Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c47.s3.3

v4.c47.s3.3

“The Rānā continued to be swayed by faction and intrigue. . . . Every triumph (of the ruling party) was attended with ruin to the country. The agriculturist abandoned his fields, and at length his country; mechanical industry found no recompense, and commerce was at the mercy of unlicensed spoliation. In a very few years Mewār lost half her population; her lands lay waste, her mines were unworked, and her looms forsaken. The prince instead of protecting required protection; each individual or community provided for itself that defence which he could not give. Hence arose a train of evils: every cultivator sought out a patron, and entered into engagements as the price of protection. Hence every Rajput who had a horse and lance, had his clients; and not a camel-load of merchandise could pass the abode of one of these cavaliers without paying fees. . . . Here were displayed the effects of a feudal association, where the powers of government were enfeebled. These feuds alone were sufficient to ruin the country; but when to such internal ills shoals of Maratha plunderers were added, no art is required to describe the consequences.” (*Rajasthan*, i. Mewar. Ch. XVII. Ojha, ii. 702.)