Important Terms related to Maratha Kingdom

Here you can find some important terms related to Maratha kingdom which can be fruitful for those students who are preparing for competitive exams.

Chauth

The tax levied by Shivaji on those regions which were alien to his kingdom. It was one fourth of the tax that was given by the people to the Deccan or the Mughal kingdoms. Chauth was levied on a promise that Marathas will not raid the area which pays them Chauth.

Sardeshmukhi

Sardeshmukhi means claim to one-tenth of standard land revenue imposed on entire population of the villages or town as a mark of their recognition of Maratha king as their Sardeshmukh (Chief Headman). Shivaji, the Maratha king started to collect it from alien territories.

Ashta Pradhan

Ashta Pradhan was the group of eight prominent officials of Marathas. They were as following:

Peshva (Prime Minister)

Sar-i-nabuat (army affairs)

Nayayadhish (judiciary)

Amatya or Mazumdar (Finance Minister)

Waqia-Navis (home minister)

Samant or Dabir (dealing with the outsiders)

Sachiv (The official correspondence)

Pandit Rao (The official religious officer)

Besides the Ashta Pradan, there were eight subordinate officials who were in the supportive role. These were Jamdar, Potnis, Diwan, Mazumdar, Daftardar, Fadnavis, Chitnis and Karkhani.