Tag: the administration of the swaraj

Forts have an important place among material sources. Some of the major types of forts are hill forts, forest forts, sea forts and forts on plains. Forts were constructed for strategic purposes. These helped in defending the territories from outsider attack and also acted as shelter during war times.

Bastions were made in the fort wall to ensure security, also to check distance and attack on enemies coming towards the fort from various directions.

Maharaj knew the importance of sea forts too. One of the sea forts that he built was Sindhudurga at Malwan. It is an excellent sea fort. Five khandis of lead was poured into its foundation.

There were around 300 forts in Swaraj. Maharaj spent a considerable amount of money on the building and repairs of these forts.He built hill forts like Pratapgad, Pavangad and Rajgad.

The minister having the duties of foregin affairs was called as Sumant. He also called as Dabir worked as foreign minister and was responsible for corre spondence with other kings.

After the victorious campaign of the South Shivaji Maharaj passed away on Raigad on 3 April 1680. His death at the age of 50 years was a great loss for Swaraj. A great era came into an end.

There were two main divisions of the army of Shivaji Maharaj- infantry and cavalry. In infantry there were officers such as Havaldar and Jumledar. In cavalry there were Shiledars and Bargirs.

Dadoji Kondadeo was an administrator of the Poona Jagir and nearby Kondana fort. According to the Tarikh-i-shivaji, he trained shivaji perosnally.

The minister who was the head of Ecclesiastical Department was called as Pandit Rao. He had two responsibilities 1) looking after charitable work. 2) working for the moral uplift of the people.

The intelligence service of Maharaj was very efficient. Bahirji Naik was the head of the intelligence department. He was extremely skilled in his job. He collected accurate and detailed information about Surat before the raid on Surat.