Who among the following introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal in 1793 ?

The Permanent Settlement of Bengal was introduced in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis, who served as the Governor-General of India [2]. This administrative reform aimed to stabilize the land revenue system by fixing the tax amount permanently for the future [1]. Under this system, zamindars were recognized as the legal owners of the land with hereditary rights, provided they paid the fixed revenue to the British East India Company [2]. While the plan was schematized by John Shore, it was Cornwallis who formally enacted the Permanent Settlement Act. The system initially covered Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, where the revenue was divided such that 10/11ths went to the Company and 1/11th was retained by the zamindar. This settlement was a significant departure from the earlier defective systems and remained a cornerstone of colonial land policy for decades [3].

Sources

1. [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 5: Land Reforms > Lord Cornwallis, Governor General of Bengal (1786 – 1793) and the Permanent Settlement of Revenue Administration: > p. 190
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 17: Effects of British Rule > 17.2 Land Tenures: Permanent Settlement and Ryotwari Settlement > p. 266
3. [3] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 10: Land Reforms in India > 1. Zamindari System (Permanent Settlement) > p. 337