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Chauth and sardeshmukhi: Two important taxes in the Maratha taxation system

Chauth and sardeshmukhi were the two most important taxes in the taxation system of the powerful Maratha state founded by brilliant Maratha leader Shivaji (1627-1680). 

According to Mahadev Govind Ranade, a famous Indian scholar and freedom fighter, chauth was a military tribute that was levied as a quid pro quo for protection against the invasion of a third power. But eminent historian Jadunath Sarkar does not ascribe to this view. According to him, chauth, 25% tax on revenue or produce, was realized from the alien territories to save themselves from the unwelcome presence of the Maratha soldiers and civil underlings. Shivaji was not under obligation to guard the territory from foreign invasion or internal disorder. 

According to another authority S. G Sardesai, chauth was a military tribute paid by the conquered or hostile territories. Since Shivaji was the hereditary sardeshmukh (Chief Headmand) of Maharashtra, he demanded an additional levy of 10 percent known as sardeshmukhi. Historian Ishwari Prasad is of the opinion that desai is the corrupt form of the Sanskrit word deshswami also called deshmukh. The sardeshmukh stood above many desais, and deshmukhs were under the control of the sardeshmukh. Sardeshmukh was paid for his services and this payment was called sardeshmukhi. Shivaji claimed to be the hereditary sardeshmukh of his country.

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Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 12, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    Dear Deepak It is very nice and helpful content but there is one mistake that in second last line First letter in sardeshmukhi "S" should be capital

    Thanks
    Abhishek

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 12, 2016 at 2:05 AM

      omg seriously! this is the best ever comment i have read for any article in my life

      Delete
  2. mSeptember 8, 2015 at 10:12 PM

    Very enlightening content

    ReplyDelete
  3. ArunNovember 12, 2015 at 6:53 AM

    Free Study materials for PSC, UPSC , SSC Exams . Topic wise MCQ , Aptitude and GK Articles

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownDecember 26, 2016 at 12:29 AM

    nice information but free GPSC materials in history

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownDecember 26, 2016 at 12:30 AM

    nice information in history

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownMay 14, 2017 at 11:15 PM

    which one was more important tax among these two? suppose in any msq if there is both option which one we hav to choose?

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownOctober 31, 2018 at 2:56 PM

    Please explain the protection tax in maratha era.

    ReplyDelete

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