Describe the main features of the permanent settlement?

Questions: Describe the main features of the permanent settlement?

The Permanent Settlement, also known as the Permanent Settlement of Bengal, was a land revenue system implemented in British India during the late 18th century. It was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 and primarily applied to the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. Here are the main features of the Permanent Settlement:

1. Zamindari System: The Permanent Settlement established the Zamindari system, wherein the British East India Company recognized Zamindars (landlords) as the owners of land. The Zamindars were given the hereditary right to collect land revenue from peasants in exchange for fixed annual payments to the British government.

2. Fixation of Land Revenue: The key aspect of the Permanent Settlement was the fixation of land revenue for a period of ten years. The Zamindars were required to pay a fixed amount of revenue to the British government, which remained unchanged throughout the ten-year period. This provided stability and predictability in revenue collection.

3. Zamindar's Rights and Responsibilities: The Zamindars were granted the right to collect and retain the revenue from the lands under their jurisdiction. They were responsible for managing and maintaining the land, settling disputes among peasants, and ensuring the payment of revenue to the British government.

4. Hereditary Rights: The Permanent Settlement introduced the concept of hereditary rights, meaning that Zamindars could pass on their rights and responsibilities to their descendants. This ensured a consistent revenue flow and a stable system of land ownership over generations.

5. Lack of Assessment Revisions: One of the significant features of the Permanent Settlement was the absence of regular assessments and revisions of land revenue. Unlike earlier systems, under which revenue assessments were periodically revised, the revenue fixed during the Permanent Settlement remained unchanged for the entire ten-year period.

6. Impact on Peasants: The Permanent Settlement had mixed effects on peasants. While some Zamindars treated their tenants fairly and invested in land development, others exploited the peasants and increased their demands for revenue. The fixed revenue imposed a burden on the peasants, who often faced high rates of taxation and were vulnerable to eviction and landlessness.

7. Limited Success: The Permanent Settlement faced several challenges and criticisms. It didn't account for fluctuations in agricultural productivity, natural disasters, or changes in land use. The rigid revenue system led to inflexibility, reduced incentives for land improvement, and hindered agricultural progress.

The Permanent Settlement had a long-lasting impact on the landownership and revenue administration systems in British India. It provided stability to the Zamindars but also created socio-economic inequalities and hardships for the peasants. Eventually, the system faced criticism, and alternative land revenue systems were implemented in other parts of British India.