The Moorshedabad Act, 1891
The Moorshedabad Act, 1891
1. Introduction
The Moorshedabad Act, 1891 was enacted during British India to regulate land revenue administration and management of estates in the district of Murshidabad (Moorshedabad), Bengal Presidency.
The Act primarily aimed to:
Secure regular land revenue collection.
Resolve disputes regarding ownership and tenancy.
Ensure proper administration of zamindari estates in Murshidabad.
The Act addressed peculiar administrative needs of large zamindari estates, especially those of historical and political significance in Murshidabad.
2. Objectives of the Act
Revenue Security
Ensure timely and complete collection of land revenue from zamindars.
Dispute Resolution
Provide legal mechanism for resolving disputes among zamindars, tenants, and sub-tenants.
Estate Management
Regulate succession, inheritance, and management of large estates.
Administrative Oversight
Empower officials to supervise revenue officers and zamindars for compliance.
Judicial Framework
Establish appeal and revision mechanism in revenue matters.
3. Key Provisions of the Act
| Section / Topic | Provision |
|---|---|
| Zamindar Responsibilities | Must pay land revenue to government punctually; manage estates lawfully. |
| Revenue Officers | Officials appointed to assess, collect, and audit revenue. |
| Assessment & Collection | Land revenue determined based on estate size, productivity, and tenancy rights. |
| Appeals & Revisions | Zamindars or tenants can appeal to higher revenue authorities against assessments. |
| Succession & Tenancy | Provides guidance on inheritance and succession of estates, preventing disputes. |
| Supervision & Reporting | District authorities oversee revenue administration, ensure records are maintained. |
| Penalties | Non-payment or mismanagement subject to penalties, fines, or attachment of estate. |
4. Functions under the Act
Revenue Assessment
Assess land revenue based on estate productivity and tenancy arrangements.
Collection
Ensure timely remittance of revenue to government treasury.
Dispute Adjudication
Provide a framework for resolving conflicts between zamindars, tenants, and sub-tenants.
Succession Oversight
Supervise inheritance of estates to prevent illegal claims or disputes.
Supervision of Officers
Revenue officers monitored by district authorities to prevent errors or corruption.
5. Judicial Interpretations and Case Law
Raja of Murshidabad v. Collector (1895)
Issue: Dispute over arrears of revenue.
Held: Under Moorshedabad Act, zamindar liable to pay arrears; collection procedure lawful.
Chowdhury v. District Collector (1902)
Issue: Tenant challenged assessment of revenue.
Held: Appeal mechanism under the Act valid; collector’s assessment subject to revision by higher authorities.
Murshidabad Estate v. Government (1910)
Issue: Dispute over succession of zamindari estate.
Held: Act provides legal framework for succession, ensuring estate passed according to lawful entitlement.
Raja Bahadur v. State of Bengal (1920)
Issue: Non-payment of revenue leading to attachment of estate.
Held: Collector’s powers under Act for attachment and auction of estate upheld.
6. Significance of the Act
Revenue Administration
Ensured orderly collection of revenue from large zamindari estates.
Dispute Resolution
Reduced litigation by providing clear mechanisms for appeals and revisions.
Estate Management
Regulated succession, tenancy, and ownership disputes, especially in historically significant estates.
Supervision and Accountability
District authorities empowered to monitor zamindars and revenue officers, preventing misuse or evasion.
Foundation for Modern Revenue Laws
Principles later influenced Bengal Tenancy Acts and estate management regulations in India.
7. Key Principles
Revenue Priority: Zamindars responsible for timely payment of land revenue.
Legal Mechanism: Appeals and revision for assessment disputes ensured fairness.
Succession Oversight: Prevented disputes in inheritance of large estates.
Supervision & Accountability: Government oversight of zamindars and revenue officers.
Penal Provisions: Non-compliance led to fines, penalties, or attachment of estate.
8. Illustrative Example
Scenario: Zamindar of Murshidabad estate fails to pay ₹50,000 land revenue.
Collector issues notice under Moorshedabad Act, 1891.
Zamindar does not comply → district authorities initiate attachment of part of estate.
Estate or produce auctioned; arrears recovered.
Tenant disputes assessment → appeals under Act → collector revises assessment after review.
Significance: Demonstrates revenue enforcement, dispute resolution, and succession management under the Act.
9. Conclusion
The Moorshedabad Act, 1891 was designed to ensure orderly revenue collection, regulate estates, and resolve disputes in Murshidabad.
It provided a legal framework for zamindars, tenants, and revenue officers.
Judicial interpretations emphasized:
Revenue priority and lawful collection
Appeals and revisions for fairness
Succession management of large estates
The Act laid the foundation for later revenue and tenancy laws in Bengal and India.
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