The East India Company Revenue Collection Policy
Speech on the East India Bill is a notable literary work by Edmund Burke. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Speech on the East India Bill.
Answer
What was the East India Company’s policy regarding revenue collection?
Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was an Irish statesman and philosopher. He is best known for his eloquence and strong stance on colonial policies. In his December 1, 1783 speech, Burke outlined the East India Company’s revenue collection policy in India. In his speech, the orator criticized its methods and implications.
Land Revenue Systems: The East India Company imposed rigid land revenue systems, heavily burdening the local population. Burke highlighted that the whole system of their polity is corrupted by this practice of drawing revenue from the oppression of the people. This practice disrupted traditional agrarian practices and imposed high taxes on farmers, leading to widespread poverty and distress.
Excessive Taxation: Burke criticized the company’s excessive taxation policies, prioritizing revenue generation over the welfare of the people. He pointed out that public revenues are managed solely for the profit of individuals. The excessive taxes were collected with little regard for the economic conditions of the local populace.
Revenue Farming: The Company adopted a revenue farming system, where the right to collect taxes was auctioned to the highest bidder. According to Burke, this system was detrimental because it incentivized the revenue farmers to extract as much as possible, often through oppressive means.
In conclusion, the East India Company’s revenue collection policy was characterized by oppressive taxation, exploitation through revenue farming, and a disregard for local traditions. Burke’s critique sheds light on these policies’ detrimental impact on India’s socio-economic landscape.