Chapter 35: Vijayanagara Land Reform Act
In the Hampi palace, Vijay came out of the main hall, looking tired, along with him came the imperial council members. They looked like walking zombies with dishevelled hair and black circles around their eyes. Despite this, you could still see the maniacal expressions on their faces.
They spent an entire month polishing up the plans for the major reforms Vijay is about to undertake.
Within a day, The news of the reforms spread throughout the empire at a very rapid rate.
Vijay began his reforms by addressing one of the major problems hindering the growth of Vijayanagar towards modernization: the feudal landlord system. Currently, most of the farmers are tied to the land of the Zamindar. The majority of the crop output goes into the pockets of the landlords and the nobles, leaving them with almost nothing to use except for consumption.
At least in the Vijayanagar Empire, farmers could avoid starvation. In the Mughal Empire, 100% of the proceeds from the pheasants went into the pockets of the nobles and zamindars, and the pheasants just got enough to sustain their lives in a good year Or else: (
Deccan Famine of 1630-1632: This famine was one of the worst in Indian history, causing an estimated 2.5 million deaths. It was caused by a combination of factors, including a severe drought, crop failures, and a locust infestation. The famine was exacerbated by the Mughal Empire's military campaigns in the Deccan region, which disrupted agricultural production and displaced people.
Great Famine of 1695-1696: This famine affected a large part of India, from the Deccan Plateau in the south to Bengal in the east. It was caused by a series of droughts and floods, as well as economic mismanagement by the Mughal government. The famine is estimated to have caused over 1 million deaths.
Bengal Famine of 1709-1710: This famine was particularly severe in Bengal, where it is estimated to have killed over 3 million people. It was caused by a prolonged drought, as well as the Mughal Empire's policy of grain exports, which depleted food stocks in the region.
Doomsday Famine of 1737-1738: This famine was the worst in Indian history, causing an estimated 10 million deaths. It was caused by a combination of natural disasters, including a severe drought, floods, and earthquakes, as well as political instability and economic mismanagement by the Mughal Empire.
1. Farmers who have worked on zamindars' fields for more than 20 years can claim ownership of the land they have worked on.
2. Excess land held by zamindars and nobles will be repurchased by the royal family at market prices, with the intention of redistributing it to peasants and farmers residing on the land.
3. Peasants working for zamindars and nobles for less than 20 years now have the right to demand a fixed salary from the landowner to work in the fields.
4. Agricultural land tax will henceforth be reduced to 10% of the yearly proceeds in the form of grain or currency to every citizen of the empire.
5. Tax collection rights of the zamindars and the nobles have been revoked effective immediately.
6. A Bureau of Land Audit will be established in every major city and town, responsible for the inspection and survey of the land. Legal land deeds will be provided to landowners based on inspections.
7. Private property of any individual cannot be seized by the Empire under any circumstances. The Empire has the authority to reclaim land only if an individual violates the law or in exceptional situations.
8. In case of inheritance, Land Owners can freely transfer land below 20 acres. For land over 20 acres, a 20% inheritance tax of the average land value over the past 10 years will be paid to the Empire.
9. All land transactions must be documented with the Land Audit Department, ensuring the recognition of the new owner's rights. Land transfers carried out privately without proper land deeds will not be acknowledged by the Empire.
10. Citizens of the Empire possess the right to develop mines discovered on their land. but, if a resource holds strategic significance, the Kingdom retains the primary procurement right and the power to prohibit exports. Selling such a resource secretly could be considered treason.
Once the sutradhar's (News Boys) speech concluded, a colossal earthquake of emotion reverberated throughout the empire. Common folk, farmers, and peasants were overwhelmed with joy, offering prayers to Lord Shiva and other deities they prayed, thanking them for blessing them with a benevolent ruler like Vijay Deva Raya.
Before the nobles had a chance to respond, another piece of news emerged that made the empire tremble. However, this time, it was the Police department who took action, delivering notices to the panchayats of various towns and villages.