Consider the following statements with reference to the administration during Mauryan period:
The district was under the command of a Sthanika.
Gopas were the officials who maintained proper records and accounts.
Pradeshtris were the officers responsible for the suppression of criminals.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Correct Answer:
(B)
Only two
Apart from Magadha with its capital at Pataliputra, the Mauryan Empire was divided into four other provinces called Janapadas (territory and population), with capitals at Taxila (north-western India), Suvarnagiri (southern India), Tosali (eastern India), and Ujjain (western India).
The provinces in the Mauryan empire were further divided into divisions which were divided into districts under officials called Rajukas (derived from Rajju, meaning rope, and probably referring to the measurement of land using ropes). He was assisted by Yuktas (clerks) in accounting, secretarial, and other miscellaneous works. Districts were in turn divided into groups of 5 or 10 villages headed by Sthanikas (who collected taxes), and were assisted by Gopas (who maintained proper records and accounts). Hence, statement 1 is incorrect and statement 2 is correct.
Judges were called Dharmasthas (though Ashokan inscriptions mention city Mahamattas who were also given judicial functions), and Pradeshtris were the officers responsible for the suppression of criminals. Various civil as well as criminal courts functioned at the local level right from village to province. It seems most of the cases were disposed of at the village level by village elders. Police headquarters were present in all principal centres and Bandhanagara meant proper jail while Charka refers to police lock up. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Ques:
12
Kautilya was prime minister of –
Correct Answer:
(C)
Chandragupta Maurya
Kautilya had an unforgettable contribution in the establishment of Mauryan dynasty. He was well known as ‘Vishnugupta’ and ‘Chanakya.’ When Chandragupta Maurya had the responsibility of united Indian empire as emperor, Kautilya served as prime minister, advisor and chief priest. He was the pioneer scholar of political science and also known for his famous book ‘’Arthashastra”. This is one of the oldest books which is based on the political condition of India.
Ques:
13
By which name was Chanakya known in his childhood?
Correct Answer:
(C)
Vishnugupta
Sage Chanak gave his son the name Chanakya. The ancient Arthashastra has been traditionally attributed to Chanakya by a number of scholars. Arthashastra identifies its author by the name of Kautilya, except for one verse that refers to him by the name of Vishnugupta. In the question, the name of Chanakya in childhood is asked, so, from the above-options Vishnugupta is found to be the most appropriate answer. According to researcher Trobman, Chanakya or Kautilya is presumably the name of the author’s gotra (Clan).
Ques:
14
The Arthashastra of Kautilya is a
Correct Answer:
(D)
Book on Principles of Government
Arthashastra by Kautilya is the treatise on polity during the Mauryan monarch/kingdom. The Saptang theory of the state was firstly introduced in it, which includes the seven elements of the states, these are – The King (Swami), Minister (Amatya), Territory (Janpada), Fort (Durg), Treasury (Kosa), Army (Danda) and Allies (Mitra). Arthashastra gives its detailed description about the then administration and agrarian system.
Ques:
15
Which one of the following is the seventh part of the State according to Saptang Theory of State?
Correct Answer:
(C)
Mitra
According to Saptang Theory of State, Mitra (Ally) is the seventh part of the state ; Ally is like the ear of the state. Allies of King assist him in peace and war. In this context, Kautilya differentiates between idealistic and fake allies. Natural is better than artificial. Any King, whose friend is greedy, prurient and coward, ruin is inevitable.
Ques:
16
Kautilya’s Arthashastra deals with the aspects of –
Correct Answer:
(B)
Political policies
Arthashastra renders a wide range of information about Mauryan dynasty. This is the unique saga of political policies.
Ques:
17
Which of the following can be compared to ‘Prince’ of Machiavelli?
Correct Answer:
(B)
Kautilya's 'Arthashastra'
Arthashastra is the unique book of political science which is compared with "Prince" of Machiavelli, the great Italian thinker.