MAURYAN ADMINISTRATION

MAURYAN ADMINISTRATION:

-According to Kaulilya's 'Arthashastra' the state consists at Seven Limbs (Saptanga):-

(i) King (ii) Ministers (iii) Terrilory & Population (iv) Fort (v) Treasury (vi)Army (vii) Artillery

Provincial Administration:

-The empire was divided into five provinces:-

--Northern Province as Uttaranchal and Taxila as its capital
--Western Province as Avantipatha and Ujjain as its capital
--Eastern Province as Prachyapatha and Toshali (Kalinga) as its capital
--Southern Province as Dakshinapatha and Suvarnagiri (Thiruvananthapuram) as its capital
--Central Province as Magadha and Pataliputra as its capital.

-Except for capital Pataliputra the provinces were controlled by a Viceroy either a Prince or member of the royal family.

-Provinces were divided into districts & had three main officers -

--Pradeshika for overall administration
--Rajuka for Revenue administration & later Judicial affairs in rural areas
--Yukta for Accountant / Clerk

-The intermediate level between district & village was a group of 5-10 villages, which were administered by Gopa & Sthanika.

-Gramika the village head was elected by the people & settled disputes in open Panchayats.

-The administration of the Capital city, Pataliputra was mentioned by Megasthenes. It was administered by 6 boards consisting of 5 members each. They looked after industrial arts, care of foreigners, registration of birth & death, regulation of weights & measures, public sale of manufactured goods & collecting toll on the article sold - (1/10'" of the purchase price)

-Military administration Was also on similar lines with 6 boards taking care of the army, cavalry, elephants, chariots. navy & the transport.

-There were Courts called 'Dharmastheya' for civil matters & Kantakashodhana' for criminal matters.