In the Maratha revenue system, 'sardeshmukhi' was an additional levy of what share of the land revenue?

In the Maratha revenue system, "sardeshmukhi" was an additional levy of one-tenth (10 percent) of the land revenue.

About sardeshmukhi:

• It was collected by the Maratha ruler as the hereditary "sardeshmukh" (chief deshmukh, or head of the local revenue officials) of a region.
• Shivaji claimed that, as the hereditary sardeshmukh of his country, he had the right to collect this extra 10 percent.
• It was collected in addition to the regular land revenue and the chauth.

About chauth:

• "Chauth" was one-fourth (25 percent) of the land revenue (or of the standard assessment).
• It was collected from areas that were not directly under Maratha rule, in return for the promise that the Marathas would not raid those areas.
• It was sometimes described as a form of protection money.

How these levies were used:

• These levies were collected from neighbouring territories, especially those under the Mughals, Bijapur and other rulers.
• They helped the Marathas finance their armies and expand their influence without directly annexing territories.

Later recognition:

• In 1719, the Mughal emperor granted the Marathas, through Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, the right to collect chauth and sardeshmukhi from the six Mughal provinces of the Deccan.
• This greatly increased Maratha power.

NCERT on the Marathas:

NCERT notes that the Maratha chiefs, by the 1730s, were recognised as overlords of the entire Deccan peninsula, and possessed the right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi in the entire region.

Shivaji's administration:

• He was assisted by a council of eight ministers, the "Ashta Pradhan".
• His land revenue system was based on the measurement of land, and he tried to reduce the power of intermediaries.
• The land revenue was fixed at about 30 to 40 percent of the produce.

Why not the other options?

• ✗One-fourth was the chauth.
• ✗One-third and one-half were not the rate of sardeshmukhi.