Under the Mauryan administration, the 'Sitadhyaksha' was the officer in charge of:

In the Mauryan administration, the "Sitadhyaksha" was the superintendent of agriculture, especially of the crown lands (state-owned lands).

About the Sitadhyaksha:

• "Sita" means "furrow" or "crown land" (land owned by the king or state), and "adhyaksha" means superintendent.
• He was in charge of the cultivation of the crown lands (sita lands).
• He organised the sowing, cultivation and harvesting of crops on these lands.
• He arranged for seeds, tools, oxen, labourers and irrigation.
• The lands were cultivated by slaves, hired labourers and prisoners, or given to sharecroppers who paid a share of the produce.
• He was expected to know agriculture, the science of plants, and the timing of rains.

Agriculture in the Mauryan period:

• Agriculture was the main occupation and the main source of revenue.
• The state encouraged the expansion of agriculture by settling people in new areas (janapada nivesha).
• The state built and maintained irrigation works, and charged a water tax.
• Megasthenes noted that farmers formed the largest class in society, and that they were not disturbed even during wars.
• The Arthashastra describes the measurement of rainfall in different regions, the use of manure, and the seasons for different crops.
• Crops included rice, wheat, barley, millets, pulses, sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds.

Other superintendents (adhyakshas):

• "Akaradhyaksha": mines.
• "Pautavadhyaksha": weights and measures.
• "Kupyadhyaksha": forest produce.
• "Lavanadhyaksha": salt.
• "Suvarnadhyaksha": gold.
• "Sutradhyaksha": spinning and weaving.
• "Panyadhyaksha": trade.
• "Godhyaksha": cattle.
• "Vivitadhyaksha": pastures.

Crown lands (sita) and other lands:

• Crown lands were directly managed by the state.
• Other lands were owned or cultivated by individual farmers, who paid taxes.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Mines were under the Akaradhyaksha.
• ✗Weights and measures were under the Pautavadhyaksha.
• ✗Forests were under the Kupyadhyaksha.