Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Permanent Settlement was an agreement between the East India Company and Bengali landlords (Zamindars) to fix revenues to be raised from land.
It was the first major land revenue system introduced by the British in India.
The objective was to create a stable income for the Company and a loyal class of supporters (the Zamindars).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793 in the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
Under this system:
- The Zamindars were recognized as the legal owners of the land.
- The amount of revenue to be paid by them to the government was fixed permanently.
- If the Zamindars failed to pay the fixed revenue on time, their land was auctioned (the Sunset Law).
While it secured revenue for the British, it was disastrous for the peasants, who lost their traditional rights and became tenants at the mercy of the Zamindars.
Other land systems:
- Thomas Munro introduced the Ryotwari System in Madras, where the government dealt directly with the cultivators (Ryots).
- Holt Mackenzie is associated with the Mahalwari System in North India, where the village community (Mahal) was the unit of assessment.
- Lord Wellesley is known for the Subsidiary Alliance, not a land revenue system.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The person responsible for the Permanent Settlement is Lord Cornwallis.
Thus, option (B) is the correct answer.