Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.21

c10.21

1790.—“In respect to Abkarry, or Tax on Spirituous Liquors, which is reserved for Taxation . . . it is evident that we cannot establish a general rate, since the quantity of consumption and expense of manufacture, etc., depends upon the vicinity of principal stations. For the amount leviable upon different Stills we must rely upon officers’ local knowledge. The public, indeed, cannot suffer, since, if a few stills are suppressed by over-taxation, drunkenness is diminished.”—*In a Letter from Board of Revenue (Bengal) to Government*, 12th July. MS. in *India Office*.