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This book contains description of social structure
during the period between the twilight of the Peshwa regime and the dawn of
British Occupation. The book should prove to be a mine of information for
those who are interested in studying the social, religious, and trade
aspects of the society. The information is obtained from the then government
files from the period between 1745 and 1862.
Pay structure and mode of payment current in those
days are described. Salaries were paid on daily basis or monthly basis.
Salaries were paid on festivals also. There was an allowance for soldiers
when they were on battle front. Mushahira, vetan, tainat,
rojbhara and asami were the synonymous words used for the word
salary (wages).
Different currencies were existent.
The word karkuni had different connotations.
One meaning is fees paid by the government for a contract job. Karkuni was
a word for bribery also. Fees were paid to write sanatpatra
and to chopadar.
The government revenue
included land tax, excise duty, sales tax. Super tax was also charged.
There was tax on agricultural products. Many transactions were done through hundi
(some kind of promissory note). Mints were in private sector but under
government control. Metal composition of the coins was determined by
the government. Gold coins were called Mohar. Money lending business
was flourishing.
Bullock carts were not in existence. Horse and Doli
(a carriage carried by men/coolies ) were used for the transportation of
people. Bullocks and camel were used to carry load. A kind of postal service
or messenger service was available. Postal charges were determined by the
weight of the letter or parcel. There is a mention of General Post Office at
Pune in 1852. To ensure delivery of the letter, there were cases of people
sending letters without being pre-paid. There was a facility to insure
parcels.
Offences were varied- theft, murders, adultery, suicide,
encroachment, slandering, abduction, breaking law, breach of employment
contract, hurting animals, not to carry out baluti duties ( essential
services carried out by various classes of people for the village
people), to harass a person through spirits. To serve an Englishman was
an offence. Punishments were varied.
Gentlemen generally used to were dhoti (loin cloth). On the
battle front, dress was different. It used to be tuman (long
pantaloon) or tumba . Headgear was of different kinds.
There was a practice of human trade.
Sword, shield and riffles were the weapons in use.
Riffle was a common weapon among people. Swords were available in different
types. Bhawani type was one of them. Shivaji’s sword was of Bhavani
type. Riffles were made by blacksmith There were factories for canons.
The British captured Maratha market
before taking over the power. The British products included cloth, paper,
glassware (mirrors), watches etc.
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