That Eurasian

by Aleph Bey

To vindicate myself, I explained to the villagers what I had done, and was obliged to let them know what I thought of the sahib. The whole village was intensely agitated, and nothing was talked of but the tyranny of the settlement officer, comparing him with the collector sahib, who was so kind and pleased.

It happened just as I anticipated, the assessments were increased twenty per cent. Great stress was laid on the rich productive land, compared with adjoining villages, on the valuable fruit trees, the comfortable houses, on the tank yielding a large amount of fish.

On hearing of the officer’s report I wrote to the Government in the Revenue Department, making a long statement, showing in what condition I had found the villages, a lot of dilapidated huts; that I had contributed several thousand rupees for the construction of houses; that the soil had been very poor, which I had enriched with fertilizers and judicious cultivation; that many acres were absolutely barren, usar land, which I under-drained and fertilized with lime and manure, and after years of labor and much expense, had changed it to productive soil; that I had built drains for the streets, and made the villages healthy; and lastly, I had built the tank and stocked it with fish, employing men to go a great distance, and bring the best kinds. I might have told how the tank had been robbed by the camp of the Settlement Officer, but caution controlled me to say nothing that would irritate, as I was now a supplicant for mercy, since I knew I could not get justice. I prayed that under the circumstances, the assessment might remain as formerly, or at the same rate as of the villages in the vicinity.

My application was denied, on the plea that the Revenue Department could not upset a report of the Settlement Officer who had been upon the ground and thoroughly understood the whole matter.

I went to the Collector and laid the whole subject before him, asking for justice, omitting all mention of anything unpleasant that had occurred. He wrote to the Department stating that he had spent some days at these villages; that they were models, not only of the district but of all India; that he had never seen any to compare with them; that they were like villages at home; that he was surprised and delighted to find that such improvements could be made in India; but it was all due to the energy and personal attention of Mr. Japhet, who had spent large amounts of money in the improvements. He hoped, therefore, that the Board would reconsider its decision, as it would only be just to Mr. Japhet to make some concession. The reply was that in view of the representations of the Collector the assessment would be reduced to ten per cent. above the former rate, but “further than that it would not be advisable, etc.”

This was a gain, and somewhat satisfactory. If a robber waylays you, and empties your pockets, it is better to accept a sovereign that he generously offers you out of your own purse, than go without supper and bed.

I had then the pleasure of re-stocking my tank with fish and in the evening after it was finished, at our assembly, we had a kind of a jubilee meeting, thanking our stars that another settlement officer would not come again for thirty-three years.

CHAPTER XXXV.

This arbitrary assessment of lands without regard to the expense of the improvements, is one of the greatest drawbacks to the prosperity of India where there is not a permanent settlement. I have been told by many zemindars that any improvement of their villages would only be to their detriment, that the digging of wells and tanks, the planting of trees and the enrichment of the soil, would only increase their assessment. I have known of villages where lands were allowed to remain idle, and become barren several years before the settlement, so that they might be assessed as waste land. As soon as the settlement was made these lands were again cultivated. The Government forces the people to become deceivers. My experience showed me that the zemindars were correct in their statements. That if one did not wish to be punished for making improvements he should do nothing. It is a pitiable condition in which to place the people by a civilized government that is continually appointing commissions to formulate voluminous reports and getting the opinion of scientific book farmers on the improvement of the agricultural condition of India. What is the inducement for any one to plant a tree, dig a well or tank, or improve the soil, when he knows as sure as the sun rises, that the Government will fine him for all he does?

If I had not an income aside of that of my villages, I could not have done what I did. As it was I was rewarded by an increased assessment. I could afford to pay the fine owing to the kindness of the friend of my boyhood, but what about the millions of poor wretches who have no income but from their daily toil?