Mauryan Administration - Part 2.

Army – 

According to Greek writer-historian Pliny during the first ruler of Mauryan Empire Chandragupta the strength of the army was 600,000 foot soldiers, 30,000 cavalry, and 9,000 elephants, besides chariots. 

The army was under the supervision of a governing board of 30 people which was again divided into 6 boards of 5 members each. Each board was responsible for 1 department, this way there were 6 departments.

These 6 departments are - 1. Infantry,  2.  Cavalry, 3. Chariots,  4. Elephant ,  5. Navy,  6. Transport and Commissariat.

Top Officers of the Empire were known as ‘Tirtha’.

King or Emperor was the head of the administration. He was the Law or head of the law. 

He had direct control over ‘Madhyadesh’ and it is important too because Patliputra, the capital of the empire was in this area and loosing it is the meaning of losing the nation. 

This ‘Madhyadesh’ is densely populated and fertile so getting food and army is easy and is in abundance even today too. In this ‘Madhyadesh’ there are many iron ore mines and dense forests.

In those days these forests were more big and dense, elephants are found here; these elephants were trained and used in wars and were seen as a big winner in wars. Irons are the main metal which is used to make arms and armatures. That’s why Empire took shape in this region.

‘Mahamatra’ (head officer) were appointed in all the major cities of ‘Madhyadesh’ and in the major cities all over the nation. In ‘Patliputra’ and ‘Koshambi’ there were ‘Mahamatra’. 

These ‘Mahamatra’ were directly responsible to king or Emperor and they have to directly report to the Emperor. 

The protection of the king was upon a special group of women warriors from Amazonian origin.

These women were living 24 hours with the emperor like a shadow. These ladies were kings ‘body women’.

Amatya (Minister), Purohit (Family Priest), Senapati (Army General) and Yuvraja Prince) were considered as the ‘Highest level of Officers’. 

They were getting 48 thousand ‘Pann’ (money of Mauryan period). (1 Pann is equal to ¾ tola of a silver coin). (1 tola is 11.66 grams). 

Lowest grade Officers were given 60 Pann as salary. Some employs were getting 10 to 20 Pann as their salary.  This way we find that most of the employs were getting cash in salary.

The author of ‘Arthsastra’ Kautalya or Chanakaya has mentioned 7 parts of a state.

 These are –

(1) King,  (2) Amatya (Minister),  (3) Janpada (District),  (4) Durg (Fort),  (5) Kosh (Treasure),  (6) Sena (Army),  and  (7) Mitra (Friends).

 Any Nation is based on these parts. King is the head of these parts. That’s why Kautalya has given stress on the ability of the king. Arthsastra says ‘The character of the king is the character of the people’.

The work of a king is divided into 3 parts. –

1. Karyapalika (Executive) – 

Appointment of all Top posts of the state - Amatya (Minister), Purohit (Family Priest), Senapati (Army General), Yuvraja Prince), Guptchar (secret service agents), Rajdut (Ambassadors),  ‘Mahamatra’, Council of Ministers etc was the duty of the king.

 Meeting of the council of ministers, Policy decision and its workout was the one of the most important work of the king. 

Taking decisions on the report of the secret service people and its result was also the task of the king.

New budget, Income – expenditure of the state, taxation its implementation was the work of the king. 

All departments of the state were under control of the king. War and Treaty was not possible without king’s order or consent. Appointments to the most important offices were made by the ruler himself.

2. Vidhayaka (Legislative) -

 In his inscriptions Ashoka writes that ‘The order of the king is above all orders’. 

Kautalya or Chanakaya called king ‘Dharma Pravaratak’ (king is known as Promulgator of social order).

In Arthsastra ‘Chanakaya’ declares “ Whatever pleases himself the king shall not consider as good, but whatever pleases his subjects he shall consider as good”. 

The king is also advised to show fatherly kindness to his people. 

During making or implementation of law there was no difference between any religion and between foreigners and Local citizens. 

King often laid down the broad lines of policy and issued rescripts and codes of regulations (sasan, Dharma Niyama) for the guidance of his officers and people.

3. Nayaya (Judiciary) - 

The king is the chief Judge. He is the final authority in any case. Megasthenes writes ‘the king took part in wars and administration of Justice’. Chanakaya writes ‘Justice shouldn’t be delayed’. 

In ‘Arthsastra’ at another place Chanakaya says –

“धमॅश्च व्यवहारश्च चरितरमं राजशाशनम्, विवादार्थश्चतुष्पादां पश्चिमः पूवॅ-बाधकः । (king is the source of the law, and order of the king is more important than the ‘Dharma).

Mantriparisad (Council of ministers) –

There was a council of ministers under the Prime Minister to help the Emperor to look out the works of the nation. 

Chanakaya is the first prime minister of the Mauryan Empire.

 Due to his able guidance Emperor Chandragupta never felt burdened and was free to unite the nation under one rule.

In Bindusara’s (son of Chandragupta) council of ministers there were 500 ministers. 

Chanakaya says in Arthsastra that small council is neither good for the king or for the people.

 The salary of the council of the ministers was 12,000 pann. (1 Pann is equal to ¾ tola of a silver coin). (1 tola is 11.66 grams). 

The proceedings of the council were secret.  The decision was taken with majority, but if needed or king thinks it appropriate he was able to change the decision. This council was not for daily work, it was called when needed.