· The Permanent Settlement (also Premanent Settlement of Bengal) was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793. It was an agreement between the British East India Company and the Landlords of Bengal to settle the Land Revenue to be raised. Lord Cornwallis came to India as the Governor General.

Permanent Settlement in History

Permanent settlement, also known as the Permanent Settlement of Bengal, was a significant land revenue system introduced by the British East India Company in 1793. It was implemented in the Bengal Presidency, which included present-day West Bengal, Bangladesh, and parts of Bihar, Odisha, and Assam. This system was a departure from the prevailing revenue systems and had long-lasting consequences on the socio-economic structure of the region.

Background:
Before the permanent settlement, the land revenue system in Bengal was known as the Zamindari system. Under this system, the British East India Company collected revenue through intermediaries called zamindars, who were granted the rights to collect revenue from a specific area. However, the company found this system to be inefficient and led to frequent disputes and revenue loss.

The Features of Permanent Settlement:
The Permanent Settlement introduced several key features that set it apart from the previous revenue systems:

1. Land Ownership: The most important feature of the Permanent Settlement was the introduction of the concept of land ownership. The zamindars were recognized as the owners of the land, and they were given hereditary rights over the land.

2. Fixed Revenue: Under the Permanent Settlement, the revenue payable to the British government was fixed in perpetuity. The zamindars had to pay a fixed amount of revenue, known as the "Rack Rent," which was calculated based on the productive capacity of the land.

3. Middlemen Elimination: The intermediaries, known as the talukdars, were eliminated under the Permanent Settlement. The zamindars became direct intermediaries between the peasants and the British government.

4. Permanent Status: The rights of the zamindars were hereditary, meaning that they could pass on their ownership rights to their descendants. This gave them stability and a long-term interest in improving the productivity of the land.

Impact and Consequences:
The Permanent Settlement had both positive and negative impacts on the region:

1. Economic Impact: The system provided stability and encouraged investment in agriculture. It led to the commercialization of agriculture and the cultivation of cash crops like indigo, jute, and opium. However, the fixed revenue demand put immense pressure on the zamindars, leading to their exploitation of peasants and widespread indebtedness.

2. Social Impact: The Permanent Settlement created a new class of wealthy zamindars who gained significant power and influence. They became the dominant landowning class, which further entrenched social inequalities and the exploitation of the lower strata of society.

3. Political Impact: The system weakened the power of the British East India Company over the revenue collection process. The zamindars gained political influence and became important intermediaries between the British government and the local population.

4. Landlessness and Tenant Exploitation: The Permanent Settlement did not address the rights of the tenants, leading to widespread landlessness and tenant exploitation. The zamindars often evicted tenants to increase revenue, resulting in a rise in rural poverty.

In conclusion, the Permanent Settlement introduced by the British East India Company in Bengal had a profound impact on the region's socio-economic and political landscape. While it brought stability and encouraged agricultural development, it also led to the concentration of land in the hands of a few wealthy zamindars and the exploitation of peasants. The consequences of this system are still felt in the region today.