Administrative System of the Marathas c21.s3.10

c21.s3.10

In granting Saranjam the Peshwas took care to place rival chiefs in the same area and to make some use of their mutual jealousy. Govind Pant Bundele, the founder of the Sagar family, was used as a check on the Bhonsla of Nagpur. The revenue of Malwa was divided among the Sindhia, the Holkar and the Pawar, the Peshwa retaining a share for himself. Thus the grant of Saranjams in conquered territories stimulated the spirit of conquest, and the division of the revenue was calculated by the Peshwa to check any undue increase of the Sardars' power, and at the same time to secure co-operation by unity of interest. But the Peshwas failed to secure the last result. For Sardars like Sindhia and Holkar grew more and more powerful, and although grave national dangers rallied them to the Peshwa's side, the feudal tendency and individual jealousy ultimately led to the disruption of the empire. The Sindhia fought against the Holkar, the Bhonsla of Nagpur levied *Ghasdana* on the Peshwas' subjects, and constant war resulted in public insecurity. This was the real source of weakness of the Maratha empire.