discuss the administration of mauryan Empire under following heads:
1. central administration
Answers
The Mauryans established an efficient.system of administration. Their administration was benevolent in nature. They followed certain principles of Dharma to establish an uniform administrative system. The basic principle of administration was the promotion of welfare of the people. The Central Government: 1. King: King was the supreme authority in the state. Kings did not enjoy absolute monarchy. They followed certain principles of Dharma. The main duty of the King was to work for the welfare of the people. Kautilya always considered the King as a “Dharma Pravartaka and Public servant”. 2. Mantri Parishad (The Council of Ministers): The Mantri Parishad was an important organ of the administration in the Mauryan Empire. The Mantri Parishad was established to assist the King in the administration. The ministers were appointed by the King on the basis of their merits and abilities. Each minister was in charge of a department. The mantris were higher officials like Prime Minister, Purohit, Senapati, Yuvaraja, Amatya and others. All matters were considered and discussed in the Mantri Parishad. 3. Secretarial: Administrative matters of the Central Government were divided into 30 departments, each under a superintendent. They dealt with the activities of the state such as irrigation, market, education, famine relief etc., 4. Judicial Administration: King was the supreme authority in the Judiciary. 5. Revenue (Finance) Administration: Land tax was the main source of income of the state. of the annual produce was fixed as the tax. Taxes were collected both in cash and kind. Same hart was the in charge of Revenue. Taxes were also levied on professions, houses, cattle, sales tax forest products etc., Provincial Administration: Mauryan Empire was divided into Five provinces with their capitals at Gimar, Taxi la, Ujjain, Tosaii andSuvamagiri. Princes (Kumaras) or Governors were incharge of the provinces. Each province was divided into a number of Mandalas or Districts that were governed by Sthanikas. Village was the Primary unit of administration. Gramika was its head. The official in charge of ten villages was called as ‘Gopa’ Pataliputra Administration: The Greek Ambassador Megasthanes gives us a very good account of the administration of the Pataliputra. According to him, administrative work was earned by a council of 30 members divided into 6 boards of five members each. Each board was in charge of a particular branch of Municipal work. Military Administration: The Mauryans had developed a well organised Military system. Kautilya gives us an elaborate account of the Mauryan army. It was very large, well equipped and disciplined. Kautilya speaks of four kinds of Forts (Duigas) for security. The King personally led the army during wars. The army of Chandragupta consisted of 6,00,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry and 9000 elephants. The war office was administered by six boards, each consisting of five members. They were: 1) Navy, 2) Transport, 3) Infantry, 4) Cavalary, 5) Chariots and 6) Elephant force. ‘Senapati’ was the highest officer of the army.