1844.] Political Events in the Carnatic, from 1564 to 1687. 435 



secular Brahmins were therefore employed with advantage in these 

 situations, which the first rude warriors could ill manage.* In Ankola, 

 in Sanoor, in Serah, the vestiges of this system still prevail, and where- 

 ever their armies moved, they appear to have been accompanied by 

 these able accountants, (the Dessayets.) In Bangalore and Colar, we 

 therefore find this system still (or recently) prevailing under all its 

 several ramifications, while the provincial system of the Raya Samas- 

 tan prevails in all the districts that had not been organized as settled 

 provinces, but left under the payment of a tribute in their interior 

 arrangements to the rule of the native chiefs. f 



31. The choice of Shahjee under such a government, may be there- 

 Reflections on the fore attributed to a superior degree of political saga- 



character of Shah- . _ ,.,*.,,•,.-■, 



jee. city ; and we accordingly find, that the establishment 



of the new system of management is attributed to him, who was des- 

 tined to be still more distinguished afterwards as the founder of a 

 dynasty and power, that in about 120 years was to extend its influence 

 nearly over all India, and gave the first serious check to the pro- 

 gressive growth of the Mahomedan power, till the discomfiture of the 

 Marhattas at Paniput in 1761. 



32. In the Bangalore, Serah and Colar districts, this arrangement of 

 revenue management lately prevailed, as described in an authentic 

 Memoir, preserved by one of the descendants of the first accountants, 

 where, after describing the arrangement of purgunnahs by Shahjee, he 

 proceeds: — % 



* Hence the countries subject to the new families of Bednore, Mysore, Chittle- 

 droog, Raidroog, &c, whose chiefs are registered as zemindars, were found to be 

 managed according to the ancient system, while Bangalore, Colar and Serah, as organiz- 

 ed provinces, were registered by this new system, managed by the Dessayet Brahmins. 



f The Raidroog MS. saved by accident, clearly shews this as well as the Bednore, 

 &c. Memoirs. This book states the original revenues of their country, and the mode by 

 which the demands of the contending powers were assessed as an extraordinary (a) con- 

 tribution on the ryuts, in proportion to the original rent. 



X Literal translation from a Memoir, furnished by one of the descendants of these 

 Dessayet Brahmin officers in the Colar district.— (Mar.) 



(a) These extraordinary contributions appear also to have been practised in the more ancient 

 provinces of the Southern Dravida countries, under the name of dund. This last chiefs of Inscrip- 

 tions contain information of the taxes and customs levied on the subjects by the ancient govern- 

 ment. 



