Understanding the Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793)

The question asks about the specific group from whom the revenue was fixed under the Permanent Settlement of Bengal, introduced in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis.

Key Details of the Permanent Settlement

The Permanent Settlement, also known as the Eyre System, was a landmark agrarian reform implemented in Bengal and Bihar by the British East India Company.

• Introduced by: Lord Cornwallis
• Year: 1793
• Objective: To fix the land revenue to be collected from landowners and cultivators in Bengal.

Revenue Collection Mechanism

Under the Permanent Settlement, the British government decided to fix the revenue demand from the landowners. These landowners were known as Zamindars. The key points regarding revenue collection were:

• The Zamindars were recognized as the owners of the land in their respective territories.
• The land revenue payable by the Zamindars to the Company was fixed permanently. This means the amount was not supposed to increase or decrease with the fluctuations in the yield or market prices.
• The Zamindars were made responsible for collecting rent from the actual cultivators (peasants) and paying a part of it as revenue to the state.
• This system effectively made the Zamindars intermediaries between the state and the peasants. The peasants paid rent to the Zamindars, and the Zamindars paid a fixed revenue to the British government.

Analysis of Options

Based on the historical context of the Permanent Settlement:

• Village Panchayats: These local self-governing bodies were not the primary recipients of the fixed revenue demand.
• Moneylenders: While moneylenders played a role in the rural economy and often benefited from the system (especially when Zamindars defaulted), the revenue was not fixed directly with them.
• Peasants directly: The system aimed to collect revenue *through* the Zamindars, not directly from the peasants. The peasants paid rent to the Zamindars.
• Zamindars: This option aligns perfectly with the policy. Lord Cornwallis fixed the land revenue payable by the Zamindars to the Company.

Conclusion

The Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793) fixed the land revenue to be collected from the Zamindars, making them hereditary landowners responsible for paying a predetermined amount to the British government.