The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.34

v4.c19.34

Nevertheless much good was done in the economic sphere by the pious emperor's determined opposition to uncanonical taxes and illegal exactions (*abwāb*). Immediately after his second enthronement (1659) he gave prompt and much needed relief to his subjects in the scarcity which followed from the disturbances of the civil war by abolishing the inland transport duty (*rāhdārī*), amounting to 10 per cent. *ad valorem*, and the octroi (*pāndārī*) on all articles of food and drink brought from outside for sale in the larger cities. This was done in the crown lands by the emperor's order (at a loss of 2½ million rupees per annum under *rāhdārī* alone), while the *jāgīrdārs* (assignees) and *zamīndārs* (landholders) were requested to do the same in their estates.