Explain Permanent Settlement.

The Permanent Settlement, also known as the Permanent Settlement of Bengal, was a significant land revenue system implemented by the British East India Company in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha in 1793. It was introduced by Lord Cornwallis with the objective of fixing and stabilizing land revenue collection from agricultural lands in these regions. Here's an explanation of the Permanent Settlement:

1. Landlord System:
   Under the Permanent Settlement, the British government recognized certain landlords, known as zamindars or rajas, as the owners of large tracts of land. These landlords were granted hereditary rights to collect land revenue from tenant farmers working on their estates. The zamindars became intermediaries between the British administration and the peasant cultivators.

2. Revenue Collection:
   The Permanent Settlement fixed the amount of land revenue payable by the zamindars to the British government in perpetuity (hence "permanent"). The zamindars were responsible for collecting this revenue from tenant farmers, regardless of fluctuations in agricultural productivity or changes in land values over time. This system provided stability in revenue collection for the British government.

3. Impact on Peasant Farmers:
   The Permanent Settlement had adverse effects on peasant farmers. The zamindars, seeking to maximize revenue extraction, often imposed high rents and taxes on tenant farmers. This led to widespread exploitation, indebtedness, and impoverishment among the rural population. Tenant farmers had limited rights and faced harsh conditions under the zamindari system.

4. Social and Economic Consequences:
   The Permanent Settlement entrenched the power and privileges of the zamindari class, creating a semi-feudal landlord system in rural Bengal. It disrupted traditional land tenure systems and reduced the autonomy of peasant communities. The system also hindered agricultural productivity and economic development, as the zamindars had little incentive to invest in land improvement or infrastructure.

5. Legacy:
   The Permanent Settlement had a lasting impact on the socio-economic structure of colonial India. It set a precedent for similar revenue systems in other parts of British India, such as the Ryotwari system in Madras Presidency and the Mahalwari system in North India. These systems contributed to the consolidation of landlordism and exacerbated rural poverty and inequality.

In summary, the Permanent Settlement was a land revenue policy implemented by the British East India Company that granted hereditary rights to landlords (zamindars) to collect land revenue from tenant farmers in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. While providing stability in revenue collection for the colonial administration, the system led to exploitation of peasant farmers and entrenched landlordism, contributing to socio-economic inequalities and agrarian distress in colonial India.