Administrative System of the Marathas c18.s15.26

c18.s15.26

The Mamlatdar and the Kamavisdar were generally appointed for short terms, and in Shivaji's time transfer from one district to another was frequent. During the Peshwa period, however, they generally succeeded in getting their term of office repeatedly renewed, unless they were guilty of any serious abuse of their authority; and frequently the Mamlatdar was left in charge of the same district for thirty or forty years. After his death his son might succeed him in his office, not as a matter of right but as one of favour. Consequently the Mamlatdars thought they had permanent interest in the prosperity of their districts, and whatever they did they always remembered that the goose that lays the golden eggs must not be roughly handled. If a bad Mamlatdar intent on present gain at the cost of permanent interest forgot this axiom of good government, he was promptly removed from his office by the Peshwa. (This remark however does not apply to Baji Rao II.)