ADMINISTRATION
OF
SHIVAJI MAHARAJ

AUTHORS - POONAM KANABAR
USHMA SHAH
EDITOR - DR. PALLAVI TALEKAR

'Trips in Time': Social Studies Club of Hansraj Jivandas College of Education digitally launches the book on occasion of ' Shiv Swarajya Din'

AUTHORS:
Poonam Kanabar
Ushma Shah
F. Y. B. Ed.
Hansraj Jivandas College of Education

EDITOR:
DR. PALLAVI TALEKAR
Associate Professor
Hansraj Jivandas College of Education

Month of Publication: June 2023

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ASHTAPRADHAN MANDAL

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Shivaji was a great administrator. For smooth administration and to ensure the welfare of his people, Shivaji Maharaj ensured that he set up an efficient administrative set up.

Formation of the Ashtapradhan Mandal: Maharaj set up a council of eight ministers. The council was divided into eight departments with one head each. The heads of the departments formed the "Ashtapradhan Mandal" and they were directly responsible and handled by Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj had the power to appoint or remove them from their power. These heads were not randomly decided but were decided on the basis of merit and achievements.

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He offered them handsome salaries in return for the work that they did and were not given gifts or Jagirs like those in the olden days.

It was not an advisory body and had none of the characteristics of modern cabinet. All the eight ministers had independent charge of their respective departments. Shivaji was at liberty to consult them jointly if he felt the need but their opinion was not at all binding upon him.

THE EIGHT COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO FORMED THE ASHTAPRADHAN MANDAL WERE AS FOLLOWS :-

1.  Peshwa :- He was the Prime Minister and he was in charge of general welfare of the state.
2.  Amatya :- He was the finance Minister. He used to check and countersign all public accounts of the state.
3.  Mantri :- The Mantra or chronicler used to keep a diary of the king’s daily work in the court. He was also known as Wakia Navis.
4.  Sumant :- He was the Foreign Secretary. He was in charge of foreign affairs. He discussed questions of war and peace with the king and advised him on matters relating to foreign affairs. His duty was to keep himself in touch with other states.

5.  Sachiva :- He was the Home secretary. It was his duty to look to the correspondence of the king. He was authorized to revise the king’s letters. He used to check the accounts of the Parganas.
6.  Pandit Rao or Davadhyaksha :- He was the Ecclesiastical head and looked after grants to religious bodies and learned men.
7.  Nyayadhish :- He was the Chief justice. He was responsible for civil and military justice.
8.  Senapati :- He was the Commander-in-Chief and looked after the recruitment, organization and discipline of the army.

Besides the Nayadhish and Pandit Rao all were required to command armies and to lead expeditions at the time of need.

The agricultural sector and farming happened to be the backbone of the Rural Economy of those times hence an able officer like Annaji Datto was given the duty to make sure that the land revenue was taken properly and not in excess.

Maharaj paid attention to the needs of the farmers. In case of failure of crops due to floods or draughts, remissions were granted in land revenue and other taxes.

POLICIES REGARDING AGRICULTURE

VILLAGE ECONOMY OF THAT PERIOD

Agriculture was the backbone of the rural economy. Artisans in the village produced goods and fulfilled the needs of the local people. The village was a self sufficient and well equipped unit.

Farmers gave a definite share from their produce to artisans. The share was called ‘Baluta’. Under the Baluta system, the 12 Balutedars such as the blacksmith, carpenter, potter, goldsmith, etc. were paid in kind (in the form of objects, foodgrains, etc.) for the work they did for the village people and they had certain rights and privileges at ceremonies as well.