History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c80.s3.2

v5.c80.s3.2

The break-down of the administration and of public peace created a vicious circle aggravating the evil, as Bhimsen has clearly pointed out: "The mansabdars, on account of the small forces under them, cannot gain control over the territories granted to them in jagir. The local zamindars, growing stronger, have joined the Marathas, levied troops, and stretched the hand of oppression over the realm... As the imperial dominions have been given out in tankha (fief) to the jagirdars, so too the Marathas have made a distribution of the whole empire among their generals, and thus one kingdom has to maintain two sets of jagirdars! ...The peasants subjected to this double exaction have collected arms and horses and joined the Marathas," [Dil. ii. 139a—140a.]