1998 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies

Question 63: History and Culture

The member of Shivaji’s Astha Pradhana who looked after foreign affairs was

aPeshwa
bSachiv
cPandit Rao
dSumant

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Shivaji's council of eight ministers, the Ashta Pradhan, was made up of the Peshwa (prime minister), Amatya (finance), Mantri (court records and intelligence), Sachiv (correspondence), Sumant (foreign affairs), Senapati (military), Pandit Rao (charity and religion) and Nyayadhish (justice). The Sumant, also called Dabir, looked after foreign affairs and dealt with envoys.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) The Peshwa was the prime minister.
  • (b) The Sachiv looked after royal correspondence.
  • (c) The Pandit Rao looked after religion and charity.
  • (d) Right: the Sumant handled foreign affairs.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious questionNext question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1998, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.