Descibe the administration of the patliputra
Answers
Pataliputra (Sanskrit: पाटलिपुत्र, IAST: Pāṭaliputra), adjacent to modern-day Patna, was a city in ancient India, originally built by Magadha ruler Udayin in 490 BCE as a small fort (Pāṭaligrāma) near the Ganges river.[1]
It became the capital of major powers in ancient India, such as the Shishunaga Empire (c. 413–345 BCE), Nanda Empire (c. 345–320 BCE), the Maurya Empire (c. 320–180 BCE), the Gupta Empire (c. 320–550 CE), and the Pala Empire (c. 750–1200 CE). During the Maurya period (see below), it became one of the largest cities in the world. As per the Greek diplomat, traveler and historian Megasthenes, during the Mauryan Empire (c. 320–180 BCE) it was among the first cities in the world to have a highly efficient form of local self government.
Officials were appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, craftspersons and traders, who lived in villages and towns in the area.
• Officials also punished those who disobeyed the ruler’s orders.
• Many of these officials were given salaries.
• Messengers went to and fro, and spies kept a watch on the officials.
The Emperor supervised them all, with the help of members of the royal family, and senior ministers.
There was some amount of control from Patliputra, and royal princes were often sent as governors, local customs, and rules were probably followed.
Roads and rivers were important for transport and located between cities from where resources were collected as tax and tribute.
People living in these areas were more or less independent, but may have been expected to provide elephants, timber, honey, and wax to Mauryan officials.