Administrative System of the Marathas c18.s4.21

c18.s4.21

During the Peshwa period the feudal barons, both new and old, exercised sovereign authority within their fiefs, although the Peshwa had the prerogative of appointing their chief officers. The Dewans of the Gaikwad, the Holkar, and the Sindhia were always appointed by the Peshwa, but all of them claimed uncontrolled exercise of sovereign rights.³¹ Thus says the Jadhava Rao, "The management of Malegaon, where we live, has been always with us; the Sarkar has no authority over it."³²