Administration under the Peshwas in the Maratha Empire
When we talk of the Marathas in UPSC/MPSC exams, the image often centers on battlefield mobility and the rise of regional power. Yet the real mastery lay in governance. The Peshwas—what began as the prime minister’s office—gradually became the core of a centralized civil administration that held together a vast, multi-ethnic frontier through upheaval and war. A robust bureaucracy, revenue discipline, and law-and-order mechanisms allowed a relatively small political elite to rule a sprawling empire from Pune, outward to the Konkan and beyond. Key instruments of this system were the financial levies of Chauth and Sardeshmukti, the provincial framework of Sarkars and Prants, and a trained cadre of officials such as Karkuns and Deshmukhs who translated policy into everyday admin.
This topic is a staple in competitive exams because it illuminates how military strength translates into durable state administration—a recurring theme in both prelims and mains. Questions often probe the mechanisms of revenue extraction, regional governance, and the relationship between central authority and local chiefs. Understanding the Peshwa model helps learners compare medieval Indian polities, assess state capacity in a frontier setting, and analyze how such governance laid the groundwork for later administrative evolutions under colonial rule.
In the UPSC/MPSC syllabus, this area sits at the intersection of History (Medieval India, Maratha state formation) and General Studies on Governance and Administration. Mastery of the Peshwa system—its revenue regime, administrative divisions, and provincial authority—enhances your ability to answer questions on state-building, bureaucratic evolution, and the long-term legacies of Maratha governance for later Indian political development.
Key Concepts and Syllabus Coverage
Administrative Structure under the Peshwas
Peshwa served as the de facto executive head; the Chhatrapati remained ceremonial. A council of ministers—Amatya (finance), Sachiv (secretary), Chitnis (records), and Senapati (military head)—carried day-to-day governance. Provinces (Sarkars) were administered through Subhedars, with local governance by Deshmukhs and Patils. The system enabled centralized policy execution through a vast bureaucratic-military network.
Revenue Administration: Chauth and Sardeshmukhi
Key fiscal instruments were chauth (quarter of revenue) and sardeshmukhi (about 10% levy). These levies funded campaigns and administration, and were extracted from territories within and beyond core Maratha domains. Jagirdari and watan arrangements supplemented revenue, aligning landholders’ interests with state needs.
Watan, Jagirdari and Local Governance
Watan (hereditary land grants) and jagirs created a cadre of loyal aristocrats who administered districts and towns. Deshmukhs and Patils managed peasant revenue and law-and-order tasks at taluka levels. The saranjam system provided armed leaders with land-holding rights in return for service, linking local governance to imperial military objectives.
Judicial and Administrative Institutions
The Peshwa era saw a centralized-administrative ethos backed by local adalats and customary law. The Peshwa’s court (Nyayalaya) presided over civil and criminal matters, supplemented by customary practices and regional legal traditions. Record-keeping and revenue registries (Kulkarnis, Chitnis) stabilized governance.
Military-Administrative Nexus
Civil administration and military command were tightly integrated. The Senapati and Sardar families coordinated campaigns, frontier defense, and internal security, with revenue administration calibrated to sustain mobilization.
Language, Culture and Brahmin Bureaucracy
Marathi-language administration and Brahmin officials became characteristic features, fostering bureaucratic continuity and regional legitimacy. The civilian-military complex reinforced Brahminical bureaucratic norms in revenue, law, and taxation.
Syllabus Relevance for UPSC Prelims and Mains
– Prelims: chauth, sardeshmukhi; watan and jagirdari; Deshmukh/Patil roles; Poona-Satara nexus.
– Mains: centralization vs. confederate tendencies; revenue policy and state-building; colonial expansion context.
MPSC Exam Specific Points
Focus on terms like Watan, Saranjam, Deshmukh, Patil, Sarkars, and the Peshwa’s administrative network; connect with Maharashtra-specific geography and institutions.
Previous Year Question Trends
Frequent focus on tax instruments (chauth, sardeshmukhi), administrative offices, local governance roles, and the relationship between Peshwa authority and regional chiefs. Prepare for both direct factual queries and analytical comparisons with Mughal and colonial transitions.
Study Strategy and Preparation Tips
Study strategy should blend conceptual clarity with exam‑oriented practice. For administration under the Peshwas, map the governance machinery, revenue streams (chauth, sardeshahi), provincial administration, and military organization, and link them to broader Maratha polity and Mughal politics.
– Effective study methods
– Practice active reading with structured notes, flowcharts, and timelines; use marginal notes to capture cause–effect links.
– Build chronological and thematic maps (governance, revenue, judiciary, military) to enable quick cross-referencing.
– Integrate content with related topics (Deccan politics, confederacy dynamics, colonial rivals) and regularly revise with spaced repetition.
– Prioritize answer-writing practice, then critique and refine the structure, introductions, and conclusions.
– Use flashcards for key terms, offices, and dates; rehearse concise summaries of each topic.
– Recommended books and resources
– Stewart Gordon, The Marathas: 1600-1818 (Cambridge University Press) for a coherent narrative of administration and polity.
– A. D. Pusalker, History of the Marathas (Vols I-III) for primary‑level political and administrative context.
– Spectrum Modern Indian History (UPSC prep) for exam‑focused coverage and timelines.
– NCERT history passages and selected UPSC prep compendiums for concise framing.
– Journals and translations of primary sources (translated Peshwa correspondence, administrative records) and reputable online resources for maps and timelines.
– Time management strategies
– Time-block study: 3–4 hours on weekdays, 5–6 hours on weekends; set 2–3 weekly targets.
– Use Pomodoro or time-boxed sessions; take short breaks to sustain concentration.
– Maintain a study diary to track progress, gaps, and revision cadence; revise at fixed intervals.
– Preparation timeline (12-week blueprint)
– Weeks 1–3: foundations—ownership of key terms, confederacy structure, offices, revenue basics.
– Weeks 4–8: in‑depth reading—administration, governance tiers, military organization, fiscal policy.
– Weeks 9–11: answer writing and synthesis—practice questions, cross‑link topics, refine notes.
– Week 12: revisions, mock tests, final consolidation and performance assessment.
Practice Questions and Assessment
Sample MCQs with explanations:
1) The Peshwa era administration was primarily characterized by: A) centralized executive and financial authority in the Peshwa, with Deshmukhs reporting to him; B) Deshmukhs operating independently; C) a democratic assembly; D) exclusive reliance on Gaekwad rulers. Answer: A. Explanation: The Peshwa centralized civil and revenue control; Deshmukhs and other officers functioned under his supervision.
2) Chauth and Sardeshmari were exactions levied on: A) domestic peasants; B) allied/subject territories and chiefs; C) foreign territories beyond Maratha lands; D) only core Maratha domains. Answer: B. Explanation: These were tribute/cesses extracted from subordinate or allied polities.
3) Which institutions formed the core of revenue administration under the Peshwas? A) Pratinidhi; B) Deshmukhs/Naib Deshmukh; C) All of the above; D) None. Answer: C. Explanation: Political and revenue offices, including Pratinidhi and Deshmukhs, managed governance.
4) The decline of Peshwa power after 1818 was mainly due to: A) inadequate revenue; B) British intervention and the Third Anglo-Maratha War; C) peasant uprisings; D) internal disputes. Answer: B. Explanation: British victory ended Peshwa autonomy.
Previous year question analysis:
– Patterns: focus on centralization, revenue systems, local administration, and colonial impact; recurring misinterpretations involve conflating local autonomy with central control.
Mock test recommendations:
– Take 2-3 full-length mocks monthly; time yourself; review errors; include option-based and essay questions; integrate optional preparation.
Answer writing practice tips for mains:
– Start with a precise intro, then 3-4 balanced points, and a concise conclusion.
– Define terms (Chauth, Sardeshmari); tie each point to administrative structure (Peshwa, Pratinidhi, Deshmukh).
– Use crisp, evidence-backed sentences; allocate roughly 60-70 words per answer for short questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the role of the Peshwa in administration?
The Peshwa was the de facto head of the central administration in the Maratha Empire, effectively the Prime Minister. He supervised revenue, military, diplomacy, and civil governance; chaired the council, recruited troops, and implemented policy on behalf of the Chhatrapati. He relied on ministers and sardars for provincial governance and commanded the army during campaigns.
2. How did revenue work under the Peshwas?
The Marathas employed external tribute: Chauth (25% of revenue) from territories beyond Maratha control, and Sardeshmukhi (10%) as a defense levy. Internal revenue came from jagirs and village administration, collected by Deshmukhs and local patils, with funds flowing to the army and state administration.
3. What was the administrative hierarchy under the Peshwas?
Central authority rested with the Peshwa; a cabinet including Amatya (finance) and other ministers assisted him. Provincially, Deshmukhs, Patils, and taluka chiefs managed revenue and law and order under the overarching policy of the Peshwa and the Chhatrapati.
4. How did the Peshwas control the Maratha confederacy?
They exercised suzerainty over constituent chiefs (Holkars, Scindhias, Gaekwads, Bhonsles) through alliance, diplomacy, and revenue demands. The annual chauth-sardeshmukhi collection funded the confederate army, enabling coordinated campaigns and policy.
5. What was the relationship between the Chhatrapati and the Peshwa?
The Chhatrapati remained the nominal sovereign, a royal figurehead, while the Peshwa wielded real executive power, forming the core of governance; over time, the Peshwa’s authority became the effective government of the empire.
Conclusion and Success Tips
The Peshwa administration demonstrates how centralized leadership coupled with strong local governance sustained the Maratha state through reform, revenue discipline, and disciplined civil-military service. Key preparation points include: structure of the administration (Peshwa, sanads, and parganas); revenue systems (Chauth and Sardeshmukti); law, policing, and judiciary; military organization and diplomacy; and important sources and chronology.
Final exam tips: practice concise note-making, master chronological ordering, and write clear, focused answers; revise maps and key terms; use previous papers to refine answer structure and time management.
Motivational message: stay curious, steady, and resilient—regular study turns complexity into clarity.
Call to action: deepen your understanding with primary chronicles, standard history texts, and targeted UPSC/MPSC practice questions; form study groups and periodic revisions.