Notes of Nagesh

Nagesh Bhushan A new paper titled “ Land Inequality in India: Nature, History, and Markets” from the  World Inequality Lab  examines the underlying causes of  land inequality in India  by analysing data from over 270,000 villages. The researchers categorise the drivers of ownership disparities into  geographic suitability ,  historical institutions , and  market access . Findings reveal that  British colonial rule  and the  zamindari landlord system  created lasting inequities, while areas with high  agricultural productivity  paradoxically suffer from greater landlessness. Proximity to  towns and transport networks  further correlates with increased inequality, although  structural transformation —the shift toward non-agricultural work—can mitigate the influence of geography. Furthermore, the study identifies a complex relationship between  social hierarchy  and land access, noting that a high pre...

. A precise understanding of caste-based differences in landownership could return the focus to social justice. https://scroll.in/article/1064261/?s=09 ♦️* With direct implications for reservations in education and public sector jobs, welfare provisions and political mobilisation, caste censuses could be decisive to uncovering power relations in the country, writes Sudheesh RC.  ♦️Mapping land ownership as part of the caste census could uncover key patterns about power, resources. ♦️Land remains the most important asset for Indians, but at the same time, ownership is highly skewed by caste.