Explain Ryotwari Settlement.

The Ryotwari Settlement was a land revenue system introduced by the British in India during the 19th century, aiming to simplify and reform the existing revenue arrangements. Instituted by Sir Thomas Munro in the Madras Presidency, the Ryotwari System was later extended to other parts of British India.

Under the Ryotwari Settlement, individual peasant cultivators, known as ryots, were recognized as the direct holders of land. Each ryot had the responsibility to pay the land revenue directly to the government. The assessment of land revenue was based on the nature of the soil, the type of crop, and other factors.

The key features of the Ryotwari Settlement included the direct relationship between the government and individual cultivators, the fixation of revenue rates, and the abolition of intermediaries such as zamindars. This system aimed to establish a more straightforward and transparent revenue collection process, giving individual farmers a direct stake in the land.

While the Ryotwari Settlement sought to eliminate some of the issues associated with previous revenue systems, such as the Permanent Settlement, it faced challenges in accurately assessing land values and ensuring equitable outcomes for farmers. Despite its limitations, the Ryotwari System marked a departure from traditional revenue arrangements and contributed to the evolution of land revenue policies in British India.