A History of the Mahrattas v1.c28.88

v1.c28.88

The commencement of a better system is ascribed to Ramchundur Baba Shenwee, and after his death Sewdasheo Rao Bhow improved on his suggestions. Ballajee Rao was sensible of the advantage to be derived from bringing the collectors of revenue under control; he had not sufficient energy for the undertaking himself, but he supported the measures of his cousin. Fortunately, Sewdasheo Rao found a fit person in Balloba Manduwagunnee, whom he appointed Sur-soobehdar over the Soobehdars and Mamlitdars in question; and, after much opposition and odium, not without the necessity in one instance of resorting to force, he compelled them to produce their accounts, displaced one or two, and made large recoveries on account of the government. This was a very great step towards amendment in one department, nor were others neglected. A Shastree of respectability, named Bal Kishen Gargeel, was appointed head of the Poona Nyadeish, or court of justice; and the police, which had generally been an object of some attention in their camps, was much invigorated at the capital. The Peishwa himself had little genius for civil government, but a strong inclination to all sorts of political intrigue. Sewdasheo Rao was open to bribery, and the Mahratta nation, generally, had not obtained sufficient leisure for great improvements in civil arrangement; they had scarcely begun to lay down rules when they were called off by some foreign war or internal dissension. But under the government of Ballajee Bajee Rao, Punchayets, the ordinary tribunals of civil justice, began to improve; because power, if it did not always examine and uphold their decrees, at least did not interfere to prevent the decisions of the community. The Mahratta dominion attained its greatest extent under Ballajee Rao’s administration; and most of the principal Bramin families can only date their rise from that period. In short, the condition of the whole population was in his time improved, and the Mahratta peasantry, sensible of the comparative amelioration which they began to enjoy, have ever since blessed the days of Nana Sahib Peishwa.