During the rule of Shivaji, the central council of state known as the Ashtapradhan Mandal consisted of how many main ministers?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on the administrative system of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha kingdom. His council of ministers, called the Ashtapradhan Mandal, is a well known feature in Indian history. Knowing how many ministers it included helps students remember the structure and meaning of this council.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The topic is the council of state under Shivaji.
• The council is called the Ashtapradhan Mandal.
• We must determine how many ministers it contained.
• Options range from eight to eighteen, twelve and fifteen.

Concept / Approach:
The term “Ashtapradhan” itself gives a crucial clue. In Sanskrit, “ashta” means eight and “pradhan” means chief or minister. Thus, Ashtapradhan literally means “eight chiefs” or “council of eight”. Under Shivaji, this council consisted of eight important ministers, each with a specific portfolio such as Peshwa (prime minister), Amatya (finance), Sachiv (correspondence) and so on. Therefore, the correct number is eight, not twelve, fifteen or eighteen.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Break down the term Ashtapradhan into its components: “ashta” and “pradhan”.Step 2: Recall that “ashta” stands for the number eight in many Indian languages derived from Sanskrit.Step 3: Understand that “pradhan” means chief, head or minister.Step 4: Together, the term describes a council of eight chief ministers.Step 5: Match this meaning with the options and choose “Eight ministers”.

Verification / Alternative check:
History textbooks that discuss Shivaji's administration list the Ashtapradhan Mandal as comprising eight ministers, with their names and roles. Exam-focused summaries often provide a table with “Ashtapradhan – Eight ministers” clearly stated. No reliable text describes this body as having twelve, fifteen or eighteen members, confirming eight as the correct number.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Eighteen ministers: This number does not match the name Ashtapradhan and is not used in standard descriptions of Shivaji's council.Twelve ministers: Also inconsistent with the term and not supported by mainstream history books.Fifteen ministers: Again, there is no standard reference to a fifteen-member Ashtapradhan Mandal.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students memorise names of ministers but forget the total count. Others may be misled by similar sounding administrative bodies from other kingdoms. A simple memory aid is to link the word “ashta” firmly with eight and to repeat the phrase “Ashtapradhan Mandal – eight ministers under Shivaji” a few times during revision.

Final Answer:
During the rule of Shivaji, the Ashtapradhan Mandal consisted of eight ministers.