The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c12.151

c12.151

Below the viceroys and their advisory boards stood a number of officials divided into various classes. The edicts mention Mahâmâtras, Râjuka or Lâjuka, Virutha or Vyuṭha, Yuta and Puruṣa. It is possible that Puruṣa—"a man"—probably an abbreviation of Râjapuruṣa or king's man, at first only meant a king's servant and applied to all government employees. But in the time of Aśoka the term seems to be confined to a particular class of agents—supervisors, reporters or spies. The high officers of the realm were known as Mahâmâtras—a term which signifies minister or courtier in the Jâtakas. The status of Mahâmâtras may be inferred from the Inscriptions. In the Siddâpur edict, the emperor addresses himself not only to the provincial governor but, through him, also to the Mahâmâtras. In the Jaugada separate edict, he wants his commands to be communicated to Mahâmâtras. It is important to notice that the emperor kept himself in touch with the highest officers throughout the realm. In the Third Rock Edict certain Mahâmâtras are called Prâdeśikas, a term which seems to signify district officers.¹ It appears that a province was divided into a number of districts each under a Prâdeśika. In the Dhauli and Jaugada separate edicts the term Mahâmâtras is applied also to Nagaravyavahârikas, probably judicial officers in towns. This indication supplements the evidence of Megasthenes and corroborates his general observation that towns had an administrative machinery of their own.¹ The application of the term Mahâmâtra to various classes of high functionaries indicates a supreme civil service of the kingdom, which guided the day-to-day administration and from which all important officers were recruited. When Aśoka started censorial and missionary activities, his Dhamma-Mahâmâtras were chosen from the same ranks or assimilated to them.