What were the powers of the emperor?

Read the following paragraphs and answer the questions given at the end of them carefully.

An excerpt from Megasthenes, a Greek historian description is given. Some of the great officers of the empire oversee the rivers and measure the land, as in Egypt. Some inspect the mouths of the water from the main canals to the tributaries, so that there is an equal supply of water everywhere. May be these officers manage the poachers and reward or punish them based on their actions. They collect taxes and inspect all businesses related to land. Also inspect woodcutters, carpenters, blacksmiths and miners.

Q&A

Q (i) Explain the duties of the great officers of the empire.

The duties of the great officers of the empire were –
(a) Maintenance of rivers.
(b) To measure the land.
(c) To inspect the mouths of the water being released from the main canals to the sub-canals.
(d) To reward or punish poachers on the basis of their acts.
(e) To collect tax and inspect all the businesses related to land.
(f) To inspect woodcutters, carpenters, blacksmiths and miners.

Q (ii) Explain the role of sub-committees appointed to conduct military activities.

(a) Provision of bullock carts for carrying equipment.
(b) Providing food for soldiers and fodder for animals.
(c) Appointing servants and artisans to take care of the soldiers.
(d) To operate the Navy.
(e) Conducting foot soldiers.

Q (iii) What did Ashoka do to keep his empire united

Ashoka propagated Dhamma to keep his empire united. To spread its principles to every nook and corner of the empire, he appointed special officers called Dhamma Mahamattas

Q (iv) Why some officers instructed to inspect the water?

He was entrusted with this work so that there is an equal supply of water everywhere. It was these officials who controlled the hunters and rewarded or punished them depending on their actions. They used to collect taxes and used to inspect all the businesses related to the land. Apart from this, he also used to inspect woodcutters, carpenters, blacksmiths and miners.

Q (v) How many committees have been mentioned by Megasthenes?

Megasthenes has mentioned a committee and six sub-committees for conducting military activities.

Who was Megasthenes?

Megasthenes was an Greek historian.

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