Describe the main features of the …

Key Features of Permanent Settlement: Landlords or Zamindars were recognised as the owners of the land. They were given hereditary rights of succession of the lands under them. The amount to be paid by the landlords was fixed. It was agreed that this would not increase in future (permanent in nature). The fixed amount was 10/11th portion of the revenue for the government and 1/10th was for the Zamindar. The Zamindar also had to give the tenant a patta which described the area of the land given to him and the rent he had to pay the landlord. Zamindars being sons of the soil, it was thought that they could reach the far corners of the region and also understand local customs very well. Because of the permanent nature of the system, there was a sense of security for everyone. The company knew the amount it would get in revenue. The landlord also was assured of the amount. Finally, the farmers also, in lieu of the patta were certain of their holdings and knew how much rent was to be paid. Since the settlement was of a permanent nature, the Zamindars would have an interest in the improvement in the land thereby improving the revenue.

The main features of the permanent settlements are described below:

(i)The amount of revenue was fixed permanently, that is, it was not to be increased ever in future.

(ii) It was felt that this would ensure a regular flow of revenue into the Company’s coffers and at the same time encourage the zamindars to invest in improving the land.

(iii) Since the revenue demand of the state would not be increased, the zamindar would benefit from increased production from the land.

(iv) Under this system revenue had been fixed so high that the zamindars found it difficult to pay. Anyone who failed to pay the revenue lost his zamindari. Numerous zamindaris were sold off at auctions organised by the Company.

(v) Even when the income of zamindars increased with the expansion of cultivation, the company had no chance of gain because it could not increase a revenue demand that had been fixed permanently.