Administrative System of the Marathas c11.s3.t1.5

c11.s3.t1.5

From the multiplicity of their duties these officers were liable to corruption. Public opinion in those days was not offended if a Havaldar went out of his way to take a small present from a traveller for granting his passport, or from an aggrieved petitioner for redressing his grievances. Dr. Fryer, who visited the Maratha dominions towards the close of Shivaji's career, has left a quaint account of such an occasion. "When I came before the Governor," says the Doctor,³⁹ "I found him in State, though under an Hovel; where were many *Brachmins* with Accompt Books, writing at some distance; nearer, his Privy council, with whom he seemed to advise: I was placed on his Left hand, and desired my Interpreter to acquaint him my Errand, withal intreating his Favour for my secure passing the Hill: He made it a piece of difficulty, and told me I must return to *Bimly* for Orders, to whose *Havaldar* he was accountable, not to him of *Gulleon*; which was within half a day's journey from whence I set forth. Hearing this I bore myself as sedately as I could, having been informed of the advantage they take of a disturbed Countenance; and sweetened him with his own Authority being sufficient, telling him of his Master's Kindness to the *English*, and their friendship towards him: which worked him to a yielding Temper; yet he scrupled my *Canister*, or Trunk, might be lined with Pearl, my Horse sold to the Enemy, hoping to suck somewhat out of me; I replying, What I had brought were at his liberty to search, and that I went only on an amicable account to Cure a Sick Person and should be as ready to serve him, if required, his Fury was quite pawled but perceiving an hungry look to hang on them all, and suspecting lest they should serve me some Dog-trick, I made a small Present, and he signing the Pass, dismissed me with a Bundle of *Pawn* the usual Ceremony at Parting." 'The hungry look' and the weakness for presents are perhaps pardonable, but another charge that the English Doctor brought against Shivaji's revenue officers is too serious to be overlooked.