Understanding Mauryan Administration Through Megasthenes' Account

Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, is a crucial source of information regarding the Mauryan Empire and its administration. His work, known as 'Indica', provides valuable insights into various aspects of life and governance during that period, including the detailed structure of the Mauryan administration, particularly focusing on the city of Pataliputra.

Megasthenes on Mauryan Military Activities and Sub-Committees

According to Megasthenes' descriptions, the Mauryan administration was highly organized, involving various boards or committees responsible for different governmental functions. One significant area he detailed was the military administration and the system established for managing its activities.

Megasthenes specifically mentioned that there was a major board overseeing military activities. This board was not a single body, but was divided into several sub-committees to manage the diverse branches of the military and related operations efficiently. The question asks about the number of these sub-committees responsible for conducting military activities as mentioned by him.

As per Megasthenes' account in 'Indica', the military board in the Mauryan administration was divided into six sub-committees. Each of these sub-committees had specific duties related to different aspects of the military.

These six sub-committees were responsible for:

• Infantry
• Cavalry
• Elephants
• Chariots
• Navy (or Admiralty)
• Commissariat (Logistics and Transport)

This detailed structure highlights the sophistication of the military organization within the Mauryan administration as observed by Megasthenes. The presence of specific sub-committees for different military wings and logistics ensured effective management of military activities across the vast Mauryan Empire.

Therefore, based on Megasthenes' description of the Mauryan administration, there were six sub-committees dedicated to overseeing military activities.