Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/498

 490 MAU Nazim of Baiswara, which, under the old regime, was a very lucrative post. “The principal profits were these:The treasurer received two per cent commission on all revenue paid into his charge. When there was not money enough in the chest to meet the Government demand on quarter day, the treasurer was bound to advance it to the Nazim at 12 per cent. interest.* It was the custom to issue from the mint new rupees every year, coining them in the month of Mohurrum; and the way they were forced into circulation was by a declaration that those were the only coins which would be received at par; a discount of 1 rupee 9 annas per cent. being charged on rupees of every other year and mint. It was of course impossible for the rupees to get so rapidly into circulation in remote districts, and hence this discount came to be considered as a regular ces upon the zemindars, and was always included in their kuboolyuts. “The zemindars, therefore, paid their revenue with this additional per- centage in the rupees current in their locality, and as those rupees very often ranked as high in the market as the new current rupee of the year, the treasurer could change them withoyt any loss, and the discount of 1 rupee 9 annas per cent. became his perquisite. To these profits it is almost needless to add the influence which he obtained from his position as treasurer; and being always at hand to offer an advance at 36 per cent to any helpless defaulter who might fall into the hands of the Nazim, he was able to extend his operations very widely. “After this wise Hirderam increased and multiplied. His son, Lalmun, carried on his father's business, and educated his grandson, Chundun Lal, who took the management of the house at his grandfather's death. Chundun Lal bad two brothers; the second, Moona Lal, set up for him- self at Cawnpore, and there has never been a good feeling between the two branches of the family. The third son, Gunga Pershad, remained at Morawun as a partner of his eldest brother's house. «In 1810 A.D., when Fuzl Ali Khan was Nazim of Baiswara, Chundun Lal first appears as the owner of three villa in different parts the district. From this he went on gradually increasing his possessions till, in 1825 A.D., when Raja Durshun Singh was Nazim, his estate bad risen to two and a half lacs, and it continued to fluctuate between this amount and a minimum of one and a half lacs (with only one considerable exception to be mentioned afterwards) till 1850 A.D. In that year Hamid Al Khan, a Delhi Prince, was Nazim, and his agent and actual manager was Gholam Ali Khan. He thought Chundun Lal was a squeezable man, and required him to pay more by half a lac than he had done last year. Chundub Lal flatly refused, and declared the estate was not worth more. rate' said the Naib,' every one does not think that, for Rambux will give Rs. 30,000 more any day.' This was adding fuel to Chundun Lal's anget, to think that he should not only lose his estate, but also that his old enemy The Nazio bad to pay the total sum bid by him, to obtain the contract of the Nizamat, in four instalments, which fell due on Axed days. This discount was known by the name of " Bhutta Ghan.” Pages 139–143, " Elliott's Chronicles of Oonao." At any