A History of the Mahrattas v2.c55.60

v2.c55.60

The Peishwa farmed his districts to the highest bidder; and those who failed in their contracts were compelled to surrender their whole property with that of their securities; and should all be insufficient, they were thrown into hill-forts and treated with the greatest rigour. On one occasion, Trimbukjee, before his power was completely established, being enraged at some delay on the part of a banker who had become security for a revenue contractor, used him in the harshest manner, and at last ordered the banker to be dragged before him, when he struck him a violent blow on the head, which, owing to a heavy ring on his finger, proved instantly fatal; but, although the person thus deprived of life was a Bramin of respectability,¹ no notice was taken of the circumstance.