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Describe the administration during the Mauryan period in Ancient India.

Introduction:

Chandragupta Maurya along with Chanakya defeated Dhana Nanda in the year 321 BC. Chanakya’s Arthashastra throws a light on administration during Mauryan empire along with the work of Megasthenes known as ‘Indica’. Bindusura succeeded Chandragupta and was later succeeded by Ashoka.

Body:

Mauryan administration was highly centralized. The governance was divided into two levels namely central and local administration.

1) Central administration: The king was the supreme authority. Council of ministers(mantri) assisted the king and was called as Mantri-Parishad. The head of council was Mantri-Parishad-Adhyaksha. The other officials were:

Adhyakshas were formed into a secretariat and divided into different departments. Ex: Lohadyaksha- Superintendent of Iron, Sulkaadyaksha- Superintendent of tolls, Navadhyaksha- Superintendent of ships and so on.

2) Local administration: Village was the smallest unit and was headed by Gramika. Pradeshika was provincial governor. There were other officials like Sthanika, Durgapala, Antapala etc

• Revenue: Samharta was the head. Revenue was collected on land, irrigation, shops, customs, mines and pastures. Land revenue was one-sixth of the produce.
• Police: Main centres had police headquarters. Bandhangara was the jail and Charaka was the lock-up.
• Military: Military was divided into:

Infantry      Cavalry       Chariots      Elephant force          Navy

Senapati was the commander-in-chief.

Conclusion:

Thus there was a clear hierarchy in different aspects of administration. Even today most of the governments have been inspired by such an administration because Arthashastra still works like a guide for better governance. Foreign invasions, weak rulers after Ashoka were the main reasons for the decline of the empire.