The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c5.43

c5.43

The Bijapur officers obtained hereditary *jahgirs* in lieu of pay. In the Mughal army the *mansab* was not hereditary but the *Mansabdar*⁴ held a *jahgir*. Even civil officers were granted *mansabs* and their pay or more accurately their *jahgir* depended on their military rank. The private was as a rule very poorly and irregularly paid. Even in the lifetime of Aurangzib the commanders frequently found themselves, specially on occasions of sudden and unforeseen transfer, unable to pay the arrears due to their soldiers as we learn from the interesting memoir of Eradut Khan.¹ This irregularity caused indiscipline in the army and the *jahgir* system was incompatible with the ideas of a strong monarchy. Shivaji did not favour the *jahgir* system nor did he approve of hereditary appointments. Most of his principal ministers were expected to take a military command when necessary. The *Peshwa*, Moro Trimbak Pingle, and the *Sachiv*, Annaji Datto, were often employed on active service. On such occasions they held independent commands but the *Sarnobat* was on no account permitted to interfere in the civil administration of the land. Shivaji laid down that soldiers and officers should be punctually paid, partly in kind and partly in cash. In an age when barter was in vogue payment in kind could not, if fairly made, cause any hardship.² Shivaji’s men and officers were paid either in cash from the central treasury or by *varat* or assignments on the provincial revenue. In the latter case payment was made by the district officers but the assignee was not on any account to interfere with the collection. In case he held any land of the Government, the rent payable by him was deducted from his salary and the balance was paid in cash or by *varat*. Shivaji had tried his utmost to undo the evils of feudalism by depriving the old Deshmukhs and Deshpandes of some of their obnoxious rights and prerogatives. He had, like Henry II, pulled down the fortified castles of the petty local tyrants³ and he was determined not to create new fiefs and renew the evils of military tyranny and feudal anarchy. No office in his army was hereditary, and all officers, high or low, were liable to dismissal, transfer or censure as the case deserved.