Question

Discuss Arthashastra as a literary source of the Mauryan empire?

Answer 1

Instructions:

• The answer to this question can be given by explaining about the information that we get about the Mauryans from the book Arthashastra.

Solution:

• Kautilya's Arthashastra is a literary source of the Mauryan empire which gives ample information about the social, political and economic conditions of the Mauryan period. This book contains the details about the empire's administrative setup, such as the political system, trade and economic policies, taxation, defence strategies, law and order and many more things. Arthashastra comprises fifteen parts, each part dealing with some specific aspect of the Mauryan administration and governance.