Hierarchy of Administration :
Highest Level : Havaldar / Gadkari / Killedar
Second Highest Level : Sarnobat and Sabnis and Karkhanis
Third Highest Level divided into two parts one is of Sarnobat and other one is of Karkhanis
Sarnobat Division : Tat Sarnobat,
then Tofa and Golandaj (Cannon Handler)
then Petroling camp and Met (outside the fort)
Karkhanis Division : Naik
then Soldiers
The forts were always well stocked with grain, ammunition and other articles of subsistence and use. The mostly fort constables/ Havaldars were Marathas whereas Subhedars and Phadnis were Brahmins, Sabnis were Saraswats and Karkhanis Prabhu in cast/religion. The constable/havaldar was in charge of the overall administration of the fort, arrangement of gates etc. The Subhedar was responsible for the civil affairs, collection arrangements in the surrounding villages etc. Also he used to do all these works with the permission of the constable/havaldar. Sabnis had the task of writing about the fort. The Karkhanis was responsible for provision of storage and ammunition, repair of the fort and maintenance of buildings etc. It was decided that every surrounding taluka was placed in the inspection and the work of recruitment should be done by the talukadar or the subhedar. Official lists of rules and instructions for the behavior of all officials were kept. It was also ordered that all should not fail to follow the rules. Maharaj himself used to take care that no one should be displeased due to salary was not received on time.
We already learned that while building a fort, its remoteness, geographical structure, protection, structure, construction, human needs etc. have to be considered. Now let’s know the importance of actual fortifications like forts, ramparts, bastions, lofts, gates, palaces, houses, barns, temples etc. in our next article.
goto Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV,
