A History of the Mahrattas v1.c7.167

v1.c7.167

The name Patell,² though not a Mahomedan word, is supposed, by the Mahratta Bramins, to have been introduced by the Mahomedans. The ancient Hindoo appellation was Gaora, and that of the managing Patell or Muqudum, Gramadikaree. The Koolkurnee was termed Gramlekuk. A principal part of the duty of the Patell and Koolkurnee is to superintend the arrangement and collectiom of the revenue. It is the business of the Koolkurnee to keep all public accounts, which are made up annually. In his general account the whole of the land is first stated; then the commons, roads, the site of the village, and all waste land incapable of cultivation, are deducted. The arable land is next shown, and alienations of every description specified. The remainder is the land on which the government assessment is levied. This ought to be laid on with reference to the produce. By the ordinances of the Shasters, one sixth of the crop is the lawful share payable by the ryot, or cultivator, to the Raja. But this usage of remote antiquity has been long unknown in practice; and different rates and modes of collection have been fixed, or enacted by succeeding rulers, as wisdom and good policy suggested, or as rapacity and necessity may have urged.