Shivaji, had excellent administration ability. Explain.
Answers
Shivaji was not only a great general but also a good administrator of top order. Shivaji’s administration was of high order which inspired by ideals of public welfare. Though Shivaji was all in all, in all matters, he kept a committee of 8 persons to advise him on the affairs of the state. This committee came to be known as Ashta Pradhan. This was file main feature of Shivaji’s administration.
The main source of income was the tax on the land which amounted to two – fifths of file land produce. Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were also levied on those living outside Maratha kingdom. Chauth was one fourth of the tax which farmers paid such kingdoms by their peasants. Sardeshmukhi was over and above this tax. It was one tenth of the total revenue, from which these taxes were collected, remained free from the Maratha looting’s and attacks.
For the smooth and efficient administration, Shivaji divided his kingdom into a number of provinces known as prants, and each prant into districts and parganas. In this way Shivaji proved himself as an able administrator