Passage-1

In introducing the Permanent Settlement, British officials hoped to resolve the problems they had been facing since the conquest of Bengal. By the 1770s, the rural economy in Bengal was in crisis, with recurrent famines and declining agricultural output. Officials felt that agriculture, trade and the revenue resources of the state could all be developed by encouraging investment in agriculture. This could be done by securing rights of property and permanently fixing the rates of revenue demand. If the revenue demand of the state was permanently fixed, then the Company could look forward to a regular flow of revenue, while entrepreneurs could feel sure of earning a profit from their investment, since the state would not siphon it off by increasing its claim. The process, officials hoped, would lead to the emergence of a class of yeomen farmers and rich landowners who would have the capital and enterprise to improve agriculture. Nurtured by the British, this class would also be loyal to the Company. Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea of the above passage?

(a) The British introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, focusing on their aim to resolve an agrarian crisis, stimulate investment, and ensure stable revenue.

(b) The British understanding of Bengal's rural economy had inherent flaws as emerged in the design of the Permanent Settlement.

(c) The Permanent Settlement was primarily introduced as a political strategy to create a loyal class of landowners to consolidate their rule in Bengal.

(d) The British introduced the Permanent Settlement with an expectation that a fixed revenue demand would directly translate into immediate prosperity for Bengal's rural society.

Question

Passage-1

In introducing the Permanent Settlement, British officials hoped to resolve the problems they had been facing since the conquest of Bengal. By the 1770s, the rural economy in Bengal was in crisis, with recurrent famines and declining agricultural output. Officials felt that agriculture, trade and the revenue resources of the state could all be developed by encouraging investment in agriculture. This could be done by securing rights of property and permanently fixing the rates of revenue demand. If the revenue demand of the state was permanently fixed, then the Company could look forward to a regular flow of revenue, while entrepreneurs could feel sure of earning a profit from their investment, since the state would not siphon it off by increasing its claim. The process, officials hoped, would lead to the emergence of a class of yeomen farmers and rich landowners who would have the capital and enterprise to improve agriculture. Nurtured by the British, this class would also be loyal to the Company. Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea of the above passage?

(a) The British introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, focusing on their aim to resolve an agrarian crisis, stimulate investment, and ensure stable revenue.

(b) The British understanding of Bengal's rural economy had inherent flaws as emerged in the design of the Permanent Settlement.

(c) The Permanent Settlement was primarily introduced as a political strategy to create a loyal class of landowners to consolidate their rule in Bengal.

(d) The British introduced the Permanent Settlement with an expectation that a fixed revenue demand would directly translate into immediate prosperity for Bengal's rural society.

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement (a) is correct: This statement accurately covers the main aspects: the context (British officials introducing Permanent Settlement), the problems it aimed to solve (agrarian crisis), the method (stimulating investment by fixing rights and revenue through an emergent class of yeomen farmers and rich landowners), and the intended primary benefits (stable revenue, agricultural development).

Statement (b) is not correct: The passage describes the officials' perspective and hopes at the time of introduction of the Permanent Settlement. It does not offer a critique of their understanding or the policy's flaws from a historical hindsight perspective.

Statement (c) is not correct: While creating a loyal class is mentioned as a hoped-for outcome, the passage dedicates more attention to the economic rationale, i.e., resolving the rural crisis, encouraging investment, and securing regular revenue. Loyalty is an additional, albeit important, expected benefit.

Statement (d) is not correct: The passage focuses on the emergence of "yeomen farmers and rich landowners" as investors. It doesn't suggest an expectation of immediate prosperity for all segments, but a process leading to agricultural development through this class.

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Passage-1 In introducing the Permanent Settlement, British officials hoped to resolve the problems they had been facing since the conquest of Bengal. By the 1770s, the rural economy in Bengal was in crisis, with recurrent famines and declining agricultural output. Officials felt that agriculture, trade and the revenue resources of the state could all be developed by encouraging investment in agriculture. This could be done by securing rights of property and permanently fixing the rates of revenue demand. If the revenue demand of the state was permanently fixed, then the Company could look forward to a regular flow of revenue, while entrepreneurs could feel sure of earning a profit from their investment, since the state would not siphon it off by increasing its claim. The process, officials hoped, would lead to the emergence of a class of yeomen farmers and rich landowners who would have the capital and enterprise to improve agriculture. Nurtured by the British, this class would also be loyal to the Company. Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea of the above passage? (a) The British introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, focusing on their aim to resolve an agrarian crisis, stimulate investment, and ensure stable revenue. (b) The British understanding of Bengal's rural economy had inherent flaws as emerged in the design of the Permanent Settlement. (c) The Permanent Settlement was primarily introduced as a political strategy to create a loyal class of landowners to consolidate their rule in Bengal. (d) The British introduced the Permanent Settlement with an expectation that a fixed revenue demand would directly translate into immediate prosperity for Bengal's rural society.