Explanation:

There were five major political centres in the Mauryan empire, mentioned in the Ashokan inscription. We have already discussed about capital Pataliputra. The other four were Taxila, Ujjaini, Tosali and Suvarnagiri. They were placed under a governor who usually belonged to the imperial family. Governors of smaller units were selected from local people. Senior officers called ‘Pradeshika’s visited the provinces every five years to check the administration. Another group of officers called Rajukas were appointed both in cities and villages to look after the judicial matter. Yukta was appointed for recording information coming from various sources.

According to Arthashastra provinces were further subdivided into Vishayas districts and district into villages. In each village there was an accountant and a tax collector. The gramas or village headman was responsible to them.