A History of the Mahrattas v1.c19.132

v1.c19.132

The imposition of the Surdeshmookhee of course reduced in a proportionate degree the actual collections from a country, the resources of which were already drained to the utmost; but the nominal revenue continued the same. To have collected even one-fourth of the standard assessment would probably at this period have been impossible; but the Mahrattas, in all situations, endeavoured to secure, in lieu of their Chouth, at least twenty-five per cent. of the real balance. But although they seldom could collect it, they always stated the Chouth as due upon the Tunkha, or standard assessment, because, even should a day of retribution arrive, no claim of Peshkush could be made by the Moghuls on that head, as none was specified on the deed.