Consider the following statements about the administrative measures of

Consider the following statements about the administrative measures of Shivaji:

1. The scheme of Ashta Pradhan (eight ministers) was completed and announced at the time of Shivaji’s coronation with regulations and duties properly defined.
2. Shivaji introduced Marathi in place of Persian and coined Sanskrit technical terms for administrative purposes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Join Our Telegram Channel

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2024

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Ashta Pradhan Mandai (Council of Eight Ministers) system was in existence before Shivaji’s formal coronation in 1674. Their roles became more clearly defined and their positions gained greater prestige at the time of the coronation, which formalized Shivaji’s sovereignty, but the scheme itself was not initiated or completed *at* the coronation.
Statement 2 is correct. Shivaji actively promoted the use of Marathi in administration, replacing Persian, which was common under Mughal influence. He also commissioned the compilation of a dictionary, ‘Rajavyavaharakosha’, to replace Persian and Arabic terms with Sanskrit equivalents for administrative purposes.

Shivaji’s administrative system was well-organized, featuring a council of ministers (Ashta Pradhan) and a focus on local language for administration.
The Ashta Pradhan were advisors, not hereditary officers, and were accountable to Shivaji.

The eight ministers in the Ashta Pradhan included the Peshwa (Prime Minister), Amatya/Mazumdar (Finance Minister), Waqianavis (Superintendent), Sumant/Dabir (Foreign Secretary), Sachiv/Surunavis (Home Secretary), Pandit Rao (Ecclesiastical Head), Nyayadhish (Chief Justice), and Senapati (Commander-in-Chief).

More similar MCQ questions for Exam preparation:-