HistoryAncient India: Kings, Farmers and Towns

Which charge should she enter against the second subcommittee in her…

A student preparing a project on Mauryan administration reads the account of the Greek writer Megasthenes. She finds that he describes a committee of six subcommittees set up to coordinate military activity, each with its own charge. To present it neatly, she draws a chart that lists the six subcommittees in the same order in which Megasthenes names them, and she fills in the charge of each one.

Which charge should she enter against the second subcommittee in her chart?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Managing transport and provisions

Megasthenes names the six subcommittees in this order: navy, transport and provisions, foot-soldiers, horses, chariots and elephants. So the second one managed transport and provisions.

NCERT (2026-27): “3.2 Administering the empire …
Communication along both land and riverine routes was vital for the existence of the empire. Journeys from the centre to the provinces could have taken weeks if not months. This meant arranging for provisions as well as protection for those who were on the move. It is obvious that the army was an important means for ensuring the latter. Megasthenes mentions a committee with six subcommittees for coordinating military activity. Of these, one looked after the navy, the second managed transport and provisions, the third was responsible for foot-soldiers, the fourth for horses, the fifth for chariots and the sixth for elephants. …”