Administrative System of the Marathas c9: Appendix A

Administrative System of the Marathas c9

Language: English

Appendix A

c9.1

A memorandum (enumerating) the writing duties of the Chitnis of Kshatriya Kulavatansa Shri Raja Shivachhatrapati, dated the first of Jeshtha of the year 1 of the coronation era, the Sambatsar being Ananda by name.

c9.2

Of the letters and grant deeds to be issued when a new *inam* is granted to any one: Letters to the grantee Do to the Mokdams Letters to the Talukdars Do to the Subha and Mamla officers, present and future. Do to the Deshmukh, the Deshpande and the Zamindars } should be written by the Fadnis. } should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.3

Of the letters to be issued when a village in mokasa, or land as a stipend, is granted to any one: Letters to the Mokdams } should be written Do to the Talukdars } by the Fadnis. Do to the Kamavisdars } should be written Do to the Zamindars } by the Chitnis.

c9.4

Excepting the above, all letters of grant to any one should be written by the Chitnis. All answers, orders and diplomatic letters should be written by the Chitnis. The Chitnis should also write reminders or notes about:

c9.5

1. Saranjams
2. Sanads relating to lands
3. Professional rights
4. Inams
5. Assignments (Varats).

c9.6

The rules about the Chitnis's duties and a memorandum about them all, including those relating to customs duties:

c9.7

All kauls to be issued about lands to villages and provinces should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.8

The Fadnis should write the kauls or agreements about the contribution fixed (by the proper authorities) to be levied (in a foreign country). Of the sanads of new officers, Kamavis, etc., those addressed to the officer should be written by the Fadnis, those addressed to the Zamindars and others should be written by the Chitnis. All notes to be issued about Ghasdana with notes about Fadfarmas should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.9

Letters for sending cash advance and presents for marriage ceremonies (in the Raja's house) should be written by the Chitnis. Of these, if the Chitnis has written letters about sanads for recovery of the sum advanced from the Mahals, the Fadnis should mention in his letters that the said sanad has been recorded. If the balance of revenue, considered unrecoverable, has been realised, letters regarding it should be addressed by the Chitnis, and the remittance transfer of the shortage should be granted by the Fadnis. All notes of remission (with regard to the following) should be written by the Chitnis:

c9.10

1. Land (revenue).
2. When a remission of the due (balance) is granted.
3. When revenue is (conditionally) remitted for failure of crops and the revenue is to be realised after inspection.

c9.11

All letters of (warning) about any right to and possession of old inams, watans, and varshasans that may be in force in home dominions and foreign territories, should be written by the Chitnis, enumerating the villages and the names of the parties (interested).

c9.12

When an old watan is confirmed after a due enquiry about its (proprietorship), all letters, whether addressed to the watandar or Jilhedars and Subhedars, should be written by the Chitnis. Space should be left for any harki or sherni that may have been promised. These gaps should be filled up by the Fadnis with his own hands, stating the amount.

c9.13

If a new watan or inam is granted to any one, the letter addressed to the grantee should be written by the Fadnis stating the sum (of rupees) taken. All other letters (in this connection) should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.14

When a *Prayashchitta* is prescribed, or a man is to be (re) admitted into his caste, orders to the Joshis and letters to the Upadhyes and Brahmans or Shudras, or to any body else, should be written by the Chitnis. Harki and shela should be taken by the government for the Prayashchitta. The Fadnis should make an entry that so much has been realised (specifying the sum). All letters, if the transaction is to be made without any stipulation about money, should be the Chitnis's business; the Fadnis will have nothing to do with them.

c9.15

If parties after quarrelling with each other, come for a decision to the court, all letters according to the decision (of the court) about the harki to be paid by the winning and *gunhegari* to be paid by the losing party, should be written by the Chitnis. The total of harki and gunhegari should be stated by the Fadnis.

c9.16

Letters about contribution, fines, harkis and incomes (arising from) adultery cases, should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.17

If an assignment or *varat* is made in any one's favour and there is any delay in making it good, the Chitnis should write reminders, (requesting) the officers (concerned) to pay the money in accordance with the terms of the assignment. If an assignment is made of one hundred Rupees and there is a shortage of money in the Mahal (concerned), and a fresh assignment of fifty Rupees out of the entire sum has to be made, it will be done by the Fadnis. If an assignment of one hundred Rupees is once made, and if it is returned, and a fresh grant has to be made, the document is to be drawn up by the Chitnis. If any correction is to be made about the sum, (literally if the sum is either more or less), the letters will be written by the Fadnis.

c9.18

All passports for travelling and permission for establishing ware-houses should be written by the Chitnis. Summons should be written by the Chitnis. Memoranda enumerating regulations for watani Mahals, ports, and forts, etc., should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.19

Letters about ammunition and clothes to be sent each year to forts, strongholds or military outposts, or to be brought to the head quarters from those places, should be written by the Chitnis. If any objection is to be raised about these works, it is to be done by the Fadnis.

c9.20

The Chitnis is to open envelopes and read (to the king) the letters that may come, and to enclose and despatch letters.

c9.21

The memorandum of rules for regulating the price of things should be drawn up by the Chitnis.

c9.22

If officers are sent from the head quarters to a village or a warehouse or a Pargana, all letters to the District officer should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.23

All orders of confiscation of property and restoration of property to its owner, should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.24

Letters for conferring the command of forts, and strongholds, etc., for setting a boundary, for imprisoning or releasing any one, should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.25

Letters of political intelligence should be written by the Chitnis.

c9.26

All letters in which royal signature is to be inserted, handnotes, and documents with seals, should be written by the Chitnis. All letters about the appointment to the command of forts and strongholds, grants of saramjam, inam, or watans, or communication about any assignment accompanied by the customary clothes of honour, should be written by the Chitnis, as well as letters specifying contribution, fine, harki or subscription and nazar (to be paid by the addressee). He should also frame a list of these and send it to the Daftar. The officers there will accordingly make their accounts of income and expenditure. Closed letters and handnotes should be written by the Chitnis, no one but the Chitnis should put his sign in the handnotes.