Meaning of the term Gopa used during Mauryan Empire
“Gopa” was a term used during the Mauryan Empire to refer to a village headman or chief. The Gopa was responsible for the administration of his village and its surrounding areas, and was expected to maintain law and order, settle disputes, and collect taxes on behalf of the Mauryan state.
The Gopa was usually elected by the villagers themselves and held a significant amount of power and influence within the local community. They were often responsible for overseeing agricultural production and ensuring that the village was self-sufficient in terms of food and resources.
In addition to their administrative duties, the Gopas were also expected to provide military support to the Mauryan army in times of war. They were required to maintain a certain number of soldiers and were often called upon to provide additional troops and supplies when needed.
Overall, the Gopas played an important role in the functioning of the Mauryan state at the local level, helping to ensure the stability and prosperity of their villages and contributing to the overall success of the empire.