With reference to the Mauryan administration, which of the following officials was designated as the superintendent of weights and measures responsible for checking commercial fraud?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Pautavadhyaksha was the specific officer in charge of weights and measures during the Mauryan period, ensuring that merchants did not use false scales as outlined in Kautilya's Arthashastra. Panyadhyaksha managed state commerce, Sulkadhyaksha collected tolls and customs duties at city gates, and Samaharta supervised the collection of imperial revenue across all departments. The strict standardization of weights reflects the high degree of centralized economic regulation maintained by the Mauryan state.