With reference to Mauryan administration, answer the following questions:

(a) Why is Chandragupta Maurya regarded as the chief architect of the system of administration?

(b) Briefly describe the main features of civil and military administration under Mauryan rule.

(c) Explain briefly the Pan-Indian character of Mauryan administration.

(a) Chandragupta Maurya is regarded as the chief architect of the system of administration because he laid the foundation of an elaborate system of administration, under the guidance of Chanakya. Chanakya wrote a book Arthashastra in which he describes the principles of politics and the art of administration. The Mauryan administration had two main divisions — civil administration and military administration. There was a council of ministers and each minister was responsible for his own department.

(b) The main features of civil and military administration under Mauryan rule are described below:

Civil Administration

1. The civil administration had two main divisions — the Central Government and the Provincial Government.
2. The Mauryan Government was centralised and was managed by several officials at different ranks.
3. The king was supreme authority and supreme judge. His throne was hereditary.
4. The king was assisted by the council of ministers headed by prime minister.
5. The provincial government was headed by Kumar or Aryaputra and the district administration was looked after by Pradeshika, Rajuka and Yukta.
6. There were Mahamatras to assist Kumars. Pradeshika was the tax collector.
7. There was an efficient Spy system to keep the king informed.
8. Two kinds of taxes, namely Bali and Bhaga were levied.

Military Administration

1. There was a huge army consisting of infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots. The army had 6,00,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, 9000 war elephants and 8000 chariots
2. The chief weapon used were bows, arrows, shields, swords etc.
3. The king was the commander in chief of army.
4. The whole army was under a military commission of thirty members and they had a well laid recruitment policy.
5. The soldiers were paid in cash.
6. The Mauryan king had built forts at strategic places for safety and security of empire.

(c) The Mauryan Empire extended from Hindukush in north-west to river Pennar in south. The chief advantages of the Pan-Indian character of Mauryan Empire were the following:

1. It marked the end of small states.
2. It helped in establishing trade links with foreign countries.
3. It made India strong and helped the Mauryan kings face foreign aggressions successfully.
4. This helped the Mauryan kings to pay more attention to social and economic life of the people. Hence, there was an all-round economic prosperity.