Officers and Duties Matching Explained

This question requires matching ancient Indian administrative officers listed in List I with their respective charges or duties mentioned in List II. Let's analyze each officer and their role:

Understanding List I Officers and List II Charges

• (a) Rajukas: In the Mauryan administration, Rajukas were officers responsible for districts. Their duties primarily included judicial functions (like acting as a District Judge) and overseeing revenue collection within their jurisdiction.
• (b) Pradesikas: These were high-ranking officials, often heading districts or provinces. Their responsibilities were broad, typically encompassing supervision of revenue collection and maintaining law and order, which includes police functions.
• (c) Yuktas: Yuktas were officials mainly associated with the treasury. They managed the accounts related to the revenues and expenditure of the kingdom, functioning similarly to accountants or revenue collectors. In a broader sense, they could be considered secretaries managing financial records.
• (d) Dharma Mahamatras: This unique post was established by Emperor Ashoka. The Dharma Mahamatras were responsible for spreading the principles of 'Dharma' (righteousness, moral conduct) throughout the empire, focusing on public welfare and moral upliftment.

Matching the Lists

Based on the historical roles associated with these officers, we can establish the following matches:

• (a) Rajukas are matched with (4) District Judge, highlighting their judicial responsibilities.
• (b) Pradesikas are matched with (3) Revenue Collection and Police, reflecting their role as district heads overseeing administration and law enforcement.
• (c) Yuktas are matched with (2) Secretaries, representing their function in managing treasury accounts and administrative records.
• (d) Dharma Mahamatras are correctly matched with (1) Religion, as their primary duty was the promotion of Dharma.

Therefore, the correct sequence of matches is (a) - (4), (b) - (3), (c) - (2), (d) - (1).

Correct Option Selection

The option that reflects this correct matching sequence is Option 1.