In the administrative history of the Madras Presidency during the British colonial era, what specific land revenue system was introduced primarily by Thomas Munro, bypassing village intermediaries to settle tax assessments directly with individual cultivators?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Thomas Munro introduced the Ryotwari land revenue system in the Madras Presidency where revenue settlement was made directly with individual ryots or cultivators rather than through zamindars or village bodies. Permanent Settlement was prevalent in Bengal while Mahalwari operated in northern regions involving collective village communities. The Ryotwari system secured direct revenue collection for the colonial state but frequently burdened peasants with high assessments during crop failures.