A History of the Mahrattas v1.c15.28

v1.c15.28

Dec.—Pertab Rao Goozur was ordered to make an incursion into Candeish, then a very rich and populous province, which Sivajee, judging from his late victory, justly supposed would be found unprotected. Pertab Rao levied contributions and plundered several large towns, particularly Kurinja³; but the most memorable circumstance of this expedition was the exaction of a writing from the village authorities on his route, in which they promised to pay to Sivajee, or his officers, one fourth of the yearly revenue due to government. Regular receipts were promised on the part of Sivajee, which should not only exempt them from pillage, but ensure them protection.⁴ Hence we may date the first imposition of Mahratta chouth on a province immediately subject to the Moghuls.