The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c9.45

c9.45

The men who formed the garrison and their officers were not very highly paid. Although the chronicles are silent on this point, a few figures can be compiled from some contemporary letters that have come down to us. It appears that a *Havaldar* usually enjoyed a remuneration of 125 Hons a year. One Nagoji Bhonsle was appointed *Mudradhari* or *Havaldar* of Fort Utlur in 1677 on a salary of 150 Hons per year; out of this sum, however, he was expected to retain two servants on 25 Hons each.¹ Krishnaji Surevanshi was appointed *Sarnobat* of the above mentioned fort in the same year on an annual salary of 100 Hons. The *Havaldar* in charge of the buildings in the fort got the same pay as the *Mudradhari* and his *Majumdar* was paid at the rate of 36 Hons per year. Four *Tat Sarnobats* were sent by Shivaji to take charge of the ramparts of Kot Utlur and they were each engaged on an annual salary of 12 Hons (4 ordinary Hons and 8 Kaveripak Hons). Along with them had been despatched seven *Bargirs* on a yearly pay of 9 Hons (3 ordinary Hons and 6 Kaveripak Hons) per head. We can, therefore, assume that this represented the usual remuneration of a private serving in a fort. In a document dated 26 July, 1677, we find that Timaji Narayan, a clerk, was appointed as an extra hand for the office work in Fort Valgudanur, on a monthly allowance of 3 Hons.² Besides the usual remuneration, each officer got, according to his rank and the importance of his charge, an additional allowance for palanquin, torch-bearers, personal attendants, sunshades and pages.