Economic Impact of British Land Revenue Policies in India (1793–1947)

The British colonial period in India witnessed the introduction of multiple land revenue systems, most notably the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari Settlement, and Mahalwari Settlement. These policies were primarily designed to maximize revenue for the colonial state rather than to promote agricultural development. While the systems enriched the British exchequer, they caused significant socio-economic dislocation in rural India, leading to indebtedness, peasant unrest, land alienation, and stagnation in agricultural productivity. This paper examines the economic impact of these policies from 1793 to 1947, supported by quantitative evidence, archival sources, and scholarly interpretations. The study concludes that the exploitative revenue policies had a long-lasting adverse impact on India’s agrarian structure, rural economy, and patterns of development.