Answer in 200 words
1. Explain the central administration system in the period of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ?
Answers
General features of Shivaji's administration: 1. He employed members of all castes and tribes to maintain balance among them. 2. He assigned separate responsibilities to the ministers and each of them was made responsible for his work to him.
Explanation:
Shivajis’ Administration:
Shivaji has been called the ‘father of the Maratha nation.’ Besides being a great conqueror and a diplomat, he was a successful administrator.
A benevolent administrator:
Dr. R.C. Majumdar writes of him, “He was not merely a daring soldier and successful military conqueror but also an enlightened ruler of his people.” Shivaji was readily accessible to his all subjects. He was a popular monarch. He kept a close watch on the administrative affairs of the state. All powers were concentrated on him but he ruled with the advice of his ministers. The common people regarded him with great devotion. They considered him as their greatest benefactor.
General features of Shivaji’s administration:
1. He employed members of all castes and tribes to maintain balance among them.
2. He assigned separate responsibilities to the ministers and each of them was made responsible for his work to him.
3. He made no office hereditary.
4. In general he did not assign jagirs to his civil and military officers.
5. He gave special attention towards the administration of the forts.
6. In matters of administration, he gave superior position to his civil officers as compared to military officers.
7. He established Ryotwari system in revenue administration. The state kept direct contact with the farmers.
Shivaji took special care to make his administrative system responsive to the needs of the people. In the words of Dr. Ishwari Prasad, “The institutions which he established were an improvement upon the existing order and were well adapted to the well-being of his subjects.”
Central Administration:
He had a council of ministers (Asht Pradhari) to advise him on the matters of the state but he was not bound by it. He could appoint or dismiss them. This appointment was subject to their efficiency. The Peshwa was the first among ministers. The word Peshwa stands for leader or senior one.
Fiscal system or Revenue system:
Important features were:
(1) Land in every village was measured and the produce was roughly assessed.
(2) On the basis of assessment, the cultivators were asked to pay 40 per cent of their produce as land revenue.
(3) The Ryotwari system was introduced in which the revenue was directly collected from the farmers.
(4) Wherever possible, Shivaji abolished the jagirdari system.
(5) The farmers had the option to pay land revenue in cash or kind.
(6) The peasants could pay the revenue in installments.
(7) The accounts of the revenue officers began to be thoroughly checked.
(8) In the event of famine of natural calamity, the state offered loans to the peasants.
(9) Shivaji introduced the collection of two taxes called the Chauth and ‘Sardeshmukhi’.
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