Administrative System of the Marathas c18.s14.20

c18.s14.20

The Mamlatdars and the Kamavisdars were the Peshwa's representatives in their districts. So their duties and responsibilities were of a most comprehensive character and embraced all possible aspects of affairs. They had to look after the welfare of the cultivator, they had to devise means for improving agriculture, they had to encourage new industries, they had to enquire into disputes of both civil and criminal nature, and appoint a Panchayat for decision. This however does not exhaust the list of their innumerable duties. The Shibandi of the district was under their control and so was the police force. Religious and social questions were often referred to them for enquiry, and even the devil with all his evil powers was not beyond their jurisdiction, for they could compel the devotees of his black majesty to recall the evil influence of their dread master. It is needless to say that these ample powers gave their owners ample opportunities for corruption and the Maratha officers sometimes did succumb to the charms of gold. Fryer and Broughton, writing at different times and of different courts, alluded to the Maratha officer's inordinate love of presents. Fryer says how an officer of Shivaji's court actually told the English ambassador that "if he would have his Work speedily effected, and without any impediment, it was necessary to be at some more charge to present Officers with *Pamerins*, who were not in their List of Presents." Broughton similarly describes how Daulat Rao Sindhia did not hesitate to demand a *khelat* for a nephew that was no more, on the plea of soothing the feelings of the disconsolate mother. This love of presents, in vulgar language called bribe, was no monopoly of the Maratha officer alone. His Muhammadan, or even his English, brother was no better. Hawkins and Roe's account of the Mughal officers' curiosity about the contents of the merchants' bales is not complimentary to those grand dignitaries; and Shakespeare's picture of "the justice in fair round belly with good capon lined" found many imitators. It was a common failing all over the world which people in those days were ready to wink at.