Question

Write a short note on Mauryan administration.

Answer 1

The Mauryan empire was the largest State in the whole of the ancient world and for the first time it ushered in a new form of government i.e., centralized government. Within its framework it united a number of people and tribes. The Mauryan centralized monarchy became a paternal despotism under Asoka.

Answer 2

Mauryan Administration

Central Government

• Mauryan administration was highly centralized.
• The Emperor was the supreme power and source of all authority.
• He was assisted by a Council of Ministers. It was called ‘Mantriparishad’. The ministers were called ‘Mantris.’
• The council was headed by ‘mantriparishad-adhyakshya’ akin to the Prime Minister of today.
• Tirthas: the Highest category of officials in the administration. There were 18 Tirthas.
• Adhyakshya: Ranked next only to Tirthas. There were 20 Adhyakshyas. They had economic and military functions.
• Mahamattas: Higher ranking officials.
• Amatyas: High ranking officials almost like present-day secretaries. They had administrative and judicial roles.
• The Adhyakshyas were formed into a secretariat, which was divided into many departments.
• Arthashastra mentions many Adhyakshyas for commerce, storehouses, gold, ships, agriculture, cows, horses, city, chariots, mint, infantry, etc.
• Yuktas: Subordinate officers responsible for the Empire’s revenue.
• Rajjukas: Officers in charge of land measurement and boundary-fixing.
• Sansthadhyasksha: Superintendent of mint
• Samasthadhyasksha: Superintendent of markets
• Sulkaadhyaksha: Superintendent of tolls
• Sitaadhyaksha: Superintendent of agriculture
• Navadhyaksha: Superintendent of ships
• Lohadhyaksha: Superintendent of iron
• Pauthavadhyakhsa: Superintendent of weights and measures
• Akaradhyaksha: Superintendent of mines
• Vyavharika Mahamatta: Judiciary officers
• Pulisanj: Public relations officers
• Registration of births and deaths, foreigners, industries, trade, manufacture and sale of goods, sales tax collection were under the administration’s control.

Local Administration

• The smallest unit of administration was the village.
• Head of a village: Gramika Villages had a lot of autonomy.
• Pradeshika was the provincial governors or district magistrates.
• Sthanika: Tax collectors working under Pradeshikas.
• Durgapala: Governors of forts.
• Antapala: Governors of frontiers.
• Akshapatala: Accountant General
• Lipikaras: Scribes

Military

• The commander-in-chief of the entire military was called Senapati and his position was next to the Emperor. He was appointed by the Emperor.
• The military was divided into five sectors namely, infantry, cavalry, chariots, elephant forces, navy and transport & provisions.
• The army’s salary was paid in cash.
• Revenue
• The revenue department chief was called Samharta.
• Another important official was Sannidhata (treasurer).
• Revenue was collected on land, irrigation, shops, customs, forests, ferry, mines and pastures. License fees were collected from artisans and fines were charged in the law courts.
• Most of the land revenue was one-sixth of the produce.
• Police
• All the main centres had police headquarters.
• Jail was called Bandhangara and lock-up was known as Charaka.