ABSTRACT
In spite of its wealth and variety, Indian literature suffers from a serious lack of purely historical works and an even greater lack of contemporary descriptions of ancient political institutions. The truth appears to be that whenever a strong central administration has existed in India village autonomy has suffered. In a country of the size of India the ordinary man is affected not so much by the remote arrangements of the Central Government as by the power and attitude of local authorities. In the India of the Mauryas the collection of the land revenue was the foundation of administration. The administration of the Mauryas was far from typical of the art of government in ancient India. In the extent of its jurisdiction, in its efficiency and centralisation, and in its stability for at least three generations, it must be regarded as an unusual episode in Indian history.
