The Permanent Settlement in Burdwan

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.