The Book of Akbar 70.2

70.2

That the collectors of the khálisa lands and the jágírdárs should realize the mál and jihát (cesses), according to the dastúru-l 'amal; and if by fraud or oppression anything beyond the settled amount should be received from the cultivators, they were to account it an excess of the proper payment, and were to levy a fine upon those who had exacted it, and enter the amount in the monthly accounts. At every harvest they were to carefully guard the rights of the lower classes. These cases of giving and taking were dealt with in two ways; — the complainant received redress, and power was given to punish the offenders. The 'ámils of the khálisa had two subordinates, a kárkun (manager), and a kháss-navís (accountant). These officers had been oppressors, and leaguing with the rich, they had been a great source of evil to the poor. If instead of these two infamous officials, one worthy and honest man should be appointed, the country would prosper, and the people would be contented. It had been discovered that in the khálisa districts, the cultivated lands decreased year by year; but if the lands capable of cultivation were once measured, they would increase year by year in proportion to the powers of the raiyats; and engagements should be made for them according to rule. The raiyats having nominated each other as sureties, were to take the proper writings, and in all questions of arrears were to be treated in a considerate manner.