The Mauryan Administration
Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire is regarded as the
first historical monarch of India. The main aim of his administration was to
look after the welfare of his subjects and therefore he designed an effective
system of administration.
The Mauryan administration was divided into the following divisions-
i. Central Administration – The king was the head of the Mauryan
Administration. He acted as the head of the administrative, Financial, military
and judiciary unit. He was assisted by a council of ministers or Mantri
Parishad. The chief minister was known as the Amatya. There were also other
important officials like the Sachiva, Senapati, Mahamatya etc who used to
assist the king.
ii. Provincial Administration – The empire was divided into a number of
provinces known as Desha. Each desha was ruled by Pradeshika. Each desha
was divided into a number of districts or Vishayas. Grama was the lowest unit
of the Mauryan administration. During the rule of Chandragupta Maurya, the
empire was divided into four deshas--- Prachya in the east, Avanti in the west,
Uttarapatha in the north and Dakshinapatha in the south. The fifth province
was Kalinga and it was added to Mauryan empire during the reign of Ashoka.
iii. Municipal Administration – From the accounts of Megasthenes, we get an
idea about the Municipal administration during the Mauryan period. The cities
were administered by a committee of 30 members. The committee was was
divided into 6 groups (boards) consisting of 5 members in each and they
were responsible to look after various duties like trade, craft, keeping record of
birth and death etc.
iv Military Administration – The Mauryan army was administered by a board
of 30 members divided 6 boards each having 5 members. They had to look
after separate departments like cavalry, infantry, elephants, chariots etc.
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