Answer to Question #258536 in History for no name

Question

What is Arthashastra? How did it describe the bureaucracy, army and police system of

the Mauryan ages?

Answer 1

Arthashastra is a treatise that arose in India on military strategy, economics, politics, social organization, and state functions. The author is the Prime Minister and Philosopher Kautilya. According to Arthashastra, the army of the Mauryan had four divisions, namely chariots, cavalry, elephants, and infantry. The standing army was well equipped, efficient, and large that was state-owned. The army was under the command of the King. Arthashatra provides for a highly organized and rational bureaucratic organization. All government activity was under the King's control. Arthashastra describes a police system that was pyramidical in structure. The highest in command was the Collector General (Chief Executive Office). He was deputized by 3 Commissioners of the divisions, with the lowest in the rank being the village group heads.