Focus Question 1:
How did the Mauryan Empire govern India and its Empire?
Chandragupta Maurya, a popular Indian general, claimed the throne of the kingdom of Magadha in about 321 B.C., starting the Mauryan Empire. By 303 B.C., he controlled more than 2,000 miles of Indian land. His rule was opulent and totalitarian. His adviser, Kautlya, who wrote a book called the Arthasastra to assist Chandragupta rule his empire.
Following the advise of the book, Chandragupta created a very bureaucratic government. Chandragupta divided his empire into four provinces, each headed by a royal viceroy, and further divided each province into local districts, whose leaders collected taxes and enforced laws. Lying and theft were very uncommon, probably because there were very harsh penalties.
Chandragupta also controlled a very large and powerful army:
To pay for these extensive troops, the government imposed very high taxes, which were seldom left unpaid, because the penalty for not paying taxes was death.
Chandragupta's grandson, Asoka, gained control of the throne in 269 B.C., bringing the Mauryan Empire to its greatest heights. He followed in the footsteps of Chandragupta and waged war to expand his territory. Asoka also had many roads built around his empire to make travel easier for his officials and to improve communication and trade.
Following the advise of the book, Chandragupta created a very bureaucratic government. Chandragupta divided his empire into four provinces, each headed by a royal viceroy, and further divided each province into local districts, whose leaders collected taxes and enforced laws. Lying and theft were very uncommon, probably because there were very harsh penalties.
Chandragupta also controlled a very large and powerful army:
- 600,000 infantry
- 30,000 cavalry
- 9,000 elephants
To pay for these extensive troops, the government imposed very high taxes, which were seldom left unpaid, because the penalty for not paying taxes was death.
Chandragupta's grandson, Asoka, gained control of the throne in 269 B.C., bringing the Mauryan Empire to its greatest heights. He followed in the footsteps of Chandragupta and waged war to expand his territory. Asoka also had many roads built around his empire to make travel easier for his officials and to improve communication and trade.