A History of the Mahrattas v1.c7.169

v1.c7.169

The great source of revenue in every village of the Mahratta country is the land rent; but there are two other heads of collection; the one may be termed the extra revenue, and the other the customs. Under the first of these all taxes are comprehended, which, being added to the amount of the land assessment, the total is called the Jummabundee. The extra revenue, although made up of a variety of petty items, is neither heavy nor important. The customs are of a more intricate nature. The villages, as already observed, are commonly either termed Mouzas or Kusbas; one very large village may constitute a Kusba, without any dependent villages; but in general, from five to twenty-five villages are subordinate to one Kusba; and on this are regulated the complicated inland imposts, which exist under native governments, and which are probably founded on ancient Hindoo institutions.¹