The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c22.17

v4.c22.17

The texts are not absolutely in accordance regarding the share of produce which a Hindu king might claim from the peasants without sin, but the commonest figure is one-sixth, which might be increased in emergencies to one-fourth, or even one-third. How far practice conformed to theory in this matter is doubtful; some cases which have been studied in detail indicate that the share actually taken in particular Hindu kingdoms was nearer one-half than one-sixth, but they are too few to form the basis of a confident generalisation. There is no similar arithmetical limitation in Islamic law; the sovereign has a free hand, subject only to the warning emphasised in the early texts that he should avoid discouraging production by excessive burdens. In Muslim India it may be said in a general way that the claim usually varied from one-third to one-half; and, in the economic conditions which prevailed, it is probable that the lower proportion was not far short of the danger-point, where production would begin to be checked, while the higher proportion was almost certainly injurious. There is nothing in the contemporary authorities to show that any deductions were allowed before the produce was divided, but it is not improbable that some small customary provision was made in this way for charity and for the menial servants employed in the village.