Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the Permanent Settlement System:

1. It was introduced by Warren Hastings by ending the system of diarchy.
2. It was introduced in all the three Presidencies of the East India Company.
3. Under the Permanent Settlement, a zamindar was recognised as the owner of entire land under his zamindari.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: All of the above
Notes: In 1773 CE, when diarchy was abolished, the company decided to manage the land revenues directly. Warren Hastings experimented with different policies but none of them worked to the satisfaction. Due to annual fluctuation in the collected land revenue, an idea emerged of fixing land revenue at a permanent amount. Finally, after prolonged discussion and debate, Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal and Bihar in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis. So, statement 1 is incorrect. It was later extended to Orissa, Northern districts of Madras and the district of Varanasi. So, statement 2 is incorrect. In precolonial agrarian structure, a zamindar simply had a right to collect land revenue from the area under his zamindari. He did not own all the land under his zamindari, except the portion which he kept under his personal cultivation. Under the Permanent Settlement, they were recognised as the owner of their entire zamindari land. Their right of ownership was made hereditary and transferable. A tenant was provided with no protection. The zamindar could raise the land revenue as much as he wanted and he could freely evict a defaulting tenant. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.