Shivaji and His Times c19.s1.6

c19.s1.6

∗ "Instead of commencing with the removal of the existing government, and the general assumption of the whole authority to himself, a Maratha chieftain begins, by appearing at the season of harvest, and demanding a consideration for his forbearance in withholding the mischief he has it in his power to inflict. The visit is annually repeated, and the demand proportionally enhanced. Whatever is thus exacted is called the *chauth*, and the process of exaction a *mulk-giri* expedition." [Prinsep's History... of the Marquess of Hastings, i. 22.]