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U.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2020

Mauryan Statecraft

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The official 'Agronomai' during Mauryan age was related to which of the following field?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Greek accounts of the Mauryan Empire provide specific titles for administrative roles that managed infrastructure.

Explanation Megasthenes in his 'Indica' describes the 'Agronomai' as district officials who constructed roads and placed pillars every ten stadia to show distances.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: 'Agronomai' were specifically linked to rural administration and infrastructure (roads and canals).
Logic 2: 'Astynomoi' were their counterparts in charge of city administration.

Active Recall

Question

What was the difference between Agronomai and Astynomoi?

Answer

Agronomai managed district and rural affairs (roads/irrigation), while Astynomoi managed city affairs (census/industry).

Core Insight

The detailed road-building duties of the Agronomai highlight the Mauryan state's commitment to facilitating trade and military movement across a massive empire.

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