If the Greek accounts were true, what kinds of resources do you think the Mauryan ruler would have required to maintain such a large army?
If the Greek accounts about the Mauryan army of 600,000 foot-soldiers, 30,000 cavalry and 9,000 elephants were true, the ruler would have required extensive resources. Food provisions for soldiers and fodder for animals would be essential. The army needed bullock carts to carry equipment, along with servants and artisans to look after the soldiers.
For maintaining elephants, the ruler would need guards of elephant forests, specialists who rear and nurse elephants, and female elephants to help capture wild ones. A well-organized administrative system with six subcommittees was necessary to coordinate military activities across land and riverine routes.
The ruler would also need substantial revenue from taxes and tribute collected from cultivators, traders and artisans to support such a massive standing army.
Explanation
The question asks students to infer the resources needed for a large army based on the Greek accounts. The context provides key information: Megasthenes mentions subcommittees handling food, fodder, bullock carts, servants and artisans. The Arthashastra details elephant capture requiring guards, specialists and female elephants. The text also mentions taxes and tribute from cultivators, traders and artisans as revenue sources. Students should connect these administrative details to the scale of resources needed.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the army size from Greek sources - 600,000 foot-soldiers, 30,000 cavalry, 9,000 elephants.
Step 2: List provisions needed - food for soldiers, fodder for animals, bullock carts for equipment, servants and artisans.
Step 3: Identify elephant-related resources - guards, specialists, female elephants for capture.
Step 4: Mention administrative requirements - six subcommittees for coordination.
Step 5: Identify revenue sources - taxes and tribute from cultivators, traders, artisans.