322 BCE -185 BCE

Mauryan Empire

The earliest and most important empire to be established in the Indian subcontinent was the Mauryan Empire. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, the vast Mauryan Empire, ranging from the Oxus valley to the Kaveri delta, was given a well-knit centralized administration by its rulers. Chandragupta was a great warrior as well as a capable administrator. In his vast empire, he established competent and efficient administrative machinery. In organizing his administration, he was supported by the famous diplomat and politician Kautilya (also known as Chanakya) who was his guru. Chandragupta political system was largely based on the ideals outlined in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.^[1] The Arthashastra of Kautilya contains information regarding the Mauryan empire’s administrative system. Besides, the edicts of Asoka are another important source that shed light on the centralized administrative system developed by the Mauryan emperors. Further, we have epigraphical sources, literary sources, foreign narratives, and archaeological excavation materials about Mauryan rulers. Mauryan Empire left behind itself a great legacy of centralized government and administration for the later rulers, which continues to this day; for example, the Lion Capital of Mauryan king Ashoka, located at Sarnath is adopted as the national emblem of the Republic of India.

Arthashastra which formed the basis of governance and administration during the Mauryan period seems to be interested mainly in the socio-economic problems of the citizens. Despite adhering to previous traditions regarding rulers’ duties to their subjects, they disregard the sacerdotalism ideals found in the Epics and Brahmans. The main goal of the Mauryan kings was to find ways to bring about happiness in society, and they believe that their political powers serve as the essential foundation for social existence. Arthasastra stipulates chaos in the absence of a common superior and advocates coercive authority as the foundation of all governments. A society driven by greed or passion attempts to tyrannize the weak, and as a result, the government had to suffer. In order to end such a condition of conflict and violence, Arthashastra argues regal authority is absolutely necessary, which they obtain when the monarch has sole coercive power.^[2] As the political condition of India in the 4th century BCE was in great turmoil because of the incompetent Nanda dynasty of Magadha and Greek invasions in the North-Western, a centralized empire based on a monarchical form of government was thought essential to be established, by Chanakya, the author of Arthashastra. Great standing armies came into existence as evidenced by the Greek writers who speak of the vast armaments of Maghadha and of the Andhras, the Kalingas, and the Pandyas.^[3]

When the Mauryan empire was established in 322 BCE, it developed a very extensive system of administration to govern the vast territory under its rule. The Mauryan empire was monarchical and centralized, with the king assisted in administrative matters by a council of ministers and also by officers. The power of the state was still diffused, since the Mauryan Empire was divided into a number of provinces, which were further divided into districts, and elaborate arrangements were made for both rural and urban administration.^[4]

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