Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Permanent Settlement?

The Permanent Settlement of 1793, introduced by Lord Cornwallis, fundamentally altered land relations by vesting absolute landownership rights in the Zamindars, who were previously mere revenue collectors [4]. This system did NOT continue to pay attention to the customary occupancy rights of peasants; instead, it established no definite method of assessment or records of rights for the actual cultivators. The peasants were reduced to the status of tenants-at-will, losing their traditional claims to the land [2]. The state's revenue demand was fixed at an exorbitantly high level (10/11th of the collection), and this heavy burden was shifted onto the peasants through exploitation and rent hikes by Zamindars seeking to increase their own 1/11th share [3]. Consequently, the condition of the actual cultivators declined significantly, leading to widespread rural poverty and landlessness [1].

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > 1. Abolition of Intermediaries > p. 25
2. [2] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 5: Land Reforms > Features: > p. 191
3. [4] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 17: Effects of British Rule > 17.2 Land Tenures: Permanent Settlement and Ryotwari Settlement > p. 266
4. [3] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 10: Land Reforms in India > 1. Zamindari System (Permanent Settlement) > p. 337