In the 18th century, the term 'dastak' referred to:

In the 18th century, a "dastak" was a trade permit or pass issued by the English East India Company, which exempted the goods covered by it from paying customs duties (transit duties) in Bengal.

Origin:

• In 1717, the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a farman granting the English East India Company the right to trade in Bengal without paying customs duties, in return for an annual payment of 3,000 rupees.
• The Company issued dastaks to show that the goods belonged to the Company and were exempt from duties.

NCERT on dastaks:

• NCERT notes that the Company's officials misused the farman, as they used the dastaks for their private trade, which was not covered by the farman.
• They also sold dastaks to Indian merchants for money.
• This caused a large loss of revenue to the Nawabs of Bengal.

Conflict with the Nawabs:

• The Nawabs of Bengal, such as Alivardi Khan and Siraj-ud-Daula, objected to this misuse.
• This was one of the causes of the conflict between Siraj-ud-Daula and the English, which led to the Battle of Plassey (1757).
• Later, Mir Qasim faced the same problem; when he could not stop the misuse, he abolished all internal duties for everyone, which angered the Company and led to war (1763-1764).

Effects:

• The misuse of dastaks gave English traders an unfair advantage over Indian merchants, who had to pay duties.
• It contributed to the decline of Indian trade and the impoverishment of Bengal.
• It showed the growing arrogance and power of the Company's servants.

Related terms:

• "Nishan": an order issued by a prince.
• "Hundi": a bill of exchange used by Indian merchants and bankers.
• "Dadni": an advance paid to weavers by merchants.

Why not the other options?

• ✗A land revenue assessment, a military order and a judicial decree had other names.