Question

What was the most important feature of the Mauryan Administration?
A.Wide powers enjoyed by the provincial governors
B.The presence of a ‘council of ministers’
C.The presence of vast, numerous powers of the bureaucracy
D. An extensive network of spy-system

Answer 1

Hint:Let's discuss the Mauryan Empire, The Maurya Empire was a powerful Iron Age historical force based on Magada and founded by Chandragupta Maurya, who ruled the Indian subcontinent between 322 and 185 BCE. Involving much of South Asia, the Maurya Empire was centered on the conquest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, with its capital at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna). The state was the most important political party in existence in the Indian subcontinent, extending more than 5 million square miles 1.9 million square miles) to its zenith under Ashoka.

Complete answer:
The main characteristics/features of the Mauryan administration/ Empire were:
a. There have been five important political institutions within the Mauryan Empire: Patliputra (capital) and therefore the provincial centers of Taxila, Nigeria, Tosali and Suvarnagiri.
b. it would not have been possible for such a vast empire to have such an inflexible system of governance, so historians believe that the power of the administration was probably too strong for the capital and the provincial institutions.
c. Links over land routes and rivers were established to govern the State.
d. The military was an important tool in expanding not only the territories of the state but also governing them.
e. Committees and subcommittees are formed to coordinate military operations. They take care of the navy, the horses, the chariots, the elephants, the soldiers who hire and manage the transport and food of the soldiers.
f. Asoka held his Kingdom together by spreading the doctrine of Dhamma, whose name was simple and practical throughout the world. The doctrine spread ideas of peace, nonviolence, and respect for elders. Dhamma mahamatta as they were appointed to spread the principles of Dhamma.
g. The last aspect of the Mauryan administration is clear within the Asokan inscriptions we have studied. It is because Ashoka wrote many aspects of his ‘hama’ policy. In line with the recording, he also appointed special officials called Dhamma Mahamatras to distribute the Dhamma.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note:The Mauryan Empire had an effective and centralized administration. The main source of data regarding the administration under the Maurya Empire is the work of Chanakakya, Arthashastra. Megasthenes also gives some details in her book Indica.