In medieval India, during the reign of Shivaji, the role of the official called 'Chitnis' was to

In the administrative system of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the 'Chitnis' (also known as the Surunavis or Sachiv) was a vital official responsible for managing the royal correspondence [t2]. As part of the Ashta Pradhan (council of eight ministers), the Chitnis ensured that all official letters, royal edicts (Sanads), and diplomatic communications were drafted and dispatched correctly [t2]. While the 'Sumant' or 'Dabir' acted as the master of ceremonies and handled foreign affairs, and the 'Waqi’a Nawis' managed intelligence and household affairs, the Chitnis specifically focused on the king's secretarial duties and the authentication of state documents [t2]. This role was crucial for maintaining the centralized administrative control Shivaji established, moving away from hereditary assignments to a system where officials were paid directly from the state treasury [c4][t2].

Sources

1. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: The Rise of the Marathas > Maratha Administration Civilian administration > p. 72