Question

'Dastak' is known as
1. Permission to trade without tax
2. A free pass
3. Place for business
4. A book by Robart Clive

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Permission to trade without tax

The correct answer is Permission to trade without tax.

• The Mughal emperor Farrukh Siyar Farman granted Dastak in 1717 and allows the East India Company to enter the kingdom.

• In the mid-18th century, the British East India company enjoyed and misused the benefit of dastak (free duty-free passes).
• These passes are preventing the East India company from paying taxes during the trade, it harmed the local traders of Bengal.
• In 1757 the Bengal Nawab Sirajjudaulah took away these rights which ultimately led to the Battle of Plassey.
• This privilege was resented by the local Bengali rulers because it deprived them of their revenue share and because it was granted by a distant and powerless Mughal ruler sitting in Delhi with barely any authority in the province.