RACK-RENTING 55 



But whether the cultivator's tenure be based upon a 

 division of the crop or upon a cash bargain, Indian 

 experience shows that under a system of unrestricted 

 competition he is quite unable to hold his own against 

 the superior advantages of the landlord. One example 

 must suffice to show what misery a body of landlords 

 may produce who manage their landed property with 

 a sole view to their immediate material interest. 



* In other pargainia/is,' wrote Mr. Alexander in 1881, 

 ' I generally found that forces favourable to progress 

 had been greatly predominant. The case is different 

 in Amroha. Stimulating and retarding causes have 

 been equally matched. Hindrances to improvement, 

 unknown, or only here and there felt in other pargan- 

 nahs, have been chronic here. It would be necessary 

 to examine these in detail in order to determine in 

 what direction Amroha has been moving during the 

 last thirty years, and at what stage of progress or 

 retrogression it has arrived. 



' Two characteristics of this pargannah which have 

 to be borne in mind are, first, that is a tract of country 

 most of which is held free of revenue ; and second, 

 that the Syeds were in former times and still are the 

 leading proprietary body. At the last settlement, as 

 far as I can ascertain, nearly three-quarters of the 

 pargannah were owned by the Syeds. Since then 

 they have lost nearly half of their property through 

 extravagance. Their places have been taken by 

 Mahajans and Vishois chiefly. But even still the 

 Syeds are, as a body, the most influential proprietors 

 in the pargannah. Some of their customs, both good 

 and bad, are still retained by their successors, many, 

 of course, have disappeared. The custom of taking 

 rent in kind, which prevailed all over the Syed pro- 

 perties, is still current. Money rents are not common. 

 The proprietor's shares are generally one-half, two- 

 fifths, and one-third of the crop. 



* When grain collections are made with a decent 



