Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.12.4

2.12.4

It may, however, diminish our censure of this ungrateful conduct, if we call to mind that the Omrahs of Hindoustan cannot be proprietors of land, or enjoy an independent revenue, like the nobility of France and the other states of Christendom. Their income, as I said before, consists exclusively of pensions which the King grants or takes away according to his own will or pleasure. When deprived of this pension, they sink at once into utter insignificance, and find it impossible even to borrow the smallest sum. The combined Princes, having thus disposed of Chah-Jehan, and received the homage of the Omrahs, set out in pursuit of Dara. The royal treasury supplied their pecuniary wants, and Chah-hest-Kan, the uncle of Aureng-Zebe, was appointed governor of Agra.