[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Mauryan Polity](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932) › c10.s2.t2.3 # The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t2.3 The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t2.3 - **Language:** English ### [c10.s2.t2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.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. - [Previous: c10.s2.t2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.2) - [Next: c10.s2.t2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.4) - [Up: c10.s2.t2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.3) · Pramāṇa