Shivaji divided his territory under his rule (Swaraj) into three provinces, each
under a viceroy.
Provinces were divided into prants which were subdivided into parganas or tarafs. The
lowest unit was village headed by Patel (Headman).
Shivaji was helped by the ashtapradhan (eight ministers) which was unlike a collective of
ministers, for there was no collective responsibility. Each minister was
directly responsible to Shivaji.
Most of the administrative reforms of Shivaji
were based on Malik Ambar’s (Ahmadnagar) reforms.
Assessment of land revenue was based on
Measurement. The Kathi of Malik
Ambar was adopted as the unit of measurement.
Land revenue was fixed 1/3rd i.e. 33%
of the gross produce (initially), 2/5th i.e. 25% of the gross
produce (after reforms).
Chauth
was 1/4th i.e. 255 of the land revenue was paid to the Marathas so
for not being subjected to Maratha raids.
Sardeshmukhi
was an additional levy of 10% on those lands of Maharashtra over which the
Maratha claimed hereditary rights, but which formed part of the Mughal Empire.