Administrative System of the Marathas c8.s3.33

c8.s3.33

When the Peshwas rose to power, most of these offices had become hereditary, but in Shivaji's time, the pradhans (councillors) were not appointed for life. They were liable to be dismissed at the king's pleasure and could not transmit their office to their sons or brothers. In the Peshwa period principal officers generally became founders of new families. This was impossible in Shivaji's time. First, because he took good care to keep all offices, both high and low, free from a hereditary character. We have seen how six Commanders-in-Chief had been in succession appointed by Shivaji, but not in a single case had he selected for the post a near relative of the last incumbent. Suryaji Malsure was no doubt appointed Subhedar of the Mawali forces, after the death of his brother Tanaji; but in this case the officer in question had rendered such distinguished service as fully deserved public recognition.³⁰ Secondly, because Shivaji made it a rule not to assign any Jagir to any office, civil or military. It was strictly laid down that no soldier or military officer should have any thing to do with the revenue collection of the country and there was, in those days of anarchy and war, hardly any officer who was not required to take up arms. In Sabhasad's account we find that, "the balance of their dues (was paid by) 'varats' (orders) either on the Huzur (central government) or on the district (establishments). In this manner were their annual accounts punctually settled. Mokasa mahals or villages with absolute rights should on no account be granted to the (men in the) army, the militia and the garrisons of the fort. Every payment should be made by 'varats' or with cash from the treasury. None but the Karkuns had authority over the lands. All payments to the army, the militia, and the garrison, should be made by the Karkuns."³¹ These wise regulations had their desired effect, and arrested for the time being the growth of feudalism in Maharashtra. In the words of Ranade, "None of the great men, who distinguished themselves in Shivaji's time, were able to hand over to their descendants large landed estates. Neither Moropant Pingle nor Abaji Sondev, nor Ragho Ballal or Datto Annaji or Niraji Raoji, among the Brahmans, nor the Malusares or Kanks, or Pratap Rao Gujar, Netaji Palkar, Hambirrao Mohite or the Maratha *Sardars*, were able to found ancient families such as those which Shahu's ministers in the early part of the eighteenth century succeeded in doing."³²