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U.P.P.C.S. Mains 2009

Mauryan Administration

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which of the following sources gives a detailed account of the city administration of the Mauryas?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept While many texts discuss Mauryan rule, the specific board-based municipal management of Pataliputra is uniquely detailed in Greek accounts.

Explanation Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador, describes in 'Indica' that the city of Pataliputra was governed by a municipal council of 30 members divided into six boards of five each.

Logical Breakup
Indica (B): Specifically detail the six boards (Trade, Census, Industry, Taxes, etc.).
Arthashastra (A): Focuses more on general statecraft and centralized roles (Nagaraka) rather than the board system described by Megasthenes.

Active Recall

Question

What were some of the duties of the six municipal boards?

Answer

They managed industrial arts, foreign visitors, birth/death records, trade and commerce, manufactured goods, and the collection of taxes.

Core Insight

Megasthenes' account provides an outsider's meticulous view of the highly bureaucratic and organized urban life in the Mauryan capital.

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