better, it is not really for them to map out how Indians should end up
perceiving themselves or their own society. Such a task can legitimately
only be undertaken by India itself.
- Public Despatch to Bengal, 3 June 1814: ‘We refer with particular
satisfaction upon this occasion to that distinguished feature of internal
polity which prevails in some parts of India, and by which the instruction
of the people is provided for by a certain charge upon the produce of the
soil, and other endowments in favour of the village teachers, who are
thereby rendered public servants of the community.’ - The revenue records of all areas, especially of the years 1770-90 for
the Bengal Presidency, and of 1801-20 for the Madras Presidency
provide very extensive information regarding such assignments. The
information regarding assignments for the purpose of carrying Ganga
water to religious shrines is taken from Mafee Register for 1847 for the
district of Hamirpur and Kalpi in the Uttar Pradesh State Archives at
Allahabad. - I.O.R. Factory Records: G/27/1, Supervisor Houghly to Murshe-
dabad Council, 10.10.1770, p.88. - In a note dated circa 1830.
- The total number of maths and temples in Tanjore about this time
was around 4,000. - I.O.R. Factory Records: G/6/4. Proceedings of Burdwan Council on
Beerbhoom, 24.5.1775. - The problem of peasants deserting sirkar lands (i.e. lands paying
revenue to government) because of the exhorbitant rate of government
assessment even in the 1820s was of such frequency that it was
deliberated upon by Thomas Munro as Governor of Madras in November - At that time Munro observed that ‘it would be most satisfactory if
the sirkar ryots were induced to give a voluntary preference to the sirkar
land’ and felt that the rest of the village community paying revenue to
government should not ‘allow a ryot to throw up sirkar land liable to
adjustment merely that he may occupy Enam land which is liable to
none.’ But if such ‘inducement’ did not work Munro was of the view, that
‘if necessary, measures for the protection of the rights of government
may be directed more immediately to the Enamdars, either by taking
their Enams or by resuming them.’ (Tamil Nadu state Archives: Board of
Revenue Proceedings: volume 930, Proceedings 7.11.1822, pp.10292-
96). - For fairly detailed information on Malabar, see the voluminous
Report of Commissioner Graeme, 16.7.1822 in TNSA: Revenue
Consultations, especially volume 277A. - Annexure A (xxi), Philip Hartog, who made much play of this reply,
as mentioned earlier, used it to throw doubt on the educational data
from the other districts. It is possible that because of his contrary
concerns, he was not able to comprehend this report fully. - Bellary was part of the Ceded Districts and was administered from
1800-7 by Thomas Munro. As mentioned earlier, it was here that Munro
seemed outraged by the fact that 35% of the total cultivated land was
still being assigned for various local purposes, and expressed his
determination to reduce it to as low as 5% of the total revenue of the
Ceded Districts. Munro at that time also advocated the imposition of an
income-tax of about 15% on all those (revenue assignees, as well as
merchants, artisans, labourers and the rest) who did not pay land
revenue. The Madras Government accepted his recommendation and this
tax, under various names, (Veesabuddy, Mohtarpha, etc.) was imposed