The Institutes of Akbar 185: AIN 14. · ON THE MANNER IN WHICH SALARIES ARE PAID.

185

When any one has the good fortune of joining the army, he receives, on bringing his horses to the muster, a proper sanad without delay and without costs. All accounts of salaries are made out in dams; but at the time of making out the estimate, he receives one half in rupees, reckoned at thirty-eight dams each. Half of the remainder is paid in muhurs at nine rupees each, and the last quarter is given in dams for stores. When the value of the rupee was raised to forty dams, the soldiers, through His Majesty’s kindness, received dams at the same rate. Every year one month’s pay is subtracted on account of the horse, the value of which is raised fifty per cent. above prime cost, and for accoutrements; but as much care is shewn in buying horses, this increase is not productive of any loss for the soldier. Besides, Ahadis are continually employed for affairs of importance, and are permitted to carry the orders of His Majesty; and whatever is given to them as an acknowledgment for their services, by the recipients of the orders, is allowed to be kept by the Ahadis as a present, if they bear a good character; but if not, a part of it is reckoned as monthly pay.
With the view of teaching zeal and removing the stamp of laziness, His Majesty fines soldiers for absence from guard: an Ahadi loses fifteen days’ pay, and other soldiers one week’s.
The Commander of every contingent (Zábitbáshí) is allowed to keep for himself the twentieth part of the pay of his men, which reimburses him for various expenses.