Administrative System of the Marathas c8.s4.17

c8.s4.17

Before we take leave of the eight pradhans it should be noted here that they could not select their own subordinates. These were invariably appointed, as in the Peshwa period, by the supreme head of the state. Even the mutaliks, who were apparently expected to act on behalf and in the interests of an absent minister, were not appointed by him, but by the king. We do not know whether on such occasions the approval of the officer affected was sought or not. This practice was evidently borrowed from the Muhammadans. The Muhammadan rulers of Delhi required the provincial governors and generals on active service to leave their agents or wakils at the imperial court during their absence on duty. These agents acted in the same manner as the mutaliks of Shivaji's pradhans, but they generally considered it their first duty to safeguard the interests of their immediate masters.