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156 but so far the people in the districts cannot live up to it. They lag, and when I asked the reason for this sluggishness, I was generally told that the small jagirdars and the fat sowcars are at the root of the slow progress that is being made at present. Things familiar to me in British India I found everywhere, but not so highly developed as they are under English rule.

And I may add that some of the ancient customs in the capital were sharply criticised by the Mahomedan talukdars and tahsildars; in fact, the Mahomedan gentlemen who administer the districts appear to be in advance of much that now goes on in the capital, and if His Highness the Nizam desires to quicken the speed of the State coach, and remove some of its ancient fittings, I am sure that he will find support among the up-to-date government officials in the districts. And with these hopeful remarks I will close this little book, adding all good wishes for His Highness's government, which has, no doubt, the true interests of the people in the Dominions at heart, and wishing for H. H. the Nizam a long and prosperous reign, during which he may see the Hyderabad State prosper and develop.