Administrative Reforms of Ashoka

Ashoka was one of the famous rulers of the Mauryan dynasty, under whom the dynasty expanded to its largest
magnitude. The structure of Government that was set up by Chandragupta Maurya in order to manage the
administration of such a vast Empire was maintained by His son, Bindusara. During Ashoka, expanse of the Mauryan
Territory was extended because of his military expedition. To manage the administrative functions of a vast territory,
Ashoka introduced several administrative reforms. With the help of such reforms he continued to maintain a centralised
administration and at the same time capably managed the pr ovincial administration thereby ensuring social harmony .

The structure of the Mauryan Government was a centralised one. Ashoka was at the helm of his administration with his
brother Tishya as the deputy. The crown prince and the other kumaras in the sphere of provincial administration also
assisted Ashoka. He appointed a group of trusted ministers who always helped him in the matters of administrative
policies. Historians have opined that consultation prevailed with the ministers during Ashoka`s reign before adopting
any administrative policies and during emergencies. From the Rock Edicts III and VI it is evident that Ashoka continued
his grandfather`s practice of consulting the inner ministers or "mantrins" for general and emergency matters. Thus the
structure of the central Government during Ashoka, remained more or less unchanged. The only difference was that he
had introduced a higher level of philanthropic spirit in his government and administrative policies compared to his
mighty grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya.

Ashoka, however did not deviate from the policy of centralisation of his forefathers. Though he granted some autonomy
to the Samghas like Brijji, Kambojas and Panchalas, he never let them loose to raise a revolt against the vast Mauryan
Empire. Some historians describe Ashoka as a protector of laws and not the propagator of laws, but the Ashokan edicts
do not justify this claim. Though he followed the policy of non-violence and benevolence as the king, he amended the
criminal laws, whenever he felt it necessary. That is why he also introduced the legal reforms like Danda Samahara and
Vyavahara Samahara. Ashoka was the sovereign head of the Mauryan Empire in every inch, as the Arthashastra
instructed him to be.

The traditional Mauryan concept of kingship was however softened by the administrative policies adopted by Ashoka
because of his paternalist concept. In the Kalinga Edict, Ashoka declared, "All men are my Children". In another Rock
edict, Ashoka declared that he was indebted to his subjects and he considered it to be his holy duty to serve the people.
Therefore he appointed Pativedakas or reporters, who would report to the king about the general and public affairs for
 the king to take necessary steps.

Ashoka introduced several reforms in the sphere of provincial administration,

which brought about many improvements in the existing system of provincial
government. Ashoka retained the traditional administrative divisions of the Empire
into provinces or pradesas or districts. These Provinces were again subdivided into
Aharas or Vishyas or subdivisions and Janapadas, which were further subdivided
into villages. During Ashoka there were only five provinces as the historians have
opined. In order to bring the troublesome provinces under full control of the centre
and to administer good government to them, he appointed the crowned prince at the head of the provincial government.
The crowned prince acting as the provincial governors were responsible for the administrative and general affairs of
these provinces. One of the important policies he adopted for the provincial administration was that, Ashoka used to
alter the provincial governors from time to time. Moreover Ashoka had appointed many functionaries and dharma
Mahamattas and dharma Yutas to cope up with the increasing burden of the missionary work and welfare schemes. In
Ashokan regime, Rajukas, Yutas, Pradesikas were entrusted with special assignments in the sphere of provincial
administration.

The Mahamattas were invested with the specific departments with specific titles. The Dharma mahamattas appointed
by him looked after the material and spiritual well being of the people. The Adhyaksha mahamattas were entrusted with
the task of the well being of the women. The Anta mahamattas were appointed for the general administration of the
frontier province. The Nagara mahamattas were a class of mahamattas in charge of the cities and towns. They were
often engaged in periodical tours in order to collect news about the administrative and general affairs throughout the
empire. In Ashoka`s regime, the Mahamattas had become a highly responsible cadre of personnel. The mahamattas in
charge of providing justice, were asked by Ashoka to follow the path of Dhamma and to be free from anger, fear and
other passions while deliv ering justice.

From Rock Edict XII, it is evident that there were a group of special officers called Vrajabhumika. Dr Bhandarkar
interpreted the term "Vrajabhumika" as the Superintendent of the cow pen. But Dr. R. K Mukherjee interpreted the term
"Vraja" as the public utility department. So the Vrajabhumika was a group of public utility department. So according to
him Vrajabhumika was a Public Utility Officer supervising the execution of the Ashokan welfare schemes like the
construction of r oads, digging of wells, planting of shady mangr oves etc.

During the reign of Ashoka, the officials called Rajukas had held a significant place.
Ashoka in his administrative policy implemented the Rajukas as the sole agency to
execute his plans of reforms. Originally the Rajukas were the officials in charge of
measurement of land and settled those if there arose any dispute. Since they were
connected with the land revenue department, they normally had a great influence in
the rural areas. Ashoka during implementing the administrative policies, enhanced
their powers and positions and made them the most important officers of
Janapadas. Gradually the Rajukas became the key officers and were entrusted to
execute Ashoka`s most welfare projects and administrative reforms. They not only
acted as judges with the power to justify wrong sentences and wrong judgments, moreover they made charitable offers
to the Sramanas and Bhikshus implemented by Danda Samata and Vyavahara Samata. The function of the Rajukas is
enumerated in the Ashokan Pillar edict IV. However Romila Thapar had pointed out that the Rajukas were the junior
officers employed in the village areas. But most of the historians have unanimously opined that Ashoka upgraded the
status of the Rajukas.

In the sphere of justice and civic life, Ashoka introduced many reforms because of his humanitarian and paternal
sentiment. He introduced the officials in order to execute justice properly and to preach the principles of Dhamma.
Moreover there were special groups of officials in order to organise charities, promote toleration and reduce the burden
of punishment of the criminals. Ashoka released the prisoners from jail on the anniversary of his coronation. The
principles of uniformity of penalty and uniformity of judicial procedures were enforced. Moreover during implementing
administrative policies, Ashoka tried to promote the spiritual welfare of his subjects by preaching dharma and by
inculcating toleration among his subjects, he aspired to have a social harmony. At the same time he issued ordinances
prohibiting animal sacrifices and injur y to animals and initiated welfar e programmes for the well being of the subjects.

Such a planned and balanced structure of Government with effective administrative reforms, had established the
Mauryan Empire under Ashoka as one of the supreme powerful empires in India. During his time, the Mauryan Empire
experienced a fair civic and social life and was free of any sectarian revolt and internal chaos and anarchy. Owing to his
effective administration, Ashoka is often con sidered as one of the gr eatest monarchs of India.

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