Revenue System & Tehsildar — Set 2

Correct Answer: C. North-Western Provinces and Punjab

The Mahalwari system was associated with North-Western Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) and Punjab. It was introduced by Holt Mackenzie in 1822 and later modified by R.M. Bird. Under this system, the village community as a whole (mahal) was responsible for paying revenue, not individual peasants or zamindars. The village headman (lambardar) collected and paid the revenue on behalf of the village.

Correct Answer: A. Deputy Tehsildar handling minor revenue cases

Naib Tehsildar (Deputy Tehsildar) is a revenue officer working under the Tehsildar, handling minor land revenue matters, mutation cases, and attestation of land records. The Naib Tehsildar may be given additional charge as Executive Magistrate in some states. The post is a stepping stone to the Tehsildar position in the state revenue service hierarchy.

Correct Answer: B. Old village abadi land outside formal planning norms

Lal Dora refers to the boundaries (marked with red lines on village maps) of traditional settlement areas (abadi) of Delhi's original villages, where formal building by-laws were historically not enforced. These areas grew organically without planned layout. The Supreme Court has addressed regularization of these areas. The term literally means 'red cord' referring to the red thread used to demarcate such areas.

Correct Answer: B. Ground-breaking ceremony for new infrastructure projects

Bhumi Poojan literally means earth worship and refers to the ground-breaking ceremony conducted before starting major infrastructure, government, or real estate projects. It involves religious rituals and is typically performed by senior officials or ministers. The ceremony marks the formal beginning of construction. It is a widely practiced tradition in India for important projects.

Correct Answer: A. Collecting land revenue and maintaining land records

The Tehsildar is the key revenue officer at the tehsil level responsible for collecting land revenue, maintaining land records, and resolving revenue disputes. The Tehsildar also supervises the work of Patwaris and revenue inspectors in the area. They conduct enquiries into land ownership and mutation cases. In many states, the Tehsildar has quasi-judicial powers in revenue matters.

Correct Answer: A. Village-level record keeper who maintains land records

The Patwari is the grassroots-level revenue official who maintains the village land records including Khasra, Khatauni, and field maps. The Patwari records every change in land ownership, tenancy, and crop cultivation in the village. They prepare annual crop inspection reports and assist in revenue assessment. In different states, the Patwari is also known as Lekhpal, Girdawar, or Village Accountant.

Correct Answer: A. A register containing details of land ownership and cultivation

Jamabandi is the primary record of rights document in the revenue system that contains details of land ownership, tenancy rights, and the nature of cultivation. It is prepared annually by the Patwari and attested by the Revenue Inspector. The Jamabandi serves as the main proof of ownership and tenancy in court proceedings. In states like Punjab and Haryana, it is one of the most important revenue documents.

Correct Answer: A. Updating land records to reflect change in ownership

Mutation, also called Dakhil Kharij or Intkal, is the process of updating land records when ownership of a property changes due to sale, inheritance, or gift. After a mutation is recorded, the new owner's name appears in the official land records including Khasra and Khatauni. Mutation does not itself create ownership rights but reflects the change in the revenue records. It is an essential step for the new owner to pay land revenue and obtain government benefits.

Correct Answer: A. Lord Cornwallis fixing land revenue permanently with zamindars

The Permanent Settlement of 1793 was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, which fixed land revenue permanently with zamindars. Under this system, zamindars became the proprietors of land and were required to pay a fixed annual revenue to the British government. If a zamindar failed to pay, the land could be auctioned off. This system created a stable revenue stream for the British but placed heavy burdens on peasants through high rents.

Correct Answer: A. Direct settlement between government and individual cultivators

The Ryotwari system was introduced by Thomas Munro and involved direct settlement between the British government and individual cultivators (ryots) without any intermediary. Each ryot directly paid revenue to the government and had the right to hold, sell, or mortgage their land. This system was prevalent in Madras, Bombay, and Assam. The revenue was assessed on the basis of soil quality and was subject to periodic revision.