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archival development in the Deccan. Authentic and reliable specimens of

farmans and other documents, royal seals, Arabic versions appearing on the top

of the Farmans, endorsements made by different authorities of nomenclature of

different posts, details about the titles, special features of the script used and,

above all, references to events of historical and political significance will be

witnessed in this collection. These documents conclusively prove that a

genuine spirit of tolerance permeated the administration of the Deccan

sovereigns. The higher posts were equally shared by non-Muslims, who were

honoured with high titles and grants; their languages, viz. Marathi and Telugu,

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were freely employed in royal mandates and official nothings .

It is to be noticed that abwabs (cesses) current in the Deccan kingdoms

are rarely to be met with anywhere in the Mughal documents. The next thing

that draws our attention is that Shahji Bhonsle has been addressed as „son‟

(دوزرف) and „Maharaj‟ (جاربہم). His complete honorific epithets are given as

follows:

يَدق شیک بفَ ںبٌاُخ تلَد يدمع يبگتسارد تعفرَ تعبجش

لملتسلاخ ناُخلاَ لئببقلتدبج شیدوا ریخ نبہَبہاُہ

ًئلسوٍُب يج يبش جار بٍم يدوبجربف ةربقلا تلَدلا هکر نارق لااَ

“The abode of intrepidity and grandeur; the support of faithful friends,

the model of devoted well-wishers; the cream of tribes and companions; the

essence of peers and contemporary nobles; the pillar of the mighty state, my

son, Maharaj, Shahji Bhonsle.”

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