question_answer

Explain the agricultural practices followed by the cultivators to increase productivity from c. 600 BCE to 600 CE.

Or

Explain the main features of the Mauryan administration.

Answer:

One such strategy was the shift to plough agriculture, with spread in fertile alluvial river valley such as those of the Ganga and Kaveri from 6th century BCE. The iron tipped plough share was used to turn the alluvial soil areas which had high rainfall. Moreover, in some parts of the Ganga valley production of paddy dramatically increased by the introduction of transplantation, although this meant back breaking work for the producers. While the iron plough share let to the growth in agricultural productivity, its use was restricted to certain parts of the sub-continent cultivators in areas which were semi-arid, such as parts of Punjab and Rajasthan did not adopt till the twentieth century, and those living in hilly tracts in the north eastern and central parts of the sub-continent practiced hoe agriculture which was much better suited to the terrain.

Another strategy adopted to increase agricultural production was the use of irrigation, through wells and tanks, and less commonly, canals. Communities as well as individuals organised the construction of irrigation works. The latter, usually powerful men including kings, often recorded such activities in inscriptions.

Or

The main features of the Mauryan administration are as follows:

(a) There were five major political centres in the empire the capital Patliputra, and the provincial centres of Taxila, Ujjaini, Tosali and Suvrnagiri.

(b) It was likely that administrative control was strongest in areas around the capital and the provincial centres. These centres were carefully choosen, Taxila and Ujjaini being situated on important long distance trade routes, while Suvranagiri was important for tapping the gold mines of Karnataka.

(c) Communication along both land and riverine routes was vital for the existence of the empire. Journeys from the centre to the provinces could have taken weeks not months. These meant arranging provisions as well as protection of those who were on the move. The army was important to ensure the latter.

(d) Megasthenese mentions a committee with six sub - committees for coordinating military activity. Of these, one looked after the navy, the second managed transport and provisions, third was responsible for foot soldiers, the forth for horses, the fifth for the chariots and the sixth for elephants.

(e) The activities of the second subcommittee were rather varied arranging bullock carts to carry equipment, procuring food for the soldiers and fodder for animals and recruiting servants and assistants to look after the soldiers.

(f) Ashoka also tried to hold his empire together propagating Dhamma, the principles of which were simple and virtually universally applicable. This would ensure the well-being of the people.

(g) He recruited special officers known as Dhamma Mahamattas. It was their duty to spread the message of dhamma.

(h) The areas under the Pataliputra were under the direct control of the emperor. This meant that officials were appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, crafts person and the traders of the village.