Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
To extract revenue from Indian agriculture, the British introduced various land tenure systems.
These systems defined who owned the land and who was responsible for paying taxes to the colonial government.
The systems differed based on geographical regions and had a devastating impact on Indian peasants.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The system implemented in Eastern India (Bengal, Bihar, Odisha) was the Zamindari System, also known as the Permanent Settlement.
1. Introduction: Introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
2. Mechanism: Local intermediaries known as 'Zamindars' were recognized as the owners of the land. They had to pay a fixed amount of revenue to the British government on a specified date.
3. Exploitation: While the British share was fixed, the Zamindars were free to collect as much as they wanted from the poor cultivators (tenants).
4. Stagnation: The Zamindars had no interest in improving the land (irrigation or technology) because their income was purely from rent extraction. The peasants had no incentive to improve the land because they had no security of tenure and were living in extreme poverty. This led to agricultural stagnation.
Comparison with other systems:
- Ryotwari: Introduced in Madras and Bombay Presidencies (South/West). Revenue was settled directly with the 'Ryot' (cultivator).
- Mahalwari: Introduced in North/North-Western India. Revenue was settled with the entire village community ('Mahal').
Step 3: Final Answer:
The Zamindari System was the main cause of agricultural stagnation in Eastern India.
Thus, Option (A) is correct.