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Land Reforms in India: Learn Meaning, Objectives, Land Reform Policy & More for UPSC!
IMPORTANT LINKS
Modern History UPSC Notes
The land is the basis of sustenance of all aspects of life: be it biological, economic, or cultural. According to the 2011 Agricultural Census of India, for around 61.5% of the population, agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Agriculture contributes around 18.8% to the Gross Value Added in the Indian economy, according to the Economic Survey of India, 2021-22. Thus, given its importance, land has always been the focus of the policies of rulers and governments throughout history, making it an important segment for the UPSC Exams. You can also register for the Testbook’s flagship optional history coaching for UPSC and kick-start your UPSC IAS preparation journey today.
What are ‘Land Reforms in India’?
Land Reforms are policy steps that intend to make land distribution more equitable. This equitable distribution is aimed at increasing the productivity of land and decreasing the poverty of its dependent population. Thus, land reforms aim to redistribute land by reducing the ownership of those who have too much and increasing it for those who have too little or none.
Also, know about Non-Aligned Movement for UPSC.
Land Ownership Pattern in the Pre-British Period
In ancient India, land ownership was majorly community-based. Private ownership of land was generally unheard of, as the majority of the land belonged to the village community collectively.
However, in the medieval period, the land came to be owned by a wealthy class of zamindars. Zamindars collected revenue from the peasants and delivered a certain share of the revenue to the rulers while keeping the rest for themselves.
Many rulers in different regions of India had instituted different methods of measuring land for revenue collection, but for the first time, a formal land revenue system was initiated during the rule of Mughal king Akbar by his minister Raja Todar Mal in 1580 A.D. This system was called the Dahsala system. Under this system, the land was measured with standard measurement units and then classified according to the level of productivity. The revenue was then fixed accordingly. There was general goodwill, understanding, and a mutually beneficial relationship between the zamindars and peasants. The revenue was also fixed reasonably and remissions were given on the occurrence of natural disasters like drought.
Changes in Land Ownership Patterns in the British Period
With the arrival of the British, the scenario went through a sea change. The British changed the system of land revenue collection, because of which the ownership of land also changed. They instituted a policy of eviction and sale of land in case revenue was not paid in full. This led to land becoming a mobile commodity, many peasants becoming landless and zamindars becoming wealthy. The revenue rate was fixed at a very high level, which was unsustainable and led to mass evictions, poverty, and hardships among the masses. This was the chief reason for the inequitable distribution of land.
There were three land settlement methods during the British period:
- Permanent Settlement system in Bengal: The Permanent System was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal in 1793. Under this system, Zamindars were given the responsibility to submit a fixed amount of revenue to the government for the lands owned by them. Farmers became tenants. Ownership of land was made hereditary. Since The British were only concerned with maximizing the revenue, the Zamindar was also forced to extract maximum rent from farmers irrespective of the potential of the land. Since the land was often taken from the zamindars and sold to the highest bidder in case of non-payment, several layers of intermediaries were created. This further increased the burden on the peasant. The Zamindars became exploitative and the old mutually beneficial relationship between zamindars and peasants disappeared. Further, a wealthy class of zamindars appeared, who were loyal to the government.
- Ryotwari System: As per this system, the tiller gave the revenue directly to the government without the role of any intermediaries. This was done in Madras and Bombay.
- Mahalwari System: William Bentinck brought this system. Under this system, Village was the unit responsible for the payment of revenue to the government. Sometimes villages were also grouped. This system prevailed in UP, NWFP, Punjab, and Central India.
Learn about the Home Rule Movement for UPSC here.
Need for Land reforms in India After Independence
The oppressive Land revenue policies of the British led to an ownership pattern of the land that was characterized by high fragmentation, the concentration of land ownership in the hands of few wealthy zamindars, and a huge pool of landless agriculturists. This scenario called for extensive land reforms In independent India to achieve the socialist objectives of poverty eradication, wealth redistribution, and equitable development. Since the majority of India was rural and agrarian at that time, land reforms were the need of the hour. Thus various legislations were enacted to achieve these objectives.
Attempt MCQs on Land reforms in India after independence here.
Importance of Land Reforms in India
- To achieve an equitable distribution of land.
- Implementing a ceiling on the ownership of land to redistribute the surplus land among landless, small, and marginal farmers.
- Eradicating poverty and achieving equitable rural development.
- Abolishing Zamindari system.
- Reforming tenancy laws.
- Increasing productivity of agriculture.
- Reducing land fragmentation through land consolidation.
- Social-economic equality.
- Ensuring the land of tribals is not taken over by outsiders.
- Enabling acquisition of land for non-agricultural purposes such as industry.
Read about Modern History Notes for UPSC here.
Land Reform Policy in India
There have been mainly four types of land reform measures in independent India:
- Legislative action
- Legislative action coupled with popular mobilization: as done in West Bengal and Kerala. Here, the land was forcibly seized from zamindars and redistribution among peasants.
- Naxalite insurgency in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and West Bengal regions.
- Voluntary donations through the Bhoodaan and Gramdan movements led by Vinoba Bhave
Major Objectives of Land Reforms in Independent India
The major objectives of landforms in independent India can be grouped into 4 major categories:
- Abolition of Zamindari
- Reform of tenancy laws
- Land ceiling
- Consolidation of fragmented land holdings
Out of these four objectives, the first one has been achieved completely. However, the performance of land reform acts in India on the other objectives remains mixed. Further, the results also vary from state to state. Landforms in India have been most successful in West Bengal and Kerala.
Abolition of Zamindari
Several states passed their individual legislations by 1949. However, these acts faced a variety of litigation under violation of Article 31 of the Indian constitution. As a result, the first Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in 1951 in order to subdue these litigations. Some other problems were also faced by these reforms:
- Absence of land records
- Compensation paid for acquiring land varied from state to state.
- In UPN Bihar an exception was added in the state acts that allowed The lands declared to be under personal cultivation to be kept with the owners. However, the size of such land was not limited What constituted personal cultivation was also not clearly defined
- Shabby implementation by officials, who often colluded with the powerful Zamindars.
Tenancy Reforms
These reforms aimed to provide security of tenure to tenants who had cultivated land for a certain minimum period of time. They aimed to reduce rent payable by tenants to a fair level. They also aimed to provide tenants opportunities to gain ownership of land subject to certain restrictions. However, these reforms faced the following problems:
- Tendency continued in a concealed manner without entering into official contracts.
- Tenants were converted into sharecroppers, thus escaping the legislation.
- Rents were largely determined by market forces being much higher than those mandated by the laws.
- The Green Revolution led to a rise in rents, especially in northern India.
Land Ceiling
These legislations aimed at putting a cap on the maximum amount of land that could be owned by a single person. These reforms were largely unsuccessful due to a variety of reasons:
- In most states, ceilings were made very high.
- Ceilings were placed on individuals and not on families.
- Many exemptions were provided which led to loopholes and litigations.
- There were long delays in bringing these legislations.
The 34th constitutional amendment act placed ceiling laws in the 9th schedule. Which led to a renewed effort in this direction in the 1970s.
Bhoodan Movement
Acharya Vinoba Bhave started this movement in 1951 which was later also joined by JP Narayan. He organized Sarvodaya Samaj Which was a federation of his followers and embarked on a padayatra to convince landholders to voluntarily donate 1/6 of their land to the landless. The movement started in Telangana But lost momentum after some time. The majority of the donated land was either unfit for cultivation or disputed.
Gramdan Movement
This movement was started in 1955 based on the Gandhian notion that all village land belongs to God. Therefore, the land of a Gramdaan Village was to belong to all villagers and not to any single person. It was started in Orissa and was most successful there.
Impact and Advantages of Land Reforms in India
Despite many weaknesses, land reform measures in India had the following impact:
- The powerful class of landlords was completely abolished in many areas. The exploitation of the peasantry by these landlords was reduced to a considerable extent.
- Peasants became aware of their legal rights and the legal avenues for their protection.
- Land ceiling led to a redistribution of land in Jammu and Kashmir.
- A lot of fallow lands came into cultivation, which increased the productivity of agriculture
- These reforms led to socio-economic upliftment of poor peasantry
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FAQs on Land Reforms in India
What are the major land reforms in India?
The major land reforms in India are the Abolition of Zamindari, Reform of tenancy laws, Land ceiling, and Consolidation of fragmented landholdings.
What is land reform?
Land reforms are policy steps that intend to make land distribution more equitable. This equitable distribution is aimed at increasing the productivity of land and decreasing the poverty of its dependent population.
What are the three types of land reforms?
The three main types of land reforms are the Abolition of Zamindari, the Reform of tenancy laws, and the Land ceiling.
What are the achievements of land reforms in India?
Despite many weaknesses, land reform measures in India abolished the powerful class of landlords, Peasants became aware of their legal rights, the Land ceiling led to a redistribution of land, and the productivity of agriculture increased.
What is the importance of land reforms in India?
Land reforms in India are important for redistribution of wealth and means of production to ensure equitable development.