The central secretariat of the Maratha government, particularly under the Peshwas in Pune, was known as the ‘Huzur Daftar’ or simply the ‘Phad’. It was a highly sophisticated administrative hub where all land records, revenue accounts and official correspondence were meticulously maintained. The officials working in this department were known as ‘Phadnavis’ (secretaries/accountants). ANSWER: (B) Phad
What was the Maratha secretariat called? (A) Mughatai (B) Phad (C) Swaraj (D) None of the above
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The ‘Phad’ represented the administrative backbone of the Maratha state. As the empire grew, the need for a centralized bureaucracy led to the development of this secretariat in Pune. It was responsible for auditing the accounts of the various districts (Mahals) and military commanders. The efficiency of the Phad allowed the Peshwas to manage a complex system of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi collection across vast distances. Detailed registers (Daftars) were kept for every village, recording taxes, grants and judicial decisions. This institutionalized record-keeping survived well into the British era, forming the basis for later revenue settlements in Western India.