Ashtapradhan Mandal.

Intelligence department.

Sindhudurga.

Karkhanis.

• Agriculture was the main occupation in villages.
• Shivaji Maharaj had entrusted the responsibility of organising the land revenue system to his capable and experienced office bearer, Annaji Datto.
• He warned the officers that they should not collect more revenue than the amount that was fixed.
• He encouraged peasants to bring uncultivated land under cultivation.
• If the crop was lost due to excessive rains or drought, or if an enemy devastated the area of the village, remission was granted in land revenue and other taxes.
• Maharaj instructed his officers to provide peasants with bullocks, ploughs, and good seeds for sowing.

• Maharaj did not work only with the limited ambition of conquering enemy territories and establishing dominance like other kings.
• His main objective was to make his subjects independent.
• He was aware that if his subjects were to really get the joy of freedom, it was necessary to have a disciplined administration, take comprehensive care of people’s welfare, and protect the conquered territories.

To ensure the smooth management of the affairs of the swaraj and to ensure the people’s welfare, Shivaji Maharaj established the Council of Eight Ministers.

• Enemies on the west coast of India — the Portuguese of Goa, the Siddi of Janjira, and the British factors of Surat and Rajapur — created obstacles in the work of expanding Swaraj.
• It was necessary to curb their activities and protect the west coast.
• For this purpose, Maharaj raised a navy.