Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c20.s9.t1.1

v1.c20.s9.t1.1

were held by a lord-marcher, and the quotas of his quarter; and while strong forts guarded the exposed northern and southern entrances, the crown-land lay in the centre, the safest and the richest. The exterior, thus guarded by a cordon of feudal levies composed of the quotas of the greater fiefs; the minor and most numerous class of vassals, termed gol, literally ‘the mass,’ and consisting of ten thousand horse, holding directly of the crown independent of the greater chiefs, formed its best security against both external aggression and internal commotions.