How did Shivaji organize his Administration and Finances to Consolidate his Power?

The get answer of: How did Shivaji organize his Administration and Finances to Consolidate his Power in India?

The Maratha policy was essentially centralised autocratic monarchy. The king was at helm of affairs.

Shivaji organize

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To assist the king there was council of state ministers known as asthapradhan which included Peshwa, Mazumdar (auditor), Wakins (incherge of king’s private officers), Dabirs (foreign secretary), Surnis (superintendent), Panditrao (Ecclesiastical head), Senapati (commander in chief), Nyayadhish (Chief Justice).

These offices were neither hereditary nor perma­nent. They held office till the king’s pleasure and they were frequently transferred. They were directly paid by exchequer and no jagir was granted to any civil or military officer. The council could advice the king but it was not binding on him. Each of asthapradhan was assisted by 8 assistants: diwan, mazumdar, gadnis, subnis, chitnis, karkhanis, jamdar and points.

In provincial administration the country was di­vided into mauzas, tarfs and prants. Mauza was low­est unit. Tarfs were headed by havaldar as karkun. The provinces known as prints were under subedar, karkun. Then there war principle of check and balanns. To check mallet don these were darkhadars.

On fiscal front Shivaji introduced number of land reforms which enhanced his state treasuries Shivaji in­troduced a standard unit of measurement. He rejected rope and replaced it by Kathi and measuring rod. Twenty rods made Bigha and 120 bighas made one Chawar.


Secondly, Shivaji ordered a though survey of land. Ultimately the land revenue was fixed at 33% of gross produce which was later raised to 40%. Shivaji was equally determined to abolish the farming of revenues and established direct relation with cultivators. All fresh work of collection of land revenue was entrusted to officers who were directly responsible to king.

Besides the income from mint, customs and land revenue two major sources of state revenue consisted of chauth and sardeshmukhi.

Shivaji also raised war for financial purposes. A good example of this is raid of Surat in 1663 and 1670.

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