Peshkash
Topic: The Mughal Empire: Babur to Aurangzeb · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 4 "Peasants, Zamindars and the State"
Meaning
Peshkash was a form of tribute, meaning a gift or payment that showed loyalty. The Mughal state collected it from subordinate chiefs, zamindars and forest peoples. These groups were not taxed in the normal way through land revenue. By paying peshkash, they accepted the emperor's authority while keeping a lot of local control.
Example
Chiefs of forest areas often paid their peshkash to the Mughal state as a supply of elephants. The Mughal army needed these elephants for war and transport.
Don't confuse with
- Jizya: jizya was a tax on non-Muslims. Akbar abolished it and Aurangzeb reimposed it. Peshkash was tribute from chiefs, whatever their faith.
- Land revenue: land revenue was a regular charge on peasant produce, typically one-fifth under the Mughals. Peshkash was a tribute paid by a chief.