A History of the Mahrattas v1.c9.58

v1.c9.58

The revenues under all the Mahomedan states seem generally to have been farmed out in small portions; in some parts of the country, by single villages. Where they were not farmed, the management appears to have been generally entrusted to Hindoo agency.¹ To collect the revenues so farmed, there were *Aumils* or agents on the part of government, who regulated the police and settled civil suits; these last, in disputes relating to hereditary office or landed property, were decided by *Punchayet*.² In matters which regarded mere money transactions, it is probable that the Aumils frequently gave decisions themselves. Under the Beejapoor state there was an Aumildar who superintended the affairs of a considerable division, and to whom all other Aumildars were subordinate. This officer was termed *Mokassadar*³; and it is conjectured that he had some percentage upon the revenues but the amount is unknown. There are instances of Mokassadars having held their situations for upwards of twenty years, and been succeeded by their sons,⁴ but this was entirely optional with the Sultan. Some were removed in one year, and the Mokassadar was not always a Mahomedan. There was frequently, but not always, an authority superior to the Mokassadar, called a Soobeh: he did not reside constantly in the districts, and took no share in the revenue management, although deeds and formal writings of importance were made out in his name.