Administrative System of the Marathas c18.s13.1

c18.s13.1

During the regime of the Adilshahi and the Nizamshahi dynasties the Maharashtra country was, for revenue and administrative purposes, divided into Parganas, Sarkars and Subhas. Shivaji, however, true to his nationalising principles, divided his dominions into Mauja, Tarf and Subha. In his days the officer in charge of a Tarf was called a Havaldar, and the officer in charge of a Subha was styled as a Subhedar or Mukhya Deshadhikari. During the Peshwa period, however, we find all these terms Tarf, Pargana, Sarkar and Subha, in indiscriminate use. But the Subha was also called a Prant and Tarf and Parganas also came to be styled as Mahals. Over the small divisions were placed the Kamavisdars, and the Mamlatdars held the charge of the bigger divisions. The Mamlatdars held their office directly under the central government except in the three provinces of Khandesh, Gujrat and the Karnatak, where they were placed under officers known as Sarsubhedars "In the Carnatic he (Sarsubhedar) was answerable for the Revenue, and appointed his own Mamlutdars; but in Candeish he had only a general superintendence; every Mamlutdar giving in his own accounts, and making his payments direct to Government." We may, however, enter into an enquiry about the remuneration of these high officials before discussing their powers and privileges, rights and responsibilities.