The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.2.7

3.2.7

I have encouraged them and sent them away, and shall always watch over their condition, that no man may oppress and injure them; for if a ruler cannot protect humble peasantry from the lawless, it is tyranny to exact revenue from them. There are certain zamíndárs who have been behaving contumaciously in these parganas, who have not presented themselves at the Governor's court (mahkama-i- hákim), do not pay their full revenue, and harass the villages in their neighbourhood — how shall I overcome and destroy them?" They replied : — "Most of the troops are with Míán Hasan ; wait a few days and they will return." Faríd said, " I cannot have patience while they refuse to come to me, and continue to oppress and injure the people of God ; do you consider what I can contrive against these rebels, and how I may chastise them." He ordered his father's nobles to saddle 200 horses, and to see how many soldiers there were in the pargana, and he sent for all the Afgháns and men of his tribe who were without jágírs, and said to them, — "I will give you subsistence and clothing till Míán Hasan returns. Whatever goods or money you may get from the plunder of these rebels is yours, nor will I ever require it of you ; and whoever among you may distinguish himself, for him I will procure a good jágír from Míán Hasan. I will myself give you horses to ride on." When they heard this they were much pleased, and said they would not fail in doing their duty under his auspices.