Class - 8th History: The Permanent Settlement (1793)

Class-8th Chapter: The Permanent Settlement (1793)

The Permanent Settlement (1793)

Introduced by Lord Cornwallis

1. →Purpose: The Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal and Bihar in 1793. It aimed to fix land revenue in perpetuity.
2. →Zamindars as Landlords: Zamindars were converted into landlords and were tasked with collecting revenue from the ryots (cultivators). They could keep surplus revenue if the land's productivity increased.
3. →Impact on Peasants: Peasants were reduced to tenants with limited rights and faced harsh treatment under the Zamindari system.

The Ryotwari System

Direct Settlement with Cultivators

1. →Introduction: Introduced in parts of Madras and Bombay presidencies, the Ryotwari System made direct settlement with the cultivators, recognizing them as landowners.
2. →Role of Thomas Munro: Thomas Munro, Governor of Madras, supported the system, arguing it was a continuation of traditional landholding practices in India.
3. →Revenue Revisions: Unlike the Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari System was revised periodically (every 20-30 years), allowing the government to increase revenue demands.

Effect of the Land Revenue Systems

1. →Impoverishment: Both the Zamindari and Ryotwari systems led to the impoverishment of the rural population and frequent agrarian riots.
2. →Creation of Private Property: Land became saleable and transferable, leading to the rise of private property. Peasants were heavily burdened with taxes, and failure to pay resulted in land auctions.
3. →Famine: Failure of rains and exploitation led to frequent famines, with the worst being the Bengal Famine of 1943, which claimed lakhs of lives.

Growth of Commercial Crops

Shift to Cash Crops

1. →Shift to Cash Crops: The British introduced commercial crops like jute, tea, sugarcane, and cotton to meet revenue needs. Peasants were forced to produce these instead of food crops.
2. →Introduction of Indigo: By the late 18th century, indigo became a highly demanded crop. The British coerced peasants into indigo cultivation, which led to the Indigo Revolt in 1859.

The Indigo Revolt (1859)

1. →Resistance to Indigo Cultivation: Peasants in Bengal, led by Bishnu Charan Biswas and Digambar Biswas, refused to cultivate indigo due to unfair treatment by planters.
2. →Results: The revolt led to the abolition of the forced cultivation system, and planters faced several restrictions. The revolt highlighted the exploitative nature of British colonial policies.