XXI 



with them to the field. At the time the Cirears came into the hands 

 of the Company, the zemindars were, for the most part, in a very 

 irregular state of subjection to Nizam Ally. During the weakness of 

 his Government and that of his predecessors, they had embraced every 

 opportunity to extend their power, and to assume a degree of independ- 

 ence incompatible with any other character than that of tributary 

 chiefs. In the pursuit of these views, they were assisted by the suc- 

 cessive wars and contentions for empire, which followed the death of 

 Aurangzeb in 1707. Amidst these convulsions arose a dispute for the 

 succession to the soubahship of the Deccan, in which Nizam-ul-Mulk, 

 by maintaining himself in opposition to the orders of the Moghul, 

 excited the zemindars to disregard an authority, which then possessed 

 not the means of enforcing their obedience. During the period of 

 Nizam-ul-Mulk's usurpation, little progress was made in reducing these 

 countries to a state of order ; and a second contest for the Government 

 of the Deccan arising upon his death in 1749, the confusion of the 

 internal Government was continued and increased. Such was the state 

 of the Northern Cirears when obtained by the French. At the com- 

 mencement of their administration, they made the Zemindars feel the 

 weight of their power ; bat being called upon to march their troops into 

 different parts of the country, for the purpose of supporting Salabut 

 Jung, before their authority was established, they were soon driven to 

 the necessity of temporizing with those they had attempted to subdue, 

 and disorders ensued, which prevailed from the time the French were 

 expelled the Cirears. They reverted to the Government of the Nizam, 

 under whom they continued to the period when they were transferred 

 to the 'linglish East India Company. In that interval, the whole sys- 

 tem of internal management had become disorganized. Not only the 

 forms, but even the remembrance of civil authority, seemed to be 

 wholly lost 



By the custom of the Hindoo Government, the cultivators were 

 entitled to one-half of the jDaddy produced (that is, grain in the husk) 

 depending upon the periodical rains. Of the crops from the dry grain 

 lands, watered by artificial means, the share of the cultivator was about 

 two-thirds. These were the proportions which generally obtained ; but 

 particular castes were allowed a larger share, as well as strangers, that 

 is, those ryots who were not fixed residents in the villages. Before the 

 harvest commenced the quantity of the crop was ascertained in the 

 presence of the inhabitants and village servants, by the survey of per- 

 sons unconnected with the village, who, from habit, were particularly 

 skilful and expert in judging of the amount of the produce, and who, 

 in the adjustment of this business, were materially aided by a reference 

 to the produce of former years, as recorded by the accountants of the 

 villages. The cultivators were at liberty, if they thought it necessary, 

 to make another survey by people of their own ; and if any material 

 difference appeared in the two estimates, a third account was taken, 

 under the orders of the village officers. The quantity which belonged 

 to the Government being thus ascertained, it was received in kind or in 

 money. Before the division took place, certain deductions were made 

 from the gross produce, which the Committee will hereafter explain. 



