Question

On which one of the following conditions, did the Marathas agree to serve the Mughal King with a Cavalry contingent of 15,000 in the early 18th century?
1. Grant of the jagir of Malwa province
2. Control of the resources of Gujarat
3. The right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi in the Deccan and South India
4. The right to mint coins in their own name

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : The right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi in the Deccan and South India

The correct answer is The right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi in the Deccan and South India.

• In 1719, the Mughal emperor granted Shahu the chauth and sardeshmukhi rights over the six Deccan provinces in exchange for his maintaining a contingent of 15,000 troops for the emperor.
• 25% of the levy, called babti, went to the chhatrapati and he also had discretionary grant-making authority over the nadgaunda proceeds which amounted to 3% of the total collection.
• 6% of the chauth collections was granted to the pant sachiv, the officer in charge of the royal secretariat, and was called the sahotra grant.

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• Two-thirds of the collections however remained with the Maratha sardars who collected the taxes and they used it for maintaining their troops for the Chhatrapati.
• This part of the levy was called mokasa.
• The chauth along with sardeshmukhi levies ensured a steady and large stream of income for the Marathas and helped them expand beyond the swarajya territories of Shivaji.