Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 29.8

29.8

Our Government took care, therefore, that they should not get an opportunity of resisting or disobeying, and likewise that they should not acquire the means of resistance and obstinacy, as they are evil-doers by profession, and at all times disposed to injury, and to distress the people of God; ever ready to infest the highways, to plunder and kill the travellers and the unwary; ever ready to torment the subjects, and even the Nobles, to destroy the country, to ruin the revenue, and to distress and injure Government. All these are the accustomed performances of that malevolent race; and it was to keep them in awe, and occasionally to administer correction to them, that so many illustrious Fodjdars were stationed with such a number of officers and dependants. No trust was reposed in their words, nor in their actions; for their character was thoroughly understood. They were looked upon to be an incorrigible race. Now, in contradiction to ancient maxims, and to rules of old standing, and in contradiction to the most approved opinions, held equally by eminent merchants, as well as by knowing Princes, the English rulers have thought proper to compare the Zemindars of this country to the Zemindars and land-holders of their own;