Administrative System of the Marathas c18.s23.5

c18.s23.5

Naro Anant Parchure, Mahajan of Kasba Guhagar, came to the Huzur at the Mukkam of fort Purandhar, and represented that, formerly, there were bagayat lands in the Taluka Anjanvel. Lately, however, the crop did not grow so well, and the government tax, therefore, was felt to be heavy; the Rayats, therefore, became disheartened, and every year the cultivation of bagayat lands became less. If the Swami, however, granted a kaul of remission and a rate of cash payment, the Rayats will regain hope and will renew cultivation. The Rayats expected to convert rocky places, where trees and grass did not grow at all, into new fields by spreading earth (brought from elsewhere) over the area and to level the rocks by breaking stone, and to convert them into new fields by filling nalas and odhas with earth. Therefore, if half the land, so reclaimed, was allowed rent-free for twenty years, and at reduced rent for five years more to the cultivator who might reclaim it, cultivation of these lands would be undertaken. Therefore taking the question of the improvement (literally abundance) of cultivation into consideration, a kaul of remission (mafi) and an istawa rate (gradual increase) to the following purport is granted to those who will undertake bagayat cultivation and reclamation of land in the aforesaid manner.