The British had introduced the permanent settlement in many areas. Whi...
Under permanent settlement, zamindars and revenue collectors were converted into landlords. Their right of ownership was made hereditary and transferable. On the other hand the cultivators were reduced to the low status of mere tenants and were deprived of long-standing rights to the soil and other customary rights. The zamindars were to give 10/11th of the rental they derived from the peasantry to the state, keeping only 1/11th for them. But the sums to be paid by them as land revenue were fixed in perpetuity.
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The British had introduced the permanent settlement in many areas. Whi...
Permanent Settlement in British India
The British introduced the permanent settlement in several areas of India during their colonial rule. This settlement system, also known as the Zamindari system, was implemented primarily in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. It had several distinct features, which are as follows:
1. Fixed Land Revenue: One of the key features of the permanent settlement was the introduction of a fixed land revenue system. Under this system, the British government fixed the amount of land revenue that was to be paid by the zamindars (landlords) to the British authorities. This fixed amount was usually based on the average revenue collection of the previous years.
2. Non-Transferable Ownership of Lands: Another feature of the permanent settlement was the non-transferable ownership of lands. The zamindars were granted the ownership rights of the land, but they were not allowed to transfer or sell the land to anyone else. This meant that the ownership of the land remained with the zamindars and could not be transferred to other individuals or entities.
3. Cultivators Reduced to the Status of Tenants: The permanent settlement also resulted in the reduction of cultivators to the status of tenants. The zamindars became the intermediaries between the British government and the cultivators. The cultivators, who were originally the owners of the land, had to pay rent to the zamindars for cultivating the land. This change in status led to increased exploitation of the cultivators as they were now subjected to the whims and demands of the zamindars.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the features of the permanent settlement introduced by the British in India included the fixed land revenue system, non-transferable ownership of lands, and the reduction of cultivators to the status of tenants. These features had significant implications for the agricultural sector and the socio-economic structure of the affected regions. The permanent settlement system led to the consolidation of power in the hands of the zamindars and perpetuated socio-economic inequalities in the rural society.