The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.2.5

3.2.5

When he got to his jagirs, he said:—"Let all the head men, (mukaddaman) and the cultivators (muzari'an) on whose labour the prosperity of the district depends, and all the village accountants (patwárís), attend my presence. When they came, he summoned also the soldiery, and thus addressed them:—"My father (ábá) has committed to me the power of appointing and dismissing you. I have set my heart on improving the prosperity of the district, in which object also your own interests are concerned; and by this means I hope to establish my reputation." * * * When he had finished exhorting the soldiery, he turned to the peasantry, and said:—"This day I give you your choice as to your mode of payment. Do whatever is most advantageous to your own interests in every possible way." Some of the head-men asked for written agreements for a fixed money rent; others preferred payment in kind (kismat-i ghalla). Accordingly he gave leases and took agreements, and fixed the payments for measuring the fields (jaríbána), and the fees for the tax-collectors and measurers (muhassilána); and he said to the Chaudharís and head-men:—"I know well that the cultivation depends on the humble peasants, for if they be ill off they will produce nothing, but if prosperous they will produce much. I know the oppressions and exactions of which you have been guilty towards the cultivators;