Which of the following statements are correct with reference to the Ma...
The Maratha State appointed Hindus to the high posts and made Marathi an official language instead of Persian. They prepare their statecraft dictionary, i.e., 'Raja Vyakaran Kosh' for official use.
Central Administration:
- It was founded by Shivaji for the sound system of administration which was greatly inspired by the Deccan style of administration. Most of the administrative reforms were inspired by Malik Amber's reforms in Ahmednagar.
- The King was the supreme head of state who was assisted by a group of eight ministers known as the 'Ashtapradhan.'
- The Asthapradhan:
- Peshwa or the Chief Minister- He looked after the general administration.
- Amatya or Majumdar- Accountant general, he later became revenue and finance minister.
- Sachiv or Surunavis- Also called Chitnis, he looked after the Royal correspondence.
- Sumant or Dabir- Foreign affairs and the master of Royal ceremonies.
- Senapati or Sari-i-Naubat- Military commander. He looked after the recruitment, training and discipline of the army.
- Mantri or Waqia Navis- Personal safety of the King, he looked after the intelligence, post and household affairs.
- Nyayadhish- Administration of Justice
- Punditrao- Looking after charitable and religious affairs of the state. He worked for tile moral upliftment of the people.
These offices were not hereditary during the times of Shivaji. So, statement 1 is correct.
Revenue Administration:
- Shivaji abolished the Jagirdari System and replaced it with Ryotwari System, and changes in the position of hereditary revenue officials, which was popularly known as Deshmukhs, Deshpande, Patils and Kulkarni's. So, statement 2 is correct.
- Shivaji strictly supervised the Mirasdars, who had hereditary rights in land.
- The revenue system was patterned on the Kathi system of Malik Amber. According to this system, every piece of land was measured by Rod or Kathi. So, statement 3 is correct.
- Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were other sources of income: Chauth amounted to 1/4th of the standard paid to Marathas as a safeguard against Shivaji's forces plundering or raiding Non- Maratha territories. Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10 percent demanded from areas outside the kingdom.
Military Administration:
- Shivaji organized a disciplined and efficient army. The ordinary soldiers were paid in cash, but the big chief and military commander were paid through jagir grants (Saranjam or Mokasa).
- The army consists of Infantry, i.e., Mavali foot soldiers; Cavalry, i.e., Horse riders and equipment holders; Navy.
Military Personnel:
- Sar-i-Naubat (Senapati)- lncharge of army
- Qiladars- Officers of Forts
- Nayak- Head of the member unit of infantry
- Havaldar- Head of five Nayaks
- Jumladar- Head of five Nayaks
- Ghuraw- Boats laden with guns
- Gallivat- Rowing boats 40-50 rowers
- Paik- Foot Soldiers
- The army was an effective instrument of policies of Marathas State, where rapidity of movement was the most important factor. Only in the rainy season, the army gets rested; otherwise, the rest of the year was engaged in expeditions.
- Pindaries were allowed to accompany the army allowed to collect "Pal-Patti," which was 25% of war booty.
Therefore, the correct answer is (d).
Which of the following statements are correct with reference to the Ma...
1. Offices under Ashtapradhan Mandal were not hereditary:
- Shivaji's administration was based on the concept of meritocracy, where appointments were made based on merit and competence rather than hereditary rights.
- The Ashtapradhan Mandal, also known as the Council of Eight Ministers, formed the core of Shivaji's administrative structure. The eight ministers were responsible for different departments such as finance, revenue, military, and intelligence.
- Shivaji ensured that the positions in the Ashtapradhan Mandal were not hereditary, and individuals were appointed based on their abilities and loyalty to the state.
- This system allowed for a more efficient and effective administration, as competent individuals were given important positions regardless of their social background.
2. Shivaji abolished the Jagirdari System and replaced it with the Ryotwari System:
- The Jagirdari System was prevalent during the Mughal era, where jagirdars were appointed as revenue collectors and administrators of specific regions.
- Shivaji recognized the drawbacks of the Jagirdari System, such as corruption and exploitation of peasants, and sought to implement a more equitable system.
- He introduced the Ryotwari System, which involved direct assessment and collection of revenue from individual peasants or ryots.
- Under this system, the peasants were considered the actual owners of the land, and they paid revenue directly to the state based on the assessment of their landholdings.
- The Ryotwari System aimed to eliminate intermediaries and ensure a fair and transparent revenue collection process.
3. The revenue system was patterned on the Kathi system of Malik Amber:
- Malik Ambar was a prominent statesman and military leader in the Deccan region during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
- Shivaji drew inspiration from Malik Ambar's administrative practices, including the revenue system known as the Kathi system.
- The Kathi system involved the assessment and collection of revenue based on the measurement of agricultural land.
- Shivaji adopted this system and implemented it in his administration to ensure a more efficient and standardized revenue collection process.
- This system allowed for a more accurate assessment of land holdings and facilitated a fair distribution of the tax burden among the peasants.
In conclusion, all three statements are correct. Shivaji's administration was characterized by a merit-based appointment system, the abolition of the Jagirdari System in favor of the Ryotwari System, and the adoption of the Kathi system for revenue assessment and collection. These reforms aimed to establish a more efficient and equitable administration in the Maratha empire.
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