1 62 WHERE THREE EMPIRES MEET
2 violets seem rather appropriate to the Vale of Kashmir,
3 and these are still levied ; for one district has to supply
4 a certain weight of chob-i-kot, the root of a mountain
5 herb which is in repute as an excellent aphrodisiac,
6 while from another district so many maunds of violets
7 are required annually.
8 The State officials are supposed to ascertain the
9 yearly value of the cultivated land of each village com-
10 munity, and to raise a revenue proportionate to it.
11 This assessment is, almost without exception, irregular
12 and unjust. K it have any principle underhung it, it
13 may be said that this is the competition of thieves, for
14 this alone regulates the amoimt that is extorted from
15 the cultivators. Some villages are grossly over-assessed,
16 while others are equally under-assessed ; and therefore
17 one of Mr. Lawrence's chief duties is to have a proper
18 survey and valuation of the lands of each village made,
19 and to then fix a definite annual revenue in place of
20 the present uncertain and often ruinous demand.
21 The State is divided for purposes of revenue into
22 districts called tahsils^ each containing a number of
23 villages, and being under an official known as a tahsil-
24 dar. The tahsildar is an Oriental edition of a French
25 pr(^fet, but is more powerful and far more irrespon-
26 sible. He has the civil and criminal jurisdiction over
27 his district, and enjoys unequalled opportunities for
28 enriching himself at the expense of State and people.
29 Each village has its himbadar, a personage with
30 whom every traveller in Kashmir has plenty of deal-
31 ings ; for it is he that is sent for when one enters a
32 village, and he has to provide one with coolies, sheep,
33 fowls, and other necessaries. It is he, too, who often
34 receives the pay for these ; and how much he retains
35 as his dastur, and how much he hands over to the un-