Notes-Class 7-History-Chapter 7-The Administration of the Swaraj -Maharashtra Board

Introduction :

• Swaraj was founded by Shivaji Maharaj.
• The Swaraj expanded comprising large areas of Nashik, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Thane districts of Maharashtra. It also included parts of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• Shivaji Maharaj established an efficient administration to ensure the smooth management of the Swaraj's affairs and the welfare of the people.

Ashtapradhan Mandal

• The Ashtapradhan Mandal was an eight-member council appointed by Shivaji Maharaj at the time of his coronation.
• The administration was divided into eight departments, each with its own Head;
• Maharaj had sole authority to appoint and remove ministers.
• They were accountable to Maharaj for the administration of their respective departments.
• They were chosen on the basis of their merits and achievements, ensuring the smooth management of the Swaraj's affairs as well as the welfare of the people.

Ashtapradhan Mandal of Shivaji Maharaj :

The policy regarding agriculture

• Annaji Datto had been given the task by Shivaji Maharaj with organising the land revenue system.
• He had warned the revenue officers not to collect any revenue in excess of the fixed amount.
• He encouraged peasants to cultivate uncultivated land.
• He waived land revenue and other taxes during natural disasters and devastation caused by the enemy army.
• He was especially concerned about the well-being of the peasants.
• He directed his officers to provide the peasants with bullocks, ploughs, and high-quality seeds.

Village economy of that period

• Agriculture served as the foundation of a self-sufficient rural economy.
• Artisans created goods and provided services to the community.
• In exchange, the farmers gave the artisans a share of their agricultural produce ('Baluta').

Trade and business

• Maharaj understood that a prosperous kingdom requires increased trade because trade brings wealth.
• According to Maharaj in 'Ajnyapatra,"merchants' are the ornaments of the kingdom and the King's glory.
• Maharaj imposed high tariffs on imported goods, thereby protecting local industries such as the Konkan salt industry.

Example : How local industries protected by Shivaji Maharaj:

• The salt was imported from the Portuguese territory by traders.
• This affected the local trade in the Konkan
• Shivaji Maharaj levied a heavy duty on salt, so the heavy duty would decrease the import of salt
• Thus, the salt from the Portuguese would cost more than the local salt, which would increase the sale of local salt.
• This protected the salt industry in the Konkan.

The Military Organisation

• Infantry and cavalry were the two main divisions of the army of Shivaji Maharaj.
• There were officers, Havaldars and Jumledars in the army and in the cavalry.
• The infantry and cavalry were headed by their respective Sarnobats.
• The cavalry had Shiledars who had their own horses and weapons.
• The Bargirs were provided with horses and weapons by the State.
• Netoji Palkar, Prataprao Gujar and Hambirrao Mohite were the famous Sarnobats of the cavalry.

Intelligence Department

• Intelligence department collected precise and timely information about the movements of the enemy and submitted it to Maharaj.
• Bahirji Naik, the head of the intelligence department, gave accurate and detailed information about Surat before raid.

 Forts

• Forts were extremely important during the Medieval period.
• Forts were used to keep an eye on the surrounding areas, protect people from foreign invasion, and store food, ammunition, and other supplies.
• The Swaraj had approximately 300 forts.
• Every fort had four officials: Kiledar, Sabnis, and Karkhanis.

Sea forts

• Maharaj knew the importance of sea forts.
• He built Sindhudurga Fort at Malwan on the west coast.
• He built Padmadurga near Rajapur to overshadow the Rajapur of the Siddi.

Navy

• With a view to curb the activities of the enemies and to protect the western coast, Shivaji Maharaj had set up his navy.
• He had built Sindhudurga and Padmadurga forts at Rajapur to curb the Siddi’s power.
• There were three types of battle ships Gurab, Galbat and Pal.
• Ships were built at the creek of Kalyan-Bhivandi, Vijaydurga and Malvan.
• Maynak Bhandari and Daulatkhan were the chief naval commanders of his navy.

Concern for the welfare of his subjects :

• Unlike other mediaeval kings, conquest of territory and dominance of people was not Shivaji Maharaj's vision.
• He desired independence for his subject.
• He provided a disciplined administration to ensure the welfare of the people.
• He desired to defend the conquered territory while also caring for his people. 
• He was not interested in mere conquest and power, but in being a vigilant administrator who looked after his subjects.