Mauryan Public Finance

Государственные финансы Маурийской империи
M. H. Gopal
2026-07-21

Ancient economic administrationIndian economic historyKautilya’s ArthashastraMauryan EmpireMauryan public finance
First published in 1935, Mauryan Public Finance by M.H. Gopal explores the economic administration of the Mauryan Empire through the lens of modern economics. Drawing primarily from Kautilya’s Arthashastra and comparing it with ancient Athens, Gopal examines revenue sources like land, mines, and taxes, alongside expenditures on governance, education, irrigation, and defense. This insightful study highlights the Mauryan Empire's fiscal sophistication, making it essential for scholars of Indian economic history, and Indian economics.
1
Comparison with ancient Athens situates Mauryan fiscal practices within a broader historical framework.
2
M.H. Gopal analyzes Mauryan economic administration using modern economic concepts, primarily drawing on Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
3
Mauryan public expenditure supported governance, education, irrigation, and defense.
4
The study identifies land, mines, and taxation as major revenue sources in the Mauryan Empire.
5
The work characterizes the Mauryan Empire as possessing a sophisticated system of public finance.

the economic administration of the Mauryan Empire

the Mauryan Empire’s revenue sources and public expenditures

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2026-07-21
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M. H. Gopal
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