Storia do Mogor 238.4.4

238.4.4

For the people of India never pay without being forced, and to collect half the total quantity of supplies that they are under obligation to pay to the crown, it is necessary to tie up the principal husbandmen. These latter collect with equally severe measures from the peasants. To obtain satisfaction of the demands made, when they find soft words and reasoning are of no use, they bind the men and give them a good beating. It is the peasants' habit to go on refusing payment, asserting that they have no money. The chastisements and the instruments are very severe. They are also made to endure hunger and thirst. From time to time they pay a trifling instalment, and the punishments being renewed again and again, they begin to pay little by little, finding they are unable to endure so much torment. Many of them carry on their persons the sum that they owe, bound in various parts. When against their will they find they have to pay, they draw forth a trifle, and declare they have no more. The punishment recommences; then they feign death (as sometimes really happens), fall on the ground, turn up their eyes, and quiver with their hands and feet. But this trick secures them no compassion, for it is well known. They are bound to some tree, and once more are showered on them blows and corolados. The latter are applied with a well-twisted rope, in shape like an ox-tail, an inch in thickness and a fathom in length.