abkari

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. Literally, the manufacture and sale of spirituous liquors; hence, specifically, in British India, the government excise upon such liquors; the licensing of dealers in strong drink. The method of obtaining revenue from this source, called the abkari system, is by farming out the privilege to contractors, who supply the retail dealers. Also spelled abkaree, aubkaury, etc.

Wiktionary

1. n. India The manufacture or sale of liquors or drugs.