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APRIL, 1921)
ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM OF SHIVAJI
183
Tukoji or Mankoji lost their master's confidence, but after the conquest of Jawli, the chief command of the army was conferred on Netaji Palkar, 27 destined to be famous as the second Shivaji. Netaji was dismissed for his failure to succour Panhala28 and an enterprising cavalry officer, Kadtaji Gujar, obtained the Sarnobatship with the title of Pratap Rav. Finally, after Pratap Rav's heroic death in a hard fought-battle, his Lieutenant Hasaji Mahite, was promoted to the command in Chief.29 It was this Hasaji or Hambir Rav, the fifth, or according to another account the sixth, Sarnobhat, 30 who stood with a silver jar, filled with milk, at the time of the ceremonial bath, during Shivaji's coronation.31 Similarly, Nilo Sondev and Gangaji Mangaji had served as Surnis and Waknis respectively, before Annaji Datto and Dattaji Trimbak. It is also certain, that both before and after his coronation, Shivaji frequently held council with these and other officers. To cite only one instance, when Afzal Khan invaded his infant kingdom, Shivaji called a council of his principal ministers, among whom figured not only Moro Pant, Nilo Pant, Annaji Pant, Sonaji Pant, Gangaji, Mangaji, Netaji Palkar and Raghunath Ballal, 32 (most of them afterwards held seats in the Ashta Pradan Council) but also men like Gomaji Naik, Krishnaji Naik and Subhanji Naik.33 It does not appear therefore that the council was first organised at the time of the coronation. Nor can it be maintained that the Ashta Pradhan Council owed its origin to the creative
te genius of Shivaji. The Persian designation of such officers as the new conception of Dabir, the Surnis, the Waknis, and the Mazumdar clearly shows Shivaji.
that analogous offices did exist under the Muhammadan Government of the South. Mention has also been made of such Councils in old Hindu works on polity. In Sukraniti, for example, we find that the chief priest and the Chief Justice should have seats in the cabinet, and this was a special feature of Shivaji's Rajmandal. When the Peshwas rose to power, most of these offices had become hereditary, but in Shivaji's time Offices not heredi.
endi the Pradhans, or cabinet ministers, were not appointed for life. They
o franang, or cabinet tary and no Jagir were liable to be dismissed at the king's pleasure and could not attached to them.
transmit their office to their sons or brothers. transmit their office to
In the Peshwa period great officers generally became founders of new families. This was impossible in Shivaji's time. First, because he took good care to keep all offices, both high and low, free from a hereditary character. We have seen how six commanders-in-chief had been in succession appointed by Shivaji, but not in a single case had he selected for the post a near relative of the last incumbent. Suryaji Malsure was no doubt appointed Subadar of the Mawli forces, after the death of his brother Tanaji, but in this case the officer in question had rendered such distinguished service as fully deserved public recognition ; 33 secondly, because Shivaji made it a rule not to assign any Jagir to any officer, civil or military. It was strict. ly laid down that no soldier or military officer should have anything to do with the revenue collection of the country, and there was, in those days of anarchy and war, hardly any officer who was not required to take up arms sometime or other. In Sabhasad's account we find that the balance of their dues (was paid by) 'varats' (orders) either on the Huzur (Central Government) or on the District (establishments). In this manner were their annual accounts punctually settled. Mokashe Mahals or villages with absolute rights should
37 Sabhasad, p. 11.
29 Ibid, p. 59.
20 Ibid, p. 79. 30 J. N. Sarkar saye (Modern Review) that according to Narain Shenvi Anand Rav succeeded Pratap Rav Gujar. 31 Chitnis, p. 162.
» Sabhasad, p. 11.
93 Ibid, p. 14 34 A more detailed discussion is reserved for a subuoquent thesis. * Sabhagad, p. 56.
