In the Mauryan administrative system described in Kautilya's Arthashastra, what was the chief responsibility of the official designated as 'Sannidhata'?

💡 Solution & Explanation

In Mauryan administration detailed in Kautilya's Arthashastra, the Sannidhata functioned as the chief treasury officer and custodian of royal storehouses, whereas the Samaharta oversaw revenue collection. Confusing these two primary bureaucratic posts is a common pitfall in administrative history questions. The Arthashastra outlines a centralized bureaucratic state with eighteen major administrative departments known as tirthas.