King in the Central Administration of Mauryan Empire

The king was the ultimate authority in the Mauryan state, responsible for making decisions on crucial policy matters and administration.

• In cases of conflict between the king’s law and traditional laws (Shastra), the king’s law prevailed.
• The Arthashastra highlights the king’s importance among the seven components of the state, which include:
  • Swami (King)
  • Amatya (Minister)
  • Janapada (Territory)
  • Durga (Fort)
  • Kosa (Treasury)
  • Danda (Army)
  • Mitra (Allies)
• Arthashastra’s Chakravarti-Kshetra: 
  • This term in the Arthashastra describes a territory stretching from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, covering 1,000 yojanas.
  • The Chakravarti ideal represented the ruler’s influence, achieved significantly only by Emperor Ashoka.

The Saptanga Theory of Arthashastra

The Arthashastra presents the Saptanga Theory, defining the state as comprising seven essential elements.

• This concept influenced later texts like the Dharmashastras, Puranas, and Mahabharata. The components are:
  • Svami (The King): Advocates a vigilant, diligent, and wise monarch.
  • Amatya (Ministers): Includes high-ranking officials, counselors, and departmental heads.
  • Janapada (Territory and Subjects): The empire’s land and people, serving as a primary income source for the king.
  • Durga (Fortified Capital): Fortified cities acted as defensive centers, sanctuaries, and economic hubs.
  • Kosa (Treasury): Managed state finances and resources.
  • Danda (Justice or Force): Included judicial systems, punishments based on the crime and offender’s varna, and dharmasthas (judges).
  • Mitra (Allies): Refers to political allies or friends of the state.

The Mantriparishad (Council of Ministers) in Mauryan Empire

The Arthashastra and Ashokan inscriptions mention the Mantriparishad, headed by the Mantriparishad Adhyaksha.

• Members included Yuvaraj (crown prince), Purohita (chief priest), Senapati (commander-in-chief), and other ministers.
• While advisory, final decisions rested with the king.
• The council managed a skilled secretariat with about 18 departments (Tirthas) and 27 superintendents for economic and military duties.

Key Officials in the Central Administration of Mauryan Empire

• Sannidhata: Managed the royal treasury.
• Sutraadhyaksha: Supervised textiles and weaving.
• Sitaadhyaksha: Oversaw agriculture.
• Navadhyaksha: Regulated shipping and maritime activities.
• Ayudhagaradhyaksha: Supervised armament production and maintenance.
• Panyaadhyaksha: Controlled commerce and pricing.
• Lavanadhyaksha: Managed salt production.
• Bandhanagaradhyaksha: Administered jails.

The Army in Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan army was organized into infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots, transport, and naval forces.

• Kautilya referred to the four main branches (Chaturangabala): infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots.
• Megasthenes recorded the army’s composition as 600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, 9,000 elephants, and 1,000 chariots.
• Officers and soldiers were paid in cash, and a department under the Ayudhagaradhyaksha managed armaments.

Legal System under the Mauryas

The Mauryas established a detailed legal system with codes for offenses like murder, divorce, and adulteration.

• Law enforcement was termed Dandaniti.
• Sources of law included:
  • Dharma (ethical codes)
  • Vyavahara (legal precedents)
  • Charitra (customs)
  • Rajasasana (royal decrees)
• Courts included:
  • Dharmasthiya: Resolved personal disputes, such as marriage and inheritance issues.
  • Kantakosodhan: Addressed state-related matters, including wages and worker conduct.

Espionage System under the Mauryas

The Mauryan spy network (Gudhapurushas) gathered intelligence on foreign rulers, officials, and the public.

• Spies were classified into two types:
  • Sansthana: Stationary agents.
  • Sanchari: Mobile agents.
• Pativedikas directly reported public affairs to the king.

Revenue Administration under the Mauryas

Revenue sources included cities, rural areas, mines, plantations, and roads.

• Samaharta: Oversaw revenue collection.
• Sannidhata: Managed the treasury.
• Land revenue types included:
  • Bali: Religious tribute.
  • Bhaga: One-sixth of produce (Rajbhaga).
• Cities generated income through fines, sales tax (Sulka), excise duties, and income tax.
• Ashoka’s Lumbini edict revealed tax exemptions and reductions, such as lowering Bhaga to one-eighth.

Municipal Administration under the Mauryas

City governance involved a council divided into six committees with five members each:

• • Industry and Crafts
  • Trade and Commerce
  • Foreigners’ Hospitality
  • Manufactured Goods Inspection
  • Registration of Births and Deaths
  • Tax Collection
• The urban administration was headed by the Nagariaka, supported by Gopa and Sthanika.

Seven Strategies for Dealing with Neighboring States under the Mauryas

• Sama: Appeasement or non-aggression pacts.
• Dana: Gifts or bribes.
• Bheda: Dividing opponents.
• Danda: Using force or punishment.
• Maya: Illusion or deceit.
• Upeksha: Ignoring the enemy.
• Indrajala: Displaying fake military strength.

Provincial Administration under the Mauryas

The empire was divided into four provinces:

• • Tosali (East)
  • Ujjain (West)
  • Suvarnagiri (South)
  • Taxila (North)
• Provinces were governed by Kumaras (royal princes) assisted by Mahamatyas  (looked after judicial work) and councils.
• Smaller regions like Saurashtra and Kamboj were administered by officers called Rashtriyas.

District Administration under the Mauryas

District officials included Pradeshta, Rajuka, and Yukta.

• Functions included revenue collection, land surveys, law enforcement, and inspections.

Village Administration under the Mauryas

Villages were overseen by local leaders (Gramika), assisted by intermediaries like Gopa and Sthanika.

• Village panchayats resolved disputes and maintained order.