A short note on Maratha Administration

Maratha administration is a term used to describe the administration of a Kingdom under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his successors. The administration of Shivaji was based on the well-laid principles of Indian statecraft as exemplified by Chanakya and included certain innovative features. Maratha administration seems to be an amalgamation of two distinct yet complementary styles, Vidhan in the Vidhanic tradition and the Machhayya and his successors. The first style was a strong central government that resisted demands for autonomy from within its governing structure. The second style was a distributed organization where communities elected the local governorship as a whole. 

Administration of Shivaji

Under the succession of the Peshwas, the Maratha administration transformed into a system based on competency, efficiency, and merit. The Peshwas were the most successful families among the Marathas. They manage to bring together all aspects of administration under centralized control.

Competency

The administration of Shivaji was built through several key principles known as “Danda” or “The Rod.” It consisted of a body of skilled and dedicated administrators who acted as a link between the central government and its subordinates. They helped implement policy and also protected the interests of the people.

The Danda consisted of five “Danda Mukhas” or Circles. The Peshwa appointed several functionaries to each of these circles to make their respective administration efficient and act as a channel between the central government and the community they oversaw.

Efficiency

The efficiency of these administrators was based on the ability to carry out their duties with minimal interference from the central government or higher officials. They were given complete authority over their territories and had to rely on their skills to run their respective areas.

Merit

All appointments at the provincial level were made based on qualification and merit. The actual authority conferred on these officers depended on their qualifications, social status, and merit. Those who proved efficient in their duties could receive promotions or transfers based on talent.

Vidhan (Administrator) 

The office of Vidhan or administrator had its roots in the Vedic period. The term originally referred to an elected (and later hereditary) judge or Karta who served as the head of a grama or village community. The grama or village was divided into several wards, each led by its vision. This evolved, and the administrator’s powers grew.

Aghad-Mahal (Provincial and District Chiefs)

The district level of the Maratha administration comprised a complex network of executive and judicial authorities, known (after the 18th century) as Aghad-Mahals. These were hereditary offices that entailed political and judicial authority over a certain area. 

Vidarbha (Local Chiefs)

The village or ward level of the Maratha administration comprised a similar structure to that of the district level. However, this was an elected system as opposed to an appointed one. Here, the office of Vidarbha or Ward Chief was also hereditary, although the community at large could challenge decisions through their vidharbas.

Machhayya (Local Government)

The second element of the Maratha administration was the Machhakya system, which meant that villages were led by a group of democratically elected local officials. This system transformed into the Peshwa administration in the reigns of Chhatrapati Shivaji and his successors. The Machhayya “(lit. means of livelihood or means of sustenance)” system was first introduced by Raja Bhoj of Malwa.

Pramukh (Village Headsmen)

The Pramukhs were village-level leaders who led the affairs of their respective villages. The office of Pramukh emerged from the Mahaldar or Mahalwada, who was appointed to perform this function. The Mahalwada was the village headman, a position similar to the Gaddi. However, the Mahaldar had more duties than just collecting taxes or maintaining public order.

Amatya (Municipal Body)

The Amatya, or municipal bodies, were appointed by the state to manage local affairs in towns and cities. They were usually hereditary, selected by their communities, or chosen through election by state-appointed officers. They had authority over civil, police, and religious matters within the localities they represented.  

Maratha Land Tax

Taxation formed a significant portion of the state revenue. State revenues were based on land tax, various local taxes, and customs duties.

In Maharashtra, the land tax was known as “Ata.” It was levied by the state in cash and most often paid directly to the government by peasants and farmers. The Maratha land tax rate varied across villages depending on their economic status. Heavy taxes were imposed on peasants who could not pay their taxes in cash and had to pay an equivalent amount of produce from their land.

The tax rate increased during the reign of Chhatrapati Rajaram and decreased during that of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje. The occupation tax known as “Lagad” was reduced by half during Sambhajiraje’s rule. The reduction in the rate of taxes was essential in maintaining the loyalty of his subjects.

Conclusion

The Maratha administration was essentially a commercial and land-based administration, which evolved until it became centralized under the Peshwas. The main driving force behind the administration was profit motive and tax collection. The influence of Western ideas began to take root in the system during Shivaji’s rule, and it saw an acceleration during the reign of Chhatrapati Rajaram. The Peshwas also adopted this system and further strengthened it by adopting a code of merit as a guiding principle for recruitment, promotion, and transfer. The administration was also administered by several skilled administrators who used the opportunity to prove their worth.