Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the Maratha administration:

1. Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan were led by the Peshwa.
2. Maratha Sardars and chiefs were given land revenue grants called ‘saranjam’.
3. The office of Peshwa was a Maratha innovation.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Only 1 and 2
Notes: Shivaji had crowned himself in 1676 CE. His administrative structure was largely borrowed from the administrative practices of Deccani States. His Ashtapradhan, in which each minister was directly responsible to the ruler, were laid by a Peshwa. So, statement 1 is correct. Shivaji made important changes in the revenue administration. Shivaji preferred to give cash salaries to the regular soldiers. Though, sometimes the chiefs received revenue grants of a tract of land. It was called a ‘saranjam’. This was an acceptance of the power of zamindar class. So, statement 2 is correct. Though, the office of Peshwa became all powerful during the time of later rulers and eventually became the head of Maratha confederacy, the office of Peshwa was an older institution dating to the time of Deccani states. E.g. Malik Ambar was the Peshwa of Ahmadnagar state. So, statement 3 is incorrect.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.