) that were being auctioned due to accumulated arrears in revenue payments.
The Permanent Settlement, established in 1793, had fixed the revenue that each zamindar had to pay to the East India Company.
The failure to pay revenue resulted in the estates being auctioned off to recover the dues.
The auction attracted numerous purchasers, and the estates were sold to the highest bidder.
A surprising twist was discovered by the Collector - many of the purchasers were actually servants and agents of the Raja, buying the lands on his behalf.
Over 95% of the auction sales were found to be fictitious, leaving the Raja in control of his zamindari despite the public sale of his estates.
The Raja's failure to pay the revenue led to the auction of his estates.
The purchasers at the auction turned out to be the servants and agents of the Raja, who had purchased the lands on his behalf.
The auction revealed a deceptive scheme where the Raja maintained control of his zamindari while creating the appearance of a public sale.
The story raises questions about the Raja's motive for failing to pay the revenue and the role of the purchasers in the auction.
The auction scandal of 1797 in Burdwan sheds light on the complexities and deceptions surrounding land ownership and revenue payments during the period of the Permanent Settlement.

Test your knowledge of the Permanent Settlement in Burdwan with this quiz. Explore the auction of mahals held by the Raja of Burdwan in 1797 and the impact of the East India Company's revenue policy. Delve into the historical events that shaped land revenue administration during this period.