Explain Land Revenue System of the Marathas.

The land revenue system of the Marathas, particularly during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj and his successors, was characterized by a decentralized and flexible approach to revenue collection, which aimed to maximize agricultural productivity while ensuring the prosperity of the state and its subjects.

Under the Maratha administration, land revenue was primarily collected through the system of ryotwari, wherein individual peasant cultivators, known as ryots, were recognized as the direct owners of land and paid revenue directly to the state. The revenue assessment was based on the fertility and productivity of the land, with periodic surveys conducted to update land records and assess taxes accordingly.

Shivaji Maharaj introduced several reforms to the land revenue system, including the abolition of arbitrary taxes, protection of tenant rights, and encouragement of agricultural development through irrigation projects and land grants. The administration also provided incentives for land reclamation, settlement of wastelands, and promotion of cash crops to stimulate economic growth.

Overall, the Maratha land revenue system emphasized the welfare of peasant cultivators, equitable distribution of land revenue, and promotion of agricultural prosperity, contributing to the stability and prosperity of the Maratha Empire.