Administrative System of the Marathas c20.s6.8

c20.s6.8

As the clergy in mediaeval Europe had tried to bring under their jurisdiction everything directly or indirectly bearing a religious character, so the Peshwa also, as the head of the society, exercised a control over everything social and religious. The question of adoption and marriage came as a matter of course under these headings. The marriage regulations of the Peshwas evinced a liberal spirit that may be profitably imitated by their modern descendants. Baji Rao II strictly forbade any exaction by the bride's father from the bridegroom, and threatened to punish all parties concerned in such transactions.²⁷