The agrarian system of Moslem India

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 1804119261

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-188010

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Moreland, William Harrison http://d-nb.info/gnd/172263670

Title:: The agrarian system of Moslem India

Edition:: 2. ed. Reissue (d. Ausg. Cambridge) 1929; [Reprint]

Place of publication:: Delhi

Publisher:: Oriental Books, Munshiram Manoharlal

Year of publication:: 1968

Scope:: XVII, 296 S.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

Usage license:: Get license information via the feedback formular.

Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter III. The Sayyid and Afghan dynasties

Collection:: Economics Books

90 THE AGRARIAN SYSTEM OF MOSLEM INDIA got rid, once for all, of the vexatious business of com- mutation, and made it possible for the local authorities to assess the Demand in each season in time for prompt col- lection. Economically, its effect was to transfer from the State to the peasantry the benefit and the burden of fluctua- tions in prices resulting from seasonal variations or other causes. Having regard to the high pitch of the assessment, the question naturally arises whether such a transfer was wise, or even possible; the answer is found in certain oc- currences recorded after the transfer was made. In the 43rd year we are told (Akbamama, iii. 747), that, in con- sequence of Akbar’s prolonged residence at Lahore, and the resulting rise in local prices, the revenue-Demand in this region had been increased by 20 per cent.: on his departure prices fell, and the increase was discontinued by his orders. In this case, the State resumed at least a portion of the benefit which the system secured to the peasants; it is the only case I have found, but the silence of the chronicles in such matters is by no means conclusive. On the other hand, there is a striking series of cases where the State was forced to resume a portion of the burden it had shifted. Between the 30th and the 35th regnal years, Northern India was threatened with disaster! from a series of exceptionally favourable seasons. In the circumstances of the time there was no adequate market for the surplus produce, prices inevitably fell heavily, and producers who could not realise their stocks had difficulties in paying the revenue. Substantial reductions were made in the Demand in three provinces, Allahabad, Awadh, and Delhi, in the 30th year and again in the 31st; the same three provinces, along with Agra, received further remissions in the 33rd year, and portions of them again in the 35th. There is no record of any remission of revenue for the opposite cause of unfavourable seasons though we know? that five years later famine was raging in this tract; the explanation is, I think, to be found in the fact that the system in force provided for automatic remissions in case of crop-failure. ! Akbarnama, iii. 463, 494, 533, 577. ! Elliot, vi. 193. For remissions on account of crop-failure, see Ain, i ? 28M

Access restriction

Copyright

fullscreen: The agrarian system of Moslem India

Monograph

Chapter

Table of contents

Download

Monograph

Chapter

This page

Image fragment

Citation links

Citation recommendation