Shivaji and His Times c5.s6.4

c5.s6.4

These petty chieftains (*deshmukhs*) were mostly Marathas or members of the same caste as Shivaji. They entrusted the management of their affairs to Brahman stewards (*karbharis*) and the accounts and correspondence work to clerks of the Prabhu (Kayastha) caste, as elsewhere in Maharashtra. Each Maval *deshmukh* had to maintain an armed force, almost entirely recruited from his tenants, for the defence of his charge against the encroachments of his neighbours and the incursions of robber bands. In addition, he was often requested by his sovereign to raise troops for the royal service in times of need, and for this extra duty he was rewarded with cash bounties and grants of fresh villages.