and wielded very great powers in their little estates. They were only a step below the higher class of Zamindars and that step was a very short one. In the Mulfoozat Timooree or, memoirs of Timour, two kinds of Zamindars are taken notice of—one superior, having a country and subjects, and the other, inferior or dependent; and it is at least probable that the former may have been the successors of ancient Rajas, or rulers of the country, while the latter were subordinate chiefs, or perhaps landed proprietors, of the country. It would appear that both the superior and the inferior Zamindars had been left at the first conquest of the country in the possession of some of the powers which they originally held in their particular parganas, so far as was consistent with a general subjection to the conquerors[1]. Judab was not a Zamindar in the highest sense of the term, and, as a matter of fact, it was pretty long before his family was honoured with that titular distinction between which and a petty prince there was not much to choose. But though not a Zamindar of the superior order, Jadab's position and influence was considerable. He lived his days in peace and glory, and when the "fatal sisters" cut the thread of his life, departed this world, leaving a numerous progeny, consisting of ten sons and seven grandsons. As ill luck would have it, this happy and flourishing family, in an evil hour, incurred the grave displeasure of the reigning sovereign, who, carried away by sudden gusts of anger, ordered their total destruction. The order being strict and peremptory, it was soon carried into effect, and, thus this prosperous family which to all appearance bade fair to have a long life, ran a very serious risk of being cut off root and branch. But man proposes, God disposes. It had, however, been ordained by the Great Disposer that the family should not cease altogether, so that in spite of the cruel resolve and strenuous efforts[2] of Ballal Sen to the contrary,
- ↑ Vide Neil B. E. Bailie's Land Tax of India, pp. XXXVI and XXXVII 2nd Edition.
- ↑ A more striking instance of Ballal Sen's violent temper is to be found in the case of his only son and heir, Lakshman Sen. Once on a time the Prince had given some offence to royalty and the king, his father, took it so much to heart that, carried away by his ruling passion which "like Aaron's serpent swallow'd all the rest," he readily ordered his decapitation. Lakshman, who then happened to be somewhat off from the royal presence, on hearing of this cruel order and knowings full well the
