History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c40.63

v2.c40.63

"After invoking and calling to witness the Prophet of God, he says as follows :—I swear by Qurān that I, 'Alīwardī Khān, have agreed with the Mahārāja Chhattarpati Rām Rājā to pay the *chauth* for the *ṣūbahs* of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa ; and in conjunction with Shahāmat Jang, Ṣaulat Jung, and Sirāju'd-Daulah, I likewise swear by the holy Qurān that we will enter into a firm alliance with Raghujī and his posterity and consider his friends and foes as ours. And I agree from the 18th day of the month Āsin of the Bengali Era 1157, answering to the 9th day of the month Zu'l-Qa'd in the 4th year of the reign of Aḥmad Shāh, to pay annually the sum of 12 lakhs of rupees on account of the *chauth* for the *ṣūbahs* of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, to be remitted in two *qists* every six months to Benares either through Jagat Seṭh or the Mahārāja Sarūp Chand, as he (Raghujī) shall judge proper ; on this condition that neither Raghujī nor his posterity, nor any Marhattas, nor any other chief in alliance with him shall remain in or enter these *ṣūbahs*. Nor shall they in any manner molest or have any concerns with the *zamīndārs* thereof. And if, which God forbid, I should be engaged in war, he shall assist me. If he comes himself, it will be better, if not, he shall send one of his children with whatever number of troops I shall want, and from the day of their arrival so long as I entertain them, I will give each sepoy a rupee a day for his maintenance. They are to be satisfied therewith and are not to demand any more. And when I dismiss them, they shall without delay return home and not molest the ryots of these provinces in coming and going.¹