Which of the following Maratha administrative officials served as the prime minister or head of the council of ministers (Ashtapradhan) under Chhatrapati Shivaji?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Peshwa served as the prime minister heading the Ashtapradhan council of ministers established by Chhatrapati Shivaji to run Maratha state administration efficiently. Officials like Amatya handled finance and revenue accounts rather than heading the overall council. Executive power later shifted entirely to the hereditary Peshwas based in Pune during the eighteenth century.