Permanent Settlement act 1793 | Lord Cornwallis | Modern History of India for UPSC

Summary

The video script discusses the Permanent Settlement system introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793, which aimed to improve agricultural cultivation in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa by fixing land revenue permanently. It transformed zamindars into hereditary landlords with the right to transfer land but also obligated them to pay fixed revenue to the British East India Company. The system was intended to generate regular income for the company and encourage investment in land improvement. However, it led to several issues, including neglect of land by zamindars and a shift of the actual cultivators into a worsened condition, ultimately affecting agricultural production and leading to the Agrarian Crisis.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Permanent Settlement system was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 to improve agricultural cultivation and generate regular income for the British East India Company.
• 🏛️ The system was initially implemented in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, and later extended to other regions such as Madras Presidency and Varanasi.
• 📝 It granted land ownership rights ('Zamindari') to the landlords, making them responsible for tax collection and revenue payment to the British East India Company.
• 💼 The landlords were expected to invest the surplus revenue (after paying taxes) back into improving the land and agricultural practices.
• 📉 However, the system led to several issues, including a lack of investment by landlords in land improvement, resulting in decreased agricultural production over time.
• 📊 The Permanent Settlement fixed the revenue demand from the landlords, which provided a predictable income stream for the British East India Company but also led to exploitation by some landlords.
• 👨‍🌾 The 'Permanent' in Permanent Settlement referred to the fixed nature of the land revenue, not the tenure of the landlords, who could transfer or sell their rights.
• 🌾 The system also led to the emergence of the 'Absentee Landlordism', where landlords shifted to cities and appointed agents to collect taxes, disconnecting them from the land and its cultivators.
• 📉 The cultivators ('Ryots') were burdened with high taxes and had no security of tenure, leading to many losing their land due to inability to pay taxes.
• 🏛️ The Permanent Settlement marked a significant shift in the role of landlords in Indian history, from mere tax collectors to landowners with hereditary rights.
• 🔄 The system's rigidity and the lack of flexibility to adapt to changing agricultural conditions and uncertainties contributed to its eventual failure and negative impacts on Indian society and economy.

Q & A

Who introduced the Permanent Settlement system in India?

Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement system in India in 1793.

What was the main purpose of the Permanent Settlement system?

The main purpose of the Permanent Settlement system was to improve agricultural cultivation in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, and to generate a regular income for the British East India Company.

How did the Permanent Settlement system affect land revenue and the British East India Company's income?

The Permanent Settlement system fixed the land revenue permanently, providing a regular income for the British East India Company and leaving a surplus revenue for the landlords to invest in land improvement.

What was the concept of 'zemindari' under the Permanent Settlement system?

Under the Permanent Settlement system, 'zemindari' referred to the hereditary rights of landlords to collect taxes from the peasants and invest the surplus in land improvement.

What were the obligations of the landlords under the Permanent Settlement system?

The landlords were obligated to pay the fixed land revenue to the British East India Company and invest the surplus in improving the land, such as irrigation facilities and purchasing oxen for plowing.

What was the impact of the Permanent Settlement system on agricultural production and the peasants?

The system was initially expected to increase agricultural production and improve the condition of the peasants. However, it led to a lack of investment in land improvement by landlords, resulting in decreased agricultural production and hardship for the peasants.

Why did the British East India Company decide to fix the land revenue permanently?

The British East India Company decided to fix the land revenue permanently to ensure a stable and regular income, and to encourage landlords to invest the surplus in land improvement.

What was the 'Permanent Settlement' called and why?

It was called the 'Permanent Settlement' because the land revenue was fixed permanently, and the system was intended to be a long-term solution for land management and revenue collection.

How did the Permanent Settlement system change the role of landlords in Indian history?

Before the Permanent Settlement, landlords were merely tax collectors without any property rights. The system granted them hereditary property rights, transforming their role and increasing their responsibilities.

What was the 'ryotwari' system, and how did it differ from the Permanent Settlement system?

The 'ryotwari' system was a different land revenue system where the state collected taxes directly from the peasants, without the intermediation of landlords. It differed from the Permanent Settlement system, which involved hereditary landlords as tax collectors and land improvers.

What were the consequences of the Permanent Settlement system for the Indian economy and society?

The Permanent Settlement system led to a concentration of wealth among the landlords, neglect of land improvement, and increased hardship for the peasants. It also contributed to the decline of the rural economy and social inequality in India.