Nyayadhish
Topic: The Marathas · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Nyayadhish was the chief judge in Shivaji's Ashta pradhana mandala, his council of eight ministers. He decided civil cases, such as quarrels over property, and criminal cases, such as crimes. He followed Hindu law and local custom. The Maratha justice system was efficient and rarely used the death penalty.
Example
In a Maratha village, a dispute first went to the panchayat, a local meeting of officials and important men. People could appeal its decision to a Maratha chief. Bigger cases rose to the Nyayadhish. In towns such as Pune and Indore, the kotwal (police chief) kept order.
Don't confuse with
- Panditrao: the minister for religious affairs. He dealt with ceremonies and gifts to scholars, not with court cases.
Related concepts
- Maratha administration
- Ashtapradhan
- Peshwa
- Amatya
- Sachiv
- Sumant
- Panditrao
- Deshmukh
- Chauth and sardeshmukhi
- Saranjam