A letter of Shivaji to the beseiged Governor of Surat, and third of a series.
"I demand for the third time, which
I declare shall be the last, the chauth or quarter
of the king's revenue under your Government.
As your Emperor has forced me to keep an army
for the defence of my people and my country, that army
must be paid by his subjects. If you do not send me
the money speedily, then better make ready a large house
for me in Surat, for I shall go and sit down there and receive
the revenue and custom duties myself. Know this, that there
is none who can now stop me."
"I demand for the third time, which
I declare shall be the last, the chauth or quarter
of the king's revenue under your Government.
As your Emperor has forced me to keep an army
for the defence of my people and my country, that army
must be paid by his subjects. If you do not send me
the money speedily, then better make ready a large house
for me in Surat, for I shall go and sit down there and receive
the revenue and custom duties myself. Know this, that there
is none who can now stop me."