Introduction

In view of the facts it appears that the Collectors of the 24-Parganas, Jessore and Bakarganj exercised control with the local commissioners in the revenue matters of the Sundarbans simultaneously. The reclamation of the Sundarban then retrograded for a brief space of time, after which it again progressed, due to the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Henckell. The ill-defined boundaries as observed by Mr. J. H. Reily, Commissioner in the Sundarban caused much litigation between the government and border zamindars. The Sundarbans region has always been ‘known as a notorious abode of man-eaters.’ The economy and tenurial patterns of Sundarbans require unbiased modern interpretation. The British colonial government saw the Sundarbans as a resource to be developed in order to increase the productivity of the Bengal countryside. The patitabadi taluks were the dividing barrier – a sort of buffer estates mostly Daimi settled, between the Katkina zamindari lands and the Sundarban forests.