Shastras Inspired Shivaji’s Governance

The Ashtapradhana Mandala of Chhatrapati Shivaji was modelled after the Council of Ministers described in Hindu Shastras on Political Science. It was meant for the benefit of his people i.e his subject

In Maharashtra and across Bharat, Chhatrapati Shivaji, the architect and ideal ruler of the Hindavi Empire, is revered as an all-inclusive, benevolent King. He fought with the regimes of Adil Shah of Bijapur, Nizam of Ahmednagar, as well as the largest Mughal Empire of the time, adopting the guerrilla combat technique, which was perfect for hilly regions in Maharashtra, and sowed the seeds of the Maratha Empire. Despite the fact that Adil Shah, Nizam, and Mughal empires were formidable, they were completely reliant on local chiefs (sardars) and killedars (Officers in-charge of Forts). The people, under the control of these sardars and killedars, were subjected to a great deal of suffering and injustice. Shivaji Maharaj rescued people of their oppression and created an example of excellent governance for future rulers to follow.

The ‘Cabinet of Eight Ministers’ of Hindavi Swarjya was the Ashtapradhana Mandala. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj attempted to modernise and formalise the Hindavi Swarajya’s Government.

Unique Post Created by Shivaji

Feudalism was pervasive, but it was tamed by the administration’s sensible separation of revenue-collection and military roles. Although there are instances where Chhatrapati Shivaji used to consult multiple such Ministers on earlier crucial occasions, the Ashtapradhana Mandala was formalised at the time of coronation. Aapradhna Mandala’s post could not be hereditary or even intra-familial, according to Chhatrapati Shivaji. It was in stark contrast to the contemporary Indian political situation, in which several political parties promote close family members to significant Government positions. The Ashtapradhana Mandala of Chhatrapati Shivaji was modelled after the Council of Ministers described in Hindu Shastras on Political Science. In Sukra Niti, Adhyaya 2 Sloka 72, an 8 Minister Council is mentioned.

The sole modification made by Chhatrapati Shivaji was that the position of Pratinidhi (Viceroy) was replaced by Senapati (Commander-in-Chief). In the first year after coronation, Chhatrapati Shivaji spelled out the responsibilities of each of the Ministers in Ashtapradhana Mandala in a memorandum.

Even in Modern Government, said MG Ranade, the same system of organisation is followed. Although the Ashtapradhan Council of Chhatrapati Shivaji had resemblance with that of the Executive Council of the Viceroy, the principles underlying the two were not identical, revealed SN Sen.

Priority Was Welfare of People

The Viceroy’s Council was a bureaucratic set-up and had a clear cut division of duties. Whereas Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan Council was an organisation for the benefit of his people i.e , his subjects. Shivaji was a practical statesman and acted as a benevolent ruler. His Ministers were his trusted servants. They were proud to carry out his instructions and orders for the advantage of the people. There was a clear cut division of duties in the Council of Ministers of Shivaji, six out of his eight members or ministers were to perform the military duties, whenever necessary as well as almost all eight ministers were to attend a Hazir Majalasi to hear appeals in both civil and criminal cases.

Duties of the Council

Regarding the duties of the Ashtapradhan Mandala, the document known as Kanujabta i.e. Memorandum gives a detailed account of the same. The Memorandum was prepared in the coronation year of the  Chhatrapati Shivaji, which gives the account of the duties of the Council.

The Peshwa was to perform all administrative work and put his seal on all such letters as a matter of his consideration. He was to prepare for expeditions and wage wars whenever necessary. He was to make necessary arrangements for preservation and retention of the districts which came under the possession of the Marathas and act and execute the orders of the King very strictly. He was to accommodate all military officers within his campaign and lead them successfully as per the orders of the King.

The Senapati was to maintain the Army and prepare for the war and expeditions. He was to preserve the newly acquired territories, keep an account of spoils and act as per the order of the king. He was to bring to the notice of the King which soldiers were useful in expeditions as well as lead them all in the battlefield.

The Amatya or the Mazumdar was to keep the account of income and expenditure of the whole kingdom. In order to get all accounts assessed by him, the Daftardar and the Fadnis were kept under his superintendence and they were answerable to him for all accounts. It was his duty to inspect every account submitted to him and put his sign and seal on the letters and accounts submitted to him by Fadnis and Chitnis. He was to render military service as and when it was required and to look after the administrations of districts as per the orders of the King.

Sachiv was also called Surnis. He was to look after the royal correspondence and make necessary corrections as per the order of the King. Sachiv was to execute his military duties, help the administration in adjusting newly annexed districts and territories as per the orders of the King. He was to sign and stamp all the official letters as a mark of his approval and acceptance for execution.

The Panditrao or the Royal Priest had jurisdiction over the matters of religion in the kingdom. He had authority to judge religious offences and punish them as per the orders of the king. He was to put his signature on all papers related to customs, conduct and penance. He was to perform all the religious functions necessary to appease gods on various occasions.

The Nyayadhish or the Chief Justice had jurisdiction on all the suits in the kingdom, he was to try them righteously, find them what is right and wrong and punish them as per the order of the King. He was to put his signature on the paper of judgement he delivered.

The Mantri was to conduct all diplomatic and political affairs of the kingdom very carefully. Departments like invitation and intelligence were under his direct superintendence. He was to help the administration in maintaining the newly acquired districts and perform his military duties as and when required. He was to put his sign and seal on all the official documents as his approval.

The Sumant, also called as Dabir, was in-charge of all foreign affairs. It was his duty to receive and entertain all political agents and representatives from various other kingdoms on various occasions. He was also to perform his military duties whenever it was required and he was to put his sign and seal on the letters, documents which came to him, as his approval.

Sabhasad said that despite these regular duties of the Pradhans or the Ministers, there was a committee of three Ministers to look after some of the provinces, divisions or zones of the kingdom like guardian ministers in the modern era. When these Ministers were away from their courts or offices, there were their agents looking after the administration of the Ministers. The Hindavi Swarjya was founded on the foundation of the Ashtapradhana Mandala, which was established in accordance with Hindu Shastras and was supplemented with new measures to move beyond the feudal system. At an event in August 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi praised Shivaji Maharaj’s “Hindavi Swaraj” as an unrivalled model of effective administration.