1995 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies
Question 66: History and Culture
Ashtapradhan was a Council of Ministers
ain the Gupta Administration
bin the Chola Administration
cin the Vijayanagar Administration
din the Maratha Administration
AnswerThe answer is (d).
The Ashtapradhan was the council of eight ministers who advised Shivaji and the Maratha rulers after him: the Peshwa (prime minister), Amatya (finance), Mantri (records), Sachiv (correspondence), Sumant (foreign affairs), Senapati (commander), Pandit Rao (religion and charity) and Nyayadhish (justice). It was set up at Shivaji's coronation in 1674. Remember: Ashtapradhan means eight ministers, Shivaji.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Gupta administration had other officials; the Ashtapradhan was not one of its bodies.
- (b) Chola administration relied on local assemblies and a hierarchy of officials, not the Ashtapradhan.
- (c) Vijayanagara had its own ministers, not the Ashtapradhan.
- (d) Right: the Maratha council of eight ministers.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.