Administrative System of the Marathas c27.s2.1

c27.s2.1

The whole process will be evident from a comparison of a Persian farman and a Marathi sanad so far as the revenue principles were concerned. We have already seen how the old Hindu political philosophers had advocated concessions for cultivation of waste lands, financial help at the time of distress and humane and considerate treatment of the cultivators. These very principles had been strongly emphasised when Abul Fazl enumerated the duties of an ideal Revenue Collector. "The Collector of the Revenue," says he, "should be a friend of the agriculturist. Zeal and truthfulness should be his rule of conduct * * * He should not cease from punishing highway robbers, murderers and evil-doers, nor from heavily mulcting them, and so administer that the cry of complaint shall be stilled. He should assist the needy husbandman with advances of money and recover them gradually. * * * He should ascertain the extent of the soil in cultivation and weigh each several portion in the scales of personal observation and be acquainted with its quality. The agricultural value of land varies in different districts and certain soils are adapted to certain crops. He should deal differently, therefore, with each agriculturist and take his case into consideration. He should take into account with discrimination the engagements of former collectors and remedy the procedure of ignorance or dishonesty. He should strive to bring waste lands into cultivation and take heed that what is in cultivation fall not waste. He should stimulate the increase of valuable produce and remit somewhat of the assessment with a view to its augmentation. * * * He should be just and provident in his measurements. Let him increase the facilities of the husbandman year by year, and under the pledge of his engagements, take nothing beyond the actual area under tillage."¹ Abul Fazl also recommends the employment of able and honest inspectors and surveyors to help the Revenue Collector in the work of assessment.²