Match the following positions with their responsibilities in Maratha administration under Shivaji:

Question

Match the following positions with their responsibilities in Maratha administration under Shivaji:

Position Responsibility

Choose the correct answer from below:

1. A. 1-i, 2-iii, 3-iv, 4-ii (Correct answer)
2. B. 1-i, 2-ii, 3-iv, 4-iii
3. C. 1-iii, 2-ii, 3-i, 4-iv
4. D. 1-i, 2-ii, 3-iii, 4-iv

Correct Answer

Option A — 1-i, 2-iii, 3-iv, 4-ii

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 1-i, 2-iii, 3-iv, 4-ii.

Key Points

• Matching the offices of Shivaji's council with their functions:

• This gives 1-i, 2-iii, 3-iv, 4-ii.

Additional Information

• The Ashta Pradhan was Shivaji's council of eight ministers. Its members were not hereditary and could be transferred — an important contrast with the later period, when the Peshwa's office did become hereditary under Balaji Vishwanath and his successors.
• The eight members:
  • Peshwa (Mukhya Pradhan) — finance and general administration
  • Amatya (Majumdar) — accounts and revenue
  • Sachiv (Surnavis) — royal correspondence
  • Mantri (Waqenavis) — the king's personal record and intelligence
  • Senapati (Sar-i-naubat) — commander-in-chief
  • Sumant (Dabir) — foreign affairs and ceremonies
  • Nyayadhish — justice
  • Panditrao — religious and charitable affairs
• All except the Nyayadhish and Panditrao were also expected to command troops in the field.
• Revenue system: Shivaji collected chauth (one-fourth of revenue) and sardeshmukhi (an additional one-tenth) from territories outside his direct control. His land revenue assessment drew on the Kathi of Malik Ambar system of measurement.
• Shivaji was crowned at Raigad in 1674, taking the title Chhatrapati.