Administrative System of the Marathas c11.s3.t1.15

c11.s3.t1.15

Dellon, a French Physician, who visited the western coast about the same time as Fryer, remarks that "His (Shivaji's) subjects are pagans, like himself. But he tolerates all religions and is looked upon as one of the most politic princes in those parts."⁵⁸ Shivaji styled himself as *Go-Brahman Pratipalak*, 'Protector of Brahmans and cows,' and could hardly with any consistency to his professed ambition, overlook the conduct of his officers, if they really tortured the Brahmans. Fryer's story, therefore, seems to be baseless. Corruption there certainly existed, and instances of tyranny and misrule doubtless occurred. Shivaji, in the midst of those wars of conquest and defence, could hardly get any time for improving his government. But Fryer seems to have dipped his brush in the black dye too frequently while painting a picture of Shivaji's country. Grant Duff⁵⁹ says, "The Mahomedan writers, and one contemporary English traveller, describe his country as in the worst possible state; and the former only mention him as a depredator and destroyer; but those districts taken by him from Beejapore, which had been under the management of farmers and direct agents of government, probably experienced great benefit by the change."