UNIT : 2 Economic Policies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Agricultural policy
2.3 Revenue system - mints and currency
2.4 Conducive policies to support Manufacturing, trade and business
2.5 Welfare state policy
2.6 Learning for modern policy makers
2.7 Conclusion
2.1 Introduction
Shivaji Maharaj was born on 19 February, 1630 in the hill-fort of Shivneri, near the city of
Junnar, which is now in Pune district. Shivaji belonged to a Maratha family of the Bhonsle
clan. Shivaji's father, Shahaji Bhonsle, was a Maratha general who served the Deccan
[Link] mother was Jijabai, the daughter of Lakhuji Jadhavrao of Sindhkhed, a Mughal-
aligned sardar claiming descent from a Yadav royal family of Devagiri. His paternal grandfather
Maloji (1552–1597) was an influential general of Ahmadnagar Sultanate, and was awarded the
epithet of "Raja". He was given deshmukhi rights of Pune, Supe, Chakan, and Indapur to provide
for military expenses. He was also given Fort Shivneri for his family's residence
A rapid economic development coupled with a high rate of growth becomes possible through
atmost vigilance and discipline in every sphere of the economy. If economic agents namely
consumers, producers, distributors, manufacturers and administrators follow the basic rules and
regulations which they are supposed to follow, a high rate of economic growth becomes feasible
because economic discipline of this type, avoids wastes and maintains a high efficiency.
It might not be so that Shivaji Maharaj hinted at economic development directly through
maintenance of discipline but, it is equally true that unknowingly he connected discipline with
the progress and prosperity of the state. Quick decisions and prompt actions were the core of
his administration. The utmost rapidity of his military operations took his enemies by surprise.
Even here, one can smell economic sense. Rapidity of the movements saves time, money and
energy. Therefore, he was very particular about the operations. He had no resources to waste and
hence he relied on quick decisions and prompt actions.
Right decision at right time is another dictum of economics. Economic development speeds
up if an appropriate decision is made at an appropriate time. It minimises cost and maximises
welfare of the people. Shivaji Maharaj did the same thing whenever he made decisions. He
never kept anything pending. Keeping things pending, means wasting resources. Therefore,
he never kept things pending; perhaps that might have been one of the reasons for his success on
the economic front.
He never allowed emotions and sentiments to overcome him in the matter discharging one's own
duty. In his opinion, rules were the same for all, irrespective of the position and status. No
discrimination of any type was tolerated and therefore, people had faith in his sense of justice
and impartiality. It was absolutely essential, to restore the people's faith and confidence in the
government. He succeeded in doing it.
Economic development follows when there is political stability. In the atmosphere of
lawlessness, disorder and chaos or upheavals, there can be no development of any type; leaving
aside economic development.
Political stability coupled with peace, alone, guarantees economic prosperity. His acts in this
sphere reveal that he was aware of it and therefore, he always gave the topmost priority to the
maintenance of law and order. He kept strictest vigil on his administrators and commanders
which definitely helped him to achieve what he wanted to even in economic sphere He was able
to abolish, the watandari, Jagirdari and Zamindari because he knew, they (watandars, Jagirdars,
Zamindars) were the cause of pitiable conditions of the ryots. Therefore, he was determined to
do away with them despite the stiff opposition from them and the vested interests. Once he made
decisions, he put into effect those decisions at any cost. Had he not acted in this manner, his state
would have ended up with an anarchy., He did not allow this to happen because it proves that he
was aware of adverse economic effects of lawlessness, disorder and chaos.
Through economic development, he wanted quick and rapid improvement in the standard of
living of the people because he had seen their suffering and pitiable economic conditions. In fact,
he was prompted to take up arms against the oppressors because of the sufferings and pitiable
conditions of the masses. He wanted to provide relief to the people who had been a butt of
torture, atrocities, exploitation and tyranny. The bond between Shivaji and his subjects was one
of justice, loyalty, love and affection. He was never guilty of showing any favours or inclination
towards his kiths and kins. He was the champion of liberty equality and fraternity. He kept
himself above all narrow considerations and therefore a real socio-economic equality existed in
his state. He was an administrator par excellence and a kind and just ruler. Therefore, his
subjects enjoyed economic justice under his rule. His advice and instructions to his soldiers and
military commanders indicate how deeply and sincerely he was concerned with the wellbeing of
his [Link] he did, it was for the attainment of the welfare of the commonest of
common people. As a strategy of politics, he had to accept a number of adjustments even at the
cost of his personal interest but he never seemed to have sacrificed the interest of his subjects
and the state.
2.2 Agricultural policy
Q.1 Briefly explain Agricultural Policies During the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Shivaji Maharaj was a benevolent ruler. The greatest happiness of the greatest number was his
goal to be achieved. Until Shivaji came to power, the agriculturists were left to the mercy of
Zamindars, Watandars,
Jagirdars and Sardars. The poor peasants and marginal farmers were squeezed, oppressed
and exploited by the class of watandars and Jagirdars. They prospered at the cost of poor
peasants.
The ryots were exploited and harassed so much that what-ever belonged to the ryots including
their women folk was the property of watandars and zamindars. Shivaji Maharaj witnessed this,
right from his childhood. He wandered in the far off regions of the Maval province and
acquainted himself with the sufferings and helplessness of the ryots. He was moved by their
sufferings and hardships. He took pity on them and decided to do some-thing to improve their
conditions. The germs of the welfare state were found exactly here in Shivaji Maharaj's thoughts
of improving the conditions of the ryots. This was confirmed later on, when Shivaji became the
crowned king of the people of Maharashtra.
The first thing he did was, the abolition of the watandari and zamindari system.
He removed all the intermediaries between the state and the ryots. By abolishing the zamindari
and wantandari system, he brought the ryots in direct and close contact with the state.
Shivaji Maharaj's policy was to safeguard the interest of the ryots whereas the policy of the
Mughals and rulers of Bijapur was to safeguard the interest of the landed class. Shivaji Maharaj
introduced radical changes in the land revenue settlement that existed under the rule of
Bijapur.
Since agriculture was the main occupation of the people, Shivaji Maharaj paid special attention
to the reforms to be introduced in agriculture. He brought about far reaching and fundamental
changes in the tenure system that existed during the rule of Bijapur.
RELIGIOUS GRANTS
There were impersonal land holders such as religious bodies or institutions which employed
cultivators to till the land in their possession. The land revenue collected from the cultivators on
these lands was used for the maintenance of a place of religious worship or for the performance
of religious services. Such grants were either to temples, or mosques or maths or samadhis. The
grants of lands of such type were named as the 'Devasthan Inams'. These lands were not
transferable either by the village or the persons attending temples, mosques, maths and samadhis.
They were to use their share of income from the land for meeting the expenses of the temple or
math or for their own maintenance. They had a title to the fruits of land only.
TERMINATION OF INAMS
The king could terminate a title if the Inamdars failed to perform the duties with which grant was
associated. Shivaji Maharaj confiscated the watan of Deshkulkarni of Poona on the charge that
he had joined hands with the Mughals. He had also confiscated the Inams of Deshmukh and
Deshkulkarni of Taraf in Muthekhore. However, the land owner used to receive a fixed amount
annually from the state towards his rights on the land.
Shivaji Maharaj was democratic in approach and policies. He never made a decision which
went against the interest of his subjects. The percentage of arable land was very low and
agriculture was a joint family venture. Every member of the family had his share in the work. As
the percentage of the arable land was very low, nothing but hard labour could fetch the bare
subsistence to the tiller of the soil. The second requirement of the cultivators was a pair of
bullocks as the cattle were lifted by the enemies. This crippled the economy of the village.
Therefore, Shivaji Maharaj instructed his officers to advance money to the farmers for
buying bullocks. The money thus given for the said purpose was to be recovered from the
farmers in easy installments.
The other agricultural implements like plough, and its accessories was the third requirement
of the farmers. The requirement of the farmers was not locally met. Therefore, even money was
advanced to buy seeds and other implements of agriculture. Some of them took loans for
meeting their agricultural needs but as the rates of interest were very high, they eroded the
economic resources of most of the cultivators. They were at the mercy of the rain. The
cultivators had to face many difficulties in realizing the fruits of their labour. They also had to
guard their crops against theft. However, Shivaji Maharaj was the first ruler who tried to
mitigate the evil practice of destroying crops during warfare.
Since the war was the regular feature of life in Maharashtra, conditions for peace were rare. But,
even in war and during warfare, Shivaji Maharaj gave every assistance to the peasants,
and efforts were made to protect them from the onslaught and astrocities of the enemy. It was
the policy of Shivaji Maharaj that under any circumstances, no cultivator should leave his
village. The hereditary officers were instructed to keep the cultivators satisfied and bring
the maximum quantity of land under cultivation. For maximisation of land under plough, the
state provided all possible assistance such as reduction in the revenue dues, providing loans
for their maintenance and for buying agricultural inputs. The hereditary officers were
ordered to look after the tillers of their areas during the political upheavals. The village officers
were asked to be vigilant to prevent damage done to crops by the royal cattle; and also the state
officers were held responsible if the cultivators fled the village on any pretext.
It was the policy of the state that money advanced to the farmers was to be recovered by
easy installments in the manner most convenient to pay for the peasants and under no
circumstances any amount in excess over the principal was to be exacted from them.
2.3 Revenue system - mints and currency
Q.2 Shivaji Maharaj's economy was the money economy and not the barter one.- Justify this
statement.
Or
Q.2 Explain the Sources of income/ revenue to the Maratha state under Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj’s rule.
In the 17th century, the states had to depend upon their own sources of income however they
were limited. Therefore they had to face a number of difficulties and hurdles. Shivaji Maharaj's
state was no exception to it. It was a newly born, tiny state with limited resources. Shivaji
Maharaj had to toil and use his skill as an administrator to utilize these available scarce resources
for the upliftment of his subjects. He always faced this problem; the problem of limited
resources. He had many ideas in his mind but he could not embody them due to paucity of funds
and revenue.
He preferred to invade the surrounding areas of his kingdom belonging to the Mughals or the
Adilshah of Bijapur to raise necessary funds but he never imposed heavy taxes on his subjects.
Whenever he ran short of funds, he ransacked the enemy territory but never exploited his
people. In fact, he wanted to reduce the financial burden of his people; therefore, he never
imposed heavy taxes on them.
[Link] AND TRIBUTES
The major source of income for his state was, of course, the booty and tributes that he got from a
number of battles he fought.
2-LAND REVENUE
Land revenue was the major source of public income after the booty and tributes. It was referred
to as the 'Rajbhag' i.e. the share of the king. Records indicate that different names such as Kali-
kharif, Rabi, Bagait, Ghugria, Kadba, Barjujar etc were given to the different levies on land. The
share of the state as land revenue in agricultural produce was fixed at two fifth (2/5) of the
produce or one third (1/3) part of the value of the produce at market prices.
3 - ΤΑΧΑΤION
The third important source of income to the Maratha state was direct taxes as well as indirect
taxes imposed on the subjects.
Direct taxes were imposed on incomes, professions, and properties of the subjects.
Nevertheless, a substantial amount of revenue was raised through indirect taxation such as
custom duties, transit duties, Octroi, sales tax and excise duties. Direct taxation laid more
emphasis on incomes, professions and properties of the people. So as to raise sufficient revenue
for the state.
4- INCOME FROM STATE UNDERTAKINGS
A considerable amount of profit was made out of the monopoly of salt as well as the sale of the
various commodities collected in kind from the ryots from time to time. To protect salt
industry Shivaji Maharaj had imposed a very high import duty on foreign salt. It must have
added substantially to the state exchequer.
Gains from international trade were also no less significant source of income to the state.
Records also show that Shivaji Maharaj had purchased some watans and sold them with a view
to earning some profits.
The income earned from crown lands was shown as the personal income of the king. It appears
that Shivaji Maharaj had asked his officers to maintain a separate account of the income from his
watan land.
Here one can safely conclude that Shivaji Maharaj did not want to use state money for the
purpose of his private needs.
5- PRESENTS OR NAZARANSA
Shivaji Maharaj received a number of valuable gifts and presents from his subordinates, kings
and envoys. It also formed the income of the state. He received these gifts in the capacity of the
king of the Maratha State. The East India Company spent lavishly on the presents which were
offered to His Highness, Shivaji Maharaj, at the time of his coronation as well as at other times.
In other words, Nazaranas were also a part of the state income. This source of income was not
the personal property of the king because these gifts were given to the king and not to the person
who was the king.
6- FEES AND FINES
Another important source of income which brought a considerable amount of income to the state
was judicial fees and fines imposed upon criminals and lawbreakers. There were 'Harki' and
'Guhnegari" fees imposed on wrong doers. Harki or Sherni referred to the payment made to court
by the successful litigant.
While Sherni is defined as a present made to the government or to a court in testification of
gratitude for favour or justice rendered.
The Guhnegari was a fine imposed by the court on criminals or on losers of suit in civil matters.
The rates of Sherni and Guhnegari were determined by the then prevailing customs and
traditions.
7- IN-COME FROM MINTS AND COINS
A small income was earned from this source as well. To mint coins, a licence was issued and the
licensee had to pay a certain percentage of the coins minted. Records indicate that one Shetty got
the licence to issue Laris and copper coins on condition that he paid one Lari per 100 Laris and
five Laris for copper coins weighing one maund. However, the tenure of the licensee was five
years. The fee for minting coins was called as Nane.
8- THE CAUTH
The cauth refers to a tribute exacted from the defeated by the victor. The defeated paid it with a
view to securing immunity from the probable raids of the victor or the mighty rulers. It was not a
casual demand but a permanent one. However, the records do not reveal that Shivaji Maharaj
ever received any payment from areas outside his territories without invading them.
9- SARDESHΜUΚΗΙ
It was a special right granted to the ruler based on convention that prevailed in the konkan
region. This convention was in practice well before Shivaji Maharaj came to power. He claimed
the Sardesmukhi because he considered himself as the supreme head of the state. The
Sardesmukhi was ten percent of the total collection of revenue in the area or the whole subha of
the Deccan.
10- TOTAL RECEIPTS OF THE STATE
It is not possible to make correct estimates of the total revenue of the state of Shivaji Maharaj
because we do not have reliable and adequate records to make, even probable estimates.
However, Sabhasad writes that Shivaji Maharaj made his humble beginning with the Poona
Jagir yielding a revenue of forty thousand hons and in course of time he acquired a kingdom
yielding one crore of hons. Besides, this one crore, the cauth brought him another eighty lakhs of
rupees. Since Sabhasad has been accepted as a contemporary source of information, one can not
reject his estimation of total revenue of the state of Shivaji Maharaj.
11- GENERAL REMARKS
The analysis of sources of income to the Maratha State under Shivaji Maharaj's rule invites some
comments. It appears that no section of the population was spared from taxation. The poor paid
indirect taxes while artisans paid professional taxes. The cultivators paid land revenue. When the
Batai settlement was introduced in 1667, certain taxes were abolished but it failed to fully
compensate for the rise in land revenue. There was no fixed amount for a tax. The officers were
at liberty to collect taxes according to the requirements of the state. Religious heads and the
priests got exemption in taxation. Even Brahmins got some exemption from taxes. Shivaji
Maharaj had struck a number of coins of different denominations made of gold, silver and
copper. The Sahukar had their mints and they were given licenses to strike coins on commision
basis. Licenses were issued for minting money for a particular period of time on condition that
the licensee gave a certain percentage of minted money to the state by way of a license fee.
However, there was no central mint during Shivaji Maharaj's rule according to Abbot.
The coins in circulation during Shivaji Maharaj's time in Maharashtra were sivrai, hon, fanam,
cakram, padsahi, hon, nisani, and many other different varieties of horis. There were other coins
like Asrafi, Takas, Sivral, Sajgani, Tiruka, Ruka, Paisa, Dam, Adka, Caval, Jital, Duval, Pal,
Byal etc. Besides, these coins, cowries were used for smaller transactions. But, the records
indicate that all these coins were not minted in Maharashtra. The coins of the Mughals,
Golkonda, Portuguese and the English were in wide circulation in the kingdom of Shivaji
Maharaj. There were no token coins in the 17th century in Maharashtra. All coins were
practically full-bodied coins. The marked value of the coin depended upon its metalic content or
intrinsic value. But older coins of the same metallic value fetched lower value than the similar
new coins. It was not the state monopoly. Licenses were issued to them who agreed to coin
according to the prescribed rules of the state.
12- THE CLASSIFICATION OF COINS
The most popular coins were rupees, laris and takas. The current coin in circulation at any time
was known as chalni and was valued more than the older coins known as Khazana.
Looking at the coinage of Shivaji Maharaj, it appears that there was metallic money in
circulation. Coins of different denominations were put in circulation. These coins were struck
out of either gold, silver or copper. There was no barter system but payment of taxes was
accepted in kind. However, all the transactions were carried on, in terms of money. But, one
doesn't understand why licenses to strike coins were issued to Sahukars. The government itself,
could have done it for better management and effective control on economy. Probably, the
importance of centralised coinage system might not have been felt then. It came into being with
the establishment of the central banks. Thus, Shivaji' Maharaj’s economy was on metallic
money. i.e. money was used in all transactions. Use of money is a sign of an advanced
economy. It does away with all the difficulties of the barter system. So, Shivaji Maharaj's
economy was the money economy and not the barter one.
2.4 Conducive policies to support Manufacturing , trade and business
Q.3 Discuss the conducive policies to support manufacturing , trade and business during the era
of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Shivaji Maharaj's major part of life was spent in fighting, creating and building a new
independent Maratha state. He had very little time at his disposal to look at the development of
trade and commerce. Still, he was keenly interested in development of trade and commerce
because he was aware of the fact that without development of trade and commerce, catering to
the needs of the people was not possible. He knew that if people were kept contented with basic
needs of life, they would not take interest in politics. Therefore, he spared no efforts In making
available necessities of life at reasonable prices. He created Conditions conducive for trade and
commerce within his state.
[Link] first thing he did, was, the establishment of law and order within the state which is the
most essential prerequisite for flourishing, trade and commerce.
2. Therefore, to flourish trade and commerce, he took pains in establishing markets at
important places under the protection of forts. There were about 284 hill forts scattered all over
his state. Keeping in view the needs of his subjects, he built a vast market complex at Raigad,
the capital of his kingdom. It was the most famous market in India in those days. Almost every
essential thing was available at Raigad market. The market at Raigad was so big that there were
forty-four shops in all, twenty two on either side of the road.
[Link] shops were so constructed that the horsemen could buy anything from these shops
without mounting the horses. Rich merchants from other areas were invited to his kingdom
to set up their businesses, They were given all the concessions to set up their trade. The aim
was to help flourish trade and commerce in his state. In other words, Shivaji Maharaj
patronised trade and commerce within his state. Under the patronage of Shivaji Maharaj,
traders prospered and flourished so much that they showered on him lotuses of gold when he
passed through the market in procession soon after his coronation at Raigad. This indicated how
much they held Shivaji Maharaj in esteem. Usually merchants do not respect and love authorities
unless they do something to protect their interest. Shivaji Maharaj did it, and therefore, the
merchants did their best to develop and prosper trade and commerce.
Naggappa Shetty was asked to set up a market at Raigad. Economic development of the
country depends much upon the trading activities that take place within the state.
4. Foreign trade is mutually beneficial. There is clear documentary evidence to prove that the
government of Shivaji Maharaj was well aware of this fact. Therefore, he tried to establish his
trade ties with the foreign powers like the English, French, Portuguese and Dutch. He knew
that foreign nationals were better trained, better equipped and better artisans. That was the
reason why he wanted to set up trade ties with the foreigners. He wanted his people to learn from
them certain things which his people were ignorant of; especially production of gun-powder,
mortar, guns and rifles etc. But, he was very careful in dealing with the European traders as they
had proselytising and territorial ambition. He was always careful and vigilant about them.
Though he encouraged them to trade in his kingdom, he kept a close watch and vigil on them.
He framed his commercial policy in such a way which promoted and encouraged home
production.
5. He gave protection to domestic production by imposing heavy import duty on foreign
goods. The duty on import of salt is a case in point. The positive policy of promotion and
encouragement to trade and commerce through the length and breadth of his kingdom that he
followed, paid him rich dividends in the form of emergence of rich and flourishing centers of
trade and commerce in his kingdom.
6. Keeping in view the interest of domestic producers and merchants, he levied protective
duties on foreign goods. This gave fillip to internal trade which ensured its rapid growth. The
objective of trade was the attainment of self-sufficiency in every matter including that of
production of civil goods. This has been the cherished goal of all developing countries in the
world today which Shivaji Maharaj had kept before himself in the 17th century. In other words,
it reveals the vision and the statesmanship of Shivaji Maharaj. However, he was not adamant
about the goal of attaining self-sufficiency. He was a man of vision and thoughts and
practicability. The objective of self-sufficiency did not stretch it far.
7. He always framed practical and realistic policies. He permitted the French to trade freely in
his kingdom. The English refused to comply with Shivaji Maharaj's aspirations and hence they
could not get the facility that they wanted. However, later on, Shivaji Maharaj permitted them to
set up their factory at Rajapur.
8. Granting permission to the English, reveals that he wanted to have interaction between the
natives and the foreigners. So as to learn many things from the foreigners. The growing
strength of Shivaji Maharaj impressed the English. They wanted to develop their friendly
relations with him.
9. Trade and commerce prosper only when there are speedy means of transport During the rule
of Shivaji Maharaj the means of transport were either road transports or water transport.
Road transports consisted of bulls, bullock carts, donkeys or coolies while
water transports consisted of bulls, boats and merchandise ships.
Therefore, harbours and ports were developed so as to give fillip to the development of trade
and commerce. The ports were built inside to protect them from the pirates and other dangers
from the sea. Bhadoch, Surat, Gandevi, Supare, Thane, Nagothane, Chaul, Rajapuri, Mahad,
Chiplun, Sangmeshwar, Thavali, Rajapur, Kharepatan etc. are the examples of such ports and
harbours.
10. The purpose of building these ports and harbours inside, was to make them avail the
protection of infantry in times of emergency. Secondly through these markets, a number of goods
used to be made available to the people which were otherwise not available to the people. Goods
coming from foreign countries were also available in these markets. The natives and foreigners
used to come in contact with each other. Such contacts helped them learn many things and
exchanged ideas between the foreigners and the natives. Therefore, interaction between the
natives and the foreigners made people enlightened themselves on many useful things.
2.5 Welfare state policy
Q.4 Shivaji Maharaj's state was a welfare state- Justify the statement.
Or
Q.4 Shivaji Maharaj's State can be referred as the Welfare State- Discuss.
1) Transformation of 'Swarajya' into 'Surajya' i.e. a welfare state needs a huge amount of
physical as well as monetary resources.
The state of Shivaji Maharaj always felt paucity of funds. Therefore, he tried to make up the
paucity of funds by raising funds through constant raids in enemy territory. But when he
plundered enemy territory he never harassed and ill-treated the ordinary people.
2) He also looted the state treasury but never harassed commoners. In fact, most of the
expenditure of his state was met out of the booty he got but that was not enough. Yet he never
imposed any unjustified tax on his subjects to raise funds for the development.
3) Truly speaking, Shivaji Maharaj did not get sufficient time to pay attention to the economic
development of the state. Nevertheless, whenever he got some spare time from his campaigns
and conquests, he did devotedly pay attention to the development of the state.
4) He tried his level best to make people happy. He saw that they were free from at least basic
things of life j.e. food, clothing and shelter...
5) The application of the definition of the welfare state as we understand today, to the Maratha
state might prove useless because the concept of welfare state was not born then. Moreover,
advancement of knowledge and technology had not taken palace. There was no scientific
development as we have today. Therefore, the requirements of the people were few. Mostly,
they were food, clothing and shelter. Therefore, a state which guaranteed these needs to its
citizens was called the Welfare State besides protection. In this sense, Shivaji Maharaj's
state was a welfare state.
6) The Industrial Revolution came to this world during the second half of the eighteenth century.
Therefore, one cannot attribute the definition of modern welfare state to the state of Shivaji
Maharaj. But if the former definition is applied then without slightest hesitation one can
conclude that it was a Welfare State.
7) He was against discrimination based on religion and Castes. He treated all people equally.
Equality was the foundation of his state. He tried his level best to maximize the welfare of all.
8) He was so much concerned with the welfare of the masses that he refused to levy a special tax
on the ryots to recover the cost of coronation and the throne.
He wanted the Watandars and Jagirdars to bear the burden. This also proves that Shivaji
Maharaj always stood for the poor and the less privileged class of the society.
9) He would always say that his state was the state of Almighty and as the Almighty doesn't do
any injustice and discrimination, he too did not want to do any injustice.
He regarded himself to be representative of God. Hence, there was no injustice,
discrimination and exploitation in the state of Shivaji Maharaj.
10) His was the state that cared most for the poor and the less privileged and neglected class of
the society. A Welfare State does the same thing and therefore Shivaji Maharaj's State can be
referred as the Welfare State.
2.6 Learning for modern policy makers
He lived for his subjects, he fought for the subjects and dictate for the subjects. If one tries to
assess his success, one has to give first place to the fact that he involved the people in whatever
he did. Involvement of people in his great endeavor of nation building was the first and perhaps
the foremost reason of his success in whichever direction he turned. Because he did everything
that was for the people, he could drag them along with him. He gave them a sense of
belongingness which appealed to the people. He also proved successful in making people a part
of the solution of whatever problems he tackled.
In doing this, he himself had identified with the common masses. He had taken upon himself
their joys and sorrows as his own. Being a king, he never sat in an ivory tower . He was always
with them. It is here that Shivaji Maharaj distinguishes himself from the contemporary rulers.
That's why people always stood by him in the sun and shower and extended their wholehearted
support to whatever he did. Nothing succeeds unless it commands people's support. This explains
itself why most of our present-day economic policies fail or they do not achieve expected
success. The reason for failure is lack of people's participation.
The masses remained aloof from the programmes. One such programme is the family welfare
programme in India. Another example is people's indifference towards the problem of
maintaining law and order within the country.
Establishment of the rule of law within the state helped him to have peace and prosperity in the
state. Economic development or progress follows political stability. It is a known fact that no
economic development takes place in the atmosphere of lawless-ness, chaos and disorder. Hence
the establishment of the law and order made people feel secured and therefore it prompted them
to take up economic activities such as trade and commerce. Trade centers were set up and
internal and external trade was allowed to be flourished. Navy was there to provide protection to
the overseas trade. This hardened people's faith in the capabilities of Shivaji Maharaj that
contributed to his success. Furthermore, he was a shrewd politician, dauntless fighter,
commander and strategist. Diplomacy of a high rank made him one of the greatest politicians of
the world. He displayed this quality at his early age.
In economics, what is important is not the framing of policy but implementation of it. An
economic policy might be very good, progressive and sound but it becomes useless if it is not put
into effect on time. Whatever decision he made; he translated it into reality with an iron hand.
This was the reason why people were ready to sacrifice everything for him. Social welfare was
always dear to him and therefore, he never went away from it, even in thoughts.
2.7 Conclusion
Shivaji Maharaj had to fight with the Mughals, Muslims, Portuguese, Siddis, English, French and
rebels within the state at a time. His economy was war prone and, therefore, achievements on
economic fronts may not appear impressive to some but with limited resources and with so many
constraints operating from all sides, he did a wonderful job that one has to admit without a
slightest doubt in one's mind. He was prompted to create a welfare state; a state in which all his
subjects would live happily free from economic, social and political constraints within the
framework of the laws of the state. What a great king and above all a great philanthropist he was!