The Permanent Settlement of 1793, implemented by the British in Bengal, significantly altered land ownership and agrarian relations in India. Here are the key effects:

Land Ownership

1. Creation of Zamindars: The system established zamindars (landlords) as the intermediaries between the British government and the peasants. They were granted ownership rights over the land in exchange for a fixed revenue payment.
2. Security of Tenure: The zamindars had permanent rights to the land, which was intended to provide stability. However, this security often led to exploitation, as zamindars sought to maximize profits.
3. Concentration of Land: Wealthy zamindars accumulated vast tracts of land, while many smaller landholders lost their holdings due to inability to pay the fixed revenue, leading to increased inequality.

Agrarian Relations

1. Exploitation of Peasants: The fixed revenue system placed heavy financial burdens on peasants. They faced pressure from zamindars to pay taxes, which often led to debt and dispossession.
2. Changes in Agricultural Practices: To meet revenue demands, zamindars pushed for cash crop cultivation, shifting focus away from subsistence farming. This made peasants vulnerable to market fluctuations.
3. Decline of Traditional Systems: The Permanent Settlement disrupted traditional agrarian relations and community structures, weakening local governance and customary land rights.
4. Resistance and Revolts: The exploitative nature of the settlement led to peasant uprisings, such as the Champaran and Santhal rebellions, reflecting widespread discontent.

Conclusion

Overall, the Permanent Settlement of 1793 entrenched a system that favored landlords over peasants, exacerbated social inequalities, and transformed the agrarian landscape in colonial India, laying the groundwork for ongoing struggles related to land and agrarian rights.