History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c41.365

v2.c41.365

of the Civil War between Mudhoji and Sābājī, when many parts of Orissa passed out of Maratha hands; but under Vyankājī Sakadev the revenue rose once more, testifying to the prosperity of the province under the Marathas. In 1822 the Garhjat Chiefs paid a fixed tribute of Rs. 1,20,411. This must have been much more under the Marathas, as Mayurbhanj paid Rs. 6000 to them, while it pays only Rs. 1001 to the British. Stirling praises Rājārām Mukund Pandit as a good administrator. "His personal qualities and abilities were respectable, and, coupled with his extensive local knowledge, lent a character of dignity and stability to his administration, with which no preceding one had been invested."¹ The principal measure ascribed to him is that of setting aside all hereditary Chaudhuris and Wilāyiti Qānungoes, i. e., the Tāluqdars or zamindars, and collecting the revenue through officers appointed by him either direct from the tenants or from the headmen of villages.