history of the Department of Commerce and Industry

Department of Commerce and Industry

This department had controlled the retail and wholesale prices

of goods and tried to ensure their steady supply through its officers

called Adyakshas. It also controlled weights and measures, levied

custom duties and regulated foreign trade

.Judicial and Police Departments

Kautilya mentions the existence of both civil and criminal

courts. The chief justice of the Supreme Court at the capital was

called Dharmathikarin. There were also subordinate courts at the

provincial capitals and districts under Amatyas. Different kinds of

punishment such as fines, imprisonment, mutilation and death were

given to the offenders. Torture was employed to extract truth. Police

stations were found in all principal centres. Both Kautilya and Asokan

Edicts mention about jails and jail officials. The Dhamma

Mahamatras were asked by Asoka to take steps against unjust

imprisonment. Remission of sentences is also mentioned in Asoka’s

inscriptions.

Census

The taking of Census was regular during the Mauryan period.

The village officials were to number the people along with other

details like their caste and occupation. They were also to count the

animals in each house. The census in the towns was taken by

municipal officials to track the movement of population both foreign

and indigenous. The data collected were cross checked by the spies.

The Census appears to be a permanent institution in the Mauryan

administration.

Provincial and Local Administration

The Mauryan Empire was divided into four provinces with

their capitals at Taxila, Ujjain, Suvarnagiri and Kalinga. The

provincial governors were mostly appointed from the members of

royal family. They were responsible the maintenance of law and

order and collection of taxes for the empire. The district

administration was under the charge of Rajukas, whose position

and functions are similar to modern collectors. He was assisted by

Yuktas or subordinate officials. Village administration was in thehands of Gramani and his official superior was called Gopa who

was in charge of ten or fifteen villages.

Both Kautilya and Megasthanes provided the system of

Municipal administration. Arthasastra contains a full chapter on the

role of Nagarika or city superintendent. His chief duty was to

maintain law and order. Megasthenes refers to the six committees

of five members each to look after the administration of Pataliputra.

These committees looked after: 1. Industries 2. Foreigners 3.

Registration of birth and deaths 4. Trade 5. Manufacture and sale

of goods 6. Collection of sales tax.