The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.3.4

3.3.4

Although the rebels humbled themselves in every way, and offered to pay a large sum of money, yet Farid Khan would not accept the money, but said to his men: — "This is the way of these rebels: first they fight and oppose their rulers; if they find him weak, they persist in their rebelliousness; but if they see that he is strong, they come to him deceitfully and humble themselves, and agree to pay a sum of money, and so they persuade their ruler to leave them alone; but as soon as they find an opportunity, they return to their evil ways. * * * Early in the morning, Farid Khan mounted and attacked the criminal zamíndárs, and put all the rebels to death, and making all their women and children prisoners, ordered his men to sell. them or keep them as slaves; and brought other people to the village and settled them there. When the other rebels heard of the death, imprisonment, and ruin of these, they listened to wisdom, repented of their contumacy, and abstained from theft and robbery. If any soldier or peasant had a complaint, Farid would examine it in person, and carefully investigate the cause, nor did he ever give way to carelessness or sloth. In a very short time, both parganas became prosperous, and the soldiery and peasantry were alike contented. When Míán Hasan heard of this, he was much pleased; and in all companies used to make mention of the prosperity of his parganas, the gallantry of his son, and the subjection of the zamíndárs.