The Institutes of Akbar 353.2

353.2

In the 25th year, he lowered the value of the jagirs of the grandees in Bengal by one-fourth of their former value, and those in Bihar by one-fifth. As Bengal and South Bihar were then not completely subjugated, and the Afghans still mustered large forces in Eastern and Southern Bengal, in Orisa, and along the Western frontier of Bengal, Mansur’s rigour was impolitic; for Akbar’s officers looked upon the old jagir emoluments as very moderate rewards for their readiness to fight the Afghans. Akbar some time before, in consideration of the troubled state of both provinces, and the notorious climate of Bengal, had doubled the allowances of Bengal officers and increased by 50 per cent. the emoluments of those in Bihar. This Mansur cut down: he allowed Bengal officers an increase of 50, and Bihar officers an increase of only 20 per cent. He then wrote to Muzaffar to enforce the new arrangements. But the dissatisfaction was also increased by the innovations of the emperor in religious matters, and his interference with Sayurghal tenures brought matters to a crisis. The jagir-holders in Jaunpur, Bihar, and Bengal rebelled. That religious excitement was one of the causes of this Military revolt, which soon after was confined to Bengal, is best seen from the fact that not a single Hindū was on the side of the rebels. Todar Mall tried to prevent the outbreak by reporting Mançūr and charging him with unnecessary harshness shewn especially towards Ma’çūm Khān i Farankhūdī (No.