A History of Agriculture in India v2.c71.s2.3

v2.c71.s2.3

'Some of the head-men asked for written agreements for a fixed money rent; others preferred payment in kind (*kismat-i ghallā*). Accordingly he gave leases and took agreements, and fixed the payments for measuring the fields (*jaribānā*), and the fees for the tax-collectors and measures (*muhassi-lānā*), and he said to the *chaudharis* and head-men, "I know well that the cultivation depends on the humble peasants, for if they be ill off they will produce nothing, but if prosperous they will produce much. I know the oppressions and exactions of which you have been guilty towards the cultivators; and for this reason I have fixed the payments for measurements, and the tax-gatherers' fees,—that if you exact from the cultivators more on this account than is fixed, it may not be credited to you in making up your accounts. Be it kown to you that I will take the accounts of the fees in my own presence. Whatever dues are rightly taken I will sanction, and compel the cultivators to pay them; and I will also collect the Government dues for the autumn harvest in autumn, and for the spring harvest in spring; for balances of Government dues are the ruin of a pargana, and the cause of quarrels between the cultivators and the Government officers. It is right for a ruler to show leniency to the cultivators at the period of measurement and to have a regard to the actual produce; but when the time of payment comes he should show no leniency, but collect the revenue with all strictness. If he perceives the cultivators are evading payment, he should so chastise them as to be an example to others not to act in the same way.” He then said to the peasantry, “Whatever matter you have to represent, bring it always yourselves to me. I will suffer no one to oppress you.”