Which of the following was the smallest administrative

Explanation / व्याख्या:

• During the Mauryan Empire (321–185 BCE) / मौर्य साम्राज्य (321–185 ई.पू.), administration was well-organized and hierarchical / सुव्यवस्थित और श्रेणीबद्ध.

• The empire was divided into:

  1. Provinces / प्रांत – largest units

  2. Districts / जिले – group of provinces

  3. Villages / गांव – smallest units

• Village / गांव was the smallest administrative unit / सबसे छोटी प्रशासनिक इकाई.

Features of Village Administration / गांव प्रशासन की विशेषताएँ:

• Villages were self-sufficient / आत्मनिर्भर.

• Each village had a village headman called Gramaka / ग्रामक, responsible for tax collection, law and order / कर संग्रह, कानून और व्यवस्था.

• Villagers often participated in local councils (Sabha or Samiti) / स्थानीय पंचायत या सभा for decision-making.

Other options / अन्य विकल्प:

• Town / कस्बा: Larger settlement than a village, not the smallest unit.

• District / जिला: Composed of several villages.

• Province / प्रांत: Composed of several districts, the largest administrative unit.

Extra Facts / अतिरिक्त तथ्य:

1. Revenue Source / राजस्व स्रोत:

   • Agriculture (farming) was the main source of revenue / कृषि मुख्य राजस्व स्रोत थी।

   • Villages paid taxes in the form of crops / गांवों ने कर के रूप में अन्न का योगदान दिया।

2. Royal Oversight / शाही निगरानी:

   • Royal inspectors or officers occasionally visited villages / कभी-कभी शाही निरीक्षक गांवों का निरीक्षण करते थे।

3. Famous Mauryan Rulers / प्रसिद्ध मौर्य शासक:

   • Chandragupta Maurya / चंद्रगुप्त मौर्य and Ashoka / अशोक strengthened village administration for better governance / बेहतर शासन के लिए गांव प्रशासन को मजबूत किया।

4. Significance / महत्व:

   • Villages formed the economic backbone of the Mauryan Empire / मौर्य साम्राज्य की आर्थिक रीढ़।

   • Ensured stability, food supply, and local governance / स्थिरता, अन्न आपूर्ति और स्थानीय प्रशासन।