Abstract:
This paper attempts to show two things: (1) The nature of the landholdings under the communidades system as per the Portuguese codification under the Foral or Charter of 1526 and the drastic changes that were made by the Portugueses since 1540. These changes are explained in terms of the specific legislation in this respect, particularly with reference to the decrees, ordinances, and codes of th* years 1540-1961. (2) The paper attempts also to show the exploitative nature of ti e system as it existed even before the Portuguese introduced their changes. The greater exploitative character of these changes are also discussed to bring out how the landless peasants and tillers of the soil suffered. These hapless subaltern groups used to protest in their own ways which are also examined.
