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The Survey Cords Stretched Across the Land
Book D13 · Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time

The Survey Cords Stretched Across the Land

From D13.3, Anooshirvan’s Decree of Justice. It illustrates D13.3.17–24:

  • D13.3.17
    When Kisra took the throne, he set the rateBy land assessment, ending tithes of state.
  • D13.3.18
    The sages, chiefs, and Mobadan drew round,With shrewd provincial rulers on the ground.
  • D13.3.19
    They stretched the survey cords across the land,And set a one-dirham assessed demand.
  • D13.3.20
    That levy was so modest in its claimThe owners did not suffer hurt or shame.
  • D13.3.21
    Those lacking seed or beasts received due aidFrom royal treasure till their crops were made.
  • D13.3.22
    All fallow land was left outside account;Old customary levies ceased to count.
  • D13.3.23
    On fruitful vineyards six dirhams were laid,Assessed as tax, by settled measure paid.
  • D13.3.24
    Date-palm plantations paid the same by law;The scribes set down each levy that they saw.
Read it in the poemIn the Illustrated PoemAll panels of Book D13
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