Comment on Ashoka’s administrative reforms.
Answers
Asoka’s conversion had its effects both upon internal and external policies of the government. In the fourth Rock Edict and the Kalinga Edict Asoka expressed his unhappiness about several matters in which maladministration in the provinces was a major one. To remove the maladministration Asoka adopted some measures of administrative reforms.
He instituted two kinds of circuits (anusamyana), quinquennial and triennial of state officials like Yutas, Rajukas, Pradesikas and Mahamatras. The Yutus, Rajukas and the Pradesikas had to go on tour of the different parts of the country every five years. According to H. C. Raichaudhuri their circuit or tour was mainly for propaganda work.
But they had also to look after, supervise and check the work of administration in different parts of the country. The circuit (Anusamyana) of the Mahamatras was triennial and was specially instituted for the purpose of checking miscarriage of justice, arbitrary imprisonment and torture in the outlying provinces, like Kalinga, Ujjaini and Taxila.
Asoka also created a number of new posts such as Dhamma Mahamatras and Dhamma-Yutas. The Dhamma-Mahamatras were given the protective mission among the people of all sects, the Brahmanas, Jainas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Gandharas, Rastikas and all Aparantas. They were also appointed among the servants, masters, wealthy, the helpless, and the aged for freeing them from the wordily cares and propagation of the Law of Piety.
They were also employed to grant remission of penalties or execution on the merits of the case. They were also to consider the motive behind the crime and if they found sufficient grounds might even release the convicted person. If the person was of advanced age, or committed the crime on instigation or had dependent children they might as well be released by such Officers.
Dhamma-Mahamatras were further engaged everywhere in the imperial dominions or indeed in the whole world (Prithivi) as known to the Mauryas, among the Dhamma-Yutas with regard to the concerns of the Law, the establishment of the Law and the business of alms giving. This shows that Asoka appointed a new class of officers called Dhamma-Yutas for looking after the Law of Piety and alms giving. The border countries were placed under the special care of the Avutikas, a new class of officials.
Asoka who was anxious to keep himself fully informed of the affairs of the State, whether there was any delay in public affairs, specially in the work of the Mahamatras, gave special direction to the Pativedakas, i.e., reporters to report to him immediately whenever any urgent or important matter was committed to the Mahamatras or discussed in the Parishad.
From the Kalinga Edicts and the Sixth Rock Edict it is clearly understood how Asoka himself kept an watchful eye on the Mahar matras, especially on those who were entrusted with the administration of justice in cities.
He granted much freedom to the Rajukas in their function of awarding honours or penalties so that they might perform their duty with fullest freedom and without any fear. The Rajukas were placed over many hundred thousands of people. Grant of this freedom of action was made only to the Rajukas who obviously enjoyed much respect and confidence of Asoka.
In order that there might be uniformity in penalties and procedure, he ordered that all condemned prisoners awaiting capital punishment must be given a respite of three days during which they might appeal to the higher authorities for pardon or prepare themselves for the other world.
Asoka also issued regulations legally restricting the slaughter or mutilation of animals on certain occasions. He also effected jail deliveries almost once in every year. Twenty-five jail deliveries were ordered upto twenty-seventh year of his coronation.
Ashoka's administrative reforms
Explanation:
Ashoka was the greatest emperor of the Mauryan Empire. He introduced a number of administrative reforms.
- Under Asoka, there were four provinces:the Northern Province (Uttarapatha) with the capital at Taxila, western area (Avantiratha) with the headquarters at Ujjain, eastern territory (Prachyapatha) with the centre at Tosali and the southern region (Dakshinapatha) with its capital as Suvarnagiri.
- The focal region Magadha, with its capital at Pataliputra was additionally the central command of the whole realm. The viceroy had the ability to delegate a portion of his officials, for example, the Mahamattas, who went on visit at regular intervals.
- The three significant authorities of the territories were the Pradesika, the Rajuka and the Yukta. The Pradesika was responsible for the general organization of a locale – administering the assortment of income and of keeping up lawfulness both in the rural territories and in the towns inside his district. The Rajuka was liable for looking over and evaluating land.