Administrative System of the Marathas c21.s3.9

c21.s3.9

A cavalry regiment was generally served by a number of attendants, and that under Ranoji Bhonsle had no less than 5 Karkuns and 181 attendants though its fighting strength was 700. There were in this regiment, 9 Rikibdars (stirrup holders), 5 Farriers, 8 Camel-drivers, 4 Khijmatgars, 3 Musicians, 2 Scouts, 5 Kothavales (store-keepers), 2 Jamdars (wardrobe keepers), 13 Bhois (palanquin-bearers) 2 Saddlers, 1 Washerman, 2 Macebearers, 1 Leather-worker, 1 Sweeper, 2 Drummers, 4 Messengers, 1 Torch-bearer, 1 Barber, 1 Tailor, 7 Water-carriers, 2 Sunshade-bearers, 2 Trumpeters, 4 Mahatgadkaris (elephant drivers) 1 Potdar, and 99 Grooms. These non-combatants were paid very little by the Peshwas' government and there is reason to believe that they were not very regularly paid, for the army was always in arrears and the Peshwa and his chief officers were frequently subjected to *Dharna*, an extreme form of dunning, by the discontented soldiers.