Question
Download Solution PDFWhat was the function of an officer called Samaharta?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is Tax assessment.Key PointsThe Samaharta:
- The Samaharta was one of the most important executive officials in the Mauryan administration.
- His primary responsibility was to oversee the collection of taxes from all types of sources.
- Most of the superintendents, or adhayakshas, who were responsible for running various economic departments, functioned under his orders.
- He played a crucial role in the revenue system of the Mauryan empire.
Additional Information
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Role of the King | - Chief role in Mauryan administration. - Made final decisions on revenue, law, order, and war. |
| Accessible Rule (Ashoka) | - Rock edicts highlighted availability to common people. - Subjects seen as children; their well-being. |
| Council of Ministers | - Assisted by mantriparishad (council of ministers). - Advised king on various matters. |
| Administrative Officials | - Amatyas, mahamatras, adhayakshas served key roles. - Arthasastra gives a list of 27 adhayakshas or superintendents who were responsible for running various economic departments like agriculture, mining, weaving, trade, etc. |
| Role of Samaharta | - Vital executive official. - Oversaw tax collection, directed many superintendents' actions. |
| Military and Intelligence | - Large Mauryan army. - Greek writer Justin's figures possibly exaggerated (Chandragupta had 6,00,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, 9,000 elephants, 8,000 chariots) - Six army committees. - Antahpala responsible for frontier forts' security. |
| Judicial Administration | - King supreme in judicial matters. - Civil, criminal courts at local levels. - Village elders. |
| Provincial Division | - Empire divided into provinces (Taxila, Suvarnagiri, Tosali, Ujjain). - Controlled by royal princes. |
| City Administration (Patliputra according to Megasthenes) | - Managed by six committees, each with specific duties. - Included industry, trade, tax collection. |
| Diverse Administrative Control | - Control varied across empire. - Central Magadh under strict supervision, other regions experienced differing degrees of control. |
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