Latest / The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History
The Bengal Ten-Percent: How a Tax Policy Built Calcutta
In 1793, the British East India Company introduced the Permanent Settlement, a radical land revenue system that fundamentally altered the social fabric of Bengal. This episode explores the life and legacy of Sir Charles Metcalfe, who later championed the 'Ten Percent Clause' to protect peasant rights against predatory zamindars. We examine how this policy created a new class of absentee landlords in London while trapping millions of ryots in debt cycles. The conversation details the specific mechanics of the permanent settlement, the role of the Court of Directors, and the…
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