Ramshastri
By V. D. Rao
Summary
This article re-evaluates the life and achievements of Ramshastri, a notable personality in Maratha history, in light of abundant new material from Peshwa Daftars and other historical documents. The subject, Ramshastri, had his ancestral home at Mahuli in the Satara district and is supposed to have been born between 1715 and 1720. According to traditional accounts, he began his career as a domestic attendant, referred to in the text as a "sagidam," with the Peshwas, with the earliest reference to him being a document dated 1st October 1739 where he is referred to as a dependent of the Peshwa family drawing a monthly salary of rupees forty. He was taken up to the council of lawyers of the Department of Justice in 1748. On the death of Balkrishna Shastri Gadgil, the Chief Justice of Marathas in 1759, Ramshastri was appointed in his place, holding the office until his death with only a short break during the regime of Raghunath Balaji Peshwa. As the Chief Justice of the Marathas, he was given a salary of Rs. 2000/- per annum and a palanquin allowance. Ramshastri was held in high esteem and regard by the Peshwas, especially by Madhavrao. In a letter informing Ramshastri about his victory over Hyder Ali, Madhavrao refers to himself as his disciple. Madhavrao paid him sums of Rs. 5000/- to enable him to liquidate his debts in 1767 and Rs. 15000/- in 1785-86 for the same purpose. After the treacherous murder of Narayan Rao Peshwa, Ramshastri had the courage to denounce Raghunathrao for his complicity, passing the sentence of death on him before walking away from his post. He was later called back and reinstated in the office of the Chief Justice after the successful consummation of the Barbhat Plot. The article discusses Grant Duff's estimate of Ramshastri's character and personality in glowing terms, regarding him as an embodiment of high moral qualities such as uprightness, impartiality, and incorruptibility. Attempts seem to have been made to sully his character with insinuations of corruptibility, but Ramshastri was always held by his masters to be above corruption. His judgments and decisions, exemplifying his high learning, legal acumen, and common-sense, were admirable. Furthermore, Ramshastri played a role as an elderly statesman in the Peshwa regime, being one of the panchas appointed for investigating the affair of the impostor. The article also mentions a struggle between Brahmins and Prabhus regarding the Kshatriyahood of the Prabhus, which was referred to Ramshastri, who, after wading through a mass of Sanadas, gave his decision in favour of the Prabhus as Kshatriyas and eligible for all the sacraments of the twice-born.
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Conclusion
This re-evaluation of Ramshastri, prompted by newly discovered Peshwa documents, establishes him as a highly esteemed Chief Justice of the Marathas who served from 1759 until his death in 1789. The text highlights his profound influence, evidenced by the deep personal regard of Peshwa Madhavrao, who referred to him as a disciple and provided substantial financial aid to clear his debts. Ramshastri’s unwavering moral integrity and incorruptibility are underscored by his courageous denunciation of Raghunathrao for the murder of Narayan Rao, his steadfast adherence to justice even after temporarily relinquishing his post, and his crucial role in the Barbhat Plot. Furthermore, his legal acumen is demonstrated by his landmark decision affirming the Kshatriyahood of the Prabhus. Ultimately, Ramshastri emerges not only as a paragon of judicial uprightness but also as a vital statesman whose judgments and administrative roles significantly shaped the Peshwa regime.