The ‘Sarjami’ system was the Maratha version of the feudal military land grant system, akin to the Mughal Jagirdari system. Under this system, Maratha military chiefs (Sardars) were granted Sarjam (revenue assignments) from a specific territory. In return, they were required to maintain a fixed number of cavalry and foot soldiers for the state. While effective for rapid expansion, the system’s decentralizing tendencies were a source of tension between the central Peshwa administration and the autonomous Maratha chiefs.