New History of the Marathas v2.c30.72

v2.c30.72

Grant Duff’s opinion is more balanced :—" Balaji Bajirao was one of those princes whose good fortune originating in causes anterior to their time, obtained in consequence of national prosperity, a higher degree of celebrity than they may fully merit. He was a man of considerable political sagacity, of polished manners and of great address. The territory under the immediate care of the Peshwa had been in a progressive state of improvement. Balajirao appointed fixed Mamlatdars or Subahdars each of whom had charge of several districts. 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. The commencement of a better system of administration particularly for Maharashtra is ascribed to Ramchandra Baba Shenwee and after his death Sadashivrao improved on his suggestions. A Shastree of respectability named Balkrishna Gadgil was appointed head of the Poona Nyayadhishi or court of justice, and the police was much invigorated at the capital. Under the Government of Balajirao, Panchayats, the ordinary tribunals of civil justice began to improve. The Maratha dominion attained its greatest extent under Balajirao’s administration and most of the principal Brahman families can only date their rise from that period. In short the condition of the whole population was in his time improved and the Maratha peasantry sensible of the comparative amelioration which they began to enjoy, have ever since blessed the days of Nana Saheb Peshwa."¹⁸