Administrative System of the Marathas c27.s6.4

c27.s6.4

Like the *paymalli* compensation remission of rent in times of famine were also made by Mughal Emperors. They thus set a strong precedent for the Marathas to follow, even though the principle was not new. One case of such remission of rent will suffice here. In 1629 Gujrat and the Deccan were visited by a terrible famine, and Abdul Hamid Lahori tells us that, "Under the directions of the wise and generous Emperor taxes amounting to nearly seventy lacs of rupees were remitted by the revenue officers—a sum amounting to nearly eighty *krors* of *dams*, and amounting to one eleventh part of the whole revenue. When such remissions were made from the exchequer it may be conceived how great were the reductions made by the nobles who held *jagirs* and *mansabs*."¹⁰ Akbar was contented, when a similar calamity overtook Hindusthan, with the distribution of alms as Shaikh Nurul Hakk informs us, "During the year 1004 H. there was a scarcity of rain throughout the whole of Hindustan, and a fearful famine raged continuously for three or four years. The king ordered that alms should be distributed in all the cities, and Nawab Shaikh Farid Bokhari, being ordered to superintend and control their distribution, did all in his power to relieve the general distress of the people. Public tables were spread, and the army was increased in order to afford maintenance to the poor people." 11