Administrative System of Mauryan Empire

In the current scenario history is the favorite section of the general knowledge syllabus. In government exams like SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, RAILWAYS, BANKING, and other exams the number of questions in the history section is increasing. So Following we are providing a topic based on the Administration Of the Mauryan Dynasty. It is a part of the Ancient Indian History Section. This topic will boost the knowledge of the candidate to prepare for upcoming exams.

Brief Description of Mauryan Administration –

• We get information about the Mauryan administration from Megasthenes’ Indica and Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
• We also get information about the Mauryan administration from the inscriptions of the Mauryan ruler Ashoka. 
• The purpose of the Maurya administration was to provide stability to the state. To provide stability to the state, the Maurya rulers used to collect maximum taxes and did public welfare work to maintain happiness and peace in the empire.
• Chandragupta Maurya did the work of providing the base to the Mauryan administration, but the later Maurya rulers also provided stability to the Mauryan administration through various experiments.
• The Mauryan administration was divided into central, provincial, and local administration.
• The focal point of the central administration was the king. According to Kautilya, the centre was the centre of the seven organs of the state. The concept of kingship changed during the time of Emperor Ashoka, he included divinity in the concept of kingship. He had declared himself Prajapalak.
• For administrative convenience, the Maurya Empire was divided into various provinces. The inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka find mention four provincial capitals. Tosali in the east, Ujjain in the west, Taxila in the north, and Suvarnagiri in the south were the provincial capitals.
• In the Maurya Empire, the provinces were divided into districts, which were called “Aharas” or “Vishayas”. Their chief was called Vishayapati.
• The smallest unit of administration was the village. The head of the village was called “Gramik”.
• Next, we are presenting the Mauryan officials through a table-
  

Officer	Related Department And Work
Merchandiser	He was the head of the Department of Commerce
Suradhyaksha	This was the head of the Excise Department
Sunadhyaksha	This was the president of the slaughterhouse
Ganikadhyaksha	This was the head of the prostitutes
Sitadhyaksha	This was the head of the Department of Agriculture
Akaradhyaksha	This was the head of the Mines Department.
Warehouse Head	This was the head of the treasury department
Kupyadhyaksha	Head of the rest Department
Koshthagaradhyaksha	Head of Ordnance Department
Shulkadhyaksha	Head of the business tax collectors
Sutradhyaksha	This was the head of the spinning-weaving department.
Iron  Chief	This was the head of the metallurgical department
Lakshanadhyaksha	This was the head of the mint department.  He was the chief official for issuing currency in the state.
Go-Adhyaksha	This was the head of the livestock department.
Vivitadhyaksha	This was the head of the pasture department.
Mudradhyaksha	This was the head of the Passport Department.
Navadhyaksha	This was the head of the shipping department
Pattnadhyaksha	He was the head of the port department
Sansthadhyaksha	He was the head of the trade routes
Devta Adhyaksh	Head of religious institutions
Pautvadhyaksha	This measurement was the head of the weighing department.
Manadhyaksha	This was the head of the department related to distance and time
Ashwadhyaksha	Head of the Department of horses
Hastyadhyaksha	Head of the Department of Elephants
Suvarnadhyaksha	Head of the gold department
Akshapataladhyaksha	This was the head of the Accounts Department