What are the main features of permanent settlements
Answers
The main features of permanent settlements are:
Lord Cornwallis introduced the permanent settlement in Bihar, Bengal and Orissa in 1793.
According to this system, the landowners or the zamindars obtained hereditary rights over their land.
The farmers were reduced to the status of tenants.
The zamindars had to pay a fixed amount of land revenue every year to the Company, even if there were adverse conditions such as floods or droughts, failing which, their land was auctioned off.
Whatever remained with the zamindar after paying the revenue, was his profit.
The land revenue was fixed at roughly fifty percent of the total produce.
Main Features of the Permanent Settlement
• The zamindars of Bengal were recognised as the owners of the land as long as they paid the revenue to the East India Company regularly.
• The amount of revenue that the zamindars had to pay to the Company was firmly fixed and would not be raised under any circumstances,
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• The ryots became tenants since they were considered the tillers of the soil.
• This settlement took away the administrative and judicial functions of the zamindars.