Salaries Procedures for Soldiers in Garhwal in Pal /Shah Dynasty Rule

Administration, Social and Cultural Characteristics History of Garhwal in Shah Dynasty -27 

History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -216     

   History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -464 

                        By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

                                    Salaries by Faujdar

           Fuajdar or regional commanders or commanders used to pay salaries to their own soldiers. By this the Kings were from hurdles of appointing or punishing the soldiers. It was easier to administrate the tax collection and to keep law and order under control in nearby regions of the capital Shrinagar. However, it was difficult to keep administration under control far away from the capital.

     Rohillas , jat, Gujjar, Raghad, Rajput, Sikhs , Sirmauri used to attack on Dehradun , Bhabhar and Bijnor regions. Garhwal Kings adapted the procedure to offer charge to Faujdar for tax collection and protection to those bordering regions. Due to that wrong procedure, Garhwal Kings lost the rule over Bijnor, Haridwar and many times in Dehradun. Many times, Bhabhar was looted by Rohillas and Muslims. Fuajdar used to appoint soldiers and used to look after the defense and tax collection. There was always ill hearted competition for getting Faujdar position among administrators in Shrinagar.

   Faujdar used to get salaries or money from Jagir. Dr Dabral mentions that Doon and Salan Faujdar used to get salaries of one and quarter lakh. Faujdar used to spend maximum money on salaries of solders from the amount of Faujdari.  Faujdar had to deposit certain fixed amount in treasury too.

                             Late Payment to Soldiers  

  Faujdar used to delay the salaries to soldiers. Faujdar were more attentive in offering salaries to soldiers when they were in trouble. It was thought that if soldier salaries were not kept by Faujdar or Kings, soldiers would leave them for another Faujdar or King. Many times, after too much delay in getting salaries, the soldiers used to disturb the capital. There were many instances when soldiers disturbed the king in Shrinagar for their salaries.

                                 Awards to Soldiers

                   King used to offer awards and rewards to brave soldiers. Award or reward was called ‘Raut’.  The King used to offer lands to ‘Raut’ awardees and there was no tax on ‘Raut’ land. The awardees were called ‘Rawat’.

  King and Faujdar used to offer other gifts to brave soldiers as award certificate (copper plate ) Khilat, Horses etc. Faujdar had right to have Naubat before his courtyard and Nishan or State flag when marching.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com25/10/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -465

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal from 1223-1804 to be continued in next chapter ….

History of Characteristics of Garhwal Kings Shah dynasty, to be continued

XX                     

Notes on South Asian Modern Period  History of Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Pauri Garhwal; South Asian  Modern Period  History of Chamoli Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rudraprayag Garhwal;  South Asian Modern  History of Tehri Garhwal; South Asian Modern  History of Uttarkashi Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Dehradun, Garhwal;  Modern  History of Haridwar ; South Asian Modern Period   History of Manglaur, Haridwar;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rurkee Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Bahadarpur Haridwar ; South Asian Modern Period History of Haridwar district, South Asian History of Bijnor old Garhwal