Ashta Pradhan

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Durbar of Peshwa Madhavrao II in Pune by by Thomas Daniell c. 1790 Thomas Daniell, Sir Charles Warre Malet, Concluding a Treaty in 1790 in Durbar with the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire.jpg
Durbar of Peshwa Madhavrao II in Pune by by Thomas Daniell c. 1790

Ashta Pradhan (literally, 'Council of Eight') was the cabinet of the Maratha empire. [1] The council is credited with having implemented good governance practices in the Maratha heartland, as well as for the success of the military campaigns against the Mughal Empire.

Contents

Constitution

The coronation of Shivajiwas held in 1674, at the fort of Raigad in present-day Indian state of Maharashtra. On that occasion, Shivaji formalized the institution of a council of eight ministers to guide the administration of his nascent state. This council came to be known as the Ashta Pradhan. Each of the ministers was placed in charge of an administrative department; thus, the council heralded the birth of a bureaucracy.

The formalization of an administrative mechanism was of a piece with other measures, indicative of the formalization of a sovereign state, which were implemented on the occasion of Shivaji's coronation: coinage bearing his insignia (the copper Shivrai and the gold hon) were issued, and a new era, the Rajyabhishek era, was proclaimed on the occasion.

Composition

The Ashta Pradhan was designed to encompass all the primary administrative functions of the state, with each minister being given charge of one role in the administration. Ministerial designations were drawn from the Sanskrit language; the eight ministerial roles were as follows:

Continued conflict with the Mughal Empire meant that military matters remained exceedingly important to the affairs of the nascent state. Hence, with the notable exception of the priestly Panditrao and the judicial Nyayadisha, the other pradhans held full-time military commands, and their deputies performed their civil duties in their stead. In the later era of the Maratha Empire, these deputies and their staff constituted the core of the Peshwa's bureaucracy.

During Shivaji rule

Coronation of Shivaji by M. V. Dhurandhar The Coronation Durbar with over 100 characters depicted in attendance.jpg
Coronation of Shivaji by M. V. Dhurandhar
Designation/TitleOffice HolderAppointmentSuccessorNotes
Pantpradhan / Peshwa (Prime Minister) Moropant Trimbak Pingle 1674 Moreshvar Pingale
Amatya / Mazumdar (Finance Minister)Nilo Sondeo1662 Ramchandra Pant Amatya
Shurunavis/Sacheev (Secretary) Annaji Datto Sacheev 1662Ragho Annaji
Waqia-Navis (Interior Minister)Dattoji pant
Sar-i-Naubat / Senapati (Commander-in-Chief) Hambirao Mohite 1674 Mhaloji Ghorpade
Sumant / Dabir - (Foreign Minister)Sonopant Trimbakpant DabirTrimbakpant Dabir
Nyayadhish (Chief Justice)Niraji Ravaji Pralhad Niraji
Panditrao (High Priest)Raghunathrao PanditraoMoreshvar Raghunath

After Shivaji

Shivaji son Sambhaji, (ruled 1680–89) reduced the powers of the council. Over time, council positions became hereditary, ceremonial positions at court with nominal powers, if any. Beginning 1714 AD, a prime minister appointed by Shivaji's grandson Shahu gradually arrogated power. Within a short period, de facto control of the Maratha state passed to his family. This family of hereditary prime ministers retained the title of Peshwa. However, the Ashta Pradhan council was never revived to fill the functions it discharged for the last decade of Shivaji reign.

Positions Equal to the Ashtapradhan

Also See: Khando Ballal Chitnis

Also see: Bahirji Naik

Miscellany

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhanaji Jadhav</span> Commander-in-chief of Maratha Empire (reigned 1696–1708)

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The following list includes a brief about the titles of nobility or orders of chivalry used by the Marathas of India and by the Marathis/Konkanis in general.

The Pratinidhi was an important member of the ministry in the Maratha Empire. The title of Pratinidhi means the representative of the King, and such officials were entitled to sign and seal papers and issue orders in the absence of the Ruler. Shivaji's ministry of the eight - the Ashta Pradhan did not include a Pratinidhi. Later the post of Pant Pratinidhi was created during the Rajaram I reign and a person holding this office exercised powers over all ministers of the Maratha court including the Peshwas. Above the Ashta pradhan Rajaram I appointed Pralhad Niraji to the high post of Prathinidhi. The office of Pratinidhi was created and the office of Peshwa was made next to it in hierarchy. The first occupant of the position under Rajaram was Pralhad Niraji, who was appointed in 1689.

Pralhad Niraji popularly known as Pralhad Pant, was the Pant Pratinidhi of the Maratha Empire during the reign of Chatrapathi Rajaram I. He was the first occupant of the position of Pant Pratinidhi.He is remembered for his splendid contribution in strengthening the Maratha Empire by way of loyalty, diplomacy and exceptional sacrifice.

The Sachiv was an important member of the ministry in the Maratha Empire. Sachiv was one of the Ashta Pradhans of Maratha Empire during the rule of Chachtrapathi Shivaji. Later during the reign of Rajaram I, the office became hereditary like most of the others instituted by Shivaji. Shankaraji Narayan Pant Sachiv, who was appointed to the post in 1698 by Rajaram I was a hereditary Pant Sachiv. The Pant Amatya and The Pant Sachiv were the most powerful civil functionaries in the Maratha Empire next to the Peshwa until the death of Shahu I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhonsle dynasty</span> Indian Marathi house

The Bhonsle dynasty is an Indian Marathi royal house. The Bhonsles claimed descent from the Rajput Sisodia dynasty, but were likely Kunbi Marathas.

References

  1. "Ashta Pradhan | Marathi council".
  2. "KKHSOU".