The Mauryan Polity c10.s3.t10: Aśoka's interest in municipal affairs
The Mauryan Polity c10.s3.t10
- Language
- English
Aśoka's interest in municipal affairs
c10.s3.t10.1
From a study of the inscriptions of Aśoka it can be seen that parks, hospitals, rest-houses, educational institutions, and metalled roads with medicinal plants and herbs received the attention of the Mauryan city-administration. The inscriptions further tell us that on these roads banyan trees and mango trees were planted affording shade to cattle and men. At intervals of eight *kos* or one *yojana* wells were dug with flights of steps for easily getting to the water. It appears that watersheds were also built here and there.¹ To these may again be added theatrical entertainments, public shows, and exhibition. In short the Mauryan state bestowed utmost care and attention to beautify the cities and make them centres of culture and light. In this direction Aśoka, more than any other monarch of the dynasty, did much and earned the eternal gratitude of his subjects. /
c10.s3.t10.2
¹ See Seventh Pillar Edicts; Delhi-Topra, *Corpus*, pp. 134-135.
c10.s3.t10.3
CHAPTER VII.