Q. Which of the following statements about the officers designated as mahamattas in Mauryan adminstration is correct?
(a) These officers were charged with the responsibility of propagating Buddhism
(b) They were appointed as viceroys of various provinces
(c) The term was used for any senior official irrespective of the duties assigned to him
(d) It is a Prakrit expression for the Sanskrit word amatya
Ans: (c) The term was used for any senior official irrespective of the duties assigned to him
Explanation: The correct statement about the officers designated as mahamattas in Mauryan administration is (c) The term was used for any senior official irrespective of the duties assigned to him.
In the Mauryan administration, the term “mahamatta” was a title used for senior officials or high-ranking officers. It was not specific to any particular duty or responsibility. These mahamattas held significant positions within the administrative hierarchy and were entrusted with various administrative tasks, such as revenue collection, judicial matters, military administration, and overall governance.
