The Mauryan Polity c10.s1.t1: Administrative Divisions

c10.s1.t1.1

This wide and extensive empire of the Mauryas was then a union of states, loosely called provinces, under the supreme dominion of the Emperors like Candragupta, Bindusāra, Aśoka and his successors. With such extensive territory it is impossible for the central executive machinery, however efficient, to function properly. Hence in those days, as is now being done, the empire was split up into different administrative units, these in their turn into smaller divisions, so as to facilitate the smooth course of the general administration. These administrative divisions may be termed for the sake of convenience, provinces, districts and villages. It cannot be said with any definiteness that the government of the provinces was an innovation of the Mauryas. It is perhaps reasonable to take the view that provincial government began with the Śaiśunāgas, and the Nandas under whom the empire was growing.