History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c83.s3.8

v5.c83.s3.8

(i) The demand of an *ad valorem* duty on the actual merchandise imported, instead of the lump sum of Rs. 3,000 per annum into which it had been commuted during the viceroyalty of Prince Shuja, and also the enhancement of the rate of duty from time to time. The English also claimed that Aurangzib's *farman* of 15th March 1680 entitled them, on the payment of a consolidated duty of 3½ p. c. at Surat to import goods and to trade absolutely free of customs and other exactions at all other places in the Mughal empire, even though these goods had not been imported *via* Surat and therefore not taxed at all.