A History of Agriculture in India v2.c86.s3.6

v2.c86.s3.6

'Besides this there were in many places villages which had been laid waste by the Marathas, and which had been again brought into cultivation under special agreements, such as the districts about Nandurbar, in Khandesh, in Berar, and in other places. They paid no heed to the special contracts made by Husain 'Ali Khan; but, conceding the third share belonging to the jagirdar, they made the following arrangement. They recognized three shares; one was for the jagirdar, one they took themselves, and the third they left to the raiyats. In revenue and civil matters the orders and the action of the enemy prevailed over the authority of the *faujdars* and *jagirdars*. At the time of the peace Husain 'Ali Khan determined and issued strict injunctions that the *rahdari* should not be exacted, as in the days before the peace, from merchants and travellers at the rate of three rupees or four upon each bullock and cart, as if *faujdars* and harsh officials were acting. But it was not good. In several districts there was no longer any plundering of villages and caravans; but, as in former days, travellers and wanderers paid the *rahdari*, and went on in peace without interruption. Villages which had been ravaged by plunderers, or made completely desolate by the tyranny of rapacious managers, were now restored to cultivation.