The Mauryan Polity c10.s1.t2: Mauryan Provinces
The Mauryan Polity c10.s1.t2
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Mauryan Provinces
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Coming to the Mauryas we know there were several viceroyalties under Candragupta. Unfortunately we are not in possession of the full materials to make a definite statement as to the number of provinces, the names of viceroys and such other details. There is evidence to show that Girnār was the headquarters of one of the provinces of Candragupta, and its governor (rāṣṭrīya) was one Puṣyagupta Vaiśya, apparently a local chief.¹ It is evident from the Buddhist books that prince Bindusāra was the viceroy of the southern provinces.² It is reasonable to assume that the provincial administration continued to be growing under Bindusāra as gathered from the Buddhist legends. Under him Taxila and Ujjain were among the provincial capitals. At these places Bindusāra appointed his sons Sumana (otherwise known as Susīma) and Aśoka as governors.³ This is further corroborated by the Divyāvadāna which mentions a revolt of the citizens of Taxila during the reign of Bindusāra, when Aśoka was sent to take up the governorship and pacify the people.⁴
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¹ Ep. Ind., VIII, pp. 46-47.
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² Mahāvaṃśa, Ch. V.
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³ Ibid., Ch. V, pp. 45-46, (S.B. Ceylon) Vol. I.
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⁴ Pp. 371-72.
Linked texts (2)
- Epigraphia Indica
- Mahāvaṃsa — Pāli