ICSE Class 6 Answered

Agriculture was the main occupation of the people in the Mauryan empire. Farmers were encouraged to till more and more land and irrigation facilities were provided to them by the state. Land revenue was collected from the farmers and it was the chief source of income for the king. Secondary economic activities included mining, forestry, carpentry, pottery and masonry. Taxes were also collected from these. Trade and commerce were also robust. The merchants had trade relations with Sri Lanka, Egypt and Greece. This income was utilised to pay the salaries of officers, for the maintenance of the army and for the building of roads and hospitals.