In the administrative system of the Mauryan period, Pradeshtha was related to which department?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — B, Justice Department. The Pradeshtri (Pradeshta), described in Kautilya's Arthashastra, was a Mauryan-era officer who presided over the Kantakasodhana courts — the tribunals that handled criminal cases and public-order offences — and who also toured the districts regularly to inspect local administration. This combination of criminal-judicial authority and administrative inspection places the Pradeshtri squarely in the justice/criminal-administration function, distinct from revenue, military or treasury officers.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Mauryan revenue assessment and collection was the domain of the Samaharta (the Collector-General of Revenue), not the Pradeshtri.  (c) Military command in Mauryan administration was headed by the Senapati (commander-in-chief); the Pradeshtri's role was judicial and administrative touring, not military.  (d) There was no distinct 'Economic Department' as such in Mauryan administration in this sense, and the Pradeshtri's documented function was judicial oversight, not economic management.

Concept: Kautilya's Arthashastra describes a structured Mauryan bureaucracy with officers assigned to distinct functions. The Pradeshtri combined two roles: presiding over the Kantakasodhana courts (which tried criminal offences and threats to public order) and periodically touring his jurisdiction to inspect the conduct of district officials — making 'justice/criminal administration' the correct classification for this office.

State PCS 2024 Q64 — History PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2024 Q64 — History PYQ with Answer