Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c19.s13: No. XIII. Privileges and Immunities granted to the Printers of Calico and Inhabitants of the Town of Great Akola in Mewar

Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c19.s13

Language: English

No. XIII. Privileges and Immunities granted to the Printers of Calico and Inhabitants of the Town of Great Akola in Mewar

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Maharana Bhim Singh, commanding, to the inhabitants of Great Akola.

Whereas the village has been abandoned from the assignments levied by the garrison of Mandalgarh, and it being demanded of its population how it could again be rendered prosperous, they unanimously replied : " Not to exact beyond the dues and contributions (dand dor) established of yore ; to erect the pillar promising never to exact above half the produce of the crops, or to molest the persons of those who thus paid their dues."

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The Presence agreed, and this pillar has been erected. May Eklinga look to him who breaks this command. The hog to the Musalman and the cow to the Hindu.

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Whatever contributions (dand) parmo,¹ puli,² heretofore levied shall be paid [207].

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¹ Grain, the property of the government, thrown on the inhabitants for purchase at an arbitrary valuation.

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² The handful from each sheaf at harvest.

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All crimes committed within the jurisdiction of Akola to be tried by its inhabitants, who will sit in justice on the offender and fine him according to his faults.

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On Amavas ³ no work shall be done at the well ⁴ or at the oil-mill, nor printer put his dye-pot on the fire.⁵

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³ A day sacred to the Hindu, being that which divides the month.

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⁴ Meaning, they shall not irrigate the fields.

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⁵ This part of the edict is evidently the instigation of the Jains, to prevent the destruction of life, though only that of insects.

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Whoever breaks the foregoing, may the sin of the slaughter of Chitor be upon him.

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This pillar was erected in the presence of Mehta Sardar Singh, Sanwal Das, the Chaudharis Bhopat Ram and Daulat Ram, and the assembled Panch of Akola.

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Written by the Chaudhari Bhopji, and engraved by the stone-cutter Bhima.

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S. 1856 (A.D. 1800)