Yuktas and pradeshikas
Topic: The Mauryan Empire · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Yuktas and pradeshikas were Mauryan officials named in Ashoka's edicts. Yuktas were junior officers who handled revenue, accounts and records. Pradeshikas were district governors. They handled justice and administration, and often made decisions after talking to important local people such as bankers, caravan leaders, artisans and scribes. These officers show that the Mauryan government reached down to the district level.
Example
In Rock Edict III (3rd century BCE), Ashoka orders the yuktas, the rajukas and the pradeshikas to go on tour every five years. On these tours they were to carry out their normal work and also teach people dhamma.
Don't confuse with
- Pativedakas: Ashoka's reporters, who had to tell him about the people's affairs at any time and in any place. They brought news to the king; pradeshikas governed districts.