The Memoirs of Jahāngīr (Jahāngīrnāma) 3.1

3.1

[I established twelve ordinances to be observed, and to be the common rule of practice throughout my dominions. 1. Prohibition of cesses (zakat). — I forbad the levy of duties under the names of tamgha and mir-bahri, together with the taxes of all descriptions which the jagirdars of every suba and sarkar had been in the habit of exacting for their own benefit. 2. Regulation about highway robbery and theft. — In those roads which were the scenes of robbery and theft, and in those portions of road which were far from habitations, the jagirdars of the neighbourhood were to build a sarai or a mosque, and they were to sink a well, to be the means of promoting cultivation, and to induce people to settle there. If these places were near to khálisa lands, the Government officials were to carry out these provisions. 3. Free inheritance of property of deceased persons, — Firstly. No one was to open the packages of merchants on the roads without their consent. Secondly. When any infidel or Musulman died in any part of my dominions, his property and effects were to be allowed to descend by inheritance, without interference from any one. When there was no heir, then officers were to be appointed to take charge of the property, and to expend it according to the law of Islam, in building mosques and saráis, in repairing broken bridges, and in digging tanks and wells.