[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 # The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t2: The mahāmātras The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t2 - **Language:** English ### The mahāmātras ### [c10.s2.t2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.2) ⁴ Bk. I, ch. 12. ### [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. ### [c10.s2.t2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.4) ⁵ Bk. II, ch. 5. ### [c10.s2.t2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.6) Similarity of offices in the \*Arthaśāstra\* and the Edicts ### [c10.s2.t2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.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 ### [c10.s2.t2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.8) sūtra sūtra, pp. 285, 287, and 300. See also H. C. Chakladar, \*Social Life in Ancient India\* (Greater India Society publication, No. 3), p. 106. ### [c10.s2.t2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.9) ¹ Bk. II, ch. 36. ### [c10.s2.t2.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.10) ² Bk. I, ch. 13. ### [c10.s2.t2.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.11) ³ \*Corpus\*, p. 92. ### [c10.s2.t2.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.12) ⁴ \*Ibid.\* ### [c10.s2.t2.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.13) ⁵ Bk. II, ch. 27. ### [c10.s2.t2.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.14) ⁶ XII R.E. Girnār, \*Corpus\*, p. 20. ### [c10.s2.t2.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.15) ⁷ Mānsehrā, XII and Shāh., XII. ### [c10.s2.t2.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.16) ¹ Bk. II, ch. 36. ### [c10.s2.t2.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2.17) ² Ibid., p. 10. ## Cites (7) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya.1.12) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit - [Kāmasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.kama.kamasutra-school.vatsyayana) — Vātsyāyana Mallanāga, Sanskrit - [Minor Rock Edict I](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.epigraphy.asoka.mre.mre1) — Prakrit - [Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.epigraphy.corpora.cii) - [Major Rock Edict V](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.epigraphy.asoka.re.re05) — Prakrit - [Pillar Edict VII](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.epigraphy.asoka.pe.pe7) — Prakrit - [Major Rock Edict XII](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.epigraphy.asoka.re.re12) — Prakrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1932.c10.s2.t2) · Pramāṇa