The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c11.35

c11.35

Though the army was organised on the European model its Commander-in-Chief was paid, according to the current feudal ideas, by an extensive jahgir. While encamped near Jaipur in 1792 Mahadaji had received a letter from De Boigne. The army was in arrears for seven months and the General bitterly complained about the hardship and anxiety to which he was subjected by the irregularity of payment; and in order to avoid similar troubles in future Sindhia decided to place an extensive province entirely at the disposal of De Boigne. This decision was communicated to him in the following terms: ‘You complain of the delay in sending the arrears of the army. You say that at the end of Shawal the pay will be seven months in arrear. I have got your receipt for 190 thousand Rupees that you have permitted to be paid to your soldiers and officers. On account of three months of the arrear you demand 185 thousand Rupees more and you apprehend that the money may not be sent to you.’