Item CR9/28/35 - Letter from Mubariz al-Mulk

Date(s) from item: September 6 received 1766
Envelope numbered B No. 12
Thank you very much for your letter advising me that I should include the district of Colonel Ganj under my administration and carry out the administration of the opium trade properly and efficiently. I should try to buy whatever quantity is needed for the Company and not allow the French, the Dutch or any mahajans to participate in this trade
Acting on your advice I have included the district of Karnailganj in my administration. As far as the trade of opium is concerned the officials who curtail the illegal trade of opium do not make a distinction between opium traders, mahajans and the common people. Since your gumashtahs have monopolized the purchase of opium, all other traders have ceased to trade and zamindars have ceased cultivating opium. It is therefore requested that you order them to make a distinction between the mahajans and genuine traders so that zamindars could also resume the cultivation of opium. It is therefore recommended that you appoint agents for the purchase of opium and they purchase whatever the Company requires and the rest is sold to the Dutch, the French and the mahajans. This will increase the trade and ultimately increase our tax revenue as well