What type of administrative system characterized the governance of the Mauryan Empire?
Centralized administration
The Mauryan Empire, particularly under rulers like Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka, was organized around a highly centralized administrative system.
Power was concentrated in the hands of the emperor, supported by an extensive bureaucracy, a structured system of ministers (mantriparishad), provincial governors, and an elaborate espionage network, as described in texts like the Arthashastra.
This centralization allowed uniform control over a vast territory stretching across the Indian subcontinent, unlike decentralised, provisional, or oligarchic systems where authority would be distributed or temporary in nature.
Therefore, the administrative system that characterized Mauryan governance was Centralized administration.
Which characteristic of the Mauryan administration, as described in the Arthashastra, contributed most significantly to the effective governance of its vast territories?
Which one among the following rulers established Pataliputra as the capital of the Magadhan Empire?
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :
List-I (Mahamatta) | List-II (Function) | ||
A. | Anta-mahamatta | 1. | Women’s welfare |
B. | Ithijhakha-mahamatta | 2. | Spread of Dhamma |
C. | Dhamma-mahamatta | 3. | Associated with city |
D. | Nagalaviyohalaka-ahamatta | 4. | In-charge of frontier areas |
Which one of the following was not a part of the dhamma of King Ashoka?
Consider the following statements about ancient Indian inscriptions:
1. The earliest inscriptions are in Sanskrit.
2. Kharosthi script, used in inscriptions in the north-west, was deciphered with the help of coins of Indo-Greek kings who ruled over the area.
3. Most of the inscriptions mention grand, unique events, and routine agricultural practices do not find mention.
How many of the above statements is/are correct
Which of the following Mauryan rulers did Seleucus fight against in the Seleucid–Mauryan War?