In the administrative structure of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji, the council of ministers responsible for state affairs was formally known as the:

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Ashtapradhan was the specialized council of eight ministers instituted by Chhatrapati Shivaji to oversee various administrative departments of the Maratha state. Other historical terms like Ashtadiggajas refer to literary assemblies in different royal courts such as Vijayanagara. This decentralized administrative design contributed significantly to early Maratha military governance.