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Mauryan Administration and Ashoka Dhamma ICSE 9 History

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History & CivicsICSE Class 9 · The Mauryan Empire

Mauryan Administration and Ashoka's Dhamma (ICSE Class 9 History)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Mauryan empire had a centralised administration under a king advised by ministers, with provinces under princes and officials such as the samaharta; Pataliputra was run by thirty officials in six committees. After the Kalinga war, Ashoka adopted Dhamma, a code of moral conduct (not a new religion) that stressed tolerance, kindness and non-violence.

Follow the arrows down from the king to see how power was shared, then see how the Kalinga war led Ashoka to Dhamma.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Mauryan Administration and Ashoka's Dhamma

1. Sources. Literary: the *Arthashastra* of Kautilya and the *Indika* of Megasthenes. Archaeological: Ashokan edicts and the Sanchi Stupa.

2. Kings. Chandragupta Maurya (about 321-297 B.C.), Bindusara (about 297-273 B.C.) and Ashoka (about 268-232 B.C.), who conquered Kalinga around 261 B.C.

3. Central administration. The king was the supreme head of government, army and justice, advised by a council of ministers (*mantriparishad*). High officials included the *samaharta* (chief collector of revenue) and the *sannidhata* (treasurer). Departments were under superintendents (*adhyakshas*) for trade, agriculture, mines and weights and measures.

4. Provincial and local rule. Provinces under princes (*kumaras*) with capitals at Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali and Suvarnagiri; below them were districts and villages.

5. City administration (Megasthenes). Thirty officials in six committees of five members for industrial arts, foreigners, births and deaths, trade and commerce, manufactured goods and tax on sales. *Army*: a large standing army, also managed by committees, with infantry, cavalry, chariots, elephants and a navy (as described by Megasthenes).

6. Ashoka's Dhamma. After the Kalinga war, in Rock Edict XIII Ashoka expresses remorse for the suffering (the edict states about 1,50,000 deported, 1,00,000 killed) and gives up conquest by war for conquest by Dhamma. Principles: obedience to parents, respect for elders and teachers, kindness to servants, generosity, tolerance of all sects, truthfulness and non-violence. Measures: edicts on rocks and pillars, Dhamma-mahamattas (officials to promote Dhamma), roads with trees and wells, hospitals for people and animals, and missions abroad. Impact: moral unity, religious harmony and spread of Buddhism, though the empire weakened after him.

Mauryan Administration and Ashoka's Dhamma: key facts

Kings
  • Chandragupta about 321-297 B.C.
  • Bindusara about 297-273 B.C.
  • Ashoka about 268-232 B.C.
Central officials
Samahartarevenue
Sannidhatatreasurer
Adhyakshassuperintendents
City rule
  • 30 officials
  • 6 committees
  • 5 members each
Dhamma
  • Kalinga about 261 B.C.
  • Rock Edict XIII
  • Dhamma-mahamattas
  • Not a new religion

Mauryan Administration and Ashoka's Dhamma in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

A school after a conflict

Suppose a school captain, after a bitter match that injured many, decides to promote fair play, help to the injured and respect for rivals.

Which Mauryan event does it resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A violent event causing remorse.
  2. A change of policy to peace and moral rules.

Answer: Ashoka after Kalinga turning to Dhamma.

Memory hook: Remorse leads to reform.

Tricks to remember Mauryan Administration and Ashoka's Dhamma

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • 6x5=30

    Six committees of five members make thirty.

    Use it when: City administration.

  • Dhamma not religion

    Dhamma was a moral code.

    Use it when: Common error.

Mauryan Administration and Ashoka's Dhamma: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Sources · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

Name the author of the Arthashastra and the author of the Indika. [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Kautilya.
  2. Megasthenes.

Answer: Kautilya wrote the Arthashastra; Megasthenes wrote the Indika.

Example 2: Pataliputra · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Describe the administration of Pataliputra according to Megasthenes. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Thirty officials.
  2. Six committees of five members each.
  3. Looked after crafts, foreigners, births and deaths, trade, goods and sales tax.

Answer: Thirty officials in six committees, each of five members, dealing with crafts, foreigners, births and deaths, trade, goods and sales tax.

Example 3: Dhamma not a religion · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Explain why Ashoka's Dhamma is described as a moral code and not a religion. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It had no god, rituals or priests of its own.
  2. It laid down principles of conduct for all sects.
  3. It stressed tolerance, kindness and non-violence.

Answer: It was a set of ethical principles acceptable to all communities, without rituals or doctrine.

Example 4: Kalinga · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Describe the Kalinga war and its effect on Ashoka's policy. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Ashoka conquered Kalinga around 261 B.C.
  2. Rock Edict XIII records the heavy casualties and deportations.
  3. He felt deep remorse.
  4. He gave up war for conquest by Dhamma and promoted welfare measures.

Answer: The war caused great suffering and remorse; Ashoka adopted Dhamma and gave up conquest by war.

Example 5: Source: Edict · 6 marks · Source-basedHOTS / competency

Source. Ashoka's edict says: "All men are my children." (i) Name the edict series or object type. [1] (ii) What was the language and script? [1] (iii) Identify one purpose of such edicts. [2] (iv) What does this line show about his view of kingship? [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) Rock or pillar edicts.
  2. (ii) Prakrit in Brahmi script (in the north-west also Kharosthi).
  3. (iii) To communicate Dhamma and orders to the people.
  4. (iv) He saw himself as a father-like ruler responsible for the welfare of subjects.

Answer: (i) Edicts (ii) Prakrit in Brahmi (iii) To spread Dhamma (iv) A paternal view of kingship.

Where students lose marks in Mauryan Administration and Ashoka's Dhamma

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Writing that Ashoka spread Buddhism by force

    Unsupported.

    Do this: Dhamma was by persuasion and welfare.

    Usually costs: 2 marks.

  • Mistake: Counting committees wrongly

    Numbers mixed.

    Do this: Six committees of five members.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Confusing Chandragupta Maurya with Chandragupta I

    Different dynasty.

    Do this: Maurya is B.C.; Gupta A.D.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Use dates with B.C. and about.
  • Quote edicts as sources by number.
  • Keep Dhamma and Buddhism separate.
  • Write the number of officials carefully.

Practice questions on Mauryan Administration and Ashoka's Dhamma

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    The chief collector of revenue was the:
    (a) sannidhata
    (b) samaharta
    (c) adhyaksha
    (d) kumara

    Hint

    Revenue.

    Answer

    (b) samaharta.

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    Name two provincial capitals of the Mauryan empire. [2]

    Hint

    Taxila.

    Answer

    Taxila and Ujjain (also Tosali, Suvarnagiri).

  3. Q3 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    Who were the Dhamma-mahamattas? [2]

    Hint

    Officials.

    Answer

    Special officials appointed to spread Dhamma and look after welfare.

  4. Q4 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

    Assertion (A): The Mauryan empire had a strong centralised government.
    Reason (R): The king was advised by ministers and supported by many officials.
    (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
    (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    (c) A is true but R is false.
    (d) A is false but R is true.

    Hint

    Officials.

    Answer

    (a).

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    State four principles of Ashoka's Dhamma. [4]

    Hint

    Moral code.

    Answer

    Obedience to parents, respect for elders, kindness to servants and tolerance of all sects (also non-violence).

  6. Q6 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level

    Why is the Arthashastra used with other sources? [2]

    Hint

    Compiled over time.

    Answer

    The text was compiled and revised over time, so it must be checked against other evidence.

  7. Q7 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain the impact of Ashoka's Dhamma on his people and neighbours. [3]

    Hint

    Welfare.

    Answer

    It promoted peace, tolerance and welfare works in the empire and, through missions, spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka and beyond.

  8. Q8 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Describe the army of Chandragupta as given by Megasthenes. [3]

    Hint

    Committees.

    Answer

    A large standing army with infantry, cavalry, chariots, elephants and a navy, administered by committees.

  9. Q9 · 4 marks · Source-basedHOTS / competency

    Source. Megasthenes writes that foreigners in Pataliputra were looked after by officials, and their deaths were recorded. (i) Which committee dealt with them? [1] (ii) How many members? [1] (iii) What does this show about the state? [2]

    Hint

    Foreigners.

    Answer

    (i) The committee for foreigners. (ii) Five. (iii) It shows an organised administration concerned with order and trade.

  10. Q10 · 3 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Evaluate the view that Ashoka's Dhamma weakened the empire. Give one argument for and one against. [3]

    Hint

    Debate.

    Answer

    For: some historians argue that a peaceful policy reduced military strength; against: the empire lasted about 75 years after Kalinga (nearly fifty years after Ashoka's death), and the decline had other causes such as weak successors and costly administration.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Mauryan treasury head?Show answer

    Sannidhata.

  2. 2.Ashoka's title?Show answer

    Devanampiya Piyadasi.

  3. 3.War that changed Ashoka?Show answer

    Kalinga.

  4. 4.Greek ambassador?Show answer

    Megasthenes.

  5. 5.Capital?Show answer

    Pataliputra.

Mauryan Administration and Ashoka's Dhamma: frequently asked questions

Which script were the edicts in?

Mostly Brahmi.

Was Ashoka a Buddhist?

Yes, but Dhamma applied to all.

What was the mantriparishad?

The council of ministers.