WBCS.LIVE practice question

The system of Mahalwari settlement was devised by _________.

Solve this multiple-choice question and check the correct answer with its explanation below.

Answer options

  1. Richard Wellesley
  2. Alexander Pead
  3. Holt Mackenzie
  4. Thomas Munaro

Correct answer and explanation

Correct answer: Holt Mackenzie

Explanation: The correct answer is C. Holt Mackenzie. The Mahalwari system of land revenue settlement was introduced during British rule in India to streamline revenue collection in the North-Western Provinces, Punjab, and parts of Central India. This system was devised by Holt Mackenzie in 1822, and later modified by Lord William Bentinck in 1833. Under this system, revenue was collected from a group of villages called a ‘mahal’, rather than from individual farmers. The village headmen or landlords were responsible for paying the total land revenue on behalf of all the farmers in the mahal.