Administrative System of the Marathas c27.s5.5

c27.s5.5

Payment by instalment was also allowed by Muhammadan rulers. In a farman addressed to his officers, Akbar advises them thus, "Let them collect rent from the subjects in an easy manner, in order that all lands may be cultivated and blessed with population. * * * In collecting rent from the cultivators, do so piecemeal, and deviate in no degree from the agreement which has been made."⁷ The Muhammadan theologians also advocated collection of the Jizyah by instalments. "Abu Yusuf maintains that it should be collected by instalments every two months and Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan, every month, in order that the tax may become more onerous for the tax-payers and more beneficial to the Moslems."⁸ Akbar's intention on the contrary was to make the payment more easy. We do not know for certain whether he followed the guidance of Abu Yusuf or Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan in recommending collection by instalment, but it is certain that he acted on far different principles.