Consider the following statements regarding the military organisation of the Mauryas as described by Megasthenes: 1. A committee with six subcommittees coordinated military activity. 2. The committee had no responsibility for the navy. 3. Transport and provisions were managed by a separate civilian department, not the military committee. 4. One subcommittee was responsible for the infantry. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The correct option is 1 and 4 only . Explanation Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, provided a detailed account of the Mauryan administration in his work Indika. He described a sophisticated military organization managed by a commission of thirty members, divided into six specialized subcommittees (boards). Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: According to Megasthenes, the military administration was coordinated by a committee consisting of six subcommittees. Each subcommittee had five members, totaling thirty members in the commission. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The committee had direct responsibility for the navy. The first subcommittee was specifically assigned to cooperate with the admiral of the fleet and look after the navy. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: Transport and provisions were not managed by a separate civilian department outside the committee. The second subcommittee was responsible for transport and commissariat. Their duties included arranging bullock carts for transport, procuring food for soldiers and fodder for animals, and recruiting servants and artisans to support the army. - Statement 4 is Correct: The third subcommittee was explicitly responsible for the infantry (foot soldiers). Key Takeaway: The six branches of the Mauryan military administration described by Megasthenes were: Navy, Transport & Provisions, Infantry, Cavalry, Chariots, and Elephants.

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns - Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

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Consider the following statements regarding the military organisation of the Mauryas as described by Megasthenes:

A committee with six subcommittees coordinated military activity.
The committee had no responsibility for the navy.
Transport and provisions were managed by a separate civilian department, not the military committee.
One subcommittee was responsible for the infantry.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1, 2 and 3 only
B2, 3 and 4 only
C1 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

1 and 4 only

Explanation

Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, provided a detailed account of the Mauryan administration in his work Indika. He described a sophisticated military organization managed by a commission of thirty members, divided into six specialized subcommittees (boards).

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: According to Megasthenes, the military administration was coordinated by a committee consisting of six subcommittees. Each subcommittee had five members, totaling thirty members in the commission.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The committee had direct responsibility for the navy. The first subcommittee was specifically assigned to cooperate with the admiral of the fleet and look after the navy.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Transport and provisions were not managed by a separate civilian department outside the committee. The second subcommittee was responsible for transport and commissariat. Their duties included arranging bullock carts for transport, procuring food for soldiers and fodder for animals, and recruiting servants and artisans to support the army.
Statement 4 is Correct: The third subcommittee was explicitly responsible for the infantry (foot soldiers).

Key Takeaway:
The six branches of the Mauryan military administration described by Megasthenes were: Navy, Transport & Provisions, Infantry, Cavalry, Chariots, and Elephants.

Your note

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The correct option is

1 and 4 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: According to Megasthenes, the military administration was coordinated by a committee consisting of six subcommittees. Each subcommittee had five members, totaling thirty members in the commission.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The committee had direct responsibility for the navy. The first subcommittee was specifically assigned to cooperate with the admiral of the fleet and look after the navy.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Transport and provisions were not managed by a separate civilian department outside the committee. The second subcommittee was responsible for transport and commissariat. Their duties included arranging bullock carts for transport, procuring food for soldiers and fodder for animals, and recruiting servants and artisans to support the army.
Statement 4 is Correct: The third subcommittee was explicitly responsible for the infantry (foot soldiers).

Key Takeaway:
The six branches of the Mauryan military administration described by Megasthenes were: Navy, Transport & Provisions, Infantry, Cavalry, Chariots, and Elephants.