Question

Analyse the main objectives of the British government in implementing the Permanent Settlement in Bengal?

Hint:

The Permanent Settlement had long-lasting effects on the land revenue system in India. While it was intended to create a stable economic system, it contributed to exploitation and the decline of agriculture in some areas due to its emphasis on fixed revenue and the exploitation of peasants.

Answer 1

The Permanent Settlement of Bengal, implemented in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis, was a significant reform in British colonial land revenue policy. The primary objectives behind its implementation were:
1. Secure and Steady Revenue Collection:
One of the key objectives of the Permanent Settlement was to create a stable and predictable revenue system for the British government. By fixing the land revenue demand permanently, the British aimed to ensure a regular source of income for the colonial administration. This stability allowed the British government to plan and manage the economic resources of Bengal more effectively. 
2. Transfer of Land Ownership to Zamindars:
Under the Permanent Settlement, the British made the zamindars (landlords) the permanent owners of the land. This was intended to create a class of loyal landlords who would ensure the collection of revenue from the peasants. The zamindars were tasked with collecting taxes and paying a fixed sum to the British government, which was beneficial for both the British (as it reduced administrative costs) and the zamindars (who now had permanent ownership of the land). This shift in land ownership was a strategic move to consolidate British rule by strengthening local elites. 
3. Increase in Agricultural Production and Economic Growth:
The British hoped that by fixing the land revenue at a rate that the zamindars could pay, the latter would have an incentive to improve agricultural productivity. With permanent ownership, the zamindars would invest in their land and improve agricultural methods, thereby contributing to economic growth. However, this objective did not fully materialize as intended, since the zamindars were more interested in extracting as much revenue as possible rather than investing in land improvements. 
4. Control Over the Peasants:
The British aimed to strengthen the control of zamindars over the peasants. With the zamindars acting as intermediaries, the British government was able to indirectly control the agricultural economy while reducing its own direct involvement in the rural areas. This created a class of intermediaries (zamindars) who were responsible for maintaining law and order, thus reducing the British need to invest in direct governance. 
5. Simplification of Revenue Collection System:
The Permanent Settlement aimed at simplifying the revenue collection system. Before the settlement, the revenue system was complex and varied from region to region. The British hoped that the Permanent Settlement would standardize the system, making it more efficient and easier to collect revenue. 
6. Attracting Investments in Land:
By offering the zamindars permanent ownership of land, the British hoped to encourage investment in land development. However, the zamindars, under the fixed revenue system, focused more on extracting the maximum possible revenue rather than investing in land improvements, which ultimately led to the decline in agricultural productivity in some areas.