Administrative System of the Marathas c18.s9.46

c18.s9.46

Khand Bhat and Narayan Bhat were holders of the Joshi watan of three villages Mauja Bemble, Mauja Ghoti and Mauja Parhete. The first plaintiff Mallar Bhat was their grand-nephew and the second and third plaintiffs Nimb Bhat and Balambhat were the sons of their cousin Hanvant Bhat. Hanvant Bhat, grandfather of the first plaintiff, and father of the second and third plaintiffs, was Joshi of Akole. On the death of Narayan Bhat without any issue, his share of the three villages passed on to his brother Khand Bhat. Khand Bhat again died without any legitimate issue and his funeral ceremonies were performed by the plaintiffs who were also supporting the widow of the deceased watandar. But the deceased had an illegitimate son by a maid-servant called by his father's relations as Subhana Dasiputra. The plaintiffs complained that this bastard had put himself in illegal possession of half the Joshi watan of Ghoti. When summoned before the Government Karkuns and Deshmukh and Deshpande of Pargana Poona the bastard had to admit that he had no right of inheritance to his father's property, and had to submit a written statement to that effect.