Revenue System & Tehsildar — Set 12

Correct Answer: A. A person who holds land under a written lease (patta) granted by the government or a landlord

A Pattedar is a person who holds agricultural or other land under a formal written lease (Patta) issued by a landowner or government authority. The Patta specifies the area of land, lease period, annual rent, and conditions of use. In government land allocation schemes, landless farmers who receive government land are issued Pattas making them Pattedars. The Pattedar has the right to cultivate the land but cannot sell it unless they acquire permanent ownership rights. Revenue records document Pattedar tenancies separately from owner-cultivators.

Correct Answer: A. An inspection register maintained by the Kanungo recording their visits to villages and field inspections

Tasrif is an inspection register maintained by the Kanungo (revenue supervisor) that records details of their visits to villages in their circle to inspect land records, verify Girdawari entries, and supervise the work of Patwaris. The Tasrif records the date of inspection, the Patwari's name, records inspected, and any irregularities found. It serves as an accountability mechanism for revenue supervision. Revenue authorities review Tasrif registers to assess the performance of both Kanungos and Patwaris.

Correct Answer: A. A fee collected by municipalities and revenue authorities from traders occupying public spaces

Tehbazari was a license fee or tax collected from traders, vendors, and shopkeepers who occupied public land, roads, or market spaces for their commercial activities. Revenue and municipal authorities collected Tehbazari as compensation for the use of public space. This historical tax was part of the broader system of non-agricultural revenue (Sayer). Modern market fees and vendor licensing systems have replaced traditional Tehbazari in most cities and towns.

Correct Answer: A. A direct landlord or owner-cultivator who pays revenue directly to the government without intermediaries

Kham Zamindar referred to a landlord who paid revenue directly to the government without any intermediary zamindar above them, often synonymous with an owner-cultivator in some revenue systems. In the Mughal period, Kham lands were those under direct imperial management. In some systems, Kham Zamindar distinguished those with direct revenue liability from those who paid through intermediary zamindars. After zamindari abolition, the distinction became less relevant as most landowners gained direct relationship with the government for revenue purposes.

Correct Answer: A. A ground-level physical survey and measurement of land for revenue purposes

Paimaish is the process of physical survey and measurement of agricultural land carried out for revenue purposes, including measuring the boundaries and area of each plot. It is conducted by Amins and Patwaris using chains and other measuring instruments. Paimaish provides the basis for Khasra entries and revenue assessment. Periodic Paimaish (resurvey) is conducted to update records when significant changes in land use or boundaries occur. Accurate Paimaish is essential for fair land revenue assessment.

Correct Answer: A. A guardian or caretaker appointed by revenue authorities to manage land of a minor or absentee

Sar Parast (meaning 'caretaker' or 'guardian') refers to a person appointed by revenue authorities to manage the land and revenue affairs of a minor, incapacitated, or absent landowner. The Sar Parast had the responsibility of maintaining the land, paying revenue dues, and protecting the land rights of the person under their care. Revenue records would note the Sar Parast status of such landholdings. This concept ensured that land and revenue rights were not lost due to the absence or incapacity of the owner.

Correct Answer: A. An online land records portal used by multiple states to provide digital access to land records

Bhulekh is an online land records portal that provides digital access to land records including Khasra, Khatauni, and other revenue documents. Multiple Indian states have launched Bhulekh portals under their state land records modernization programs. Uttar Pradesh's Bhulekh portal (upbhulekh.gov.in), Uttarakhand's Bhulekh, and Odisha's Bhulekh are among the well-known examples. These portals allow citizens to view and download their land records from home without visiting revenue offices. They are part of the national Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme.

Correct Answer: A. A traditional unit of land measurement used in Assam

Tusi is a traditional unit of land measurement used in parts of Assam, equivalent to approximately 400 square feet. Local land transactions and agricultural records in some Assam districts still reference Tusi for small plots. Traditional land measurement units like Tusi coexist with metric measurements in many northeastern states. The revenue administration in Assam is gradually standardizing all land records to use metric measurements while preserving historical records in traditional units.

Correct Answer: A. A revenue classification where land is assessed at 4,000 (char hazari) times the basic rate

Char Hazari historically referred to land assessment categories or revenue grades in certain regions where the productive capacity of land was classified into different tiers for revenue purposes. Some revenue systems used numeric multipliers to indicate the productive class of land, with higher numbers indicating better quality. The specific term usage varies by region and historical period. Modern revenue assessment methods have replaced such classification systems with more scientific soil and productivity-based assessments.

Correct Answer: A. Rain-fed unirrigated agricultural land that depends only on rainfall for cultivation

Barani land refers to agricultural land that depends entirely on natural rainfall for cultivation without any artificial irrigation through canals, wells, or other sources. Barani land typically has lower revenue rates compared to irrigated land because its productivity is uncertain and depends on rainfall patterns. In revenue records, land is classified as Barani (rain-fed) or Abi (irrigated) which determines the revenue assessment. Crop failures on Barani land due to drought are common grounds for revenue remissions.