In the context of British rule in India, Lord Cornwallis is especially known for introducing which major land revenue measure?

Introduction / Context:
Lord Cornwallis served as Governor General of Bengal in the late eighteenth century and is a key figure in the history of British administration in India. He is particularly remembered for his revenue reforms and for shaping the relation between the East India Company and Indian landholders. Among his most famous measures was a specific land revenue system that had a long lasting impact on Bengal and neighbouring regions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks what Lord Cornwallis is especially known for in Indian history.
• The options include various land revenue systems as well as a misleading statement about the caste system and the United States.
• The permanent Zamindari settlement in Bengal was introduced during Cornwallis's tenure in 1793.
• Other land revenue systems, such as Ryotwari and Mahalwari, are associated with different officials and periods.

Concept / Approach:
The important concept is to match specific land revenue arrangements with the British administrators who introduced them. The Permanent Settlement of Bengal fixed land revenue permanently with zamindars, making them hereditary landlords responsible for paying a fixed sum to the Company. This was a hallmark of Cornwallis's policy. In contrast, the Ryotwari system is linked to Thomas Munro and others in Madras, and Mahalwari arrangements are linked to later officials in North India. By recognising these associations, we can choose the correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
History textbooks usually explain that Cornwallis is remembered for the Cornwallis Code and the Permanent Settlement. They state that he hoped to create a loyal class of landlords by fixing revenue demands permanently. Cross checking this information confirms that his name is most closely tied to the Permanent Zamindari settlement and not to Ryotwari or Mahalwari arrangements.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Abolition of the caste system in India: No British administrator, including Cornwallis, abolished the caste system; this statement is incorrect and misleading.
• Land revenue settlement of the United States: Cornwallis worked for the British empire in India, not for revenue systems in the United States.
• Ryotwari land revenue settlement of Madras Presidency: The Ryotwari system is associated with Thomas Munro and others in South India, not with Cornwallis.
• Introduction of the Mahalwari settlement in North India: The Mahalwari system developed later under officials like Holt Mackenzie and is not linked to Cornwallis's tenure.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different land revenue systems and the names of administrators associated with them. A useful memory aid is: Cornwallis – Permanent Zamindari in Bengal; Munro – Ryotwari in Madras; and later officials – Mahalwari in parts of North India. By keeping these pairs clear, you can quickly answer many related questions in modern Indian history.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Permanent revenue (Zamindari) settlement of Bengal.