Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, Background, Chauth and Sardeshmukhi Under Shivaji

Chauth and Sardeshmukhi functioned in the Mughal provinces of the Deccan, establishing a dual land revenue administration, and were levied by the Maratha Empire in the early 18th century. Chauth was an annual tax amounting to one-fourth of the total revenue while Sardeshmukhi, collected by Shivaji at a rate of one-tenth of the total revenue, was a levy assessed in addition to the Chauth.

Together, these taxes provided the Marathas with a reliable and substantial source of income. This financial support enabled them to expand their influence beyond Shivaji’s realm, strengthening their position in the region.

Chauth and Sardeshmukhi Background

Chhatrapati Shivaji conducted two raiding expeditions in Surat, a city within Mughal territory between 1664 and 1670. These attacks gave rise to a unique source of revenue known as “Mulkgiri” (looting expedition into the foreign land ).

• The concept of Mulkgiri was initially brought to India by invaders like Muhammad bin Qasim, Mahmud Ghazni, and Muhammad Ghori.
• For the Marathas, it served as a way to generate revenue from outside their territories.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji recognized that relying on plunder was not a sustainable approach for his governance. He replaced this method with two established taxes known as Chauth and Sardeshmukhi.
• Moreover, the Portuguese also paid these taxes to the neighbouring kings in their regions to prevent disputes.

Chauth and Sardeshmukhi Under Shivaji

Following Shivaji’s escape in 1666, tensions with the Mughals diminished, with Mughal Sardar Jaswant Singh facilitating peace negotiations between Chhatrapati Shivaji and Aurangzeb. During this time, Aurangzeb permitted Shivaji to attack Bijapur, which was under the weakening Adil Shahi dynasty. Sultan Ali Adil Shah II, recognizing his vulnerable position, sought peace and subsequently granted Chhatrapati Shivaji the rights of Sardeshmukhi and Chauth.

• The Chhatrapati Shivaji received one-fourth of the levy and also had authority over the Nadgauda, which accounted for 3% of the total revenue collected.
• Further, Pant Sachiv ( chief of the royal secretariat ) received 6% of the Chauth collections.
• The Chauth along with Sardeshmukhi provided a consistent and substantial source of income for the Marathas and helped raise enough funds to pay troops.
• This dual land revenue administration had major political effects and caused widespread economic changes in the Mughal Deccan provinces.
• In the late 17th century, Shivaji asserted his right to assess and collect the Sardeshmukhi tax, contending that his family had a longstanding tradition as hereditary tax collectors in Maharashtra.

Chauth and Sardeshmukhi Under Later Marathas

Mughal emperor Rafi-ud-Darajat granted Raja Shahu the right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the six Mughal provinces (Subhas) of the Deccan.

• Shahu pledged to provide 15,000 Maratha soldiers to protect the emperor in exchange for the Chauth.
• For the Sardeshmukhi, the Marathas took on the responsibility of ensuring peace and order in these provinces, preventing robberies and uprisings.