478 Amongst the other officials, there were the Army Officers, the District Collectors, and Judges of the Court of Law. Special mention should be made of John Bruce Norton, the Barristerat-Law who practised in the Supreme Court of Judicature at Madras and who conducted the case of Kamakshi Amba Boi saheb; and Rev. Fr. Schwartz of the Protestant Mission at Tranquebar who took active part in the politics of Thanjavur at the end of the 18th century, == 8. The Offices and the Officials of the State The Raja was ipso facto the head of the Principality and he was assisted by many officials and learned men. Important offices were Sirkhel, Subhadar, Pattack.dar, Amaldar, sheristhadar, Tahsildar, Havildar, Koththaval, Karbar, Killedar, Karkoon, Dimmati, Kavaigar, Harkara, Vakil, Kamavisidar, Kasnis, Imarathi and so on. Sirkhel was an important and powerful officer. Subhadar was the head of a subha and he was also in charge of the military department. Pattakdar was the head.of a Pattack (Revenue district). , Sheristhadar was the custodian of records. Killedar was the head of a fort. Harkara was in charge of the attendance register of a court. The Dimmatti was the officer who signed the court's decree. Imarathi was in charge of repairs. Chitnis was the Secretary to the King. Prominent officers who held high posts were Dabir Pandit well known for the system called ' Dabir Muri’, Bava Pandit who introduced the Pattack system, and some Appas like Dattaji Appa, Manaji Appa etc. During the last days of the Principality mention may be made of Varahappayya and Somanada sadasiva Kesava Dikshit Pandit. Among the Sirkhels, the notorious Shiva Rao deserves special mention. Among the others Baba, Ramoji Surje Rao Ghatge, Babaji Ramaji Pandit and Nilakhanta Rao Ananda Rao jadav were well known. 9. Contact with the other countries During the reign of Sarabhoji I, Ramnad was inimical towards the Marathas and the Rajahs had to interfere in the internal affairs of that state. It was during his days that the Sivaganga estate was formed. The fort of Arantangi was also captured. The Nawab always claimed supremacy over the Marathas of Thanjavur and demanded "Topha”. Hence he invaded and captured Thanjavut, imprisoned Tulaja II and held the fort under his sway for more than two years.
