Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One

Chapter 35: First official reforms part-3 ~ Re-edited

(land reforms and tax collection )

During Hemu's era, the land revenue system was primarily based on the zamindari system, where zamindars, often lower-ranking nobles, held vast swathes of land while the actual Peasants were allocated plots ranging from a few acres to tens of acre based on the region's fertility and the landlords' fairness.

However, the peasants were taxed in between 80 to 90 percent of the total produce which made them poor.

Pratap Rao Taode presented a drafted parchment, outlining that individuals possessing 100 hectares of land would be granted the title of zamindar.

Additionally, these zamindars were restricted from extracting more than 60 percent of the total produce from the peasants tilling their assigned plots. It is expected that such measures would stop the exploitation of peasants and help them to alleviate their social lives.

He initiated the proposal of the Permanent Settlement System, aiming to curb the unchecked expansion of zamindar's holdings by prohibiting them from acquiring additional land from the wastelands.

Furthermore, he advocated for the reclamation of wastelands by the peasant families instead by granting them up to max 10 acres of land.

Under this plan, the peasant cultivators, will have complete ownership rights to their acquired land and the revenue will be collected from them individually. this system was termed ryotwari system.

In cases of confiscation of any land from zamindars due to non-compliance or unauthorized land grabbing, the confiscated land would be redistributed to the village as a collective entity .

Here, the village community, would bear the responsibility of land revenue assessment and collection, ensuring equitable distribution among themselves, best headed by the sarpanch(village chief).

This land revenue system would be termed as mahalwari system

He continued, stating that for additional land reclamation, the zamindars could earn merit through virtuous deeds or purchase land directly from the kingdom.

Despite initial protests from some nobles, their objections silenced by the next words of Pratap Rao's elaboration. He assured them that the price of land bought by the zamindars would be determined by the respective kingdoms, and the proceeds would remain untaxed by the empire.

As curiosity sparked among the nobles, Pratap Rao outlined the potential benefits of the policy, strengthening their political resolve to implement it. After thorough discussion, the imperial decree endorsing this reform was passed unanimously.

(farm laws with msp scheme)

Afterwards, came proposal for agriculture reform which included discussions on constructing canals and dams to reclaim wasteland, a measure that swiftly gained approval as it aligned with the interests of the nobles.

The empire agreed to share 50 percent of the budget for this endeavour, eliciting nods of approval from all present nobles.

During the land reforms, some nobles expressed concern about how zamindars could collect substantial taxes if they didn't receive a large portion of the produce.

They also questioned how the kingdom's need for abundant crops for trade, especially given the prevalence of barter trade with foreign states, would be met.

In response, Pratap Rao proposed a solution where the kingdom would directly purchase all crops from farmers at a minimum support price and then sell them in the market.

While not compulsory, farmers are assured of selling their produce at reduced rates, ensuring a steady supply for the kingdom. The surplus can then be sold in the market, allowing the kingdom to profit.

Consequently, taxes would be levied based on monetary gains rather than direct crop yields, thereby fostering regulation of coin currency in the market.

This system would allow the kingdom to regulate and control the market while ensuring fair compensation for both farmers and zamindars.

Ultimately, this approach was deemed practical as it addressed the concerns of both the nobles and the kingdom while providing a sustainable solution for agricultural trade.

(need for uniform weights and measures)

In response to the nobles' concerns about varying weights and measures across regions, Aditya proposed the establishment of a council dedicated to the unification of standard weights and measures.

To incentivize merchants to adopt the new system, a 5 percent tax reduction in tariffs would be offered, and all royal transactions would be conducted using the standardized measures.

Recognizing the potential chaos of immediately enforcing the new system on local populations, it was decided that only royal establishments would be mandated to follow the standardized measurements initially to mitigate disruptions while allowing time for widespread adoption.

After thorough discussions, the implementation of the MSP system and tax reductions for zamindars were temporarily put on hold until the standardization and unification of measurements were achieved under the council of trade and commerce temporarily led by Aditya.

This practical solution balanced the need for uniformity with the realities of local customs and trade practices.

(trade laws)

As the head of the Trade and Commerce Council and foreign affairs, Aditya championed the proposal for eliminating tariffs on inter-kingdom trade, emphasizing the importance of fostering business efficiency and boosting profitability through reduced import duties.

Despite initial objections regarding potential tax evasion, Aditya proposed a solution of issuing tokens or passes to merchants to monitor their movements and ensuring their families remain at home.

Penalties for fraudulent activities were also outlined to deter any misuses. Through collaborative refinement with input from other kingdom delegates, the proposal evolved into a more comprehensive and feasible plan, eventually gaining approval.

Aditya's pragmatic approach garnered widespread appreciation, setting the stage for smoother and more prosperous inter-kingdom trade relations.

(finance law introducing bank and new coins)

As Prime Minister Chandrashekhar steered the discussion towards financial reforms, the chamber brimmed with anticipation. Sayantika Sen, with a revolutionary vision, unveiled her proposal for a new coinage system called mudras.

Under this system, Copper coins would be designated for paise, while silver coins would represent rupees, and gold coins, equivalent to 100 silver, would be utilized for higher denominations.

The value of these coins would be determined by their density and corresponding market rates. This monetary system bore striking resemblance to the Mughal era's employment of mohurs, albeit with a notable distinction: the mohur's value, equivalent to 10 silver, paled in comparison to its traditional counterpart, which stood at 100.

Sayantika's plan also included a reduction in taxation from 30 to 20 percent, which elicited enthusiastic applause from the kingdom delegates, easing their burden of zameendar tax reduction in the future.

However, the real surprise came with her proposal for a banking system, a concept previously unheard of. She elucidated on the benefits of banking—providing financial services, facilitating trade, and lessening the burden on the treasury.

This innovative approach, inspired by the limited banking activities previously conducted by temples, garnered widespread praise from the nobles.

With the majority in favor, all the proposed reforms, including the introduction of the banking system, were swiftly passed. The kingdom's economy stood on the brink of a transformative era, poised for enhanced prosperity and influence in foreign trade.

(public laws introducing police, jails and edicts)

With the financial reforms settled, Chandrashekhar pivoted the discussion to internal security reform. Sukhwindar Singh, Minister of Public Works, presented a draft proposal outlining the establishment of a dedicated military unit for internal security, freeing up the army to focus solely on border defense.

He also suggested the introduction of a police force to maintain law and order—a departure from the previous reliance on local noble militias.

This novel idea stirred up concerns among the kingdom delegates, leaving Sukhwindar struggling to address their doubts.

Aditya intervened, despite of personal difference in ideological gap proposed solutions to the delegates' uncertainties.

He outlined plans for retiring military personnel above 40 years and transitioning them into officer roles to train local militia. Aditya also suggested a voluntary retirement age of 35 years, aiming to boost efficiency.

Amidst the nobles' protests and queries regarding uncertainty, Aditya stepped in with a series of strategic solutions.

He emphasized the necessity of edicts to be prominently displayed in all marketplaces, asserting that individual kingdoms must shoulder responsibility. This decentralized approach aimed to empower kingdoms with greater centralization, ensuring more secure and effective rule enforcement.

Aditya proposed that officers be selected by the empire, underscoring the importance of a centralized authority. To facilitate this, he advocated for the establishment of a dedicated police academy, setting the stage for rigorous training and standardized recruitment.

In the event of personnel shortages, Aditya proposed the deployment of his mercenary service for a limited period, a suggestion met with acceptance by the kingdom delegates, albeit with a reduced salary offer compared to that of regular police personnel.

In a departure from traditional methods, Aditya advocated for the introduction of jails for long-term imprisonment instead of execution.

Highlighting the potential for free labor, this proposition resonated with many nobles, ultimately contributing to the smooth acceptance of the reforms across all kingdoms within the empire.

Inspired by Aditya's proposal to engrave edicts in prominent marketplaces, Jayadev Patil suggested extending this practice to showcase the reforms. This innovative idea garnered unanimous praise from all present.

(surveillance reforms introducing watchers)

To ensure the smooth implementation of reforms and monitor compliance by the kingdoms for generating ranking, Jayadev proposed the establishment of a dedicated group and department. These group of peoples will be called watchers.

These watchers would also hold watch authority over Aditya's mercenary activities, consolidating efforts under a new council named the Council of Défense, temporarily led by Shadi Khan.

Aditya couldn't help but chuckle at the name, finding it fitting despite not being part of the original plan.

Prime Minister Chandrashekhar clarified that although Aditya would retain autonomy in his company's affairs, he would need to inform the Défense Council of each step.

Aditya, acknowledging the importance of coordination, readily consented to the arrangement.

Despite his temporary appointment, the newly promoted Shadi Khan voiced his concerns. As a king of his own domain, he initially felt hesitant about assuming the post. However, with persuasion from the prime minister, he relented.

(bill introducing imperial military academy)

Shadi Khan commended Aditya for his visionary approach and proceeded to advocate for the proposal of a unified training regiment at the Imperial Military Academy for the Imperial Corps.

His suggestion was met with heavy opposition from the kingdom nobles, who feared logistical and budgetary issues associated with training such a large corps.

Aditya intervened with a solution, proposing that the entire training budget be covered by the empire, with the stipulation that the academy be located in the capital kingdom of Delhi.

Soldiers would train here while being accommodated in barracks or garrisons within their respective kingdoms.

Aditya's strategic manoeuvre silently further solidified the influence of the imperial capital over all its member kingdoms.

While the member kingdoms rejoiced at the prospect of their respective military units receiving comprehensive training, paving the way for potential leadership roles in the future, Chandrashekhar found himself hesitating due to the significant financial implications of such a large-scale endeavor.

However, with the backing of Emperor Hemu, this ambitious proposal was ultimately sanctioned, marking another milestone in the ongoing defense reforms.

(bill for mud road construction)

Taking the excuse of crucial need for swift troop movement, Aditya proposed a pragmatic solution: the construction of expansive mud roads connecting the various kingdoms within the empire.

Despite their inferiority to brick or concrete roads, mud roads promised rapid construction at a fraction of the cost.

Recognizing the paramount importance of enhanced security measures, all members of the council readily embraced this proposal.

Aditya was tasked with the weighty responsibility of gathering funds from every kingdom to kickstart the ambitious road interconnection project. Sensing the urgency, he pressed for the capital city's road construction to take precedence.

This decision, born of a need to focus on both his company's setup and weapons expansion, found swift agreement from Prime Minister Chandrashekar. With the plan set in motion, Chandrashekar proceeded to outline clear instructions for Aditya's next steps.

He directed Aditya to defer his visit to the weapon factory in the kingdom of Rewari until after completing the crucial tasks of unifying and standardizing measurements.

This strategic delay, though resulting in the postponement of two pending reforms, was deemed necessary for the seamless execution of the broader agenda.

Aditya, recognizing the wisdom in Chandrashekar's guidance, accepted the directive with resolve, understanding that prioritizing foundational reforms would pave the way for more comprehensive advancements in the future.

As the proceedings drew to a close, Aditya couldn't help but feel a swell of satisfaction.

Despite the challenges and resistance from entrenched interests, the seeds of revolutionary change had been sown across multiple domains within the feudal system.

The alignment with the nobles, though necessitated by political realities, hinted at a delicate balance of power and compromise.

Yet, amidst this backdrop of shifting dynamics, Aditya glimpsed the promise of a stronger, more resilient empire.

These initial reforms, while monumental in their own right, merely scratched the surface of what was possible.

With each decree and policy enacted, the empire edged closer to a future brimming with potential and progress.

And as Prime Minister Chandrashekhar prepared to unveil the final imperial decree, a palpable sense of anticipation hung in the air, foreshadowing the dawn of a new era for Samrajya.

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AUTHOR'S NOTES

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Dear readers!

While I may have fast forwarded a lot of details along the way, but it was done keeping in mind that the details of its implementation and its impact is to be added in further Chapters which will contain reactions, dramas, and captivating stories. Thank you for your understanding and continued support!