Administrative System of the Marathas c27.s6.13

c27.s6.13

Kauls have been referred to in the farmans addressed to Muhammad Hashim and Rasikdas and we have seen in Book II how common this practice was in the Peshwa days. There is reason to believe that the Marathas were indebted to the Mughals for this excellent practice although the theory underlying it was older than the Muhammadan conquest. While engaged in a war against the Portuguese the Mughal officers often tried to induce the frightened peasants to come back to their villages and carry on the cultivation of their deserted fields by granting them kauls. Manucci, who had first-hand knowledge of the Deccan affairs, writes as follows : "As soon as the governor approached the Portuguese villages, the frightened peasants took to flight. Upon noticing this the governor sent for the village headmen and treating them courteously reassured them, and told them that they ought to remain in their villages and go on cultivating their fields as usual. For, so he assured them, no one would interfere with them. He sent them away contented, giving presents to each according to his merits.”¹⁴