Mughal Administration c8.s2.13

c8.s2.13

"Learn from the well-informed men of the province how many of the zamindars require the display of force and the general character of the peasants, and get an estimate as to the number of sehbandi troops [i.e., irregulars employed to assist in revenue collection, etc., somewhat like the armed police], necessary for doing the work of control and administration (rabt and zabt.) If you find your retainers (tabinan) and sehbandi insufficient and in other matters also require the Emperor's sanction and help, then make a petition and submit it through your mediator at Court. If the Emperor grants the force that you consider necessary for the efficient management of the subah, well and good. Otherwise, if you think that you can govern the subah at your own expense and recover your cost during your tenure of office [from your salary and allowances] after getting the province under control, then do it. If not, decline the post, for what can a single trooper do? (i.e., you are only one man, if your master will not give you an adequate force.)