Criticism of Batten Settlement

British Garhwal Land Settlements by J.H. Batten -5

                            British Administration in Garhwal   -27       

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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -43

            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -881

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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)

  Many officials recorded land measurement without real measuring the land in Batten settlement. By assumption, the records were made.

 Dr Dabral referring F. Curry writes that there was no Paimayas (measurement) of the land and through assumption the records were made (Najar Andaji records)

.  Baker came in place of Batten for land settlement. He had to depend on Traill and Batten records. (Dabral)

      Definitely, there were lapses in Batten settlement. However, now, there were some demarcation for Hissedar, Khaykar and Sirtan. By Batten settlement the owners became awar about their rights on land. The rights and duties for Padhan and Thokdar were more transparent than past.

     Batten was impressed by the honesty and hard work of Munsif (kanungo) Shiva Nand Khanduri at Shrinagar (Dabral, page 183) Batten reported to Kumaon Commissioner Govan that salary for Shivanand Khanduri should be monthly salary for Rs.150. Shivanand was satisfied for Rs. 50 salary.  Batten recommended for Rs 100 for Khanduri. Batten recommended a permanent position for Khanduri as Munsif or Kanungo (Pre Mutiny Records Kumaon Settlement letters issued vol.1, 1837-39). Shivanand was faithful to British officers as his forefathers were faithful to Garhwal Kings and after Gurkha rulers.

           Pau wrote that that job became important that job which Batten completed personally. Before Batten, no British officer visited rural Garhwal so extensively. Batten systemized the complex records. He recorded tax for each individual of each village. Batten recorded the details of Hissedar, Khaykar and Sirtan of each village whatever he got report. Batten started report and recording of Village chiefs, Thokdar getting Dastur from villagers. Though, there were mistakes in measurement but the work of Batten became the reverences and guidelines  for future officers of land settlement.

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com 24/8/2016

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -882

*** History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun, (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli) Garhwal (1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

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References  

 1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page 182-183

2-Batten, 1843, Report on the settlement of the district of Pauri Garhwal in the province of Kumaon 552, 553

3-Batten, Garhwal Settlement report page 58

4- Pre Mutiny Records Kumaon Settlement letters issued vol.1, 1837-39

5-Pau, Garhwal Settlement report page 58

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;