Friday 26 February 2016

Shivaji Maharaj’s Management Skills

Just a few days back, the Maharashtra Educational Minister, Vinod Tawde had taken some substantial decisions towards developing a promising and firm Young India. On the occasion of ‘Shivaji Jayanti’ that was commemorated on 19th February 2016, he had announced that children right from their tender age should know Shivaji Maharaj not only as a great warrior but also as a Management Guru. Thereby, a separate chapter on Shivaji Maharaj Management skills would be included in class four history syllabuses of all State board schools.

Well, it’s never too late and it is always better than never. Therefore, hope that this inclusion can bless India with young leaders who can walk on same lines of such an eminent and glorious leader that Indian history can boast off.  The following discussion recollects Shivaji’s excellent Management skills and Leadership traits:

Shivaji - An Unmatched Manager: 

Foresight is perhaps one of the core qualities every leader, who is responsible for managing millions of task and people, is ought to possess. And Shivaji Maharaj stands as an epitome with this regard. Historians claim that Shivaji Maharaj is by far one of those rarest leaders who are born with this quality of efficient vigilance.


Shivaji Maharaj Management ideas and leadership qualities are studied by many aspiring leaders across the globe. And this makes it evident that his forethought and planning has loads to teach us and generations to come.

Shivaji’s ideas of welcoming traders or businessmen had introduced and strengthen inter territory marketing concepts then. To put it in his own words – “Sahukar he to rajyache bhushan;” (Business people are jewels of a nation) is sufficient to inspire and motivate young or aspiring entrepreneurs in today’s world. He entertained productive and lucrative businesses of all types and provided tax concessions, choice of locations and other perks to keep them connected.


Government modules that are followed today can find their origins to administrative divisions and management bodies during the Shivaji Maharaj Rule. He had a group of ministers known as ‘Ashta Pradhan’ meaning the Prime Eight. These group of ministers can be easily compared to present day council of ministers as they discharged similar duties then. Rather, it is not unlikely that the concept of ‘Ashta Pradhan’ led to the development of cabinet and council of ministers that we witness today.



Again, he maintained a separate group of ministers and trained them accurately to handle relationships with other rulers and territories who were seen to be in support of the huge Maratha empire. These groups were known as ‘Dabir’. Now don’t you think that this is very similar to what we know as Foreign affairs ministry?  And the answer is nothing but a Yes. Besides he is also said to have run an intelligence wing that forms a critical part in today’s government and security measures.

Lastly, many are of the belief that The 14 principals of management set by Henry Fayol finds intense similarity with those created and followed by Shivaji Maharaj. However, this is still debatable. No matter what, Shivaji Maharaj is definitely one of the finest and rarest of rulers who’s managerial and leadership techniques are enough to take India to greater prosperity if followed.

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