Administrative System of the Marathas c21.s3.25

c21.s3.25

All the important forts were furnished with some pieces of artillery, the heavy guns were cleaned once a year and the smaller pieces more frequently.²⁵ There was also a Darukhana or magazine as well as an Ambarkhana or granary in each fort. Old grains were sold out at intervals at the market price and new grains were stored. Towards the close of the Peshwa period the Arabs were largely employed for garrisoning the more important forts of the Maratha empire. Sir Thomas Munro tells us that some small strongholds in the Karnatak were garrisoned by hereditary servants enjoying rent-free land in lieu of their service. Their commander alone was appointed by the state, such an arrangement, it is superfluous to say, could not be conducive to discipline or efficiency.