chowt

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Marathi चौथ (cauth, “one quarter”).

Noun

chowt (plural chowts)

  1. (British India, historical) Alternative spelling of chout.
    • 1858, George Trevor, India: An Historical Sketch, London: Religious Tract Society, page 136:
      Another claim, called chowt, was levied by the powerful Mahratta after plundering Surat (A.D. 1670) ; it amounted to one-fourth of the revenue, and exempted the district from plunder as long as it was regularly paid. This kind of black-mail was afterwards enforced by every Mahratta chief to the extent of his power.
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