Mauryan Administration – Provincial, Judicial and Military Administration

The Mauryan administrative system is well described in the Arthashastra, Greek accounts, and Ashokan inscriptions. Under the visionary leadership of Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, and Ashoka, the Mauryan administration was marked by its centralisation, bureaucratic structure, and commitment to welfare and justice which eventually led Indian history to enter a new era of centralised administration. India attained political unityand administrative uniformity for the first time under the Mauryan Administration.

The empire was divided into provinces, each of which was under the direct governance of a prince (kumara) or a member of the royal family. During Ashoka’s reign, the Mauryan Empire was formally divided into five parts. Magadha and a few neighbouring Mahajanapadas were administered directly.

Mauryan Administrative System

Mauryans developed an organised and elaborate system of administration. Decentralisation was prevalent, as the village units played a significant role as the base of grassroots administration.

• The empire was divided into provinces, provinces into districts, and districts into rural and urban centres for efficient administration.
• Saptanga theory of State: Kautilya enumerated and clarified seven Angas, Prakritis, or elements for describing “the nature of the State” in its entirety. These are:
  • Swami (The Sovereign King): The Swami is the chief executive head of the state and is, thus, “the consummation of all other elements”.
  • Amatya (The Minister): Kautilya describes an elaborate system of recruitment of the Amatyas and other officials who were to be morally and ethically pure, honest in financial matters, and of good character.
  • Janapada (The People and the Territory): This distinctive Saptanga feature is the State’s symbol, representing a “territorial society.” Kautilya’s Janapada encompasses both territory and population.
  • Durga (Fortification):  Kautilya regarded fortification as essential for the defence and protection of the state. He desired that the state fortify the territories on all sides.
  • Kosha (The Treasury): Kautilya desired a prosperous treasury, and he specifically directed the king to obtain the nation’s wealth only through legitimate and righteous means, rather than unfair and immoral means.
  • Danda (The Army or The Force): He accepted a strong and hereditary Kshatriya army as the most important requisite of the state.
  • Mitra (The Allies): Kautilya considered the Mitra or the Ally a vital factor. Kautilya recognises two kinds of allies, namely Sahaja and Kritrima.

Central Administration

The Mauryan administration’s supreme and sovereign authority was the King.

• Powers of the King: He had his supreme executive, legislative, and judicial powers vested.
  • He appointed ministers and other royal administration officers.
  • He was the army’s supreme commander and oversaw the entire military.
  • Before Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire was essentially a Hindu state.
    • According to the Hindu concept, the supreme sovereign of the State was ‘Dharma’ or law, and the King was to be its guardian.
    • He was aided and advised by a ‘Mantri Parishad’ (Council of Ministers), and he was to be guided by it in day-to-day administration.
• Influence of Brahmins: The Brahmins significantly influenced the King, who could not disobey them.
• Decentralisation: The Mauryan government’s powers were decentralised; the provincial governor and ministers had the right to be consulted by the King, particularly on all provincial matters.
• Bureaucracy: A well-organized hierarchy of bureaucrats looked after the executive, judicial, and revenue offices.
• The entire administration system was divided into departments, each headed by a Superintendent known as an ‘Adhyaksha.’ Clerks, accountants, and spies assisted the Adhyaksha.
• Besides, there were other officers like the Army Minister, Chief Priest, and Governor of Forts.

Provincial Administration

• The entire Empire was divided into two parts:
  • The kingdom that was under the direct rule of the King, and
  • The vassal states.
• The King’s territory was divided into several provinces known as ‘Janapadas.’
• Ashoka had five provinces with capitals: Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali, Suvarnagiri, and Pataliputra.
  • Each province was divided into a number of districts, which were further divided into a number of units.
• However, there were vassal states in addition to these centrally ruled Mauryan territories. They enjoyed a great deal of autonomy.
• The provincial administration worked on similar lines to the central administration.
• The Mauryan Emperor directly ruled the central and eastern parts of the Empire.
• Role of Governors: The other areas were ruled by the provincial Governors. The provincial Governors were responsible for the day-to-day conduct of the administration of provinces.
• There were also the district officers, reporters, and clerks who helped in the smooth running of provincial administration.

Local Administration

• The district administration was in charge of ‘Rajukas’, whose position and functions are similar to today’s district collectors. ‘Yuktas,’ or subordinate officials, aided him.
• In the urban area, there was a Municipal Board. The administration of cities was managed by six committees, each with five Board members.

• Village administration was in the hands of ‘Gramani’, and his superior was called ‘Gopa,’ who was in charge of ten to fifteen villages.
• Census was a regular activity, and the village officials were to number the people along with other details such as their castes and occupations.
  • Conducted by municipal officials, mainly to track the movements of both foreign and indigenous populations.

Judicial Administration

The King presided over the Judiciary and the Supreme Court of Appeal. However, due to the large empire, judges were appointed to resolve disputes.

• The Supreme Court was located in the capital, and the Chief Justice was called ‘Dharmathikarin.’
• The nature of the punishment depended on the nature, gravity, circumstances, and the varna of the offender and the plaintiff.
• At the district level: Subordinate courts under ‘Amatyas.’
• In Towns: Cases were settled by ‘Nagara Vyavaharika Mahamantra’.
• At the Village level: Cases were settled by the ‘Gramavradha’.

Military Administration

• The Mauryan army was well organised and was under the control of a ‘Senapati.’
• There was a Board of 30 members to look into matters pertaining to war.
  • These members were placed in six committees, and these committees were responsible for managing the wings of the military, i.e., navy, transport and supply, infantry, cavalry, war chariots, and war elephants. Each of these wings was overseen by ‘Adhyaksha’ or Superintendents.
  • Board of Infantry: Headed by Padadhyaksha.
  • Board of Cavalry: Headed by Asvadhyaksha.
  • Board of War Chariots: Headed by Rathadhyaksha.
  • Board of War Elephants: Headed by Hastyadhyaksha.