JOURNAL 



OF THE 



ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



On the (enures and fiscal relations of the owners, and occupants of 



the soil in Bengal, Behar, and Orissa. By James Alexander, 



Esq., B. C. S. 



The word Zemindarree, in the time of the Moghuls, signified the 

 particular extent of land over which one zemindar, or landholder, 

 exercised jurisdiction ; the collection of the revenues of that district 

 was one of the chief duties entrusted to him, and the object of the 

 greatest importance to the state. The amount of revenue leviable 

 upon it became the distinguishing character of each zemindarree, and 

 it was the only matter regarding it of which a record was kept in the 

 superior revenue offices. Although the area was entered in some of 

 the registers, yet the information regarding this, or as to the peculiar 

 boundaries or products of each tenure was very defective. When the 

 Perpetual Settlement was effected under the British Rule in Bengal, 

 Behar and Orissa, the same form of record was preserved, and to this 

 day little more is known of a zemindarree than the amount revenue 

 which it is bound to pay the state. For the actual collection of reve- 

 nue, and better preservation of individual rights, more particular dis- 

 tinctions have become necessary ; but these will be more conveniently 

 treated of under another head. 



Zemindar. This officer, under the Moghul government, exercised 

 powers as phoujdar, or chief of the armed force, collector of revenue, 

 and civil judge in trifling case3. On the accession of the English, his 



No. 164. No. 80, New Series. 4 c 



