Q. With reference to Shivaji’s Central Administration, consider the following statements:
1.The Chhatrapati was considered the absolute and supreme head of the state, personally managing all revenue and defense matters without delegation of authority.
2.The Ashta Pradhan (Council of Eight Ministers) functioned primarily as an advisory body, and the ministers were not collectively responsible to the sovereign.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Incorrect. While the Chhatrapati was supreme, the administration was highly decentralized and delegated through the eight ministers of the Ashta Pradhan. Shivaji himself believed in delegation, although the power ultimately rested with him.
- Statement 2: Correct. The Ashta Pradhan was an advisory The ministers were appointed by and solely responsible to the King (Chhatrapati), not to each other or a collective body, reflecting the personal, not parliamentary, nature of the monarchy.
