A History of Agriculture in India v2.c87.s6.2

v2.c87.s6.2

In the areas under the *Rakhi* system, raids of bandits were prevented, disputes settled and rough and ready justice meted out. Thus the Sikhs took over the police functions of the State. "The people got relief and respite, and the Sikhs got an opportunity to prove that they meant to rule. Politically, the *Rakhi* system made them saviours of the people; economically it assured them of regular legal income; and militarily, it put their organization on sound footing. In terms of guerilla strategy, it meant an onslaught on the stable image of the Mughal empire and the staying power of the Afghan occupation forces."⁵