MeraPahad Community Of Uttarakhand Lovers

            Land Sales Rights Ibbetson Settlement in Garhwal
   
                     

                 Characteristics of Ibbetson Settlement in Garhwal -14

                            British Administration in Garhwal   -70     
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -88
            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -925
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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)
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 Traill offered rights for land sales to Hissedar (owner/proprietors) (Atkinson). The right for land sales was not in Garhwal Kingdom or Gorkha regime. Dabral mentions that in Narendra Shah Rule in Tehri Kingdom, there was no right for land sales to owners (Asami).
 There were no rights for Khaykar for land sales in British rule too. However, Khaykar could pledge their land. By pledging system, Khaykar could sell the land (Stowell, page 3).
  Khaykar means the cultivators of the land for generation. The owners of such land were Hissedar. Khaykar used to offer tax (grains etc) to Hissedar. Till Khaykar was offering tax, Hissedar did not interfere on the right of land. In case, a Khaykar became unable for paying tax to Hissedar, Hissedar had right for dismissing Khaykar from the land.


Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com 17/10/2016
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -926
*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
XX   
References 
 1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 234-247
2-Ibbetson, A.W., Revenue Settlement of Garhwal District, pages 1 to 11
3-Pauw, Garhwal settlement report, page 37
4-Stowell, V.A., Manual of Land Tenures in Kumaon division page 3, 31
5- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts, Vol.3, 490
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History of British Rule, Administration , Policies, Revenue system,  over Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule , Administration , Policies Revenue system  over Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Chamoli Garhwal, Nainital Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Rudraprayag Garhwal, Almora Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Dehradun , Champawat Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, ,Revenue system  over Bageshwar  Kumaon, Uttarakhand ;
History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, Revenue system over Haridwar, Pithoragarh Kumaon, Uttarakhand;   

            Disputes among Khaykar and Hissedar in Ibbetson Settlement in Garhwal
   
                     

                 Characteristics of Ibbetson Settlement in Garhwal -16

                            British Administration in Garhwal   -72     
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -90
            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -927
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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)
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         Stowell wrote that there had been disputes among Khaykars and Hissedar, successions for Khaykar land from the beginning of British Raj. Stowell (page 61)wrote that due to Khaykar being in small numbers and weaker class, Khaykar were always on receiving end and they were losers most of the time.  Even the government officials favored the land owners (Hissedar) and not the real land cultivators.
   In Pauw or other settlements and reports, every official showed concerned for Khaykars or real cultivators but did not make any law for keeping Khaykar right intact. Khaykar, Sirtan system was stopped in 1960. In many cases, Khudkast (owner cum cultivators) villages were converted Khaykar villages. There were contradictions between board of revenues and Kumaun commissioner office, courts.  In 1914, government decided for bringing the three land revenue legislation as per Stowell committee (report) drafts. However, the decision was not taken. In 1932-33, the bills were introduced for Kumaon land bills (owners etc) but after discussion, no decision was taken for those bills. (Tara Datt Gairola)

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com 19/10/2016
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -928
*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
XX   
References 
 1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 234-247
2-Ibbetson, A.W., Revenue Settlement of Garhwal District, pages
3-Pauw, Garhwal settlement report, page 46
4-Stowell, V.A., Manual of Land Tenures in Kumaon division page 61
5- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts, Vol.3, 490-91
6- Tara Datt Gairola, Selected Revenue decisions of  Kumaun.
Xx
 
History of British Rule, Administration , Policies, Revenue system,  over Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule , Administration , Policies Revenue system  over Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Chamoli Garhwal, Nainital Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Rudraprayag Garhwal, Almora Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Dehradun , Champawat Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, ,Revenue system  over Bageshwar  Kumaon, Uttarakhand ;
History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, Revenue system over Haridwar, Pithoragarh Kumaon, Uttarakhand;   

              Sirtan and Paykast   in Ibbetson Settlement in Garhwal
   
                     

                 Characteristics of Ibbetson Settlement in Garhwal -18

                            British Administration in Garhwal   -74     
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -92
            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -929
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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)
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    Traill writes, “When a Hissedar (land owner) is unable for cultivating the owner offers land to a cultivator for cultivating land on temporary basis and the cultivator is called ‘Sirtan’.  The Sirtan or cultivator offers 1/3 of land produces to the owner (tyad, tiar, tihar).  If there is shortage of cultivators, the owner takes only money as government levy.  Owner has right for dismissing Sirtan for cultivating rights. If in village, there is no Sirtan available the owner calls other cultivators from nearby villages. Such cultivators were called Paykast. Paykasti was nothing but a temporary way of keeping land fertile. Paykast system was too temporary and Sirtan has long time agreement between owner and cultivators. “
 In Traill time (1815-35, the cultivators were not easily available. There was a competition among owners for getting Sirtan or Paykast.  Owners used to offer land even without tax or Tihar.  The Sirtan or Paykast system was live till 1960 in Bhabhar or many parts of Garhwal.
   Apart from Hissedar and Khaykar, other cultivators were put under Sirtan and there was confusion due to that system (Dabral).
 Initially in British Raj, owners had power for dismissing Sirtan. However, from 1925, the rule was made or judgment was offered that in case a Sirtan was cultivating land and living in village for long he could not be dismissed. Suchh permanent Sirtan were called ‘Maurusi Sirtan’.
   In each village, Harijans were established by upper caste. Their job was helping owners or masters in various ways, ploughing, helping in marriage, carrying masters and pulling dead animals for disposals. Those were given position of Sirtan in later British rule. Gairola suggested them calling ‘Muafi Khidmati’.
   By 1925, the ownership of Sirtan and Khaykar was confirmed on land. Khaykar could offer land to other cultivators for temporary cultivation.
   



Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com 21/10/2016
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -930
*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
XX   
References 
 1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 234-247
2-Ibbetson, A.W., Revenue Settlement of Garhwal District, pages
3-Pauw, Garhwal settlement report, page 46
4-Stowell, V.A., Manual of Land Tenures in Kumaon division page 7
5- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts, Vol.3, 490-91
6- Tara Datt Gairola, Selected Revenue decisions of Kumaun. Page 222-223
Xx
 
History of British Rule, Administration , Policies, Revenue system,  over Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule , Administration , Policies Revenue system  over Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Chamoli Garhwal, Nainital Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Rudraprayag Garhwal, Almora Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Dehradun , Champawat Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, ,Revenue system  over Bageshwar  Kumaon, Uttarakhand ;
History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, Revenue system over Haridwar, Pithoragarh Kumaon, Uttarakhand;   

                Important Aspects of Land Ownership in Garhwal from   1815-1947
                     

                 Characteristics of Ibbetson Settlement in Garhwal -20

                            British Administration in Garhwal   -76     
       -
History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -94

            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -931
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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)
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 The history of land ownership in Garhwal under British is very interesting. The initial Sayanas (Jamindar, Thokdar) those could have agreement with British offices used to request farmers for taking agriculture works in their owned land. Sayanas agreed for paying tax for huge land region but farmers were eager for settling and taking agriculture works as per their choices. British had agreement with village chiefs (Gram Padhan) for tax payment. However, the farmers under Padhan were so poor that Padhan used to pay tax on their behalf and were compelled for offering them ownership position (Hissedari or Khaikari). Slowly, after increase in prosperity and time gap, farmers came became aware that if they got land ownership, British government would protect their rights.
                 In 1842, Sayanas played tricks that they became Hissedar for land of their own brothers and Batton had to deal such complexities. Batton had to take matters for all types of crimes including land settlement. There was no help for Batton. The previous settlements had many flaws and Batton had to correct those flaws too. As soon as Beese settlement (twenty years settlement) came to an end, the Hissedar and Khaykar became aware for their land ownership rights. There was increase in land ownership disputes in the courts. In Trail period, there were nominal differences between Hissedar, Sirtan and Khaykar. Due to low population, the farmers were in stronger position for taking agriculture works from Sayanas etc. By 1864 (Becket land settlement), there was increase in population and less fertile land was available. Every famer was interested for making him as ‘Hissedar’.

     Becket made list of the villages where Khaykars were there but there were no Hissedar for those villages. Pau also prepared a list of Khaykar villages. In most of cases, Khaykar became more prosperous than Hissedar due to hard works. Hissedar were only for the sake of paper works.
 
    Trail wrote in 1823 that Garhwalis love their land as mother and did not like to sell or offer their land to others. Garhwalis perceived selling mother land as ‘neech kam’ (lowest degree of act).
 There were following types of mortgaging the land –
 Dhali-Folo (Scattering)- In this type, the owner offered land ownership to the buyer
Mat- The land owner mortgaged the land to the money lender but pay tax regularly. After death of seller the land buyer started paying tax.
‘Sashart Mat- The seller kept condition that as soon as he or his heirs get chance to repay the loan the new owner would hand over the land to original owner.
 
Bandhak- The land owner kept land mortgage for a fixed period and if not repay the loan the money lender used to become land owner.
  When in initial stage of British rule, there was clarity for land ownership, the people could sell their land with ease.
 Trail wrote in 1825 that due to clarity in land ownership in Kumaun and Garhwal, the famers from Tehri and Nepal started migrating to Garhwal and Kumaon. 

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com 3/12/2016
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -932
*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
XX   
References 
 1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 234-248
2-Ibbetson, A.W., Revenue Settlement of Garhwal District, pages
3-Pauw, Garhwal settlement report, page 42
4- Tara Datt Gairola, Selected Revenue decisions of Kumaun. Page 222-223
5- Atkinson , Himalayan Districts, page 493, 464, 312
Xx
 
History of British Rule, Administration , Policies, Revenue system,  over Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule , Administration , Policies Revenue system  over Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Chamoli Garhwal, Nainital Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Rudraprayag Garhwal, Almora Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Dehradun , Champawat Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, ,Revenue system  over Bageshwar  Kumaon, Uttarakhand ;
History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, Revenue system over Haridwar, Pithoragarh Kumaon, Uttarakhand;   

                         Initial Irrigation Arrangement in Garhwal Bhabhar

                 Characteristics of Kham Settlement in Garhwal Bhabhar -2
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                            British Administration in Garhwal   -78     
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -96
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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -933
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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)
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            Bhabhar settlement was called ‘Kham’ settlement. The lower layer of land was stony but upper layers had soil due to soil coming from hills through rivers and rivulets and humus due to putrification of tree leaves etc. There was shortage of water. Human beings dig ponds here and there but not wells. 
 Initially after encouragement from British administration, the settlers dig raw canal for irrigation. The soil was so dry that soil used to soak water from canals.
  British started building durable canal of lime from 1877-78. The canal was started from east of Khoh river and it used to fetch water for Kotdwara and nearby region.

                             Sirgoh Farmers
 
   After encouraging digging mud canals, British encouraged people for settling in Bhabhar. A farmer easily used to get permission for settling in Bhabhar by cutting trees and shrubs. Such farmer was called Sirgoh. He used to call other farmers and used to offer them land for agriculture. He used to pay wages etc to them. Sirgoh also used to hire Halya on barter system or used to offer land on getting one third of crops (tihar) from real farmer.  Those farmers were called Sakhi of Sirgoh. British administration used to rent land to Sirgoh on rent. There was no permanent settlement as was done in hills of Garhwal. Sirgoh used sublet the land.

                              Kham Settlement

 Bhabhar was called British estate. Therefore, government offered land on rent to farmers. This offering land to Sirgoh was called Kham settlement. British used to revive renting after every five years.



Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com 5/12/2016
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -934
*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
XX   
References 
 1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 249-278
2-Trail, Sketch of Kumaon, Asiatic Researches Vol.16 page 207
3- Walton, Garhwal Gazetteer page 151
4- Bhawani datt Joshi, Report on the Revision of Rent in Garhwal-Bhabhar page -9
Xx
 
History of British Rule, Administration , Policies, Revenue system,  over Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule , Administration , Policies Revenue system  over Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Chamoli Garhwal, Nainital Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Rudraprayag Garhwal, Almora Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system  over Dehradun , Champawat Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, ,Revenue system  over Bageshwar  Kumaon, Uttarakhand ;
History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, Revenue system over Haridwar, Pithoragarh Kumaon, Uttarakhand;