Mauryan expansion MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Mauryan expansion - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is option 4) i.e. Samaharta.

Some important administration posts in the Mauryan empire:

The correct answer is - (4) A, C, D and E Only

Key Points

• Asoka’s inscriptions mention dhamma.
  • Asoka's edicts and inscriptions are one of the primary sources of information about his dhamma policy.
  • The inscriptions explain his ideas about dhamma, which include moral and ethical guidelines for personal and social behavior.
• Good conduct and social responsibilities were part of dhamma.
  • Asoka emphasized the importance of good conduct, including respect for elders, generosity towards the needy, and kindness to all living beings.
  • He encouraged social responsibilities like helping the poor and sick, and maintaining harmony and peace in society.
• An important aspect of Asoka’s dhamma was the generation of mutual respect and concord.
  • Asoka promoted mutual respect among different communities and sects, advocating for tolerance and understanding.
  • He believed that by fostering concord, social harmony could be maintained and conflicts avoided.
• Asoka proclaimed himself as teacher of "dhamma".
  • Asoka saw himself as a moral guide and teacher, spreading the principles of dhamma to his subjects.
  • He took active steps to teach and propagate these principles through his edicts and by sending emissaries.

Additional Information

• The theme of ahimsa is an important aspect of Asoka’s dhamma.
  • Ahimsa, or non-violence, was a central concept in Asoka's dhamma. He promoted non-violence towards all living beings.
  • This included abstention from animal sacrifice, hunting, and violent behavior.
• Dhamma as a moral code
  • Dhamma was more a moral code than a religious doctrine. It was aimed at promoting ethical conduct and social welfare.
  • Asoka’s dhamma was meant to transcend religious boundaries and apply universally to all his subjects.

The correct answer is - Gurjara

Key Points

• Gurjara
  • The Gurjara inscription is notable for being one of the few inscriptions that explicitly mentions the personal name of Ashoka as "Ashoka".
  • This inscription is a significant historical artifact that provides insight into the reign and personal identity of Emperor Ashoka.
  • Emperor Ashoka, one of India's greatest rulers, is known for his propagation of Buddhism and his efforts towards spreading peace and non-violence after the Kalinga War.
  • The Gurjara inscription helps historians and scholars verify the personal details of Ashoka, adding to the authenticity of historical records.

Additional Information

• Pangudaria
  • Pangudaria is another site with inscriptions related to Ashoka, but it does not mention his personal name explicitly as "Ashoka".
• Sanchi
  • Sanchi is famous for its stupas and inscriptions, but it is more known for its association with Buddhist monuments and teachings rather than explicitly mentioning the personal name of Ashoka.
• Rupnath
  • Rupnath contains inscriptions that reflect Ashoka's edicts and his dedication to Buddhism, but it does not specifically mention his personal name "Ashoka".

The correct answer is: 'Shulk'

Confusion PointsUdaka refers to water or irrigation-related activities and is not mentioned as a tax in Mauryan administrative records

Key Points

• Bhag
  • This was a land-related tax during the Mauryan period.
  • Bhag referred to a share of agricultural produce, typically one-sixth or one-fourth of the total yield, collected by the state.
  • It was a significant source of revenue for the Mauryan administration.
• Bali
  • This was a land-related tax imposed during the Mauryan period.
  • Initially a voluntary offering to the king or state, Bali later became a mandatory tax on land revenue.
• Udaka
  • Though not directly a tax, Udaka referred to water or irrigation-related resources managed by the state.
  • Efficient irrigation systems were developed under the Mauryan rule to enhance agricultural output.
• Shulk
  • This was not a land-related tax but a tax on trade and transportation.
  • Shulk acted as a toll or customs duty levied on goods transported or traded, contributing to state revenue from commercial activities.
  • It was distinct from agricultural taxes and focused on regulating and benefiting from trade networks within and beyond the empire.

Additional Information

• Taxation in the Mauryan Empire:
  • The Mauryan empire had an efficient tax system designed to sustain its vast administrative, military, and public works operations.
  • Land revenue, including taxes like Bhag and Bali, formed the backbone of the revenue system.
• Shulk and Trade:
  • Shulk was part of the commercial tax system and was collected at various trade routes, markets, and ports.
  • This taxation method ensured control over trade activities and generated income from merchants and traders.

The correct answer is: '(A) - (iv), (B) - (iii), (C) - (ii), (D) - (i)'

Key Points

• Antiochus-II - Syria
  • This is correctly matched.
  • Antiochus II Theos was a ruler of the Seleucid Empire, which controlled a significant part of Syria during the Hellenistic period.
  • He was known for his involvement in conflicts with the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.
• Ptolemy-II - Egypt
  • This is correctly matched.
  • Ptolemy II Philadelphus was a ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt and a significant patron of arts and sciences.
  • He is known for the flourishing of the Library of Alexandria during his reign.
• Antigonus-II - Macedonia
  • This is correctly matched.
  • Antigonus II Gonatas was a ruler of Macedonia and played a vital role in maintaining Macedonian power in Greece during his reign.
  • He is remembered for his military and administrative skills.
• Magas - Cyrene
  • This is correctly matched.
  • Magas of Cyrene was the ruler of Cyrene, a region in modern-day Libya, and was associated with the Ptolemaic dynasty through familial connections.
  • He is known for his efforts to maintain Cyrene's independence from Ptolemaic Egypt.

Additional Information

• The Hellenistic Kingdoms:
  • After the death of Alexander the Great, his empire was divided among his generals, leading to the formation of Hellenistic kingdoms such as the Seleucid Empire, Ptolemaic Egypt, and Macedonia.
  • These rulers established distinct political and cultural centers while maintaining Greek influences.
• Relations among the Hellenistic Kingdoms:
  • These kingdoms often engaged in alliances and conflicts, shaping the political landscape of the Hellenistic period.
  • The exchange of culture and ideas among these regions significantly influenced the development of art, science, and governance during the era.

The correct answer is Rupnath.

Key Points

• Rupnath inscription is near Kaimur hills, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• Maski inscription is in the Raichur district, Karnataka.
• Gavimath is in Koppal district, Karnataka.
• Brahmagiri inscription is in Chitradurga district, Karnataka.
• Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka:
  • These rock inscriptions are from the earliest part of the Edicts of Ashoka.
  • They predate Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts.
  • These are the first edicts in the Indian language of Emperor Ashoka, written in the Brahmi script.
  •  The Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription, in Greek and in Aramaic, is the first known inscription of Ashoka.​

Important Points

• The Rock Edicts were the first tangible evidence of, how Buddhism spread. 
• These edicts were deciphered by the British archaeologist and historian James Prinsep.
• They were kept in public places and along trade routes so that the maximum number of people would read them.
• There are 33 inscriptions classified into the following categories:
  • Major rock edicts
  • Minor rock edicts
  • Separate rock edicts
  • Major pillar edicts 
  • Minor pillar edicts

Additional Information

• Ashoka
  • Son of Bindusara and a Mauryan ruler.
  • ​He was one of the greatest rulers known in the history of India.
  • He has his inscriptions were carved on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces to connect with people.
  • The Kalinga War in 261 B.C changed his heart and he started following Buddhism.
  • Dhamma is a set of edicts that formed a policy of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

The correct answer is Bhabru.

• The Babu- Bairut rock edict contains about the conversion of Ashoka to Buddhism.
• It is located in the state of Rajasthan.
• There are 14 major rock edicts of King Ashoka and Babu-Bairut's rock edict is not part of it.

Key Points

• The 14 major rock-edicts of Ashoka and its contents:

Additional Information

• Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers known to history and on his instructions, inscriptions were carved on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces.
• The Kalinga War was a war fought between the Mauryan Empire (Ashoka) and the state of Kalinga in 261 B.C.
• Dhamma is a set of edicts that formed a policy of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

• As the Mauryan empire was so large, different parts were ruled differently. The area around Pataliputra was under the direct control of the emperor.
• This meant that officials were appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, craftspersons and traders, who lived in villages and towns in the area.
• Officials also punished those who disobeyed the ruler’s orders. Many of these officials were given salaries. Messengers went to and fro and spies kept a watch on the officials. And of course, the emperor supervised them all, with the help of members of the royal family, and senior ministers.
• There were other areas or provinces. Each of these was ruled from a provincial capital such as Taxila or Ujjain. Although there was some amount of control from Pataliputra, and royal princes were often sent as governors, local customs and rules were probably followed. Besides, there were vast areas between these centres.
• Here the Mauryas tried to control roads and rivers, which were important for transport, and to collect whatever resources were available as tax and tribute.
• For example, the Arthashastra tells us that the north-west was important for blankets, and south India for its gold and precious stones. It is possible that these resources were collected as tribute.

Maurya Empire-

• The Maurya Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya. He reigned from 321-297 BCE.
• Bindusara was the second emperor of the Mauryan Empire.
• He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya. He reigned from 297-273 BCE
• Ashoka, the most famous ruler was the son of Bindusara. He succeeded his father, Bindusara.
• He reigned from 273-232 BCE.
• Brihadratha was the last ruler of the Maurya dynasty.
• He reigned from 187-180 BCE. He was killed by Pushyamitra Shunga who then established the Shunga dynasty.

The correct answer is Ashoka.

Key Points

• Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers known to history and on his instructions, inscriptions were carved on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces.
• The Kalinga War was a war fought between the Mauryan Empire (Ashoka) and the state of Kalinga in 261 B.C.
• Dhamma is a set of edicts that formed a policy of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

Additional Information

The Correct Answer is Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath.

Key Points

• The Lion Capital of Ashoka is a sculpture depicting four Asiatic lions standing side by side on an elaborate base surrounded by other animals.
  • In 1950, a graphic depiction of it was adopted as India's official emblem.
• Emperor Ashoka, during his reign over the Maurya Empire, originally installed it on top of the Ashoka pillar at the important Buddhist site of Sarnath in about 250 BCE.
• The Lion Capital is now housed in the Sarnath Museum in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, but the wall, also known as the Asoka Column, is still standing.

Additional Information 

• It is more elaborate than the other somewhat similar surviving capitals of Ashoka's pillars bearing the Edicts of Ashoka that were installed throughout India, most of which feature single animals at the top; one other weakened group of four lions survives, at Sanchi.
• The capital was often a separate piece from the column, cut out of a single block of polished sandstone. It depicts four Asiatic Lions standing side by side.
• They are mounted on an abacus with a frieze depicting an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull, and a lion in high relief, separated by spoked chariot wheels.
• The capital was once crowned by a 'Wheel of Dharma' with 24 spokes, fragments of which were discovered on the site. 

Chandragupta Maurya

• The Maurya Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
• He had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power westward across central and western India in order to take advantage of the disruptions of local powers in the wake of the withdrawal by Alexander the Great‘s armies.
• In 305 BCE, Seleucus I tried to reconquer the northwestern parts of India in order to claim them for the growing Seleucid Empire.
• Seleucus lost the Seleucid-Mauryan War, and the two rulers reconciled with a peace treaty.
• The Greeks offered a Macedonian princess for marriage to Chandragupta, and several territories, including the satrapies of Paropamisade (modern-day Kamboja and Gandhara), Arachosia (modern-day Kandahar), and Gedrosia (modern-day Balochistan).
• In return, Chandragupta sent 500 war elephants, a military asset that would play a decisive role in Seleucus’ victory against western Hellenistic kings at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BCE.
• In addition to this treaty, Seleucus dispatched two Greek ambassadors, Megasthenes and, later, Deimakos, to the Mauryan court at Pataliputra.
• According to the Jain accounts dated to 800 years after his death, Chandragupta abdicated his throne and became a Jain monk, traveled away from his empire to South India, and committed sallekhana or fasting to death. 
• Chandragupta Maurya ruled from 322 BCE until his voluntary retirement and abdication, in favor of his son, Bindusara, in 298 BCE.

The correct answer is Dharmashoka.

Key Points

•  Ashokan Pillar of Sarnath
  • It was carved out of a single block of polished sandstone.
  • It bears one of the edicts of Ashoka, which reads, “No one shall cause division in the order of monks.”
  • The pillar also records the visit of Ashoka to Sarnath. The year of his visit is said to be around mid 3rd century BC.
  • It consists of a canopy representing an inverted bell-shaped lotus flower.
  • His name appears as Dharmashoka in the inscription.
  • Currently, the pillar remains where it was originally sunk into the ground, but the capital is now on display at the Sarnath Museum.
  • The top of the column - the capital - has three parts.
    • First, a base of a lotus flower, the most ubiquitous symbol of Buddhism.
    • Second, a drum on which chakra and four animals are carved representing the four cardinal directions: a horse (west), an ox (east), an elephant (south), and a lion (north). 
    • Third, four lions stand atop the drum, each facing in the four cardinal directions. 

The correct answer is Seleucus Nicator.Key Points

• Seleucus Nicator surrendered his territories to Chandragupta Maurya in around 305 BCE, which included parts of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• This was a significant achievement for Chandragupta Maurya as it expanded his empire and gave him access to important trade routes.
• Menander, also known as Milinda, was a Greek king who ruled over parts of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan in the 2nd century BCE.
  • While he did have interactions with the Mauryan Empire, he did not surrender his territories to Chandragupta Maurya.
• Demosthenes was an Athenian statesman and orator who lived in the 4th century BCE.
  • He had no connection to the Mauryan Empire or India.
• Gondophernes was a Parthian ruler, who ruled over parts of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan in the 1st century CE, several centuries after Chandragupta Maurya.
  • He also had no connection to the Mauryan Empire.

Additional Information

• Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, one of the largest empires in ancient India.
• He ruled from around 321 to 298 BCE and was succeeded by his son, Bindusara, and grandson, Ashoka.
• The Mauryan Empire was known for its centralized administration, including a sophisticated bureaucracy and a system of spies.
• It also had a strong military, with elephants as a key component.
• Seleucus Nicator was a Macedonian general who served under Alexander the Great.
• After Alexander's death, he became the ruler of the Seleucid Empire, which included parts of present-day Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
• Seleucus Nicator and Chandragupta Maurya are said to have formed an alliance, with Seleucus giving his daughter in marriage to Chandragupta in exchange for territories in India.
• However, some historians question the veracity of this account.

​The correct answer is Achaemenids.Key Points

• The practice of inscribing royal decrees and other important texts on rock faces and free-standing pillars was a common practice in the Achaemenid Empire.
• This practice was continued by Indian rulers, but they did so in a more limited way.
• For example, the Achaemenids would often inscribe their decrees in multiple languages, including Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian.
• Indian rulers, on the other hand, would typically only inscribe their decrees in one language, usually Sanskrit.
• Additionally, the Achaemenids would often inscribe their decrees in remote areas, such as mountain passes and desert oases.
• Indian rulers, on the other hand, would typically inscribe their decrees in more accessible areas, such as city gates and temples.
• There are a few possible reasons for these differences.
• One possibility is that Indian rulers were more concerned with reaching a local audience than with broadcasting their decrees to a wider audience.
• Another possibility is that Indian rulers were more interested in using these inscriptions to legitimize their rule than to celebrate their military conquests.
• Whatever the reason, the practice of inscribing royal decrees on rock faces and free-standing pillars continued in India for centuries after the fall of the Achaemenid Empire.
• These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the history and culture of ancient India.

• The orders of the king ’Ashoka’ speaks ( Devanampiya Piyadassi) - In the past, there were no arrangements for disposing affairs, nor for receiving regular reports. But I have made the following (arrangement). Pativedakas should report to me about the affairs of the people at all times, anywhere, whether I am eating, in the inner apartment, in the bedroom, in the cow pen, being carried, or in the garden. And I will dispose of the affairs of the people everywhere.
• 6^th Major rock edict mention that Pativedaka can meet the king any time to discuss state affair.
• Epigraphists have translated the term pativedaka as reporter. Hence, it is clear from the above point that the the term pativedaka was referred to reporter.