Mauryan administration

The Mauryan empire was the largest State in the whole of the ancient world
and for the first time it introduced a new form of government i.e.,
centralized government. Within its framework it united a number of people
and tribes.
The King:
The Mauryan King did not claim any divine origin yet he was taken to be the
representative of the Gods. Kings were described as Devanampriya,
Beloved of the Gods. The King was the source and centre of all authority,
head of administration, law and justice and also the supreme judge. He
himself selected his ministers, appointed high officials and controlled their
activities.
There was a well-planned system of supervision and inspection. The King
led a strenuous life and was ever intent on the promotion of the well-being
of his subjects. According to Kautilya, an ideal ruler is one who is a native
of the territory, who follows the teachings of the Shastras, who is free from
disease, is brave, strong, confident, truthful and of noble birth.
The Central Government:
The Mauryan Government was completely centralized -a purely bureaucratic
set-up-and was managed through several officers of different ranks. Kautilya
has said: "administration cannot be the work of one man, just as one
wheel cannot drive a vehicle".
The normal administrative machinery prescribed for the government of a
State was
(i) King, (ii) the Viceroys and Governors functioning as King's
representatives, (iii) the Ministers, (iv) the Heads of Departments, (v) The
Subordinate Civil Service, and (vi) the Officers in charge of rural
administration.
Council of Ministers:
The King was assisted by a council of ministers called the mantriparishad;
the ministers themselves were known as mantrins. There was no hard and
fast rule regarding their numbers at any time. Their number varied according
to need. Their salary was 40 panas per year. The Arthasashtra gives a list of
the qualities that a minister should possess, and stresses on those of birth,
integrity and intelligence.
It further suggests that these qualities should be ascertained from a variety of
sources. The mantriparishad consisted of Purohit (high priest), Senapati
(Commander-in-Chief), Yuvaraj (heir-apparent) and a few other ministers.
The Council or mantriparishad had its Secretary in charge of its office,
which has been called by Kautilya as Mantri- parishadadhyaksha
Asoka in Rock Edict III and VI mentions his Parishad for the disposal of
urgent matters by the Council. The Arthasashtra lists the Chief Minister or
the mahamantri and also distinguishes between the ministers and the Council
of Ministers.

Secretaries:
The Central administration was conducted through a number of senior
officers, who were like modern Secretaries in the ministries and performed
judicial and administrative functions. The Amatyas of the Arthasashtra have
been equated with Secretaries.
Bureaucracy:
The machinery of Central Government dealt with by Kautilya is worthy of a
modern Manual of Administration. It contemplates a vast, numerous and all-
pervading bureaucracy, keeping itself in touch with all aspects of social,
economic and administrative needs of the country.
The speedy and successful creation of a hierarchy of officials and their
organisation into a well-knit bureaucracy was a great achievement of the
Mauryan administration.

Expansion of Magadha under Maurya dynasty

The approximate extent of the

Magadha state in the 5th century BC.

The Nanda Empire at its greatest

extent under Dhana Nanda (323 BC).
 The Mauryan Empire under
Chandragupta Maurya (320 BC) after conquering the Nanda Empire.

Chandragupta extended the

borders of the Maurya Empire to Persia after defeating Seleucus (305
BC).

Chandragupta extended the

borders of the empire southward into the Deccan (300 BC).
 Ashoka extended into Kalinga
(265 BC).