Administrative System of the Marathas c7.s6.2

c7.s6.2

In addition to these old factory records, English travellers have left us the accounts of their travels in the Maratha country, and English historians have left us the result of their researches. The earliest English traveller to write an account of the Maratha country and Shivaji's court was Fryer. A physician by profession, he had visited Bombay and seen some parts of Shivaji's dominions. But his stay in the Maratha country was very short, and his information was by no means accurate. His account of "Several Brachmins whose Flesh they tear with Pincers heated Red hot, drub them on the Shoulders to extreme Anguish," betrays a good deal of humour, but is evidently untrustworthy. Even Khafi Khan, who delighted in abusing Shivaji, gave him credit for the respect he had usually shown to holy places and holy men both Hindu and Muhammadan.