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Mauryan Administration: Ancient History NCERT Notes For UPSC

Last Updated on Feb 27, 2025

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The Mauryan administration was known for their triumph of monarchy in India. Kautilya’s Arthashastra has a detailed description of the Mauryan administration. This was considered to be the authentic source to draw an account about the Mauryan administration.Along with Arthashastra, Megasthenes Indika throws light at the administration, economy, trade, and society of the Mauryan times.

The Mauryan empire which was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, lasted till 180 BCE. The Mauryan empire was spread throughout the Indian subcontinent except for Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Mauryan administration had the vast bureaucracy to maintain all spheres of life.

Mauryan Administration (UPSC Ancient History) NCERT Notes: Download PDF here

Mauryan Administration – State Control

The Mauryan administration was a highly centralised administration.

Though it was a monarchy form of government which Kautilya insisted on, he stood against royal absolutism. He advocated on idea that, king should run the administration with assistance from council of ministers

A council of ministers called Mantriparishad were thus appointed for assisting the king.

The council consisted of Purohita, Mahamantri, Senapthi and Yuvaraja.

The important functionaries were known as the Tirthas.

Amatyas were the civil servants who were appointed to maintain day-to-day administration.

Rajukas were a class of officers appointed by Ashoka, who were responsible for rewarding and punishing the people.

In order to supervise the spread of dhamma, Dhamma Mahamatras were appointed.

The Capital city of the Mauryan empire, Pataliputra was administered by six committees each consisting of five members.

Two dozen departments of the state were maintained to control the social and economic activities near the capital city.

In the Mauryan administration, spies were maintained to track the foreign enemies and officers.

Check NCERT notes on the Mauryan empire here.

Provincial and Local Administration of The Mauryas

The empire was mainly divided into 4 provinces and their capitals were Ujjain, Taxila, Kalinga and Suvarnagiri.

Each of these provinces were kept under the prince who was scion of the Mauryan dynasty.

These provinces were again divided into smaller units and administered.

The districts were maintained by Rajukas who were assisted by Yuktas.

Grahmini was responsible for village administration and Gopa had control over ten to fifteen villages.

Nagarika was the city superintendent. He maintained the law and order.

You might also like: NCERT notes on Chandragupta Maurya and Rise Of Mauryan Empire

Army of Mauryan Administration

The Mauryan administration was known for the maintenance of a huge army.

It is mentioned by Pliny in his account that Chandragupta Maurya maintained about 9000 elephants, 30000 cavalry and 600000 foot soldiers.

It is even mentioned that there were about 800 chariots during the Mauryan administration.

Mauryans’ military was three times the strength of Nandas.

According to Megasthenes, a board consisting of 30 officers who were divided into 6 committees were responsible for the administration of the armed force.

The six wings of the armed forces are:

The Army

The Navy

The chariots

The cavalry

The elephants

The transport.

Read NCERT notes on Gupta empire here.

Economic Regulations of Mauryan Administration

Adhyakshas (superintendents) were appointed to regulate the economic activities of the state.

Agriculture, trade, commerce, crafts, weights, measures etc., were under the supervision of Adhyakshas.

Slaves were employed in the agricultural activities. It is said that nearly 1,50,000 war captives were brought from Kalinga and were engaged in agriculture.

Shudras served as slaves for all the three higher varnas.

New lands were brought under cultivation. Shudras and cultivators were involved in it.

Irrigation and regulated water supply facilities were provided by the state.

Under the Mauryan Administration, taxes were collected from the farmers at the rate of one sixth of the production.

The monopoly in arms manufacturing, mining were enjoyed by the state.

The officer incharge of assessment was Samaharta.

The chief custodian of the state’s treasury was Sannidhata.

You might also like: NCERT notes on Legacy and Decline of Gupta Empire

Judiciary of Mauryan Administration

Dharmathikarin was the chief justice at the capital Pataliputra.

Amatyas were responsible for delivering punishment to the people.

Ashoka’s inscription mentions the remission of sentences.

Kautilya’s Arthashastra as well as Ashokan edicts mention the prison.

Also read: Self Help Groups For UPSC here.

The Mauryan administration excelled in all the fields during the initial period of reign. No other empire of ancient India was known for maintaining such a vast bureaucracy. It was under the reign of Ashoka, people like Brahmanas turned against some policies and gradually the Mauryan administration was brought to end.

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मौर्य प्रशासन NCERT नोट्स के बारे में हिंदी भाषा में भी पढ़ सकते हैं!

Mauryan Administration NCERT Notes FAQs

Who were the main officials in the Mauryan administration?

The important officials were Yuvaraja(crown prince), Purohita(Priest), Amatya(civil servants), Senapathi(commander in chief), Adhyakshas(superintendents), Samaharta(Assessment officer), Sannidhata( custodian of treasury),Rajukas, Nagarikas, Gramini, Gopa and many more.

Why did the Mauryan empire fall?

Mauryan empire declined due to several reasons such as financial crisis after the war with Huns and Shungas, antipathy developed by Brahmanas against Ashoka, Oppressive rule by bureaucrats, neglect of the North west frontier and so on. Finally the Mauryan empire was destroyed by Pushyamitra Shunga.

Who was Sannidata in the Mauryan administration?

Sannidata was the chief treasury officer of the Mauryan administration.

What was the system followed in Mauryan Administration?

Monarchy was the form of government in the Mauryan administration. It was a highly centralised administration. A council of ministers called Mantriparishad were appointed to assist the king in the administration of the state.

What were the important features of the Mauryan administration?

The important features of Mauryan administration : the empire was divided into four provinces (Ujjain, Taxila, Kalinga and Suvarnagiri) and Pataliputra was the center of administration. These provinces were further divided into smaller units and were administered accordingly under Rajukas, Nagarika and Gopa.

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