Who was the Governor-General of Bengal in 1793 when the Permanent Settlement was introduced ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The Governor-General of Bengal responsible for the introduction of the Permanent Settlement in 1793 was **Charles Cornwallis** (Lord Cornwallis). This land revenue system, also known as the Zamindari Settlement, was a pivotal economic reform that transformed the East India Company's financial administration in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. Cornwallis, who served as Governor-General from 1786 to 1793, aimed to stabilize the land revenue collection by fixing the tax demand in perpetuity with the Zamindars (landlords). The Permanent Settlement created a class of wealthy landowners loyal to the British, ensuring a fixed and steady income for the Company, although it severely impacted the cultivating peasants whose rights were ignored.

The incorrect option is 1:
**Robert Clive** served as the Governor of Bengal much earlier, notably securing the diwani (right to collect revenue) of Bengal for the Company following the Battle of Buxar in 1764. He was not the Governor-General in 1793 and had passed away by then.

The incorrect option is 3:
**Warren Hastings** was the first Governor-General of Bengal (1772–1785), preceding Cornwallis. Although Hastings made significant attempts to stabilize the land revenue collection through the Quinquennial (five-yearly) and later the Annual Settlement, he did not introduce the permanent, fixed settlement of 1793.

The incorrect option is 4:
**John Shore** succeeded Charles Cornwallis, serving as Governor-General from 1793 to 1798. While he was deeply involved in the debates and implementation of the land revenue policy, he was not the one who introduced the Permanent Settlement; rather, he was a key official advising Cornwallis on the policy's final structure.