This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1874 edition. Excerpt: ...of interest connected with the land that the govern-.JS'jn ment charges on the land, whether they might %% % " be properly classed as rent or land tax, shall be with such as the cultivator can pay, and yet main-TM S rent?" tain the best system of agriculture known to him.1ng' Now, this is one of the points regarding which the Deccan settlement officers have departed from, and I think most wisely and judiciously departed from, the native custom which we found in force. The native custom was always to assess a rack rent, and then to make some allowance or annual abatement, as poverty or bad seasons might require. This system worked less oppressively under the native governments than under ours, because the cultivator had always some means of influencing his native ruler, and could to some extent obtain an abatement when needed; but under us, especially where the seasons were precarious, it was found in practice to open the door to over-assessment and grievous oppression, which kept the cultivator always in a state bordering on starvation. When I first knew the Deccan, nothing could exceed the Miserable misery and poverty of the great majority of the cmlcultirawre cultivating classes. Here and there you met """-'-a man who by great energy, or by influence with minor government officials, managed to make both ends meet, and perhaps do something more. But, as a general rule, the cultivating classes were deeply in debt--often on the borders of starvation--and, but for their extraordinary attachment to their hereditary lands, and the total absence of other means of living, would probably have very generally abandoned agriculture--or, at least, have fled the country. Yet it is noteworthy that this system of rack renting was one of...