Administrative System of the Marathas c21.s2: 2. Salary of Naval Officers

Administrative System of the Marathas c21.s2

Language: English

2. Salary of Naval Officers

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During the administration of Balaji Baji Rao the annual salary of the Admiral was Rs. 1,186 in addition to grain measuring 16½ maunds, while the petty officers and sailors got the following pay:

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| Sar Tandel | ... | ... | Rs. 10 | per month. |
| Tandel | ... | ... | Rs. 7-8 | " |
| Sailor | ... | ... | Rs. 4-8 to 5 | " |

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Some food allowance in kind was also given in addition to money salary, the amount varying with the rank of the man.⁵

The officers and sailors of the navy were suitably rewarded by the Peshwas for good services in war. Madhava Rao I distributed Rs. 4,250 among officers and sailors of the navy for their services in a war against Haidar Ali. Three officers Damaji Naik Kuveskar, Shivaji Rao Surve and Vithoji Naik Bamvkar got Rs. 300, Rs. 250 and Rs. 200 respectively. Balaji Hari Fadnis received Rs. 500, and Serangs and sailors got Rs. 3,000 in all.⁶

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⁶ P. D., Vol. IX, p. 344.

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The Angrias and other Maratha naval leaders have often been charged with piracy for capturing and detaining vessels of friendly nations that did not sail with their *dastak* or permit. This however was not regarded as an act of piracy by the Marathas. They were not a little guided by Portuguese precedents in their naval affairs, and the Portuguese deemed it necessary to assert their sovereignty of the sea by compelling every vessel to seek and carry their *Cartas*. Not only merchants of friendly nation but friendly potentates like the Sultan of Bijapur and the King of Canara had to secure the previous permission of the Portuguese government before sending their ships on a voyage in the Indian Ocean. The merchants had to pay a fee, which varied according to the capacity of their ships, and to acknowledge the Portuguese right of search before they could obtain a Cartaz. In a letter addressed to the Siddi of Janjira on the 16th of December, 1715, the Portuguese Viceroy pompously asserted, "There is no prince in Asia who is not aware that the Most High and Powerful King of Portugal is the sovereign of the Indian seas and the same is acknowledged by the Great Moghul King and the Magnificent King of Persia inasmuch as their vessels take Cartazes and observe all the conditions mentioned therein."⁷

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⁷ Reis Visinhos, Tomo VII, fols. 26 & 27.

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In another letter addressed to the Siddi fifteen years earlier the Portuguese government had emphasised the same principle by saying, "the Portuguese are the sovereigns of seas and not pirates."⁸ The Marathas could and did advance the same argument.⁹ Moreover, it should not be forgotten that the merchantmen captured by the Portuguese or the Marathas were not necessarily unarmed or unprotected. From the Cartazes published in Biker's monumental collection, it appears that some of the merchantmen that sought and got Cartazes were well armed. A ghurab of Govind Das Nana, a Gujrat merchant, for instance carried nine pieces of artillery.¹⁰ It is therefore clear that they deliberately defied a power claiming sovereignty of the sea when they omitted to procure its *Cartaz* or *dastak*, and if they suffered in consequence they had very little reason to complain.

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⁸ Reis Visinhos, Tomo IV, fol. 28.

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⁹ For a fuller discussion see Sen, Historical Records at Goa.

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¹⁰ Biker, Vol. IV, pp. 186-188.

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3. *The Army*:

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Shivaji's followers were nearly all of them natives of Maharashtra. There was a sprinkling of Muhammadan soldiers and officers in his army, but on the whole it was composed of homogeneous elements capable of being inspired with common ideals and common interests. The great Maratha leader had a distrust for feudal levies, his officers and men were paid directly by him and he carefully refrained from creating fresh fiefs. The Peshwas, on the other hand, relied mainly on feudal forces and divided the whole of the Maratha Empire into a number of military Jagirs. The Sardars or feudal Barons on their part sublet a part of their fiefs to some of their favourites and subordinates in lieu of military service and sub-infeudation resulted with all its concomitant evils. The feudal chiefs were more attentive to their own interests and were absolutely incapable of taking a broad view of the imperial interests. This was the real cause of the interminable civil wars that characterised the closing years of the Maratha Empire. Sindhia was a Sardar of the Peshwa and was in theory bound to render him military service whenever necessary. Khande Rao Hari, better known as Appa Khande Rao, held his fief of the Sindhia and owed his allegiance to him. George Thomas, an Irish adventurer, received his Jagir from Khande Rao Hari and was expected to serve him loyally and faithfully. But Daulat Rao Sindhia did not hesitate to impose his authority on his master the Peshwa, Khande Rao Hari was equally prepared to wage a war against his immediate feudal over lord and master the Sindhia and George Thomas, a foreigner, naturally cared more for his own interests than for his master's welfare. If the feudal lords felt inclined sometimes to fight against the Peshwa, it is no wonder that they were frequently engaged against their neighbours and fellow chiefs. This was detrimental to the solidarity and unity of the empire which they all belonged and which they were supposed to serve. But unfortunately this was not the only defect of the Maratha military system.

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4. Employment of Foreigners :

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Shivaji generally enlisted in his army Marathas of his own race, but in the Peshwa's army were employed men of all races, religions and creeds. Rajputs, Sikhs, Rohillas, Sindhis, Gossains, Karnatakis, Arabs, Abyssinians, Telingas, Bedars and Christian and Shenvi subjects of the Portuguese Government were all welcomed by the Peshwa and his tenants-in-chief. And when conflict with European powers brought home to them the superiority of western discipline and military science, English, French, Portuguese German, Swiss, Italian, American and Armenian adventurers were eagerly employed. They had no common interest with their employers, and the interests of the English officers in the Maratha service were often opposed to those of the state they served. Their intimate knowledge of the country and its defence was therefore used against their former masters when war broke out between the Marathas and the English. Writing about the easy capture of the strong fortress of Koel or Alighar, Thorn remarks—"It should here be observed that the achievement was materially facilitated by the loyal and gallant conduct of Mr. Lucan, a British officer, who had lately quitted the service of Scindiah, to avoid fighting against his country. On joining our army he undertook to lead Colonel Monson to the gate, and point out the road through the fort, which he effected in such a manner as to gain the particular thanks of the commander-in-chief, and the public acknowledgments of the government"¹¹ It was probably to prevent such a betrayal of military secrets that Jaswant Rao Holkar cruelly murdered Majors Vickers, Dodd and Ryan, when they refused to serve against their countrymen. It was natural and honourable on the part of English soldiers to stand by their countrymen in India, but even the French employees in the Maratha army could not always be relied on in a war against the English as Daulat Rao discovered to his cost when Perron and most of his compatriots made their terms with the British government and retired to British territories leaving the trained battalions of Sindhia to be led by their native officers.

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¹¹ Thorn, Memoir of the Campaigns in Hindoostan p. 99.

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It should be noted here that Shivaji had some Portuguese officers in his army.¹² But what exactly was their duty and on what terms they had been employed we do not know. A number of European adventurers had also found employment in the fleet of the celebrated Kanhoji Angria,¹³ long before Mahadaji Sindhia thought of engaging de Boigne. But it should not be forgotten that tempting as the terms offered by the Indian princes were they seldom attracted European officers of real ability. With the exception of de Boigne and Raymond there was not perhaps a single European officer in the Indian armies who could boast of a sound education and military training. Most of them were adventurers of a low type without any character, as Colonel Skinner tersely observed and he had reasons to know ¹⁴ Perron and George Thomas were runaway sailors, but they did not belong properly speaking to the Peshwa's army. The account that Moor gives of Mr. Yvon, who commanded a corps in the service of the Peshwa, is hardly complimentary to the judgment and choice of his employers, if he was the type of the European officers employed by the Poona authorities. Lt. Moor writes of him—

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¹² Biker, Vol. IV, p. 126, Sen, *Historical Records at Goa*, p. 9.

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¹³ Downing.

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¹⁴ Memoir of Skinner.

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"As this gentleman's history is very little, indeed not at all known it will be interesting to many of this detachment to hear some account of him. His name was Evans, and the last place in which he was known by it was at Vellore, where he was quarter-master sergeant of a troop of cavalry of the Madras establishment. At that time which must be twelve or more years previous to his death, he had with him a European woman, supposed to be his wife, who being expert in the art of making pastry, as Evans was at fencing, they lived very comfortably on the profits of their several employments. At length, in consequence of a dispute with his superior, Evans and wife left Vellore clandestinely, and were never more heard of by his corps until the time of which we are now speaking. His employment for several years is not known, but after a considerable

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lapse of time, we find him in an inferior station in the corps that he latterly commanded. In a former war between the Mahrattas and Tippoo, we believe it was at the siege of Badamy his gallantry and good conduct were so conspicuous, that a vacancy happening, he was appointed to command the corps, and his former companion being dead, he married a native Christian, it appears chiefly from gratitude, for attentions and kindnesses to him when wounded and on other occasions." ¹³ We are further informed by Moor that the dues of Evans from the Poona government amounted to forty thousand Rupees at the time of his death. What his pay was we do not know, and as the Maratha government was very irregular in its payment, the sum, most probably, represented more than 12 month's salary.

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¹³ Moor, A Narrative of the Operations of Captain Little's Detachment, pp. 26, 27

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Evans had under him about fifty Europeans of different nationalities. He served in the Peshwa's army during the administration of Madhava Rao II. His successor Baji Rao II was more fortunate in his European officers. He appointed Colonel J. R. Boyd, an American, to command a regiment of trained infantry, the numerical strength of which was 1,683.

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One of Boyd's colleagues in the Peshwa's service was William Henry Tone, brother of the famous Irish rebel, Theobald Wolfe Tone, who had like his American commander served in the Nizam's army before joining the Peshwa's forces. The European adventurers who came to India changed their masters very frequently. A monthly account of the salary expenses of Boyd's Regiment has been published in the fifth volume of the Peshwas' Diaries.¹⁸ Boyd is there wrongly described as Mr. Bight, an Englishman. His regiment of trained infantry cost the Peshwa Rs. 26,242 a month and the officers and men were paid at the following rate:

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¹⁸ P. D., Vol. V. pp. 184-187.

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6 Tambarchis ¹⁷ Rs. 120 at the rate of Rs. 20 each. 6 Pipers ... Rs. 150 at the rate of Rs. 20 each. 2 Cymbals beaters Rs. 40 at the rate of Rs. 20 each. 5 Standard bearers ... Rs. 60 at the rate of Rs. 12 each. 7 Drummers ... Rs. 84 at the rate of Rs. 12 each. 3 Karkuns (clerks) Rs. 120 at the rate of Rs. 40 each. 14 Bhistis (water carriers) ... Rs. 84 at the rate of Rs. 6 each. 6 Torch bearers Rs. 36 at the rate of Rs. 6 each. 7 Scouts ... Rs. 49 at the rate of Rs. 7 each. 2 Shield bearers Rs. 12 at the rate of Rs. 6 each.

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¹⁷ The beater of a Tambura or small Turkish guiter.

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*Artillery:*

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8 Portuguese ... Rs. 480 at the rate of Rs. 60 each. 2 Jamadars ... Rs. 60 at the rate of Rs. 30 each. 2 Havaldars ... Rs. 36 at the rate of Rs. 18 each. 42 Golandaz ... Rs. 504 at the rate of Rs. 12 each.

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24 Khalasis ... Rs. 240 at the rate of Rs. 10 each.

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9 Carpenters ... Rs. 102 at the rate of Rs. 12(5) and Rs. 10-8-0 (4 men) each.

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8 Blacksmiths... Rs. 88 at the rate of Rs. 11 each.

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10 Beldars ... Rs. 80 at the rate of Rs. 8 each. (stone cutters)

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5 Tabeldars ¹⁸ ... Rs. 45 at the rate of Rs. 9 each.

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¹⁸ A hewer of wood, the word is generally understood as a lascar or clashee following a camp.—Molesworth.

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*The New Regiment.*

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1 Captain ... Rs. 450.

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2 Lieutenants... Rs. 500 at the rate of Rs. 250 each.

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1 Sergeant ... Rs. 90.

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4 Subhedars ... Rs. 200 at Rs. 50 each.

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5 Jamadars ... Rs. 150 at Rs. 30 each.

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32 Havaldars ... Rs. 576 at Rs. 18 each.

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7 Naiks ... Rs. 84 at Rs. 12 each.

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7 Tambarchis... Rs. 140 at Rs. 20 each.

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6 Pipers ... Rs. 120 at Rs. 20 each.

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1 Cymbal beater Rs. 20.

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12 Bhistis ... Rs. 72 at Rs. 6 each.

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484 Sepoys ... Rs. 4,356 at Rs. 9 each.

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20 Portuguese Musketeers Rs. 800 at Rs. 40 each.

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10 Drummers ... Rs. 120 at Rs. 12 each.

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5 Karkuns ... Rs. 200 at Rs. 40 each. 4 Torchbearers Rs. 24 at Rs. 6 each. 1 Jamadar of Sowars ... Rs. 55. 15 Sowars ... Rs. 525 at Rs. 35 each.

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*Artillery.* 6 Havaldars ... Rs. 108 at Rs. 18 each. 24 Golandaz ... Rs. 288 at Rs. 12 each. 12 Khalasis ... Rs. 120 at Rs. 10 each. 2 Daruwalas ... Rs. 60 at Rs. 30 each. (Powder suppliers) 2 Chaudharis ... Rs. 20 at Rs. 10 each. 7 Carters ... Rs. 49 at Rs. 7 each. 8 Beldars ... Rs. 64 at Rs. 8 each. 3 Tabeldars ... Rs. 27 at Rs. 9 each. 1 Jamadar who supervises the workshop ... Rs. 30. 7 Blacksmiths Rs. 77 at Rs. 11 each. 4 Chambhars ... Rs. 24 at Rs. 6 each. (leather workers) 2 Karkuns Ramchandra Krishna } Rs. 300 at the rate of Apaji Chimnaji } Rs. 150 each.

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Grand Total Rs. 26,242.

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It is needless to say that the native Maratha officers or Jagirdars were not so well paid. Mahipat Rao Kavde was granted in the year 1762-63 a Saranjam of Rs. 6,25,000 for maintaining a force of 2,500 Sowars. His salary including all sorts of allowance was fixed at Rs. 25,000 a year while Boyd was appointed thirty-three years later on a salary of Rs. 36,000 a year though the Regiment he commanded was much smaller. Of course the feudal chief generally managed to make more than a legitimate profit by avoiding his legal obligations, but we should not forget that a horseman did as a rule get a better salary than his brother in the infantry. The Portuguese officers in the Peshwa's employ were also more liberally treated. In 1789-90 a Portuguese soldier called "Musa Almel" (?) was appointed to the command of a small unit of twenty-five men and he received a monthly salary of Rs. 155. The Indians serving under him got Rs. 9 only per month, while their native Christian and Portuguese colleagues got Rs. 15 and Rs. 25 respectively.

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5. *The Arabs:*

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Of the Asiatics in the Maratha army the most favoured, so far as pay was concerned, were the Arabs. Baji Rao II had a large number of these foreigners in his army as we are informed by men like Blacker and Prinsep who had opportunities to know. Blacker tells us that "Every substantive Native Power had a portion of these troops." ¹⁹ And Prinsep writes : ²⁰ "It may be proper to mention, as a proof of the estimation in which the Arabs are held as soldiers by the native powers, the rate of pay they received in the Peshwa's army in comparison with natives of other countries.

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¹⁹ Blacker, p. 21.

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²⁰ Prinsep, Vol. II, p. 160.

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Arabs, natives of Arabia... 15 Rupees a month. Their descendants born in the country ... 10 Rupees a month. Hindoostanees (the same as our sepoys) ... 8 Rupees a month. Mahrattas and Dukhunees 6 Rupees a month."

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This certainly betrays a most deplorable state of things. A state that looks towards foreigners for its defence and relies on foreign mercenaries in times of war can hardly be considered a stable one. For the foreign mercenaries, who constituted the majority of the Maratha infantry, both trained and untrained, could be inspired by one motive only, *viz.*, that of self-aggrandisement. It is noteworthy that most of the murderers of the young Peshwa, Narayan Rao belonged to this class. Tone, who had personal knowledge of the Pardesis, gave them the worst possible character. "They are more soldiers of fortune," he wrote, "and serve only for their pay: they migrate from Hindustan to the Deckan for service where they are called Pardesis or strangers : they have no idea of patriotism or love of their country, but would plunder their native village without pang."

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When exactly these foreigners first found their way into the Maratha army we do not know. There is documentary evidence that some Arabs were employed on a salary of Rs. 11 per month as early as 1742 during the administration of Balaji Baji Rao.¹ It was probably when the Marathas first established their authority on the northern banks of the Nurbudda that the necessity of a strong body of infantry was for the first time felt for the reduction of forts and strongholds in that quarter. And as the Marathas as a rule preferred to serve in the cavalry, foreigners like Rajputs, Sikhs, Rohillas, Sindhis and Arabs had to be recruited for this new service and to induce them to enlist in large numbers attractive terms had to be offered.

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¹ P. D., Vol. III, p. 165.