The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c22.43

v4.c22.43

The large and sudden extension of direct assessment and collection was obviously an enterprise requiring careful supervision. This requirement was provided at the outset, for the initial measures were planned by Rājā Todar Mal, and executed by the staff which he had chosen; but shortly afterwards he was called away for military duty, and the charge of the Revenue Ministry devolved on Khvāja Shāh Mansūr, who, it may be assumed, followed the usual practice of the period, and replaced the existing staff by his own nominees. A period of corruption and extortion ensued, which brought the revenue administration into disrepute, and operated to restrict cultivation, and thereby reduce the financial resources of the empire, which it had been hoped to increase. When, after the execution of Shāh Mansūr for treason in 1581, Rājā Todar Mal resumed effective charge of the Ministry, he issued orders for the prevention of such malpractices in future, and at the same time took drastic action against the officials suspected of misconduct, calling them to account for the sums they had embezzled or extorted, and employing the traditional procedure, under which a suspect was detained in prison, and flogged, or otherwise tortured, periodically, until a satisfactory settlement was reached.