Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c19.s2.2

v1.c19.s2.2

1. He respects not the privileges or customs established of old.
2. To each Rajput’s house a charas¹ or hide of land was attached : this he has resumed.
3. Whoever bribes him is a true man : who does not, is a thief.
4. Ten or twelve villages established by his pattayats² he has resumed, and left their families to starve.
5. From time immemorial sanctuary (saran) has been esteemed sacred : this he has abolished.
6. On emergencies he would pledge his oath to his subjects (ryots), and afterwards plunder them.
7. In old times, it was customary when the presence of his chiefs and kindred was required, to invite them by letter : a fine is now the warrant of summons : thus lessening their dignity.
8. Such messengers, in former times, had a taka³ for their ration (bhatta) ; now he imposes two rupees [199].
9. Formerly, when robberies occurred in the mountains within the limits of Deogarh, the loss was made good : now all complaint is useless, for his faujdar⁴ receives a fourth of all such plunder. The Mers⁵ range at liberty ; but before they never committed murder : now they slay as well as rob our kin ; nor is there any redress, and such plunder is even sold within the town of Deogarh.
10. Without crime, he resumes the lands of his vassals for the sake of imposition of fines; and after such are paid, he cuts down the green crops, with which he feeds his horses.