In the context of British land revenue policies in India, who among the following introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal in 1793?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to the major land revenue systems introduced by the British in India. The Permanent Settlement of Bengal was one of the earliest and most important experiments which shaped agrarian relations in eastern India for decades. Knowing who introduced it and in which region is a standard requirement in modern Indian history and polity, because it influenced landlords, peasants and the colonial state alike.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The scheme mentioned is the Permanent Settlement of Bengal.
- The year given is 1793, during early British rule in India.
- The options list several British officials and governors general: Lord Cornwallis, Robert Clive, John Adam, Lord Ripon and Lord Wellesley.
- We assume familiarity with the idea that the Permanent Settlement fixed land revenue permanently with zamindars in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.

Concept / Approach:
The Permanent Settlement was introduced under Lord Cornwallis, who served as the Governor General of Bengal. It aimed to create a loyal class of zamindars by recognising them as proprietors of land and fixing the revenue they had to pay to the Company. In practice, it brought both stability and hardship: landlords who paid revenue regularly were secure, but many peasants faced high rents and possible eviction. The key point for the exam is to correctly link Lord Cornwallis with this settlement, distinguishing him from earlier and later administrators like Clive and Wellesley.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Permanent Settlement was a land revenue arrangement that fixed the land tax the Company would receive from zamindars. Step 2: Remember that this was done first in Bengal and adjoining regions in the early 1790s. Step 3: Identify Lord Cornwallis as the Governor General whose tenure is associated with both administrative reforms and this land revenue experiment. Step 4: Note that Robert Clive was an earlier figure who played a role in winning Bengal for the Company but did not implement the Permanent Settlement. Step 5: Recognise that John Adam, Lord Ripon and Lord Wellesley belong to different periods and are associated with other policies, not this specific settlement.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification is easy if you remember a simple pairing often taught in schools: Cornwallis Permanent Settlement, Munro Ryotwari system, and Thomas Reed or others with Mahalwari experiments. Many exam guides repeat that the Permanent Settlement of 1793 in Bengal is tied to Lord Cornwallis and his code of regulations. Robert Clive is usually linked with the Battle of Plassey and the Dual Government, while Wellesley is known for the Subsidiary Alliance. This consistent association across texts confirms that Cornwallis is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Robert Clive: Played a major role in establishing Company rule in Bengal but did not introduce the Permanent Settlement of 1793.
John Adam: A minor official compared to a Governor General, not noted for launching such a major revenue system.
Lord Ripon: Served later in the nineteenth century and is mainly remembered for local self government reforms, not for land settlements in Bengal in 1793.
Lord Wellesley: Famous for expansionist policies and the Subsidiary Alliance system, not for the Permanent Settlement of Bengal.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to confuse different British officials because their names often appear together in history chapters. Students may mix up Cornwallis and Wellesley, or Clive and Cornwallis, since all are associated with Bengal in some way. Keeping a clear mental map that ties Cornwallis to the Permanent Settlement, Clive to the conquest of Bengal, and Wellesley to political expansion helps avoid these errors.

Final Answer:
The Permanent Settlement of Bengal in 1793 was introduced by Lord Cornwallis.