'A Journey from Bengal to England, through the Northern part of India, Kashmire, Afghanistan, and Persia, and into Russia, by the Caspian-Sea. By George Forster. In the Civil Service of the Honourable the East-India Company in Two Volumes. Vol. I.' [‎87] (112/342)

FORSTER’S TRAVELS.
87
tin tied, gave them often a value of feventeen and an half per cent*
on the Lucknow amount; a profit which enabled the bankers to
export the value in ftlver.* — The refumption of the Jaguir, or
alienated lands, has not been productive of tne promifed benefits.
The officers, who enjoyed thofe benefadlions, were many or them
men of expenfive manners ; they promoted the confumption 01
valuable manufactures, and polieffing rank and diitmcfion, they
maintained a numerous body of dependants. Whether from a
fucceffion of oppreffive managers, or that the inhabitants go not
experience the fruits of former liberality, it is evidently feen, that
the refumed diflriCls are ill cultivated, and tninly inhabited.
Little remains to be faid of the Vizier s military eftahlifh-
ment; it being only ufeful in affiihing the collection or die levenue,
enforcing the obedience of the leffer vaffals, or furnifhing a guard
for his perfon. The defence of the country wholly reds on the
forces of the Englifh, which are fuppiied according to emergency.
The troops at this time, amount to about eight thoufand fepoys,
and five hundred Europeans, with the requifite train of artillery.
The treafury of Aflbff-ud-Dowlah is now low, but it is faid, that
he has nearly paid off the refidue of a large debt, which had been
accumulating fince the period or his father s death. It is to Ow
fincerely wifhed, that the meafures purfued in future, may redrefs
* A flow of commerce, which now more diffufely conveys the manufactures of this
country to Bengal, has reduced this premium to four per cent.
the