Administrative System of the Marathas c8.s4.13

c8.s4.13

Besides the duties enumerated above, three of the eight pradhans were in charge of extensive provinces.³⁸ When they were away from the metropolis, their agents resided at the court. Sabhasad says that this apparently clumsy arrangement was made in response to the demand for good government. "The kingdom was extended on four sides. How to carry on the governance of the kingdom? Then in Moro Pant Peshwa's charge were placed the country from Kalyan and Bhivandi, including Kolawan up to Salheri, the country above the Ghats and the Konkan. Lohagad and Junnar with the twelve Mawals from the pass of Haralya (were placed) under the Peshwa. The Konkan from Chaul to Kopal, including Dabhol, Rajapur, Kudal, Bande, and Phond, was placed under Annaji Datto. The Warghat (country above the ghats) from Wai to Kopal on the Tungabhadra (was) the province placed under Dattaji Pant Waknis. Dattaji Pant was stationed at Panhala. In this manner was the kingdom placed under three Sarkarkuns. Besides these, a few (five to seven) Brahman Subhedars were stationed in the Mughal provinces. They were kept under the orders of the Peshwa. The Sarkarkuns were to enquire into the needs and welfare of the forts and strongholds. But what Killedar and Karkuns were to be appointed, the Raja himself should appoint after personal scrutiny. If the Sarkarkuns found any serviceable soldier, they should enlist him in excess of the fixed number of the quota (tainat). The agents of the Sarkarkuns should remain with the Raja. The Sarkarkuns should come to see the Raja (once) every year with the accounts and the revenue of their provinces.³⁷ When Shivaji made this division of his territories and placed them under three of his principal ministers, we do not know, for Sabhasad does not give any date. But that the pradhans had still some districts under their charge and had to leave their agents or mutaliks at court during their absence in their respective provinces or on a distant expedition, even after the coronation and the reorganisation of the council, can be proved by the following entry in the memorandum already quoted. "The darakhdars appointed for (the management of) districts and market cities placed under the eight pradhans, and to assist them when on a military expedition, should all work in the name of the Huzur and carry on their correspondence in the same manner (as the pradhans) when they would go on an expedition; the mutaliks appointed for them should continue all their work. They should stay at the court."³⁸