12.4 Maratha Fiscal and Financial System

Maratha Fiscal and Financial System

2020-04-27 12:39:12

Revenue Administration #important

  • Land revenue main source of income. Shivaji preferred share in actual produce of field but Peshwas wanted grant of land on long lease for a fixed state demand.
  • Classification land a/c to fertility was influenced by Mughal Adm. Irrigation sys was very old.
  • Newly brought land under cultivation was lightly taxed. Waste and Rocky lands were granted as Inam or rent free concession offered for 20 yrs.
  • Remission during famines etc. Tagai was state loans at low interest rate.
  • State demand not unfiorm accross empire. Main idea was security of tax payer -> reverted during Baji Rao II who started giving land to hight bidder.

Other Sources of State Rev

  • Chauth 25% and Sardeshmukhi 10% of total tax collection on areas overrun by Marathas.
  • Chauth was divided among the Raja, Pant Sachiv and Maratha Sirdars for maintaining troops.
  • If these lands were annexed the remaining 65% of land was called Jagir and given out.
  • Revenue from forests, customs, excise, mints etc.
  • Valentia estimated it to be Rs.71 lakh, J Grant as 6 crores inclding chauth, Elphinstone Rs96 Lakh by the end of 18th century.
System of Collection of Revenue
collapse: open

**SN Sen** : Whole adm was combination of democracy and feudal autocracy.

**Tone** has called it a Military republic based upon jealousy not confidence.

**SM Edwardes** : constitution of govt and army was calculated to destroy rather than to create an empire.

PYQs

The Maratha fiscal and financial system

  1. Write a short essay on: "Chauth and Sardeshmukhi" [2003, 20m]
  1. Write a short essay on: "The system of the collection of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi by the Maratha rulers." [2004, 20m]
  1. Write a short answer on: "Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Maratha rulers." [2007, 20m]