INDEBTEDNESS OF THE LAND-HOLDING CLASSES. 



debts were the result of the system before mentioned by which the 

 collection of the State dues was made through sowlcars, who 

 usually recovered in kind what had been paid in cash and drafts. 

 The great mass of 'the agricultural population had no such 

 interest or title in their land as to afford security for large debt. 

 Mr. Chaplin indeed mentions that " Miras holdings are sometimes 

 morgaged," but in another place he estimates the selling value of 

 miras land at not more than 2 or 3 years' purchase, and states that land 

 yielding Us. 200 of gross produce can seldom be mortgaged for more 

 than Us. 100. The usual and recognized method for recovery of debt 

 was for the sowkar to send a Mohosul, that is, a servant whose main- 

 tenance had to be paid daily by the debtor, or to place a servant in 

 "Dharna" at his door, (which is the process called "Tuquaza" by 

 Mr. Chaplin,) or to confine the debtor in his house . or otherwise 

 subject him to restraint and even severer measures. It is plain that 

 such methods could not be put in force against any but the humbler 

 class of debtors, and doubtless the ordinary dealings of the sowkar 

 and ryot were based rather on the ascertained result of experience, 

 teaching each his own interest than on any power of compulsion in 

 the hands of the creditor. The ryot's constantly recurring necessity 

 could not be relieved unless he maintained his credit by good faith ; 

 and, on the other hand the soivkar had no support from without to 

 look for in exacting more than a fair profit, which, considering his risks, 

 would be also a large profit. Honesty was the ryot's best policy and 

 caution was a necessity to the money-lender. 



The condition of the ryot as regards his relation to the money- 

 lender when British rule commenced may be summed up as follows : 



let. There was a considerable burden of debt, and many of 

 the ryots were living in dependence upon the sowkar, 

 delivering to him their produce and drawing upon him 

 for necessaries. 



2nd. The ryot's property did not offer security for large 

 amounts ; his cattle and the yearly produce of his 

 land being the lender's security, the mortgage of 

 miras land was rather a means by which the sowkar 

 got a firmer hold upon the produce than upon the 

 land itself, for immovable property was not sold for 



