The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c30.2

v1.c30.2

THE inscriptions of Açoka give us, for the first time in history, a comprehensive survey of India from the Hindu Kush to Ceylon; but it would be a mistake to assume that even Açoka, the most powerful of the Mauryas, maintained full political control over an empire of so vast an extent. His edicts clearly show that there were certain well-defined grades in the influence which he claimed to exercise in different regions. There were first of all 'the king's dominions,' by which we must no doubt understand the provinces of the empire—the central government of Pāṭaliputra (the United Provinces and Bihār) and the viceroyalties of Takshaçilā (the Punjab), Avanti or Ujjayinī (Western and Central India north of the Tāpti), and Kaliṅga (Orissa and the Ganjām District of Madras). Over all kingdoms and peoples in these provinces the emperor was supreme. He was the head of a great confederation of states which were united under him for imperial purposes, but which for all purposes of civil government and internal administration retained their independence. He was the link which bound together in association for peace or war powers which were the natural rivals of one another.