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Administrative System of the Marathas c10: Appendix B

Administrative System of the Marathas c10

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Appendix B

c10.1

*A List of Karkhanas compiled from the Raj Vyavahar Kosh.*

c10.2

KHAJINA.—Treasury, where the cash is kept, the officer in charge is the Jamdar or the *Kosharaksh ka* (treasurer). The second officer is styled as *koshapala* or Havaldar.

c10.3

POTE.—Treasury wherefrom payment is made. The chief officer is Havaldar. The second officer is Jamdar, an accountant and the Potdar or assay master were also attached to this department.

c10.4

JAWAHIRKHANA.—Jewel store; the officer in charge, Havaldar, his assistant Jamdar, and a jewel expert styled *johari* were employed by this department.

c10.5

JAR KHANA—or Gold store, but no officer is mentioned, probably it was a sub-department of jawahir khana.

c10.6

JAMDAR KHANA.—Wardrobe, chief officer, Havaldar; his assistant Jamdar; a *Vastra Lekhaka* or clerk for keeping account of the department is mentioned.

c10.7

MUDBAKH KHANA.—Kitchen, the Mudbakhi or cook and taster, *Ruchigraha*, are mentioned in this connection.

c10.8

ABDAR KHANA.—Jalasthana—literally water department, not only drinks but intoxicants like tobacco and opium on the one hand, and musk, otto, essence of flowers and scented oils on the other, are mentioned under this department.

c10.9

SHARAB KHANA.—Wine store, the officer in charge was the Sharabdar, *tambul* or betel leaf and its accessories are mentioned in this connection.

c10.10

DAWA KHANA.—Dispensary.

c10.11

SHIKAR KHANA.—Aviary.

c10.12

FARAS KHANA.—The department of carpets, tents etc. The officer in charge was styled Havaldar.

c10.13

JIRAT KHANA.—Armoury—The chief officer—Havaldar, the second officer Havalgir and a clerk for keeping accounts of the departments. No separate Toph Khana or Daru Khana is mentioned; but in the list of arms and armours, given in connection with this department *toph* (artillery) and *daru* (gun powder) are mentioned.

c10.14

TALIM KHANA.—Gymnasium.

c10.15

PHIL KHANA.—Elephant stables, Mahavats or elephant drivers, elephant trainers and elephant keepers are mentioned under this department.

c10.16

PAGA.—Stables.

c10.17

BAHILI.—Chariots, it is styled a mahal.

c10.18

SHUTARKHANA.—Camel stables.

c10.19

ALAM KHANA.—Band and music.

c10.20

AMBAR KHANA.—Grannary. This department is mentioned under *durgavargah* or forts and herein probably lies the distinction between *Kothi* and *Ambar Khana*.

c10.21

IMARATI.—Buildings—this department is also mentioned under the forts.

c10.22

DAFTAR KHANA.—Secretariat or records department. The chief officer is called Daftardar.

c10.23

KOTHI.—Grannary. This is styled a *mahal* and comes under *Janpadavargah* or the provinces. As rent was paid in kind, it was necessary for the revenue collectors in the provinces to have *Kothis* or store houses for grains. The officer in charge of *Kothi* is styled *Havaldar*. He was assisted by the accountant (*Dhanya-lekhaka*) and another subordinate styled *Kothival* who probably measured grains.

c10.24

Chitnis's list of Mahals and Karkhanas:

1. Mahals

c10.s1.1

1. Daruni—Zenana
2. Pote—Stores
3. Kothi—Grannary
4. Paga—Stables
5. Thati—Cowsheds
6. Sheribag—Comforts
7. Tankshala—Mint
8. Palanquins etc.
9. Imarat—Buildings
10. Saudagiri—Merchandise 11. Chaubina—Guards
12. Jamdarkhana—Wardrobe

c10.s1.2

*The Karkhanas.*

c10.s1.3

1. Pil khana—Elephant stables
2. Ambar khana—Grannary
3. Nagar khana—Band
4. Toph khana—Artillery
5. Sharbat khana—Medicines
6. Abdar khana—Drinks
7. Shutar khana—Camels stables
8. Faras khana—Tents
9. Shikar khana—Shields
10. Talim khana—Gymnasium
11. Jawahirkhana—Jewel store
12. Mudbakh khana—Kitchen
13. Shile khana—Armoury
14. Sharab khana—Betel leaves etc.
15. Gadi khana—Conveyance
16. Jinnas khana—Stores
17. Daftar khana—Secretariat
18. Nat khana—Music etc.

c10.s1.4

Chitnis says that Shivaji had about three hundred (300 to 350) elephants, about one thousand (1000 to 1500) camels, from two to four thousand cows and five thousand buffaloes. A glance at the lists given above will show that the Maratha Karkhanas and Mahals were really speaking state departments and establishments and not state owned or state controlled factories.

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