[Mahrātī and Hindī chauth ‘a fourth part.’] The black-mail of one-fourth of the revenue formerly exacted by the Mahrattas in India from provinces within reach of their arms, in return for immunity from plunder. Also applied to similar exactions.
1674. in Orme, Fragm., 45 (Y.). Messengers were sent to Bassein demanding the chout of all the Portugese territory in these parts.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 539. Subject to a tribute of a Chout … to the Berar Mahratta.
1803. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., II. 131. I wish first to know whether the Choute claimed is disputable by the Nizam’s government.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. i. 316. The chout, or exaction, of a fourth part of all litigated property, for the benefit of the Judge, was abolished.
1841. Elphinstone, Hist. Ind., II. 485. Sévají, for the first time, levied the chout, afterwards so celebrated in Maratta history.
