To spread Dhamma and look after the welfare of the people, Ashoka appointed special officers called:

Ashoka appointed special officers called "Dhamma Mahamattas" (officers of Dhamma) to spread his message of Dhamma and look after the welfare of the people.

About the Dhamma Mahamattas:

• They were appointed in the 13th year after Ashoka's coronation, according to his Major Rock Edict V.
• They were a new class of officials, created by Ashoka.

Their duties:

• To spread the message of Dhamma among people of all religions and sects.
• To look after the welfare of all groups, including Brahmanas, shramanas (ascetics), Ajivikas, Jains and others.
• To help prisoners, the old, the poor, and those who had large families.
• To see that people were treated justly, and to prevent wrongful imprisonment and punishment.
• To look after the welfare of people in the king's family and in distant areas.
• They travelled across the empire, and also visited border regions.

NCERT on Dhamma:

• NCERT explains that Ashoka's Dhamma did not involve the worship of a god or the performance of a sacrifice.
• He felt that, just as a father tries to teach his children, he had a duty to instruct his subjects.
• He appointed officials, known as Dhamma Mahamatta, who went from place to place teaching people about Dhamma.

Main ideas of Ashoka's Dhamma:

• Respect for elders, parents and teachers.
• Kindness to servants, slaves and animals.
• Generosity towards Brahmanas and monks.
• Tolerance and respect for all religions and sects.
• Avoiding the killing of animals.

Other Mauryan officials mentioned in Ashoka's edicts:

• "Rajukas": rural officials, in charge of land survey and justice.
• "Yuktas": subordinate officials who kept accounts and records.
• "Pradeshikas": district or provincial officers.
• They were ordered to go on tours every five years to spread Dhamma.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Rajukas, Yuktas and Pradeshikas were regular administrative officials.