The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t2: The mahāmātras

The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t2

Language: English

The mahāmātras

c10.s2.t2.1

Let us now examine the status assigned to and the functions expected of the *mahāmātras*, the *rājukas*, and the *pradeṣṭṛs* one after the other. The term *mahāmātra* occurs in several places in the *Arthaśāstra* and has been translated by Shāmā Śāstri as ‘minister’.⁴

c10.s2.t2.2

⁴ Bk. I, ch. 12.

c10.s2.t2.3

There is also another term *mahāmātrīya*⁵ meaning ‘the official-chamber of the ministry’. Excepting the fact that these *mahāmātras* were ministers or high officials of the state, no other functions definitely marked as such can be gathered from the *Arthaśāstra*. A comparative study of the *Arthaśāstra* and inscriptions of Aśoka⁶ where the designation *mahāmātra* occurs, bears the possibility of equating the term *mahāmātra* in the Edicts with that of the *adhyakṣa* in the *Arthaśāstra*. This possibility of change was only in designation but not in function. This correspondence of *adhyakṣa-mahāmātra* does not negative the special interpretation of *mahāmātra* meaning a minister. It would seem that whenever the term is used without any prefix it may be generally taken to denote ministers. More of this later on.

c10.s2.t2.4

⁵ Bk. II, ch. 5.

c10.s2.t2.5

⁶ Rock Edict V, XII, Minor Rock Edict I, Kalinga Edicts, Pillar Edict VII, Kauśāmbi and Sārnāth Edicts. Cp. Vātsyāyana, *Kāma-

c10.s2.t2.6

Similarity of offices in the *Arthaśāstra* and the Edicts

c10.s2.t2.7

As Kauṭalya mentions a number of *adhyakṣas* in charge of the respective departments of the state Aśoka speaks of a number of superintendents in charge of different departments. We shall mention here such officers from the *Arthaśāstra* as correspond to those under the *mahāmātra* officials of the Edicts. *Nāgaraka* who is the superintendent of the town¹ corresponds to *mahāmātra-nāgaraka*. The *paura-vyāvahārika*² corresponds to the *nagala-viyohālaka*.³ These latter are found as administrators of justice for their cities, Tośāli and Samāpa.⁴ Perhaps the *gaṇikādhyakṣa*⁵ or the superintendent of courtesans can be compared with *Ithijhakha-mahāmāta*⁶ or *strīadhyakṣamahāmātras*.⁷ Probably these officials attended to the needs and comforts of the women members of the royal family. What their functions exactly were is not clear. A comparison can again be made between the *dharmā-vasa-thinah* of the *Arthaśāstra*¹ and the *dharma-mahāmā-tras* of Aśoka. In the former they were managers of religious and charitable institutions, who administered to the wants of the *śrotriyas* and ascetics, and who kept in check the *pāṣaṇḍis* and other heretical sects. They interested themselves in the promotion of morality and religion.²