Question

Elucidate the salient features of the Permanent Settlement.

Answer 1

Instructions: Explain the following points:

• Who introduced it and when?
• Zamindars served as intermediaries
• Revenue was fixed

Solution:
During the time of Lord Cornwallis, Permanent Settlement was introduced in 1793 in Bengal and Bihar. Some of its features are:

• The zamindars were the owners of land as long as they paid the revenue to the East India Company on regular basis.
• The zamindars collected the revenue from the cultivators and gave it to the Company.
• The amount of revenue that was paid to the Company was fixed and would not be raised under any circumstances.
• The farmers and the farming labourers suffered due to irregular working opportunities in the farming lands. They were exploited and led a life of insecurity.
• This system was extended to Bihar, Odissa, Andhra and Varanasi regions later.