The commander-in-chief was known as senapati. In the civilian administration comprised many ministers who had different responsibilities. Prohat or in charge of religious affairs, treasurer and minister for the protection of royal family were considered as important officers. All high posts were assigned only to the members of the royal family.

Chandragupta Maurya was very conscious of his duties and used to take care of the state affairs at all times, even when he was having a meal, taking rest, travelling or spending time with family. He was supposed to be well-informed of each and every affair of the state. He organised an espionage system to keep a watch on people's activities.

Cities were inhabited on the roadside to facilitate traders and peasants and artisans were required to pay tax. The tribes living in the forest were required to submit timber, honey and other forest products as tax. Those who committed a crime were severely punished. If somebody lied before a judge, his foot was cut off as a punishment.

To promote agriculture, Chandragupta promoted irrigation system efficiently. He measured the entire agricultural land and fixed six per cent of the agri-revenue for the government.

Maurya ruled over the country for 24 years. It is said that in the later days of his life, he converted to Jainism and is said to have died due to fasting.

Municipal government

Those who had charge of the city were divided into six bodies — five members in each. The six bodies had the following responsibilities respectively

1) Inspection of everything related to the industrial arts.

2) Entertaining travellers, helping them find accommodation, observing their mode of life, taking care of their needs and to bury them in case they died.

3) Keeping track of both birth and deaths not only for the sake of imposing taxes, but also to have correct number of deaths and births in each and every class of society.

4) Managing retail and barter systems. The members of this body were required to manage the weight system and keep an eye on the sale of specific products in different seasons. No trader could deal in a variety of articles unless he paid double the tax.

5) Supervising manufactured things articles and selling them. Newly manufactured items were sold separately from the old ones and fine was imposed for mixing them together.

6) The sixth and the last body used to collect 10 per cent of the price of the products sold. Any fraud in tax payment led to death.

These were the separate functions of the six bodies and in their collective capacity, they had the charge of their special departments and of the matters affecting public welfare, such as the repair of public places, price regulation and managing markets, harbours and temples.

Castes

There were seven castes in the Mauryan society which included philosophers (Brahmans), cultivators, hunters, shepherds, traders, artisans and soldiers. Castes were divided on the basis of people's professions but no one was allowed to change his caste.