MAURYAN EMPIRE
Q1. Which famous Mauryan King became a saint by the end of his life and went to Saravanabelagula in Karnataka?
Chandragupta Maurya.
Q2. Ashoka's coronation was performed after four years of his ascending the throne. Why?
On the advice of his priests.
Q3. Where was Ashoka, at the time of his father Bindusara's death?
Ujjain as Governor.
Q4. Which material was extensively used by the Mauryans for construction?
Wood.
Q5. Which Bactrian King invaded India around 182 BC and captured a sizeable north west region?
Demetrius.
Q6. "The people who behaved well would attain Svarga (Heaven). Whose quote is this?
Ashoka.
Q7. Which queen of Ashoka was opposing the generosity shown to the Buddhists?
Tissarakha.
Q8. Who were the Greek contemporaries of Ashoka?
Antiochus II Theos, Ptolemy III Philadelphus and Antigono Gonatus.
Q9. Who started the use of stones for monuments?
Ashoka.
Q10. How many cave inscriptions are there in the Barabar Hill Caves?
Three.
Q11. While adopting the Saranath Pillar of Ashoka as State Emblem of India a small portion was omitted. What was it?
The inverted or the bell shaped lotus.
Q12. Which literary work gives evidence to the prevalence of slavery and usury during Mauryan period?
Indica of Megasthenes.
Q13. Which Buddhist Stupa was originally built in bricks by Ashoka?
Sanchi.
Q14. Who was the judicial incharge of urban areas of Mauryan period?
Mahmatras.
Q15. Who helped Ashoka in the war of succession against his brothers?
Radhagupta - a minister.
Q16. Which literary work and an inscription, discovered in 1915, mentions that Ashoka used the name "Piyadassi"?
Mahavamsa.
Q17. Who and when, for the first time deciphered the Ashokan edicts for the first time?
1837 James Prinsep.
Q18. Which literary work gives us evidence of the conversion of Chandragupta Maurya to Jainism?
Parisistaparvan.
Q19. Which Buddhist literary work gives us the evidence of the origin of Mauryan Empire?
Vamsathapakasini.
Q20. Who converted Samprati (son of Kunala) the Mauryan ruler to Jainism?
Suhastin.
Q21. Who were the Greek ambassadors stayed in the Mauryan court?
Megasthenes, Deimachus and Dionysius.
Q22. In which edict Ashoka mentioned himself as the king of "Magadha"which title he used only on one occasion?
Bhabra edict.
Q23. Name of which queen of Ashoka was mentioned in the Queen's edict?
Karuvaki - known for her religious and charitable donations.
Q24. Ashoka mentioned only one of his son's name in one of his edicts. Who was he?
Tivara.
Q25. Whom did Ashoka supersede to become a King?
His elder brother SUSIMA as he was not able to suppress a revolt in Taxila.
Q26. Which source describes the Mauryans as " Sudra-Prayast-adharmikah"?
Puranas.
Q27. In which edict Ashoka referred himself as "Ashoka Raja"?
Minor rock edict II at Brahmagiri in Karnataka.
Q28. Which edict of Ashoka is known as "Queen's edict"?
Minor Pillar Edict III.
Q29. Which works were a source of law during the Mauryan period?
Dharma, Rajasasana, Vyavahara.
Q30. What was "Kantaka Sodhana" of the Mauryans?
Criminal courts.
Q31. How did Chandragupta die?
Self starvation.
Q32. Which route to Nepal was considered as royal route during Mauryan period?
Pataliputra - Vaisali - Champaran - Nepal.
Q33. How was Chandragupta also called by the Greeks?
AMITROCHATES meaning destroyer of the foes.
Q34. In which inscription of his, did Ashoka declared his faith in Buddha and also called Buddha as "Bhagavata"?
Bhabra Minor Rock Edict.
Q35. Which inscription refer to the famine relief measures of the Mauryans?
Mahasthan and Sohagura inscriptions.
Q36. Which major rock edict of Ashoka mentioned about the ban on animal sacrifices?
I.
Q37. Buddhist literary work that mentions Ashoka's "Dhammayatra" is
Divyavadana.
Q38. Didarganj in Bihar is famous for?
Stone figure of Chauri bearer.
Q39. Who built the Sanchi Stupa?
Ashoka.
Q40. who were the contemporaries of Ashoka from the South India?
Cholas, Keralaputras, Pandyas and Satyaputras.
Q41. Which Mauryan ruler built a dam across a river near Girnar in western India?
Pushyagupta.
Q42. The colour of the pennants of the Mauryan Chariots was?
White.
Q43. Where is Dasaratha's Nagarjuni Hill cave inscription located?
Barabar - Jehanabad Dist., Bihar.
Q44. In which script, the fourteen major rock edicts of Ashoka located at Shahbazgarhi and Manshera are written?
Kharoshti script.
Q45. Which place has the copies of the major as well as minor pillar edicts?
Allahabad.
Q46. The "Arthashastra" deals with?
1. Administration of loyalty test to the ministers;
2. Appointment of Adhyakshas for different industries and markets;
3. Appointment of Adhyaksha for agriculture. It is a treatise on Mauryan political economy and administration.
Q47. " We shall send you figs and the wine, but in Greece the laws forbid a sophist to be sold". Who wrote this to whom?
Antiochus I to Bindusara
Q48. Where are the earliest reference to Chandragupta is found?
Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman I.
Q49. What is the major mathematical invention during Gupta's period?
Concept of Zero.
Q50. When and how did the Mauryan Empire ended?
Around 185 BC, the last Mauryan ruler Brihadrata was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga.
Q51. In the later years, which Delhi Sultan brought two Ashoka pillars from Meerut and Topra to Delhi?
Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
Q52. According to Kalhana's Rajatarangini, who was Ashoka's favourite deity?
Lord Siva.
Q53. Which form of Prakriti language was uniformly used by Ashoka in almost all his inscriptions?
Ardha Magadhi.
Q54. Which animal inscriptions are found on the capitals/abacus of Saranath Pillar of Ashoka?
Elephant, Horse, Bull, Lion.
Q55. Who were the later Mauryan Kings, arrange them in the order?
Dasaratha, Samprati, Salisuka, Devavarman, Sata Dhanvan, Brihadrata.
Q56. Bindusara patronized which sect of the Buddhism?
Ajivika sect.
Q57. How many spokes are there in the "Dhamma chakra" symbol adopted from the Saranath pillar as the national emblem and in the national flag?
Twenty four.
Q58. Which Mauryan official is equated to the modern day district collector?
Rajuka.
Q59. Which rock edict of Ashoka, clearly laid the importance of efficient organization of administration?
Sixth.
Q60. Which Mauryan ruler unified the west and east Mauryan empire, which got divided after Ashoka?
Samprati.
Q61. Which Ceylonese ruler is said to have modeled himself on the lines of Ashoka?
Tiss
Q62. Who was the minister who helped Ashoka to fight against his brothers on the war of succession?
Radhagupta.
Q63. Which epigraphic evidence confirms that Ashoka used "Piyadassi" as his second name?
Mahavamsa.
Q64. Which Greek Ambassador of Antiochus I of Syria was sent to the court of Bindusara?
Deimachus.
Q65. Which Mauryan king entered into a marriage alliance with Seleucus Nikator the Greek ruler of West Asia?
Chandragupta Maurya.
Q66. Which literary source described the Mauryans as belonging to the Sudra varna?
Puranas.
Q67. Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir was built by Ashoka according to?
Kalhana's Rajatarangini.
Q68. During Mauryan period, Pariharika was a ?
Village exempted from taxes.
Q69. Which queen of Ashoka injured the Bodhi Tree?
Tissarakha - by piercing a poisonous thorn in the Bodhi tree, as she was opposed to his involvement with Buddhism.
Q70. Charumati, daughter of Ashoka married?
Devapala, a kshatriya of Nepal.
Q71. Who was the mother of Ashoka?
Subhadrangi.
Q72. Which queen of Ashoka was making religious and charitable donations?
Karuvaki.
Q73. Markets, during Mauryans were known as?
Panyapattas.
Q74. Who was the warden of the Palace of the Mauryans?
Dauvarika
Q75. The hereditary soldiers of Mauryan period were known as?
Maulas
Q76. What was "Senabhaktam" during Mauryan rule?
A punitive tax imposed on the people of a region by the army when it passes through that region.
Q77. Rupadarshaka in Mauryan period were?
Examiner of punch marked coins.
Q78. Navagaravyoharika Mahamattas during Mauryan period were?
Judicial Officials.
Q79. Whose words were " Sovereignty can be carried on only with assistance. A single wheel does not move, hence the King should employ the ministers and hear their advice"?
Kautilya.
Q80. Akshapataladhyakshas were?
Accountant General during Mauryan Period.
Q81. What is the name of the currency that was in circulation during Mauryan period?
Pana.
Q82. Who saw Ashoka's statue dressed in a monk's role?
Itsing - Chinese traveler.
Q83. Who was the Persian appointed by Ashoka to administer the western province?
TUSASPA.
Q84. Which set of officials outnumbered the others in the Mauryan administrative system?
Revenue officials - an indication of how the Mauryan administration was ensuring of collection and maintenance of revenue.
Q85. What symbol can be found on the royal punch marked silver coins of the Mauryans period?
Peacock Hill Crescent.
Q86. After embracing Buddhism, Ashoka made extensive tours (yatras) in propagating or promoting Buddhism. Which book describes his religion related yatras - Dhamma Yatras?
Divyavadana.
Q87. Which King of the Mauryan period is said to have conquered the land between the two seas?
BINDUSARA - as credited by Taranatha.
Q88. Which southern kingdom was a contemporary to Ashoka's period?
Cholas.
Q89. What are the physical dimensions of the Stupa or Pillar at Sanchi near Bhopal, M.P.?
121.5 ft dia; 77.5 ft height - commissioned by Ashoka the Great.
Q90. Who was the first to publish an English translation of the "Arthashastra"?
Dr.R.Shama Sastry of Mysore in 1915.
Q91. What is "Varna" system?
The classification of people into four broader categories of castes and assignment of profession is called so. They are:
1. BRAHMINS - Priests(Advisors)
2. KSHATRIYAS - Warriors (Kings)
3. VAISHYAS - Traders
4. SUDRAS - Labourers.
Q92. From which pillar edict of Mauryan period, the National Emblem of India is adopted?
Pillar Capitol of Saranath in U.P.
Q93. Which literature by Kautilya gives a detailed account of the administrative system of Mauryans and also stands as an administrative guide even today?
ARTHASHASTRA - contains 15 books in 150 chapters, 180 prakarana (meaning one specific topic) and 6000 verses compiled in 380 shlokas.
Q94. What are the various tests conducted by the Mauryan Empire before appointing a person to a position in the system?
1. DHARMOPADA SUDDHA : Religious tests for employment in administering justice.
2. ARTHOPADA SUDDHA : Monetary tests for employment in Revenue administration.
3. KAMOPADA SUDDHA : Love tests for employment in pleasure related supervision work.
4. BHAYOPADASUDDHA: Fear tests - those who pass out are appointed to positions requiring bravery.
Q95. What are the various names of designations and other administrative terms during Mauryan Period?
SAMHARTA - Revenue collection - income and expenditure of the state and supervise.
AKSHAPATAL ADHYAKSHA - Accountant General.
PINDAKARA - A fixed commuted taxes from villages.
SENABHAKTAM - A punitive tax imposed by the army passing through a location.
SANNIDHATA - Chief Treasury Officer.
KOSA GRIHA/KOSHTAGARA - Strong rooms for storing treasures and revenues.
SENAPATI - Military Chief.
PADADHYAKSHA - Infantry.
ASVADHYAKSHA - Cavalry (horse mounted warriors)
HASTYADHYAKSHA - Elephant mounted warriors.
RATHADHYAKSHA - Chariot Warriors.
NAVADHYAKSHA - Naval Warriors.
AYUDHAGARA DHYAKSHA - Armoury.
MAULA - Hereditary warriors.
BHRITAKAS - Mercenaries.
ATAVIVALAS - Tribal Warriors.
MITRAVALA - Warriors from friendly forces.
DHARMASTHIYA - Civil Court.
KANTAKASODHANAS - Criminal Courts.
DHARMADHIKARIN - Chief Justice.
RAJA SASANA - Royal Proclamations.
BANDHANAGARA - Jail.
CHARAKA - Police Lock Up.
STHANIYA, DRONAMUKHA KHARVATIKA, SANGRAHANA - Police Stations.
BANDHANAGARA DHYAKSHA - Jail Superintendent.
GUDHAPURUSHAS - Secret Agents.
VISHA KANYAS - Lady secret Agents. (cunning)
NISRISHTARTHADUTA - Ambassador.
SASANHARA DUTA - Special Messenger.
DAUVARIKA - Warden of Palace.
VAHIKPATHA - Construction of roads.
PANYAPATTANA - Markets.
RAJUKA - District Collector.
YUKTAS - Subordinate Secretariat Officials.
GOPA - Records Centre.
STHANIKA - Tax collection centre.
GRAMANI - Village Head.
NAGARIKA - City Superintendent and many more specific designations have been assigned to various profession and professionals.
Q96. What is "Saptanga Theory" of Kautilya during the Mauryan Empire?
A theory of seven elements of the state and explained by Kautilya/Chanakya. They are:
1. SVAMIN - King;
2. AMATYA - Minister/Official;
3. JANAPADA - Territory and Population;
4. DURGA - Fort;
5. KOSA - Treasury;
6. BALA - Army; and
7. MITRA - Ally/Friends.
Q97. Where are the important and famous pillar inscriptions of Ashoka?
1. SANCHI - near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. 2. SARNATH - near Varnasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Q98. What is "Dhamma" often referred to in Buddhism and in Ashokan literatures?
A code of conduct and a set of principles to be adopted and practiced by the people at large.
Q99. How many major rock edicts of Ashoka are there?
FOURTEEN - there are also quite a few minor rock edicts spread across different places in India.
Q100. Which major edict of Ashoka describes about the Kalinga War and its effect on Ashoka?
Edict No. 13 (XIII)
Q101. Who was mainly instrumental in deciphering the rock edicts of Ashoka?
James Prinsep. (1799-1840 - an Anglo Indian Scholar).
Q102. What were the languages in which Ashokan edicts written?
1. PRAKRIT language mainly, the script varying according to the locations. The script used are Brahmi and Kharoshti.
2. Greek language and script.
3. Arabic language and script.
Q103. Who were last rulers of Mauryan Empire?
After Ashoka's death the Mauryan Empire got disintegrated into West and East. The West, North West went over to Kunala (son) and the eastern part went over to Dasaratha, grandson of Ashoka. The descendants of these two ruled for some years. The last two kings of Mauryan Empire were Satadhanvan followed by Brihadratta who was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sungha.
Q104. Who influenced Ashoka to embrace Buddhism?
Upagupta, a Buddhist monk.
Q105. Who was Ashoka's second daughter?
CHARUMATI - who married a Nepali Kshatriya named Devapala.
Q106. Who was Ashoka's chief Queen?
ASANDHIMITTA
Q107. Most of Ashoka's life and events are well described in books. What are they?
Mahavamsa, Dipavamsa, Vamsathapakshini, Divyavadana, Asoka Vadana,Rajatarangini.
Q108. What were the names of Ashoka's son and daughter who were sent to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) as Buddhist missionaries?
MAHENDRA (son) and SANGHAMITRA (daughter), sending along withthem a branch of the Pipal Tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
Q109. After the Kalinga War, what happened to Ashoka?
Ashoka was moved by the horrible sight of the dead and immediately embraced Buddhism.
Q110. After the Kalinga War, what were the words uttered by Ashoka himself?
" A hundred and fifty thousand were killed and many time that number perished".
Q111. When did the Kalinga war took place and with whom?
265 BC - 264 BC - Kalinga was with Magadha Kingdom under Nanda dynasty rule.
Q112. Bindusara died in 272 BC. When did Ashoka assume throne?
Ashoka assumed throne in 268 BC.
Q113. Which chronicle describes the life and achievements of Ashoka?
Dipa Vamsa and Maha Vamsa.
Q114. "Devanampiya Piyadassi" and "Piyadassi" are names referring to which king of Mauryan Empire?
Ashoka - 268 to 232 BC.
Q115. Who were "Astynomoi" and "Agronomoi" during Chandragupta's administration?
ASTYNOMOI - town officials; AGRONOMOI - district officials.
Q116. Which Greek Ambassador visited the court of Chandragupta and what book he wrote on the Chandragupta's administration?
Megasthenes - and the book is Indica.
Q117. What was the capital of Mauryan Empire?
Pataliputra - located at the confluence of Ganga and Son rivers. Now called as PATNA
Q118. What was the name of Bindusara's son?
Ashoka.
Q119. Which fortune teller of Bindusara who prophesised that Ashoka would become a great King?
Pingalavatsa.
Q120. Which Syrian Ambassador was in the court of Bindusara?
DEIMACCHUS.
Q121. Which Tibetan Buddhist visited India and the Mauryan Empire during Bindusara's period?
Taranatha.
Q122. Who succeeded Chandragupta?
BINDUSARA - 297-272 BC - called as AMITROCHATES, derived from the Sanskrit word " AMITRAGHATTA " meaning slayer of foes.
Q123. Mauryan Empire extended upto what extent in South India during Bindusara's period?
Mysore in the South.
Q124. Chandragupta went to which place and stayed until his death?
Accompanied by Bhadrabahu and Jain monks, he went to Saravanabelagula near Mysore and starved himself to death as per the Jain tradition called SALLE KHANA.
Q125. Chandragupta embraced which religion towards the end of his life?
Jainism.
Q126. Which Greek Ambassador remained in the Mauryan Empire at Pataliputra and later gave an excellent account of contemporary India?
MEGASTHENES - sent by Seleucus Nikator of Greek.
Q127. What other territorial advancement Chandragupta Maurya made during his tenure?
He subdued Seleucus Nikator, the general of Alexander, who was controlling the Asiatic provinces of Greek. By a treaty in 303 Seleucus ceded the trans-indus region to Chandragupta Maurya, in turn, he got a gift of 500 elephants. He also brought the Ganges Valley region, Central India Narmada region, under his control.
Q128. Who was the advisor of Chandragupta Maurya?
KAUTILYA - also known as Chanakya or Vishnu Gupta.
Q129. Who was the last ruler of Magadha Empire defeated by Chandragupta Maurya to establish the Mauryan Empire?
Dhanananda of the Nanda Dynasty in 321 BC and occupied Pataliputra (now Patna).
Q130. Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
Chandragupta Maurya 321 to 297 BC - 24 years. (The Greeks call him Sandrocottus).
