ABSENTEE LORDLORDISM OR SUBINFEUDATION

ABSENTEE LORDLORDISM OR SUBINFEUDATION The inability of zamindars to pay their dues to the government led to the beginning of absentee landlordism or subinfeudation. Under the permanent settlement, zamindars were obliged to pay a fixed amount by fixed dates every year, failing which meant the sale of their zamindaris (sunset rule). Many of the zamindaris were rated for large sums which the zamindars were not able to pay. As a result, zamindaris of many zamindars were taken away and sold to merchants, government officials and other zamindars. To meet the government demand to avoid eviction, many zamindars began to sublet their zamindaris. For example, the Raja of Burdwan divided most of his estate into fractions called patni taluqs. Each patni taluq was permanently rented to a holder (patnidar) who promised to pay a fixed rent. If the patnidar failed to pay, his patni could be taken away and sold. Many other zamindars resorted to such measures. Thus began the process of absentee landlordism or subinfeudation.