Shivaji collected ‘Sardeshmukhi’ on the basis that he was the hereditary ‘Sardeshmukh’ (chief headman) of Maharashtra. What percentage of the revenue did ‘Sardeshmukhi’ constitute?
‘Sardeshmukhi’ constituted 10% of the revenue. Shivaji collected this levy based on his claim to be the hereditary Sardeshmukh (chief headman) of the Maratha territory. It was primarily a claim of paramountcy or sovereign right, distinguished from Chauth, which was collected as protection money. Answer is (A) 10%
Share
‘Sardeshmukhi’ was an additional levy, constituting 10% of the land revenue, collected by Shivaji and his successors. This levy was based on the assertion that the Maratha ruler was the hereditary Sardeshmukh of the entire Deccan. Unlike Chauth, which was military protection money, Sardeshmukhi was a claim of sovereign or proprietary right over the land. Its collection was a bold and direct challenge to the territorial sovereignty of the Mughal Emperor.