In the context of eighteenth century India, what was 'Dastak'? (a) Signature (b) Land document (c) Trade permit (d) Tax on textiles

In the context of eighteenth-century India, a 'Dastak' was a trade permit or pass that exempted the goods specified from the payment of customs duties and transit tolls [1]. These permits were primarily utilized by the British East India Company in Bengal, following an imperial farman that granted them the right to trade without paying such dues [1]. The misuse of dastaks became a significant point of contention between the Company and the Nawabs of Bengal, as Company officials frequently used these permits for their private trade or sold them to local Indian merchants [2]. This practice resulted in a substantial loss of tax revenue for the provincial government and created an unequal competitive environment for local traders who did not possess such exemptions [1]. The friction caused by the abuse of these trade permits was a major factor leading to the Battle of Plassey [2].

Sources

1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 5: Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in India > The Battle of Buxar > p. 91
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 16: The Coming of the Europeans > Battle of Plassey (1757) > p. 258