Land Revenue Research Articles

Land revenue, inequality and development in colonial India (1880–1910)

Land revenue, inequality and development in colonial India (1880–1910)

Agricultural Status and Land Revenue Administration in Madras Presidency

Agricultural Status and Land Revenue Administration in Madras Presidency

The Role of Colonialism in Britain’s Wealth Accumulation: Examining Wealth Drain and Exploitation of India and Hong Kong

This essay examines the role of colonialism in Britain's wealth accumulation, focusing on the exploitation of India and Hong Kong during the British Imperial era. It argues that Britain's status as a first-world country with the world's fifth largest economy is significantly due to the economic gains from its colonial past. The paper details the "Drain" of wealth from India, where Britain extracted nearly $45 trillion from 1765 to 1938, and the subsequent deindustrialization of India's economy. It also discusses the cost of conquering, land revenue systems, and the shared military burden that India bore, which alleviated Britain's financial strain during wars. The social benefits provided by Britain in India, such as railways, were financed by Indian taxpayers, with British investors reaping the profits. Turning to Hong Kong, the essay highlights the opium trade as a state-run business that funnelled profits to Britain and the transformation of Hong Kong into a trade and foreign investment hub, with real estate becoming a significant contributor to its GDP. The colonial government's policies in Hong Kong resulted in low tax revenues for the colony, yet high profits for British companies. The essay concludes that Britain's wealth and the strategic trade opportunities in its former colonies were made possible through imperialism, leaving a legacy of socio-economic imbalance and exploitation.

Does the “National Civilized City” increase land revenue? An empirical inquiry into China’s Prefecture-level cities

With the continuous development of urbanization in China, land revenue has become one of the main sources of revenue for local governments and played a significant role in economic development. Existing research has discussed the causes of land revenue or land finance from multiple perspectives. However, little is known about how political incentives such as top-down evaluations and commendations of city branding affect local land income. Based on the quasi experiment of obtaining the branding title of “National Civilized City,” this study employs staggered difference-in-differences to analyze the impact of the “National Civilized City” on local land revenue. Meanwhile, using a series of empirical analyses to ensure the robustness of the results. The empirical findings indicate that obtaining the “National Civilized City” branding will significantly increase local land revenue. The “National Civilized City” branding’s influence on land revenue will be moderated by real estate investment and social consumption. Specifically, when the amount of real estate investment and social consumption is higher, it will significantly enhance the impact of “National Civilized City” on local land revenue; when the real estate investment and social consumption at low level, it will significantly reduce the impact of “National Civilized City” on local land revenue.

Empire, epidemic, and the agrarian world: Kala-azar (Visceral leishmaniasis) in Assam, 1883–1930

In the late nineteenth century, kala-azar, an unfamiliar epidemic, hit Assam, a province in the northeast of British India. Its devastations persisted till the 1930s. It killed an estimated 0.2 million people during 1880–1930 and was partly responsible for stagnating Assam’s population during 1891–1901. Its symptoms misled medical practitioners into faulty diagnoses and cures until the 1910s. Deaths and prolonged illness reduced peasants’ capacity to cultivate and pay land revenue. In areas affected by the disease, fields lay uncultivated and the villagers abandoned their homes. The lingering impact threatened efforts to rebuild families for multiple generations. Works on agrarian history view kala-azar’s effect as episodic and not long-term. Historiography of the disease does not analyse how its discordant relation with medical science impacted Assam’s agriculture. This article argues that besides death and despair, kala-azar had lasting impacts on Assam’s agriculture as it increased tenancy, disrupted village boundaries and peasants’ ties with the land, and exacerbated social divisions. These outcomes undercut the British colonial endeavours to create a settled and tax-paying peasantry, well-mapped property relationship, and a flourishing land market. By exploring the impact of kala-azar in Assam, this article demonstrates how epidemics are critical to understanding agrarian changes.

Miasto Dukla w latach 1785–1789 w świetle metryki józefińskiej

The subject of this article is the town of Dukla in the second half of the 1780s. It was created based on the first land cadaster of Galicia, i.e. the so-called Josephine cadastre compiled in 1785-1789. First, a general characterisation of the estate demesne with its seat in Dukla, then called dominium, its location in the Austrian administrative system, and the most critical issues related to the compilation of the Josephine cadastre are presented. Then, the focus is on two important issues. The first one concerns land understood mainly as the area of agricultural or woodland, including the division of Dukla into fields, their sizes, the acreage of parcels located on them, their category in terms of the manners of their cultivation, and the subject who ruled over them (manorial land, church land, townland and land belonging to burghers). The second part of the article presents land productivity during this period, i.e. how it was cultivated, the crops obtained in the form of grain and hay, and, in the case of forests, the timber harvested and their values in money and the taxation of land revenue.

Towards the use of stool land revenue for community development in Ghana: Evidence from the Wassa Fiase traditional area

Towards the use of stool land revenue for community development in Ghana: Evidence from the Wassa Fiase traditional area

Does funding sources’ regulation affect Chinese local governments’ financing behavior?

Does funding sources’ regulation affect Chinese local governments’ financing behavior?

Regal Coincraft: Maharaja Ranbir Singh’s Currency Transformation in Jammu and Kashmir

This research article examines the historical context and significance of the unique currency produced by the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir during the reign of Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1877. At the time, the state displayed significant autonomy and separate governance by printing its own money in denominations ranging from ₹1 to ₹1,000. The currency release occurred during the month of Vaishakh on the Vikram Samvat 1934 calendar, highlighting the incorporation of regional traditional activities into administrative functions. These notes were primarily used for the payment of land revenue and other governmental dues, thus playing a crucial role in the state’s financial management. Featuring signatures from several competent authorities, including prominent figures like Diwan Kirpa Ram, the notes bore significant symbolic and administrative value. Additionally, specific notes highlighted cultural elements, such as the name of Mahesh Chander Vishvas in Nagari script, reflecting the state’s rich cultural identity and administrative sophistication. This initiative by the Princely State underlines its organised administrative structure and cultural integration within its financial practices.

Оцінювання фінансово-економічного потенціалу територіальних громад через аналіз бюджетних показників

This article investigates the financial-economic potential of the territorial communities in the Zakarpattia region through the analysis of budget indicators, which is particularly relevant in the context of martial law. A system of eight key indicators has been proposed, comprehensively characterizing communities’ financial and economic capacity to perform local self-government functions adequately. Based on calculations for the communities in the region, patterns and peculiarities in the development of communities with high and low indicators have been identified. The analysis that was conducted facilitates the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of each community, which can serve as a basis for further strategic planning, the optimization of budgetary decisions, and the setting of development priorities at the local and regional levels. The dynamics of own revenues and tax receipts have been analyzed, as well as the impact of inter-budgetary transfers on the financial capacity of communities. The value of an integrated approach to analysis has been emphasized, which includes assessing various aspects of economic and social potential, such as land revenue efficiency, resource utilization effectiveness, and community investment attractiveness. The impact of available resources and geographical conditions on the economic indicators of communities has been discussed, indicating the necessity for developing specific development programs for each territory. The importance of adapting budgetary policy to current challenges, including military actions, which require flexibility in management and response to unforeseen circumstances, has been underscored. Systematic analysis of budget indicators has been proven to create a foundation for more effective resource management, enhance financial transparency, and ensure stable community development. The need for further research into engaging communities in interaction and cooperation processes with the government and international organizations to enhance the efficiency of local resource use and improve the population’s living conditions has been highlighted. Keywords: potential of territorial communities, financial capability, local self-governance, financial analysis, local budget, funding effectiveness, community development.

Land revenue and government myopia: Evidence from Chinese cities

Land revenue and government myopia: Evidence from Chinese cities

Implementation of Land Revenue for The Construction of Toll Road from Pandaan to Malang

The purpose of this study is to understand how landowners make payments for development according to Law No. 10. Law No. 2 of 2012 regarding the process of legal solution in case of land acquisition for public benefit development and right holders not accepting the decision and/or money amortization study. The research used in this article is legal research and the following points can be deduced: (1). Payments are made in accordance with Law No. 1. The "Public Development Research Report" No. 2 of 2012 states that the payment to the right holders during land acquisition is reasonable and fair. The compensation amount is calculated based on the base parcel, including land, aboveground and underground, buildings, factories, underground equipment and other damages. According to the analysis of the payment, payments can be made according to money, land transfer, relocation, equity capital and other agreements to be made by both parties. (2). In other words, the legal solution to payment problems is that in case of objection to the document and payment, the beneficiary can appeal to the regional court within 14 business days after signing the payment document. Additionally, the District Court has the authority to determine the form and/or compensation within 30 business days from receipt of the complaint. Those who object to the decision of the regional court may appeal to the Court of Cassation within 14 working days. In this case, the Court of Cassation must make a decision within 30 working days after receiving the application for decision.

The state-led approach to industrial heritage in China’s mega-events: capital accumulation, urban regeneration, and heritage preservation

This paper employs a comparative analysis to investigate the state-led use of industrial heritage in major Chinese mega-events, delving into the three cases of the Guangzhou Asian Games, the Shanghai Expo, and the Beijing Winter Olympics. Examining the evolving practices led by Chinese governments reveals unique pathways for industrial heritage and showcases its diverse roles in economic development and societal transformation. The three cases illustrate the nuanced dynamics between market forces and state interventions, emphasising the importance of strategic planning and long-term considerations in mega-event-induced heritage practices. Mega-events serve as catalysts for urban regeneration, allowing governments to allocate substantial resources to conserve and repurpose industrial heritage. However, the current paper contends that the sustained benefits of industrial heritage hinge on thoughtful planning for long-term economic and social sustainability, emphasising the need to constrain a focus on short-term gains through land revenue. These reflections contribute to a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between heritage preservation, economic development, and sustainable urban planning in the context of China’s mega-events.

British Forest Laws in India: Disruption of Ecological Balance, Livelihoods, Traditions and Customs

The aim of the article is to analyze the British Forest Policy in Colonial India and its impacts comprehensively. Indian States' minimal intrusion into Forests and its inhabitants was breached by the British to the utmost exploitation of Forest Resources as well as its people. The time period of the study includes 19th and 20th century colonial India with special focus on Central India. The Study Design and Methodology used includes reading and analyzing various Primary and Secondary Sources including books, research papers, seminars, National Archives Reports, GIS mapping etc. By all the analysis, one can formulate the Results as such that the British because of their own considerations like Timber procurement and increasing land revenue, started controlling forest resources by prohibiting or banning traditional forest practices by the local people like hunting, shifting cultivation or grazing of cattle by bringing out legislations like The Indian Forest Acts. All these changes led to tempering with Forests like growing Sal, Teak and Deodar instead of local trees, clearing forests for cultivation or developing hunting as a Sport added to the Environmental, Economic and Social woes for Indians although they reaped humongous benefits for the British. The locals tried to protest in various ways but they were either crushed or placated with minimal reforms and if still not succumbed then were branded as Criminal Tribes under draconian Act of Criminal Tribes Act. Thus the colonial State tried to maintain its hegemony by using all means.

Administrative and Economic Systems of the Mughal Empire: A Historical Analysis of Governance and Revenue Policies

The Mughal Dynasty commenced in 1526, led by the esteemed Babur, who is renowned as the pioneer and founder of Indian civilization through the process of unification. Due to its vast territorial reach from Kabul to Bengal, with natural boundaries such as the Arabian Sea and Himalayas, this dynasty was able to establish sophisticated formal institutions that surpassed those of other empires worldwide at that time. This study examines the complex governance system of The Mughal Empire, with a focus on the reigns of Babur, Humayun, Akbar, and Aurangzeb. Abul-Fazl Ibn Mubarak, a prominent historian during Akbar's reign, elucidated the Mughals' adoption of the dual strategies of 'JahanBani' (state maintenance) and 'Jahangiri' (imperial expansion). The article also examines Akbar's reforms in land revenue systems, which aimed to provide uniformity and economic stability in order to sustain the Empire's prosperity. The inclusion of women in the Mughal court is examined to highlight their cultural, political, and social achievements. This examination thoroughly explores the functioning of the Mughal administration and how it effectively maintained the empire's supremacy.

Agents of capital: Matriarchs, law, and agrarian transactions in the Eastern Gangetic plains of eighteenth-century India

AbstractThis article contributes to historiographical examinations of gender and capitalism in eighteenth-century India. Focusing on the fragile nature of revenue farming ventures in this period, the article illustrates how propertied women in the Eastern Gangetic plains used matriarchal authority and affect to lead their agrarian and mercantile family firms into commercial transactions. The article shows that the household was the locus of these commercial relationships and that of the competing and layered sovereignties of distinct state and non-state actors. At the same time, matriarchs exercised their authority beyond it. Travelling in palanquins, or having their kin conduct transactions on their behalf, they asserted their maternal authority and social status in different publics to protect their firms’ interests. In a second key argument, the article suggests that Mughal law, fostered by native officials in the early colonial courts in Banaras, facilitated propertied women’s participation in this economy. Matriarchs demonstrated a keen understanding of this fractured jurisdictional landscape and used it to their advantage as they manoeuvred from one legal forum to another. The third argument of this article illustrates that colonial regulations redefined, and could even compromise, propertied women’s engagements in land revenue transactions. These shifts were made possible through the mobilization of gender and specific understandings of womanhood and the household. In this article, I show that these attempts to disenfranchise propertied women in Banaras were intimately connected to the Company’s vision of a colonial public in which it could monopolize sovereignty.

The Return of the Native: James MacPherson, Improving Strategies and Clanship Imagination in Late Eighteenth-century Badenoch

This paper examines a neglected facet of the life of the poet and colonial agent James Macpherson (1736–1796). Better known today as the ‘translator’ of Ossian, James Macpherson was also a political writer and MP who enjoyed a long association with the East India Company (EIC). In the 1780s, James returned to his native Badenoch, bought an estate, and played a decisive role in the reconfiguration of the area through military recruitments, land arbitration and new strategies of landownership and improvements. Studying James Macpherson's relation to land and kinship reveals a more complex and ambivalent man than previously acknowledged in existing literature. Drawing from official and private records, as well as Gaelic material, this paper uncovers the extent to which his reestablishment was the product of his imperial activities, as was visible in the reinjection of external capital in land. James's political connections in London were instrumental in assisting Duncan Macpherson (later of Cluny), son of the exiled Macpherson clan chief, in recovering the forfeited estates. Enjoying popularity with his tenants, James was reluctant to impose purely commercial improvements: his considerable East Indian profits provided him with financial emancipation from unpredictable land revenues and the ability to preserve his image of a paternalist landowner locally. However, this paper also engages with James Macpherson's ideology and recreation of a mythical past serving his own interests. Offering valuable help to the entrepreneurial Macpherson gentry also involved in India and America, James took a decisive role in offering advise and support to large-scale improvement projects. His adoption of a lavish lifestyle and conscious use of entertainment, made possible by the influx of colonial wealth, enabled him to challenge the old social order, juxtapose himself with the Cluny Macpherson and recreate a post-clanship culture serving the interests of the colonial gentry. The controversial perception of James Macpherson, whose role oscillated between that of nouveau riche and ‘clan champion’, sheds a new light on the impact of the British Empire on Badenoch, and the Highlands at large. A closer look at his reestablishment in Badenoch, a county traditionally seen by historians as an example of effective management without mass depopulation, provides new perspectives on the intersection of late-eighteenth century empire, improvement, and clanship.

Identification of land payments risk zones in establishing territorial community boundaries using GIS

The article is dedicated to the concept of "tax risk zones," their identification using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the role of these zones in the process of establishing territorial community boundaries. The authors examine the impact of the administrative-territorial reform carried out in Ukraine on the spatial identification of land parcels as tax objects. One of the main issues arising during the process of establishing territorial community boundaries is the emergence of tax uncertainty zones and the potential for land disputes between neighboring communities. In such zones, territorial communities risk losing land tax revenue due to uncertainty about the ownership of land parcels by one community or another. The article emphasizes the need for accurate data on land parcels to effectively shape tax policies at the local level. The use of GIS allows the identification of these tax risk zones and provides tools for decision-making regarding the optimization of community boundaries. The article provides examples of the application of GIS for the analysis of spatial data on territorial boundaries and land parcels, as well as an assessment of potential local budget losses due to uncollected land tax and rental payments.

Persistent effects of colonial land tenure institutions: Village-level evidence from India

This paper estimates the causal impact of land revenue institutions on long run rural development using a Spatial Regression Discontinuity framework on a new village level data set from colonial India. An early 19th century historical quirk meant that villages in close geographical proximity were assigned to different property rights systems — some falling under landlords and others under the government. Villages that were assigned to landlords in the colonial era have a higher poverty rate and lower consumption per capita in 2012. Village census data from 1961 to 2011 shows that historically rooted characteristics in landlord villages prevented them from accessing Green Revolution technologies. Analysis demonstrates that non-landlord, cultivator villages secured preferential access to public investment in the early decades. Despite some convergence in public goods availability, lower private wealth and investment in landlord villages causes continuing spatial inequalities.

Land revenue, inequality, and development in colonial India (1880–1910)

Abstract In my dissertation, I explore how colonial land institutions influenced both income inequality and the provision and funding of hospitals in colonial India. To do so, I present the first income inequality estimates assessing its evolution and levels across provinces and districts as well as a novel georeferenced hospital-level database. Findings suggest that the introduction of different colonial landownership rights—granting landownership and land revenue liability either to intermediaries or cultivators—explain differences in agricultural income inequality across districts and correlate with its evolution. These different landownership rights also affected the funding of hospitals through its interaction with local agency.