The Permanent Settlement of Bengal was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 as part of the British land revenue system in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. It was an agreement between the British East India Company and Zamindars, fixing land revenue permanently.
Background
- Before British rule, land revenue was collected by the Mughals and Nawabs based on the annual agricultural production.
- When the British East India Company took control after the Battle of Buxar (1764), they needed a stable revenue system.
- Various revenue systems were tried (Annual Settlements, Five-Year Settlements), but they failed due to inefficiency.
- To ensure a fixed and regular income, Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793.
Features of the Permanent Settlement
- Fixed Revenue (Permanent Settlement)
- The land revenue was fixed permanently and would not be increased in the future.
- The Zamindars had to pay a fixed amount to the British annually.
- Zamindars as Landowners
- The Zamindars were made the owners of the land.
- They could sell or transfer the land, but they had to pay revenue on time.
- Peasants (Ryots) were Tenants
- The actual cultivators (peasants) did not own the land.
- They had to pay rent to the Zamindars.
- If Revenue Was Not Paid, Land Was Confiscated
- If a Zamindar failed to pay the revenue, his land was taken and sold to others.
Impacts of the Permanent Settlement
Positive Effects
✅ Stable Revenue for the British – The British got a fixed and predictable income.
✅ Zamindars Became Loyal to the British – They helped maintain British control.
✅ Some Zamindars Developed Their Estates – A few progressive landlords invested in irrigation and agriculture.
Negative Effects
❌ Peasants Suffered the Most – They had no land ownership and were often exploited by Zamindars.
❌ Zamindars Became Careless – Many Zamindars did not improve agriculture and only collected revenue.
❌ British Lost Revenue Growth – Since the revenue was fixed, the British could not benefit from increasing agricultural production.
❌ Frequent Land Confiscation – Many Zamindars failed to pay and lost their lands.
Abolition of Permanent Settlement
- Due to its failures, the system was gradually replaced by the Ryotwari and Mahalwari systems in the 19th century.
- After India’s independence in 1947, Zamindari Abolition Acts ended this system completely.
MCQs on Permanent Settlement of Bengal
1. Who introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal?
a) Lord Wellesley
b) Lord Cornwallis
c) Lord Dalhousie
d) Warren Hastings
Answer: b) Lord Cornwallis
2. In which year was the Permanent Settlement introduced?
a) 1765
b) 1793
c) 1813
d) 1833
Answer: b) 1793
3. Under the Permanent Settlement, who were declared as landowners?
a) Peasants
b) British officials
c) Zamindars
d) Village Panchayats
Answer: c) Zamindars
4. What was the main feature of the Permanent Settlement?
a) Revenue was fixed permanently
b) Peasants owned the land
c) Zamindars paid no revenue
d) Revenue changed every year
Answer: a) Revenue was fixed permanently
5. What was the main drawback of the Permanent Settlement?
a) British did not get enough revenue
b) Peasants became landowners
c) Zamindars could not collect revenue
d) Peasants were exploited and had no rights
Answer: d) Peasants were exploited and had no rights
6. In which regions was the Permanent Settlement implemented?
a) Punjab and Rajasthan
b) Bengal, Bihar, Odisha
c) Tamil Nadu and Kerala
d) Gujarat and Maharashtra
Answer: b) Bengal, Bihar, Odisha
7. How was the revenue system changed after independence?
a) It continued as before
b) It was abolished through Zamindari Abolition Acts
c) It was expanded to other regions
d) It was modified under British rule
Answer: b) It was abolished through Zamindari Abolition Acts
Conclusion
The Permanent Settlement of Bengal was an important part of British rule in India. While it provided financial stability to the British, it also exploited peasants and weakened Indian agriculture. It was eventually abolished after independence, paving the way for land reforms in India.
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