The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 4.2.1

4.2.1

Every year, or second year, he changed his 'dmils, and sent new ones, for he said, "I have examined much, and accurately ascertained that there is no such income and advantage in other employments as in the government of a district. Therefore I send my good old loyal experienced servants to take charge of districts, that the salaries, profits, and advantages, may accrue to them in preference to others; and after two years I change them, and send other servants like to them, that they also may prosper, and that under my rule all my old servants may enjoy these profits and advantages, and that the gate of comfort and ease may be opened to them." And this amount of forces fully equipped and stored came yearly to the king's presence. His whole army was beyond all limit or numbering, and it increased every day. The rule regarding the army for guarding the kingdom from the disturbances of rebels, and to keep down and to repress contumacious and rebellious zaminddrs, so that no one should think the kingdom undefended, and therefore attempt to conquer it, was as follows: Sher Shah always kept 150,000 horse and 25,000 footmen, either armed with matchlocks or bows, present with him, and on some expeditions took even more with him. Haibat Khan Niazi, to whom the title of 'Azam Humayun had been granted, had one force consisting of 30,000 horsemen in the neighbourhood of the fort of Rohtas, near to Balnath of the jogis, and held in check the country of Kashmir and of the Ghakkars.