Abolition of Jagirdari system in Telangana

In Telangana, the powerful movement of the peasants was under way when the Nizam state was merged with India. Even before Independence, in 1927, forced labour or vetti had been abolished but this law was not implemented. However, in areas where the Telangana armed struggle was strong, the practice was put to an end in 1948. In 1945, when the Telangana movement was beginning, the Nizam had made many laws to protect the tenants-at-will. This happened by registering them and giving them permanent rights to cultivate.

Immediately after the merger of Hyderabad state, the Nizam, who was still the head of Hyderabad government, issued a Firman, abolishing the Sarf-e-Khas, the personal freedom of the Nizam and all forms of forced labour like vetti. Through another Firman dated 15 August 1949, Jagirs (including Samsthanams and Maktas) which were like small kingdoms were abolished. The dominant sections of the cultivating communities of these jagirs got patta right on lands. As per the Hyderabad Jagirdar Abolition Act, large jagirs were taken over by the government within a few days. Rs.18 crores was decided as the compensation which was to be paid.Due to this Act, about 995 Jagirdars were removed and the land was given to the farmers cultivating it. Further, there was a reduction in land tax.

The new government appointed the Hyderabad Agrarian Reforms Committee primarily to look into the question of land concentration and aspects of increasing production and also to study the aspirations of the farmers and tenants under the existing systems. The Committee made far reaching recommendations like removal of middlemen, ceiling on land ownership,taking away surplus lands from the landlords, protection to tenants etc.However, only some of its recommendations were implemented.

The famous Hyderabad Tenancy Act was passed in 1950 protecting all types of tenants. Tenants-at-will (who could be evicted at the will of the landlords) were made protected tenants. All the tenants who were in continuous possession of land for a period of six years were made protected tenants or pattadars after a little payment.Now they could not be evicted easily and could continue to cultivate the land for generations. Similarly, the Hyderabad Inam Lands Abolition Act was promulgated in 1955.