The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c22.40

v4.c22.40

So far as the chronicles show, this method of assessment remained in force until the end of Akbar's reign, but its application was not absolutely rigid. One case is recorded where the sanctioned charges were temporarily raised. Akbar's prolonged residence in Lahore had resulted in a marked rise of local prices, and the revenue demand was increased by 20 per cent. in the area affected, but this temporary increase was discontinued when the emperor left the Punjab in the year 1598. No other increase of the same kind is recorded, but the silence of the chronicles is not conclusive in such matters. On the other hand, a series of exceptionally good seasons occurring in the country between Delhi and Allāhābād from 1585 to 1590 led to such a fall of prices that the revenue could not be paid, and large remissions had to be granted—by assignees as well as in the lands reserved for the treasury. There is no record of remissions having been made in years when the crops were bad, and we may assume that this eventuality was considered to be met by the standing provisions mentioned above for the exclusion of areas where sowings had failed, and for adjusting the assessment to meet subsequent injuries.