Chapter 17 - Management of Forts and the Navy
1. Can you tell these names?
(a) The book which tells us about the importance of forts ……………… .
Ans: Adnyapatra
(b) Another name for sea forts ………. .
Ans: Janjira
2. Write what you feel.
(a) Shivaji Maharaj is rightly called the ‘Father of the Indian Navy’.
Ans:
(i) The English, the Portuguese, the Siddis, and the Dutch, and their attacks, were controlled because of the Maratha Navy built by Shivaji Maharaj.
(ii) By raising an independent and strong navy, Shivaji Maharaj defined the territorial waters, established dominance over the coastal area, and thus safeguarded it.
(iii) He was the first ruler to have such a strong navy in medieval India.
Hence he was rightly called the “Father of the Indian Navy.”
(b) Areas in which we can see Shivaji Maharaj’s management skills.
Ans:
(i) The management skills of Shivaji Maharaj are seen at all times in the battles he fought and also in his overall administration.
(ii) He realised the importance of forts in the establishment of Swaraj. He therefore maintained, repaired, and built about 300 forts.
(iii) Shivaji Maharaj made a definite arrangement for the protection of forts by appointing the officers Killedar, Sabnis, and Karkhanis.
(iv) He had a well-organized and very efficient system of army intelligence and espionage.
(v) He safeguarded the seacoast by building a strong navy.
(vi) Shivaji Maharaj also managed a very disciplined army.
3. Write two of the things that these officers did.
(a) Killedar
Ans:
(i) To protect and administer the fort.
(ii) To issue orders to the Sabnis and Karkhanis.
(b) Sabnis
Ans:
(i) To keep accounts (record income and expenses).
(ii) To collect revenue and tax from the subjects on the fort and around it.
(c) Karkhanis
Ans:
(i) Supply grains and goods to the people living on the fort.
(ii) To arrange for the ammunition for the guns and firearms at the time of war.
4. Show the following on an outline map of Maharashtra.
(a) Fort Sindhudurg
(b) Vijaydurg
(c) Mumbai
(d) Pratapgad
Ans:
5. Which aspect of Shivaji Maharaj’s management skills did you like the most? How will you use it in your daily routine?
Ans: The one skill I liked the most about Shivaji Maharaj was his bravery and fearless attitude. He had excellent leadership skills that could unite people for a noble cause and even motivate them to sacrifice themselves for Swaraj.
I shall try to learn and use these skills to achieve the goals of my life and help others.