Administrative System of the Marathas c19.s10.8

c19.s10.8

The condition of the slaves in other parts of the Maratha empire was equally good. Broughton tells us in his *Letters from a Mahratta Camp* how well treated the slaves were in Sindhia's country. His knowledge was first-hand. Two female slaves belonging to Mamma (a relative of Daulat Rao Sindhia) came to his camp one day. "They told me," says Broughton, "that they were brought up in a family of Mamma, where they led a very easy life; their only employments, during the day, being to attend upon his wives, of whom he had three in camp, and rub the old gentleman's legs when he lay down to repose: and at night they were at liberty to dispose of themselves as they pleased. The Muha Raj's favourite wife has a number of these girls about her, from every part of India, who receive their daily food and two suits of clothes annually, and are allowed to earn as much more as they can and in any way they think proper. * * * The Butkees (female slaves) remain attached to the family during their lives." ⁴⁹