Correct answer: (b) Chauth
Explanation
- A
Sardesh Mukhi
Sardeshmukhi was an extra one-tenth claim as head of the land, distinct from the protection-levy sense of chauth. This option is not the key.
- B
Chauth
Chauth was the Maratha demand of one-fourth of the revenue from a territory, justified as payment for protection from raids. That is the protection-revenue claim asked. This option is the official key.
- C
Abwab
Abwab were extra cesses in the Mughal-Nawabi fiscal vocabulary, not the Maratha protection levy. This option is therefore wrong.
- D
Jamadani
Jamadani is not the standard name of the Maratha protection claim. This option is not the key.
Summary. Official key is (b) Chauth. Shivaji and later Peshwas levied chauth as a quarter of the assessed revenue in return for not devastating a district, a protection racket in Mughal eyes and a tributary right in Maratha theory. Sardeshmukhi was an additional tenth. Abwab are other extras. Only (b) is that protection claim.
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