Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
Who founded the Mauryan Empire in the 4th century BCE?
Answer
Chandragupta Maurya
Question
Whom did Chandragupta Maurya overthrow to establish his empire in Magadha?
Answer
The Nandas
Question
Which group did Chandragupta Maurya remove from the North-West Frontier to unify the subcontinent?
Answer
Greek Satraps
Question
Who succeeded Chandragupta Maurya as the ruler of the Mauryan Empire?
Answer
Bindusara
Question
Who was the son and successor of Bindusara?
Answer
Ashoka
Question
Which literary source, written by Kautilya, is a comprehensive manual on politics and administration?
Answer
Arthashastra
Question
By what other names was Kautilya, the Prime Minister of Chandragupta, known?
Answer
Vishnugupta and Chanakya
Question
In which language was the 'Arthashastra' originally written?
Answer
Sanskrit
Question
Who was the Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya?
Answer
Megasthenes
Question
What is the name of the book written by Megasthenes containing his impressions of India?
Answer
Indika
Question
Through which later Greek authors' writings have fragments of the lost 'Indika' survived?
Answer
Strabo, Arrian, and Diodorus
Question
According to Megasthenes, in what kind of vehicle is the emperor carried during royal processions?
Answer
A golden palanquin
Question
Why did the Mauryan emperor have special servants taste his food before eating?
Answer
He feared that someone might try to kill him with poison
Question
What was the Mauryan emperor's sleeping arrangement to ensure personal safety?
Answer
He never slept in the same bedroom for two nights
Question
What is the definition of an 'edict' in the context of Ashokan history?
Answer
A decree issued by a Sovereign
Question
How many Major Rock edicts are included in the Edicts of Ashoka?
Answer
14
Question
In which script are the Ashokan edicts at Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra written?
Answer
Kharosthi script
Question
What distinguishes the writing direction of the Kharosthi script from the Brahmi script?
Answer
Kharosthi is written from right to left, whereas Brahmi is written from left to right
Question
Which war caused Ashoka to abandon the policy of 'conquest by force'?
Answer
The Kalinga War
Question
What term refers to the call to non-violence that replaced the war drum ('bherighosha') after the Kalinga War?
Answer
Dhammaghosha
Question
In the Rock Edict-I, what restriction did Ashoka place on the killing of animals in the royal refectory?
Answer
He reduced it to two peacocks and one deer, with a goal of no animals being put to death
Question
What does a Buddhist stupa represent?
Answer
The spiritual body of Buddha containing his relics
Question
Where was the Sanchi Stupa built?
Answer
About $45$ km from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh
Question
What symbols are used on the Sanchi Stupa to represent Buddha?
Answer
The peepal tree, lotus, or a wheel
Question
Which sculpture from the Sanchi Stupa was adopted as the Emblem of India in $1950$?
Answer
The Lion Capital
Question
Whom did Chandragupta Maurya defeat in $305$ BCE to gain control of Kabul and Kandahar?
Answer
Seleucus Nicator
Question
Which Greek princess did Chandragupta Maurya marry following his victory over Seleucus?
Answer
Helen
Question
What was the extent of Chandragupta's empire in the North-West and the South?
Answer
From Kabul and Kandahar in the North-West to Mysore in the South
Question
According to Jain tradition, how did Chandragupta Maurya's reign end?
Answer
He renounced the world and handed the kingdom to his son, Bindusara
Question
What title was given to Bindusara by the Greek historian Athenacus?
Answer
Slayer of foes
Question
What titles did Ashoka adopt upon ascending the throne?
Answer
Devanamapriya and Priyadarshi
Question
What does the title 'Devanamapriya' mean?
Answer
The Beloved of the Gods
Question
Which Ashokan edict provides details about the heavy losses and suffering during the Kalinga War?
Answer
Rock Edict-XIII
Question
How did the Kalinga War change Ashoka's personal lifestyle regarding food and leisure?
Answer
He stopped hunting and eating meat
Question
Whom did Ashoka send to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism?
Answer
His daughter Sanghamitra and his son Mahindra
Question
What was the northernmost and southernmost extent of Ashoka's empire?
Answer
From Hindukush in the north-west to the river Pennar in the south
Question
What is meant by the 'Pan-Indian' character of the Mauryan Empire?
Answer
The empire was vast and unified, extending across almost the entire Indian subcontinent
Question
What was the central philosophy of Ashoka's administration regarding his subjects?
Answer
Paternal despotism, where he viewed his subjects as his children
Question
Which council assisted the Mauryan king at the central level?
Answer
Mantri Parishad (Council of Ministers)
Question
What was the role of the 'Purohit' in the Mauryan central government?
Answer
Chief Pujari (priest) of the state
Question
Who was the 'Senapati' in the Mauryan administration?
Answer
The military advisor who advised the king on matters of war and peace
Question
What was the title of the head treasurer in the Mauryan central government?
Answer
Sannidhata
Question
Who was the 'Samaharta' in the Mauryan central administration?
Answer
The taxation expert
Question
How many provinces were there in the Mauryan Empire during Ashoka's reign?
Answer
Five
Question
What were the capitals of the Gandhara and Avanti provinces respectively?
Answer
Takshila and Ujjain
Question
What was the capital of the Southern Province in the Mauryan Empire?
Answer
Swarnagiri
Question
What was the capital of the Kalinga province?
Answer
Tosali
Question
Who were typically appointed as the heads of provinces in the Mauryan Empire?
Answer
Princes, known as Kumar or Aryaputra
Question
What were the administrative divisions of provinces called?
Answer
Janapadas
Question
Which three officers looked after the administration of a Janapada?
Answer
Pradeshika, Rajuka, and Yukta
Question
What was the title of the head of city administration in the Mauryan Empire?
Answer
Nagaradhyaksha
Question
According to Megasthenes, how many members were in the committee that managed Pataliputra?
Answer
30 members
Question
What was the standard rate of land revenue in the Mauryan Empire?
Answer
One-sixth to one-fourth of the produce
Question
What was the difference between 'Bhaga' and 'Bali' as sources of revenue?
Answer
'Bhaga' was a tax on agricultural produce and cattle, while 'Bali' was a religious tribute
Question
What is the function of the 'Spy System' in the Mauryan Empire?
Answer
To collect information and keep the king informed of the workings of the bureaucracy
Question
According to Megasthenes, how many infantry and cavalry soldiers did the Mauryan army have?
Answer
$600,000$ infantry and $30,000$ cavalry
Question
How many war-elephants were maintained in the Mauryan army according to Megasthenes?
Answer
$9,000$
Question
How were Mauryan soldiers paid for their military service?
Answer
In cash
Question
What was the nature of Ashoka's 'Dhamma'?
Answer
It was a Moral Law or Code of Conduct rather than a specific religion
Question
What is the Dhamma principle of 'Ahimsa'?
Answer
The practice of non-violence