Mauryan Empire – Nature and Polity

The Mauryan empire in the words of Harsh

Background

Mauryan Empire was one of the greatest empires in the history of Indian subcontinent. It was flourished from c. 322 BC to c. 185 BC., and almost all the region of Indian subcontinent was under the dominance of the Mauryan empire. Chandragupta was the founder of the Mauryan empire. He became the king by defeating the Nanda king, Dhananada. There are two prominent texts, Arthashastra and Indica, which provides details about this mighty empire.  

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Nature and Politico- Administration System of Mauryan Empire

Arthashastra by Acharya Chanakya and Indica by Megasthenes provided beneficial details about the nature of state and, polity and administration of Mauryan empire. Apart from these texts, the Ashokan inscriptions also throw light on the nature and character of Mauryan state system. It was highly evolved as it was the culmination of long process of gradual evolution spanning across more than the 1000 years.

This process was started during the Vedic age and culminated during the Mauryan age in 4^th century. The state was monarchial in character as king was the head of the state and he was considered as representative of the God on Earth. Kinship was considered semi-divine in nature. The office of king was hereditary and law of primogeniture was followed but at times issue was succession was considered through strength of arms.

Ashoka killed his 99 brothers to get the crown. High sounding titles were adopted by the rulers such as Piyadassi and Devanumpiya. The Mauryan state was despotic in nature as there was a council of ministers who took decision by taking traditions and customs in account but the decision of king was final which also means that it was a centralized state. The state was also universal as peoples of different faiths and different language speaking, were living together in the state.

A large body of centralized official were their to maintained the day to day functioning of the state. But the evidence of decentralization was present in the polity of the state. Entire Mauryan state was divided into three regions; Nucleus (Metropolitan region), Core region and Peripheral region. The Nucleus region consisted the area of capital and adjacent areas to capital which was under the direct control of king and administered by central officials.

Core region was divided into provinces and districts and officials of this region enjoyed wide power as confirmed by the Ashokan inscriptions. Peripheral region included the tribal peoples where the semi-autonomous rulers looked after the affairs. Guilds also enjoyed high autonomy as state did not interfere in their functioning. Elements of bureaucratic state was present in the state system because various categories of officials were presented in administration.

There were 18 Tirthas in number which was the highest category of officials like head of ministries. Adhyakshas were 28 in number which formed the 2^nd highest category, head of departments. Mahamatyas and Amatyas were the next category, appointed as per their capacity. The Mauryan state was an example of military state as there was no differentiation between the civilians and military officials. Most of the states of ancient and medieval were of this nature.

Provincial and sub-provincial administration was also in developed stage in Mauryan empire. Kumara or Aryaputra or Uparaja was the head of the provincial administration. Pradeshika was district chief and was assisted by the Uktas and Rajukas. Village was smallest unit of administration, headed by Gopa. The polity was also secular in character as no belief and religion was imposed upon the peoples.

 The Mauryan state was a pan-India state as territorial expansion was aggressively followed by the rulers which represented the imperialistic nature of state. The polity was characterized by emphasis on grand ideas. According to the Arthashastra, the king was to use authority for overall benefit of people. The ideal of Chakravartishetra (Universal Monarch) was also followed by the rulers of Mauryan state.

Change in Politico-Administration Under Ashoka

Ashoka the great, was one of the greatest rulers in the history of humankind. The succussion of Ashoka as the king brought number of changes in the politico-administration system. He considered his subjects like his sons and daughters as a result the polity of Mauryan state assumed the paternal nature. The Mauryan polity also adopted the character the character of welfare as different welfare measures was taken by Ashoka for his subjects.

Trees were planted along the roads, medicinal herbs were cultivated, wells were dug to ensure the availability of water to travelers and rest houses were constructed. Ashoka ordered his official to continuous inspection of these areas, at least once in five years. He also regularly visited different parts of the empire. He propounded Dhamma for ethical and moral upliftment of his subjects.

The Mauryan state assumed the constitutional nature under Ashoka because edicts of Ashoka contain responsibilities and duties of various officials. These edicts were erected through the state so peoples can read them and can demand the performance of responsibilities of officials. The imperialistic outlook was also going under change as policy of military conquest was abandoned by Ashoka and spiritual conquest through the spread of Dhamma was adopted. He also sent his ambassadors to other neighbor countries for spreading the Dhamma, this was recorded in the 13^th major rock edict of Ashoka.

 Thus, Mauryan empire saw different development in politico-administration during the different rulers and underwent major changes during the rule of Ashoka.