Mirasdari system
The Mirasdari system has once existed in the Madras Presidency. In the Madras Presidency, the Palegar system was present during the early 19th Century.
The Palegar were the landlords, who had judicial powers and also military powers. The British allowed them to collect the land taxes at 50% of the land’s annual produce.
In 1855, Sir Thomas Monroe, Governor of Madras abolished the Palegar system. He reduced the Palegar, Military, and Judicial power and made them mere tax collectors.
These tax collectors were called Mirasdars. Mirasdars were not necessarily the owners of the land.
The farmers were actual landowners called Mirasdari and had to pay regular taxes. The farmers who failed to pay the revenue, even due to famine, or disaster, etc were penalized and their lands were auctioned.
After 30 years of the Mirasdar system, it was replaced by a much friendlier Ryotwari system.