'The views and opinions of Brigadier General John Jacob, CB. Aide-decamp to the Queen; Aide-de-camp to the Governor General of India, &c. &c. &c.; late commanding in chief the British forces in Persia; at present commanding the Sind Irregular Horse, and Political Superintendent of the North-West frontier of Sind.' [‎160] (191/481)

160
It would, in fact, be reintroducing the state of affairs
which was found so injurious in the Sind Irregular Horse,
and which was in that corps remedied with so much labour.
Such a proceeding would tend to destroy the self-depend
ence which constitutes the silidar's peculiar strength.
The less Government interferes with him the better: he
should receive his pay, and be left to make his arrange
ments for performing his part of the contract, being com
pelled always to have man, horse, arms, &;c. complete and
ready for service; no assistance being given, and no
excuse accepted.
On the whole, I have not the least doubt, after nine
years' constant attention to the subject, but that the best
system of silidar arrangements is, that Government should
not recognise the sale of assamees at all; but that their
sale should be permitted, at the discretion of commanding
officers, as a private arrangement between the men of the
regiment. That such sales should be bona fide, for ready
money only; and that only members of the corps should
be allowed to purchase or to hold assamees in the corps.
I am of opinion that it would have been much better if
Government had never recognised even the distinction
between bargheer and silidar; and if it were to refuse to
do so now, a silidar corps should be mustered and paid as
so many sowars, (fee.; the horse being considered as part
of the man, and commanding officers being held strictly
responsible that everything be kept in an efficient state; all
details being left to them to manage as they can.
It is undoubtedly possible that, under a different system,
with less left to the regiment, and more established by
general rule and regulation, no silidar corps would ever
be in a very bad condition; but it is certain that such a
system would reduce all to a decent mediocrity; the genius