A History of the Mahrattas v1.c28.87

v1.c28.87

Previously to Shao's death, little amendment took place in the civil administration; but the territory under the immediate care of the Peishwas had been in a progressive state of improvement since the time of Ballajee Wishwanath, principally owing to the abolition of the pernicious system of letting out the revenues of districts in farm, and to the encouragement afforded to the villagers to protect themselves from the exactions of every petty chief who had the means of enforcing contributions in money, forage, or provisions. Ballajee Rao appointed fixed Mamlitdars, or Soobehdars, each of whom had charge of several districts, and Sur-soobehdars were placed in the more distant provinces, under whom there were several Mamlitdars. There was, in the first instance, no Sur-soobehdar in the territory between the Godavery and the Kistna; the intermediate districts, the best protected and most productive under the Mahratta rule, were entrusted to the Peishwa's favourites and courtiers, some of whom were his relations. They held absolute charge of the police, the revenue, and the civil and criminal judicature; and in most cases had power of life and death. They were bound to furnish regular accounts, but they always evaded a settlement. They governed by deputy, and remained at court, whether in the capital or in the field, in attendance upon the Peishwa. Their districts were, of course, extremely ill-managed and in very great disorder; the supplies furnished for the exigencies of the state were tardy, and, in comparison with the established revenues, insignificant.