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VIZAGAPATAM be given over to the zamindars free of additional assessment. In the case of the havíli land, the Circuit Committee's figures of revenue were also to be checked by a comparison with the actual collections of the preceding thirteen years, and in addition such factors as the quality of the irrigation in the new estates and their proximity to the markets at the ports and towns were to be taken into consideration.

The Collectors of the three divisions of the district were directed to report upon the estates which should be constituted in their several charges and the peshkash which should be laid upon each; and their replies, available in print, are valuable papers. The Collector of the First division, Mr. Robert Alexander, divided his charge, which comprised the havíli land of Vizagapatam and Kasimkóta, into the seventeen proprietary estates noted in the margin. He stated that the land revenue was collected in three forms called sist, bilmakta and bhágam. The sist was a nominal sum entered in the patta; and when the crop was nearly ripe it was valued by the Circar servants and an enhancement, called malavati and calculated on the condition of the crop, was added to the sist. This was often most unjustly assessed, and sometimes actually exceeded the whole value of the crop. The  bilmaktawas a fixed money rent, levied for the most part on high-level land and tracts long left uncultivated, and was not common. Most of the land was assessed on the bhágam, or sharing, system. The share taken by the Government varied with the nature of the ground and the condition and caste of the ryot, Rajputs, Velamas, and cultivators from other parts who took over land which the inhabitants of any village were unable to cultivate themselves, were allowed a half share of the crop; but the ordinary ryot only received a third. Mr. Alexander said this one-third was a most inadequate proportion, much less than inamdars gave to their tenants, and productive of discontent, restlessness and emigration. He considered that the new proprietors should be allowed not less than ten, nor more than twenty, per cent, of the calculated revenue of their estates. The total permanent assessment on the seventeen estates was fixed at Rs. 3,18,710. They were sold by auction in 1802 and, except Waltair, were all bought by the Rája of Vizianagram, the price paid being Rs. 1,62,846. 170