According to Megasthenes, how many gates were there in Pataliputra?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

SSC GD Constable (2022) Official Paper (Held On : 24 Jan 2023 Shift 1)

Answer 1

The correct answer is 64.Key Points

Megasthenes was a Greek historian who visited India during the Mauryan Empire.
According to his accounts, Pataliputra was the capital city of the Mauryan Empire and had a total of 64 gates.
These gates were made of wood and iron and were heavily guarded to protect the city from invaders.
Megasthenes also mentioned that the city was surrounded by a moat and a wooden wall.
Option 1, 2 and 3 are incorrect as they do not match with Megasthenes' account of the number of gates in Pataliputra.

Additional Information

Pataliputra was also known as Patna and is currently located in the Indian state of Bihar.
The city was a major center of trade, commerce and learning during the Mauryan Empire.
Option 1 (261) could be a reference to the number of sub-cities or wards within Pataliputra, as mentioned in some historical accounts.
Option 2 (366) is not supported by any historical evidence and seems to be an arbitrary number.
Option 3 (125) could be a reference to the number of smaller gates or entrances within the main gates of Pataliputra.