Question

Shivaji Maharaj established the Council of Eight Ministers. Give reasons.

Answer 1

The Treaty of Purandar (or पुरंदर चा तह) was signed on June 11, 1665, between the Rajput ruler Jai Singh I, who was commander of the Mughal Empire, and Maratha Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji was forced to sign the agreement after Jai Singh besieged Purandar fort. When Shivaji realised that war with the Mughal Empire would only cause damage to the empire and that his men would suffer heavy losses, he chose to make a treaty instead of leaving his men under the Mughals.

Following are the main points of the treaty:

Shivaji kept twelve forts, along with an area worth an income of 100,000 (1 lakh) huns.Shivaji was required to help the Mughals whenever and wherever required.Shivaji's son Sambhaji was tasked with the command of a 5,000-strong force under the Mughals.If Shivaji wanted to claim the Konkan area under Vijapur's control, he would have to pay 4 million (40 lakh) huns to the Mughals.He had to give up his forts at Purandar, Rudramal, Kondana, Karnala, Lohagad, Isagad, Tung, Tikona, Rohida fort, Nardurga, Mahuli, Bhandardurga, Palaskhol, Rupgad, Bakhtgad, Morabkhan, Manikgad, Saroopgad, Sakargad, Marakgad, Ankola, Songad, and Maangad.

Along with these requirements, Shivaji agreed to visit Agra to meet Aurangzebfor further political talks.

Answer 2

He formalized council of eight ministers which administrated by Maratha empire.

The Peshwa or the chief minister who is one of the ministers of council consider for general administration.

The amatya or Majumdar was responsible for state income, finance and expenditure field.

The sumant or dabir was liable for corre who worked as a foreign minister.

The sachiv or shuru nawis was incharge for corre- spondence.

The Senapati or san-i-naubat was considered for training, recruitment, and discipline of the army and not commander in chief.

The dhanadhyaksha or the pundit rao has two duties like working for moral uplift and charitable work to people.

The nyayadhish was liable for the personal safety and mantri or waqia naw was likely for administering justice.