Question

Explain the Permanent Land Revenue settlement.

Answer 1

1. When Robert Clive obtained the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1765, there used to be an annual settlement (of land revenue).
2. Warren Hastings changed it from annual to quinquennial (five-yearly) and back to annual again.
3. During the time of Cornwallis, a ten years’ (decennial) settlement was introduced in 1793 and it was known as Permanent Settlement.
4. The permanent settlement was made in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Varanasi division of U.P., and Northern Karnataka, which roughly covered 19 percent of the total area of British India.
5. It was known by different names like Zamindari, Jagirdari, Malguzari, and Biswedari.