The Institutes of Akbar 190.2

190.2

As the circumstances of men have to be enquired into, before grants are made, and their petitions must be considered in fairness, an experienced man of correct intentions is employed for this office. He ought to be at peace with every party, and must be kind towards the people at large in word and action. Such an officer is called Cadr. The Qází and the Mír ’Adl are under his orders. He is assisted in his important duties by a clerk, who has to look after the financial business, and is now-a-days styled Díwán i Sa’ádat. His Majesty, in his mercy, orders his servants to introduce to him such as are worthy of grants, and a large number receive the assistance they desire. When His Majesty commenced to enquire into this department, it was discovered that the former Çadrs had been guilty of bribery and dishonest practices. He therefore appointed, at the recommendation of near friends, Shaikh ’Abdunnabí to this important office. The lands which were then held by Afgháns and Chaudrís, were taken away, and became domain lands (Khálsah), whilst all others that held grants were referred to the Shaikh who enquired into, and certified, their grants. After some time it was reported that those who held grants, had not the lands in one and the same place, whereby the weak whose grounds lay near kháliçah lands or near the jagirs of Mançabdars, were exposed to vexations, and were encroached upon by unprincipled men.