The Book of Government or Rules for Kings by Nizam Al-Mulk

Author:Nizam Al-Mulk [Al-Mulk, Nizam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-136-60296-2
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XXXVII

Concerning precautions to be taken with regard to assignments and the condition of the peasants

1 If reports come in from any district shewing that the peasants are being ruined and scattered abroad, and if it seems likely that the informants are actuated by self-interest, one of the private staR should be appointed unexpectedly so that no one will guess the purpose of his mission, and sent on some pretext to that place, to tour the district for a month and see the state of the towns and villages, whether they are prosperous or ruined; he should listen to what people have to say concerning assignees and tax-collectors and bring back verified reports, because officials [when they are questioned] always bring up the pretext and excuse that those [who accuse them] are their enemies. They should not be listened to for they are getting audacious and doing and saying whatever they like; while trustworthy informants are refraining from advising the king or the assignee for fear lest they be thought self-interested. This is even now a cause of decline in population; the peasants are becoming impoverished and uprooted, and taxes are being unfairly levied.

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