The Administration of the Sultanate of Dehli c11.65

c11.65

Muslim writers divide *kharāj* into two kinds: (i) *kharāj-i-wazīfah*, and (ii) *kharāj-i-muqāsimah*.⁵ The first term is applied to a demand in money and kind per unit area fixed according to the species of the crops grown. The rates are those applied by the caliph ‘Umar to the lands of Sawād in ‘Irāq and cannot be increased.⁶ However, if the *kharāj-i-wazīfah* exceeds half the produce, the demand should be reduced, for the *shar‘* does not allow the state to take more than half.⁷ Under the rule of the Abbasid caliphs the method of taking a certain proportion of the produce called *kharāj-i-muqāsimah* became more popular and was widely adopted.⁸ According to the jurists the state’s share ranges from a tenth to a half.⁹ They take into account such considerations as the nature of the soil, the means of irrigation and the distance from the market. However, the *imām’s* authority is final, so long as the outside limit of a half is not exceeded.¹⁰ Much deference was paid to local usage in existence before the Muslim conquest. Even ‘Umar’s demand was based on ancient custom, and Muslim conquerors did not disturb the *status quo* so long as it did not come into conflict with their sacred law and sense of justice.