Administrative System of the Marathas c18.s12.1

c18.s12.1

The Deshmukh's office, like that of the Patil, was very lucrative. The following remarks of Elphinstone are interesting : "The Daishmook's profits are very great; generally, I am told, about five per cent. not only on the Revenue, but on the land; five acres in each hundred for example, will belong to the Daishmook, and a twentieth of the collections besides: and various claims in kind, as a pair of shoes, every year from each shoe-maker, a portion of ghee from those who make that preparation, etc., etc." "It seems to be thought, that they (Deshmukh and Deshpande) cannot sell their Offices (though Patails and Coolcurnees can) and it is even doubtful, if they can sell their fees, though they may pawn them. Their land they can certainly sell." Whether they could sell their fees or not we do not know but that at least on one occasion the Deshmukh's fees were transferred by a *bakshishnama* is certain. The deed in question has been published by Mr. V. K. Rajwade. According to this document, the Deshmukh got only two per cent. of the revenue and not five per cent. as Elphinstone says. As it recounts all the rights and perquisites of Deshmukh and Deshpande watans, a part of it at least is worth quoting.