Before British rule, land ownership and taxation were primarily based on customary and feudal systems. Land was often controlled by landlords, village heads, or the ruling authorities, with peasants cultivating land under tenancy arrangements.
During British rule, several land tenure systems were introduced, significantly altering land relations in Bengal:
After independence, land reforms were introduced to abolish feudal land relations and distribute land more equitably.
The West Bengal Land Reforms Act, 1955:
The West Bengal Estates Acquisition Act, 1953:
The West Bengal Thika Tenancy Act, 2001:
The West Bengal Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act, 1976 (Repealed):
The West Bengal Panchayat (Transfer of Land) Rules, 2003:
The West Bengal Agricultural Land (Ceiling and Settlement) Act, 1961:
The West Bengal Restoration of Alienated Land Act, 1973:
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West Bengal has a historically significant land tenure system, influenced by colonial rule, zamindari structures, and post-independence land reforms. The state has enacted several laws to regulate land ownership, tenancy, and land redistribution to ensure social justice and equitable distribution.
Before British rule, the land tenure system in Bengal was largely feudal. Land was controlled by local rulers, village heads, and feudal landlords. Farmers worked as tenants under these landlords, paying a portion of their produce as rent.
The British introduced the Permanent Settlement Act of 1793 under Lord Cornwallis, creating the Zamindari system, where revenue collection responsibilities were handed over to zamindars (landlords). These zamindars often exploited peasants (ryots), leading to widespread distress. Other land revenue systems such as Ryotwari and Mahalwari were introduced in different regions.
After independence, West Bengal undertook significant land reforms, including:
Abolition of the Zamindari System: The West Bengal Estate Acquisition Act, 1953 abolished intermediaries, making the state the direct owner of land.
Operation Barga (1978-1982): A landmark initiative by the Left Front government to secure tenancy rights for sharecroppers (bargadars), preventing arbitrary evictions.
Land Ceiling and Redistribution: The government imposed limits on land ownership, redistributing excess land to landless farmers.
Establishes land ceiling limits and redistributes surplus land.
Recognizes sharecroppers (bargadars) and grants them protection from eviction.
Regulates land transfer to ensure equitable distribution.
Abolished the zamindari system.
Vested land directly with the state government.
Ensured direct ownership for tillers and small farmers.
Regulates tenancy on government land in urban areas.
Protects thika tenants and sub-tenants from eviction.
Initially aimed at limiting excessive landholding in urban areas.
Repealed to encourage real estate and infrastructure development.
Grants local Gram Panchayats the authority to oversee land records.
Regulates agricultural landholding.
Redistributes surplus land among landless farmers.
Protects the land rights of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Prevents unauthorized transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
The Banglar Bhumi portal allows online access to land records, improving transparency and accessibility.
The government is modernizing land administration to prevent land disputes and streamline property transactions.
| Sukumar Ray Land Laws of West Bengal Along with Land Twenure System in Bengal |
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