• The Mauryan Empire was organized into a hierarchical administrative structure for effective governance. It was divided into provinces, which were further divided into districts, and districts into rural and urban centers.
• Saptanga Theory of State: Kautilya, in his treatise Arthashastra, detailed the Saptanga theory, which outlines seven essential elements (Angas or Prakritis) of a state:
• Swami (The Sovereign King): The Swami is the chief executive head of the state, embodying the essence of all other elements.
• Amatya (The Minister): Kautilya described a detailed system for recruiting Amatyas and other officials, emphasizing that they should be morally and ethically pure, honest in financial matters, and of good character.
• Janapada (The People and the Territory): The Janapada represents the state’s territory and population, symbolizing a “territorial society.” It encompasses both the land and its inhabitants.
• Durga (Fortification): Fortification was considered essential by Kautilya for the defense and protection of the state. He advised that the state fortify its territories on all sides.
• Kosha (The Treasury): A prosperous treasury was crucial. Kautilya directed the king to amass the nation’s wealth through legitimate and righteous means, avoiding unfair and immoral methods.
• Danda (The Army or The Force): A strong, hereditary Kshatriya army was deemed the most critical requirement for the state’s security and enforcement of law.
• Mitra (The Allies): Allies, or Mitra, were considered vital. Kautilya recognized two types of allies: Sahaja (natural allies) and Kritrima (acquired allies).
• This elaborate system and theoretical framework helped in the efficient administration and consolidation of the Mauryan Empire.

Polity

• Mauryan administration was highly decentralized. At the head of the administration was the king. He was assisted by a council of ministers and a purohita or priest, who was a person of great importance, and secretaries known as mahamatriyas. There were civil servants called Amatyas to look after the day-to-day administration. These officers were similar to the IAS officers of independent India. The method of selection of Amatyas was elaborately given by Kautilya. Asoka appointed Dhamma Mahamatras to supervise the spread of Dhamma. Thus the Mauryan state had a well organized civil service.
• The Mauryan Empire established a comprehensive administrative system with the king at its center. Although he was supported by a council of ministers, the king had the final say on all matters concerning revenue, law and order, war, and other aspects of governance. The king was expected to be vigilant and always accessible to his officials. In one of his rock edicts, Ashoka proclaimed that even common citizens could approach him at any time. He also expressed that he regarded all his subjects as his children and desired their well-being both in this life and beyond.
• The king’s council of ministers, known as the mantriparishad, played a key advisory role. Additionally, various officials assisted the king in fulfilling his duties. These officials were referred to as amatyas, mahamatras, and adhyakshas. The Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, lists 27 adhyakshas or superintendents responsible for managing different economic departments such as agriculture, mining, weaving, and trade.

Revenue Administration 

• Samharta, the chief of the Revenue Department, was in charge of the collection of all revenues of the empire. The revenues came from land, irrigation, customs, shop tax, ferry tax, forests, mines and pastures, license fee from craftsmen, and fines collected in the law courts. The land revenue was normally fixed as one sixth of the produce. The main items of expenditure of the state related to king and his household, army, government servants, public works, poor relief, religion, etc.