Administrative System of the Marathas c21.s1.9

c21.s1.9

The Maratha fleet was generally employed for checking piracy, collecting Zakat from merchant-men coming to and going from Maratha ports, and also for taking possession of wrecks within territorial water. These last belonged as a right to the Peshwa's government, but the English had obtained an exemption by treaty for their own ships as well as for ships belonging to merchants of Bombay. Sovereignty over territorial sea was therefore recognised and exercised. The Admiral granted passports to merchant-men sailing within his jurisdiction.