Page:The Marquess Cornwallis and the Consolidation of British Rule.djvu/137

Rh to processes, confinement, and the eventual forfeiture of their rights, sufficient provision had not been made for the realisation of the Zamíndárs' rents, which are the basis of all land revenue. In 1793 a law had been enacted defining the extent of the legal coercion which landholders might exercise over under-farmers, dependent Tálukdárs, and Ryots, but it was soon found to be insufficient for this purpose; and in 1799 a further Regulation, No. VII, was enacted, which remained for more than half a century the principal statute relative to the recovery of arrears. By this law any tenant was considered a defaulter who withheld his rent beyond the day specified in his written engagement or, in default of specification, beyond the date sanctioned by local usage. The landholder was empowered to distrain crops and products of the earth, as well as cattle and other personal property. Ploughs and other implements of husbandry, cattle actually trained to the plough, and grain for seed, were exempted from attachment and sale, and the same protection was extended to lands, houses, and other immovable property. A notice of fifteen days was necessary before the attached property could be sold.

Further power was given to landholders to procure the arrest of dependent Tálukdárs, leaseholders, Ryots, or their sureties; and they were also authorised to summon, and if necessary to compel the attendance of their Ryots at their private Kacherí or local office, with the object of adjusting their balances, and of giving