THE REIGN OF AKBAR (1556-1605) 87 
followed. The rates for the 15th year show definite dis- 
continuity in the case of each province. New crops are 
introduced for the first time, and action was obviously 
taken to ensure that all schedules should now be formally 
complete. There is marked widening in the gaps between 
maximum and minimum rates, as well as increased diver- 
gence between provinces, results which would naturally 
follow from the adoption of local schedules, giving two 
variables in each case—grain-Demand and price—instead of 
a fixed Demand commuted at varying prices; and, speaking 
generally, it is certain from the figures that a general change 
in assessment was made in this year, though in some cases 
its full effect was not obtained till a year or two later. 
From the 15th to the 24th year, on the other hand, the 
recorded rates show no general discontinuity, and are con- 
sistent with the inference which can be drawn from the 
silence of the authorities, that the method of assessment 
remained unaltered during this period! We may infer 
also that the rates were on the whole equitable, so far as the 
grain-Demand was concerned, for we are told very clearly 
that. their supersession was due to the breakdown of the 
seasonal commutation, and there is no suggestion that the 
grain-rates themselves were at fault. The Ain (i. 347) 
attributes the difficulties which ensued to the expansion of 
the Empire: the determination of the prices to be used in 
calculating the Demand was frequently delayed, and this 
led to constant complaints both’ from peasants and from 
assignees, until the Emperor devised a remedy. The 
explanation is convincing when we allow for the fact that 
the seasonal commutation-prices required Imperial sanction. 
It is not possible to propose such prices until the prospect 
of the harvest is reasonably assured; and, as things go in 
Northern India, very few weeks elapse between that period 
and the time when collection must begin. We can easily 
imagine how delays might occur: the proposed rates for 
Multan, for instance, might reach Agra by courier, only to 
find that the Emperor was marching to Patna or Ahmadabad, 
or perhaps that he had delayed his return from Kashmir. In 
i In particular there is no sign of change in the nineteenth year, when 
some writers have suggested a revision of assessment-rates.