The Mauryan Empire - Questions & Answers
EXERCISES I. Multiple-Choice Questions A. Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options.1. Chandragupta Maurya established a vast empire overthrowing
(a) Guptas and Chalukyas
(b) Nandas and Greek Satraps
(c) Rashtrakutas and Nandas
(d) Greek Satraps and Guptas
Answer: (b) Nandas and Greek Satraps
2. Which of the following is correct?
(a) Bindusara : Slayer of foes
(b) Chandragupta : The most beautiful one
(c) Bindusara : Favourite of gods
(d) Ashoka : The greatest one
Answer: (a) Bindusara : Slayer of foes
3. Ashoka abandoned ______________ and embraced ______________.
(a) Bherigosha, Digvijay
(b) Dhammagosha, Bherigosha
(c) Bherigosha, Dhammagosha
(d) Dhammagosha, Digvijay
Answer: Ashoka abandoned Bherigosha and embraced Dhammagosha.
4. What was an advantage of the Mauryan administration having a Pan-Indian character?
(a) More attention paid to socio-economic life of people
(b) Increased uprising in small provinces
(c) Increased area to be protected from foreign invaders
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (a) More attention paid to socio-economic life of people
5. Identify the correct chronology of Mauryan Kings.
(a) Chandragupta—Chanakya—Bindusara—Ashoka
(b) Bindusara—Ashoka—Chandragupta—Dasharatha
(c) Bindusara—Chandragupta—Ashoka—Dasharatha
(d) Chandragupta—Bindusara—Ashoka—Dasharatha
Answer: (d) Chandragupta—Bindusara—Ashoka—Dasharatha
6. Identify the provinces in the Mauryan Empire.
(a) Magadha, Avanti, Kalinga and Cholamandalam
(b) Magadha, Gandhara, Avanti, Kalinga and Southern Province
(c) Magadha, Takshila, Ujjain and Tosali
(d) None of the above.
Answer: (b) Magadha, Gandhara, Avanti, Kalinga and Southern Province
7. Which of the following were officers in the Provincial Government?
(a) Purohit, Senapati, Sannidhata, Samaharta
(b) Mahamatra, Pradeshika, Rajuka, Yukta
(c) Pradeshika, Rajuka, Yukta
(d) Bali, Bhaga, Shulka
Answer: (b) Mahamatra, Pradeshika, Rajuka, Yukta
B. Read the two statements given below and select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (R).
1. (A) The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 4th century BCE.
(R) Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by Ashoka.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (c) (A) is true but (R) is false
2. (A) Most of the Ashokan Edicts are engraved in the Brahmi lipi, written from left to right.
(R) The Ashokan edicts provide a useful insight into the life and ideals of Ashoka.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
3. (A) Ashoka prohibited the killing of animals for sacrifices.
(R) After the Kalinga war, Ashoka made a resolve not to take up arms and to shun violence.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (R) is the reason for (A)
4. (A) The Buddhist Stupa represents the spiritual body of Buddha containing his relics like hair, teeth or bones.
(R) Buddha is represented by symbols like the peepal tree, lotus or wheel on the Sanchi Stupa.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
5. (A) Chandragupta Maurya defeated Greek general Seleucus.
(R) The Greek historian Athenacus called Ashoka a 'slayer of foes.'
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (c) (A) is true but (R) is false
6. (A) The land revenue was the chief source of income in the Mauryan empire.
(R) Bhaga was a religious tribute in the Mauryan empire.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (c) (A) is true but (R) is false
II. Short Answer Questions
1. State any two sources of information about the Mauryan Empire.
Answer: Two important sources of information are the literary source 'Arthashastra' written by Chanakya and the archaeological source 'Ashokan Edicts'.
2. Who wrote Arthashastra? What is its importance?
Answer: Arthashastra was written by Kautilya, also known as Vishnugupta and Chanakya. It is extremely important because it is a comprehensive manual written in Sanskrit that deals with politics, rules of diplomacy, principles of administration, and other political topics of the Mauryan Empire.
3. What is the importance of Ashoka's edicts?
Answer: Ashoka's edicts are the oldest, best-preserved, and precisely dated records of India. They form the most important source of Mauryan history as they provide a useful insight into the life and ideals of Ashoka in particular, and about the history of the Mauryas in general.
4. Who wrote the Indika? What does it contain?
Answer: Indika was written by Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador at the court of Chandragupta Maurya. It contains his impressions of what he heard and saw during his stay in India, detailing Mauryan administration, society, and royal processions.
5. What is a stupa? Name one stupa built by Ashoka.
Answer: A stupa is a semi-spherical solid dome-like structure made of unburnt bricks and stones that represents the spiritual body of Buddha containing his relics such as hair, teeth, or bones. The Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh was built by Ashoka.
6. How did Chandragupta Maurya establish the Mauryan dynasty?
Answer: With the help of his advisor Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya organized a powerful army and overthrew the Nanda dynasty from Magadha. He also defeated the Greek Satraps from the North-West Frontier, effectively unifying a large part of the Indian subcontinent under his centralized government to establish the Mauryan dynasty.
7. What was the impact of Ashoka's act of embracing the policy of Dhammagosha?
Answer: By embracing Dhammagosha (policy of religion/morality), Ashoka completely abandoned the policy of conquest by force (bherigosha). He stopped hunting, gave up eating meat, and abandoned a life of luxury. Instead, he engaged prisoners of war in agricultural work, focused on public welfare, and spread the teachings of Buddhism, leading to all-around economic prosperity but a decline in military preparedness.
8. Name the two taxes mentioned in the Edicts of Ashoka.
Answer: The two taxes mentioned in the Edicts of Ashoka are Bali (a religious tribute) and Bhaga (levied on agricultural produce and cattle).
9. How did the king keep himself abreast of whatever was happening in his kingdom?
Answer: The king maintained a wide network of spies throughout his empire. There were spies against other spies, and on important matters, more than one agent was asked to collect information, ensuring the king was always kept informed of the working of the bureaucracy.
10. What is meant by Ashoka's Dhamma?
Answer: Ashoka's Dhamma was not a new religion or religious system, but a 'Moral Law', a 'Common Code of Conduct', or an 'Ethical Order'. It was a set of unifying principles meant to serve as a common meeting ground for all religions.
11. Give the basic principles of Ashoka's Dhamma.
Answer: The basic principles of Ashoka's Dhamma include: (i) Respect for elders and love for children, (ii) Ahimsa or non-violence, (iii) Belief that good deeds or good karma would give happiness to man in the next birth, (iv) Teaching people to respect all religions, and (v) Disapproval of empty rituals.
12. What was the impact of Dhamma on Ashoka's policies?
Answer: The impact of Dhamma led to a transformation in Ashoka's imperial policy. It resulted in religious unity, instilled moral values in people, brought an end to crimes and thefts due to the policy of Ahimsa, and shifted the state's focus towards public welfare and prosperity instead of conquests and wars.
III. Structured Questions
1. Study the picture given on the right and answer the following questions:
(a) What is depicted in the picture? Where are these found?
Answer: The picture depicts an Ashokan Edict (specifically a Rock Edict). These edicts are inscribed on rocks and pillars throughout the country.
(b) What is their significance as a source of information?
Answer: They are the most important source of Mauryan history because they are the oldest, best-preserved, and precisely dated records of India. They provide a direct insight into the life, ideals, and policies of Ashoka.
(c) Explain briefly their importance in terms of Ashoka's rule, giving example from one of his edicts.
Answer: The edicts reveal Ashoka's deep commitment to his people and non-violence. For example, Rock Edict-I highlights his policy of non-violence by stating that animals should no longer be sacrificed or killed for food, showing his strong stance against cruelty.
2. With reference to the sources of information on the Mauryan Empire, explain briefly the significance of the following:
(a) Arthashastra
Answer: Written in Sanskrit by Chanakya, it is the most important literary source on the Mauryas. It is a comprehensive manual dealing with politics, rules of diplomacy, and the principles of administration.
(b) Indika
Answer: Written by the Greek ambassador Megasthenes, it is a crucial account containing his impressions of what he saw during his stay in India. Though the original is lost, surviving fragments provide rich details regarding the Mauryan royal court and society.
(c) Sanchi Stupa
Answer: Built by Ashoka near Bhopal, it is a key archaeological source representing the spiritual body of Buddha and housing his relics. Its heavy stone carvings also depict events from the life of Buddha and Jataka tales.
3. With reference to Mauryan Empire, answer the following questions:
(a) Give a brief account of how Chandragupta established the Mauryan Empire.
Answer: Under the guidance of Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya organized a powerful army to overthrow the Nanda rulers of Magadha. He captured their capital at Pataliputra, overthrew the Greek Satraps in the North-West, and defeated Seleucus Nicator, unifying vast territories under a centralized administration.
(b) Give a brief account of Ashoka's change of heart and consequences of the same.
Answer: The indescribable death and destruction of the Kalinga War deeply touched Ashoka's conscience. As a consequence, he forever silenced the war drum (bherigosha) and embraced the call to non-violence (Dhammagosha). He gave up hunting and a life of luxury, and dedicated himself to public welfare, agriculture, and spreading Buddhism.
(c) Name four important ways in which Buddhism spread under the royal patronage during the Mauryan times.
Answer: (1) Ashoka personally went on tours to preach Buddhism. (2) He sent missionaries globally, including sending his son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka. (3) He ordered the construction of 84,000 Stupas to keep the relics of Buddha and donated to viharas. (4) He erected several pillars and edicts across his empire to spread Buddhist teachings.
4. With reference to Mauryan administration, answer the following questions:
(a) Why is Chandragupta Maurya regarded as the chief architect of the system of administration?
Answer: Chandragupta Maurya, guided by Chanakya, is regarded as the chief architect because he laid the foundations of the elaborate and centralized system of administration that successfully unified India. His successors, Bindusara and Ashoka, largely retained this foundational administrative system.
(b) Briefly describe the main features of civil and military administration under Mauryan rule.
Answer: Civil administration was divided into the Central Government, headed by the king and his Mantri Parishad (Council of Ministers), and the Provincial Government, run by royal princes and governors. The military administration was managed by a commission of thirty members and consisted of a huge standing army paid in cash, featuring infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots.
(c) Explain briefly the Pan-Indian character of Mauryan administration.
Answer: The Mauryan administration had a Pan-Indian character as it encompassed a vast territory from Kabul to Mysore. Its chief advantages were marking the end of small states, establishing foreign trade links, making India strong against foreign aggressions, and allowing the kings to focus on the social and economic prosperity of the people.
5. With reference to the Mauryan administration, write short notes on the following:
(a) The Central Government.
Answer: The Central Government was highly centralized. The king was the supreme authority, supreme judge, and acted as a paternal despot. He was assisted by a Council of Ministers (Mantri Parishad) which included key officials like the Prime Minister, Purohit, Senapati, Sannidhata, and Samaharta.
(b) District Administration.
Answer: Provinces were divided into smaller districts called Janapadas for easier governance. Their administration was looked after by officers such as the Pradeshika, Rajuka (a revenue officer akin to a modern Tehsildar), and Yukta (the treasurer).
(c) Revenue system.
Answer: Land revenue was the chief source of income, fixed between one-sixth to one-fourth of the produce. Key taxes included Bhaga (on agriculture/cattle) and Bali (religious tribute). Toll taxes, liquor, and gambling taxes were also collected to fund public facilities like roads, irrigation, and hospitals.
6. Study the picture given below and answer the following questions:
(a) Name the structure given in the picture. Name the dynasty and the king who built it.
Answer: The structure shown in the picture is the Sanchi Stupa. It was built by King Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty.
(b) Where is it located? Mention any two architectural features of this structure.
Answer: It is located at Sanchi, about 45 km from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Two architectural features are its semi-spherical solid dome-like structure made of unburnt bricks and stones, and the four heavily carved gateways in four directions depicting events from Buddha's life.
(c) What is the significance of a Buddhist Stupa?
Answer: A Buddhist Stupa holds special religious significance as it represents the spiritual body of Buddha and contains his sacred relics, such as hair, teeth, or bones, securely placed within a casket at the base of the dome.
IV. Thinking Skills
1. Imagine that you met a person, whose family suffered the consequences of the Kalinga War waged by Ashoka. Describe the horrors of the war as told by him. State the differences which you find between the Kalinga War and the modern warfare.
Answer: The person would describe immense suffering, stating that hundreds of thousands were killed, brutally injured, or taken away as prisoners. They would speak of families torn apart by grief, widespread starvation, and destroyed lands. The main difference between the Kalinga War and modern warfare is that the Kalinga War involved direct, hand-to-hand combat on battlefields using swords, bows, and elephants, resulting in immediate physical slaughter. Modern warfare, however, utilizes highly advanced technology, automated firearms, aerial drone strikes, and weapons of mass destruction, often causing catastrophic and long-lasting devastation to civilians and infrastructure from great distances.
2. Explain the symbolism preached by the sculpture on the Emblem of India.
Answer: The Emblem of India, adapted from Ashoka's Lion Capital, features four Asiatic lions standing back to back. These lions symbolize strength, courage, pride, and confidence. The circular abacus on which they stand includes a Dharmachakra (wheel of law), which represents the constant movement of life, righteousness, and the moral principles established by Buddha and Ashoka's Dhamma.
3. You are given an opportunity to pen the text of an Ashokan Edict. Briefly list what you would write.
Answer: If I were to pen an edict today, I would write: "Let all citizens treat each other with respect and kindness, regardless of their beliefs. Protect the forests, the air, and the animals, for they sustain our lives. Let no one raise arms in anger; instead, conquer hatred with love and compassion, ensuring peace and harmony for all future generations."
4. Of the literary sources i.e., the Arthashastra and Indika, which was written first, in your opinion? Give reasons the support your answer.
Answer: In my opinion, the Arthashastra was written first. It was authored by Chanakya, who was the early mentor and advisor to Chandragupta Maurya, helping him overthrow the Nandas to establish the empire. Indika was written by Megasthenes, who arrived later as a Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus Nicator, only after Chandragupta had already consolidated his vast empire and defeated the Greeks around 305 BCE.