The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.9

v4.c21.9

Shāhū's authority as king was so little backed by force and was recognised by so few of the Marāthās that it was beyond his power to control the actions of the free-lances and adventurers among his nominal subjects and effectively keep them out of the Mughul Deccan. Thus, the regular payment of the stipulated contribution (*chauth*) did not invariably safeguard the Nizām's dominions from Marāthā depredation.