Question
Download Solution PDFWho among the following said that ‘Maurya kings were usually surrounded by armed women’?
This question was previously asked in
OSSC Excise SI (Mains) Official Paper (Held On: 17 Oct, 2024 Shift 1)
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 3 : Megasthenes
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is Megasthenes.
Key Points
- Megasthenes was a Greek historian, diplomat, and explorer who lived during the Hellenistic period.
- He was an ambassador of Seleucus I Nicator, who sent him to the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
- Megasthenes is best known for his work "Indica," which provides a detailed account of India during the Maurya Empire.
- In his writings, Megasthenes mentioned that Maurya kings were often surrounded by armed women, which was a distinctive feature of the royal court.
Additional Information
- Shudraka
- Shudraka is known as the author of the ancient Indian play "Mrichchhakatika" (The Little Clay Cart).
- The play is a ten-act Sanskrit drama, which is a classic example of ancient Indian theatre.
- There is no historical evidence to suggest that Shudraka had any connection with the Maurya kings or their court.
- Seleucus I Nicator
- Seleucus I Nicator was one of the generals of Alexander the Great and later became a ruler of the Seleucid Empire.
- He established the Seleucid dynasty and controlled a significant portion of the territories formerly conquered by Alexander.
- Seleucus I had diplomatic relations with Chandragupta Maurya and sent Megasthenes as his ambassador to the Maurya court.
- Kautilya (Chanakya)
- Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, was an ancient Indian philosopher, economist, and statesman.
- He is traditionally identified as the author of the "Arthashastra," an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy.
- Kautilya was a key advisor and mentor to Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire.
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