Revenue Survey

Revenue Survey (1845-1878) made an intensive investigation into the social, economic, topographical and most importantly, agrarian situations of the Bengal mouzas and parganas. The thakbast survey that preceded the Revenue Survey operations prepared the basis for a scientific survey of the countryside. Based on the Thakbast data began the Revenue Survey from 1845. According to rules, the Revenue Survey was to be undertaken immediately after the completion of the Thakbast Survey in a mouza.

The main objectives of the Revenue Survey were to (a) ascertain demarcation of village and estate boundaries and prepare accurate pargana maps showing these boundaries; (b) enumerate the topographical details; (c) compile such statistical data as may be used profitably for administrative purposes; (d) make scaled maps of each pargana (usual scale 4' = 1 mile); and (e) in some cases, make field to field (khasra) survey of mouzas. Pargana was the unit of the Revenue Survey maps and other information. On the pargana maps were dotted seventy survey items to indicate which included city, town, village, deserted village, hatbazar, pucca and katcha houses, temples and mosques, manufacturing centres, footpaths and roads, creeks and rivers, marshlands, bridges and culverts, cultivated and uncultivated lands, forest lands, Hindu and Muslim population, and vegetation. The Revenue Survey maps are now preserved at the British Library (Oriental Records). The copies of the maps are also preserved, but very irregularly, at the various Collectorate Record Rooms of old districts. [Sirajul Islam]