A Saranjam is grant of land (initially non-hereditary) for maintenance of troops or for military service found among the Maratha community in Maharashtra and the former Maratha occupied regions of India, including territories in present-day Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. The grant was bestowed by a king or regional ruler . of a princely state Saranjamdar was the title given to the landlord or holder of a Saranjam. Usually it was bestowed on that person for heroic deeds in the military field, thus most Saranjamdars were former military officers. He may be a jagirdar, always ranking as a vassal.