In 1793, Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement system in Bengal under British rule. The system fixed land revenue permanently and gave zamindars ownership rights. Though aimed at ensuring stable income for the British East India Company, it had far-reaching effects on peasants, landlords, and Indian society. The system later expanded to Bihar, Odisha, Madras, and Varanasi.

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• Introduced in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis during British rule in Bengal
• Fixed land revenue permanently between East India Company and zamindars
• Zamindars given hereditary land rights, could sell or transfer land
• Had to pay fixed revenue to British or risk losing land
• Peasants got no protection, often exploited or evicted
• Zamindars gained profit from rising produce, despite fixed dues to British
• Company had stable revenue, but no share in rising profits
• Boosted social status of zamindars; many moved to cities
• Increased class divide, zamindars often neglected land improvements
• System later seen as flawed due to lack of land reassessment and tenant welfare