would all be raid to themselves: for labour and come back into local circulation, but at the same time if they chose to make the road themselves according to the plans I would be equally satisfied. One of the gentry said it would be better for the Government to make the road as they knew how, and would do it properly whereas they did not know how to make it.
The visits were interesting and impressed me favourably with the people. I have no doubt that they will have a good effect in creating confidence. Heretofore they have never had any evidence that Government took the slightest interest in anything beyond the collection of taxes and squeezes, they were expected to manage all their local affairs so long as there was no trouble to the Government and that armed gang robbers did not increase in numbers to so great an extent as to form a nucleus for a rebellion. Clan fights were the recognized modes of adjustment in disagreement between villages and in those fights which sometimes occupied weeks, scores of men were killed without any interference or inquiry on the part of the Government; no official could be approached without the preliminary of an offering, in proportion to his rank, and even the retainers down to the gate-keeper had to be fed. One of the Elders said
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