Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c21.s5.17

v2.c21.s5.17

"Some fools had persuaded the wazir that if only Rs. 2 was realized from every person, a *kror* would be yielded. But though in the actual collection Rs. 5 or even Rs. 10 was taken from each man, not even one lakh was collected, because nothing was taken from any person who was in any way connected with the wazir, but only the shopkeepers and artisans were taxed! Then a new collection was ordered. From the rich thousands of Rupees were demanded, but the heirs of the rich founders were now beggars and could pay nothing. Many people were seized and beaten. A great tumult raged throughout Delhi. All the grain marts and bazar shops were closed. Thousands of common people and the head merchants of the city and of the marts in the suburbs assembled under the Emperor's window, clamouring for justice and saying that they had been forced to pay three times already and yet another demand for contribution was now being made...with intolerable beating.... At last on 20th October the wazir was induced to call off the levy and peace was restored to the citizens." [TALS. 25.] The forced contribution ceased, and the wazir had to satisfy the Marathas by alienating to them 22 villages in Saharanpur and some others from the Crownland and privy purse estates.