What is suddle?
Suddle
Suddle (also known as "Suddle Pay") is a term historically used in the British East India Company's administration, referring to a variety of petty charges, fees, and incidental expenses. It was essentially a system of allowing merchants and officials to levy small additional amounts on top of the standard costs of goods or services, supposedly to cover various minor expenditures.
- Nature of Charges: Suddle encompassed a wide range of potential costs, including things like office expenses, transportation fees, and even "customary" gratuities.
- Controversy: The system was ripe for abuse and corruption. Because of the lack of transparency and the arbitrary nature of the charges, suddle often became a way for individuals to enrich themselves unfairly at the expense of others. This led to significant complaints and concerns.
- Regulation Attempts: The East India Company attempted to regulate and control the suddle system, but these efforts were often ineffective in curbing the abuses. The issue was frequently entangled with broader questions of accountability and financial oversight within the Company's administration.
- Decline: As the East India Company's administrative structures were reformed and brought under greater scrutiny, the practice of levying suddle gradually declined. More formal systems of accounting and expense management were introduced to replace the informal and often corrupt practices of the past.
Here are some important subjects in suddle: