Ancience India Chapter 13 — The Age of the Mauryas

Ancience India Chapter 13 — The Age of the Mauryas

Chapter 13: The Age of the Mauryas — Chandragupta Maurya, Imperial Organization and Ashoka

Topic 1: Chandragupta Maurya — Origin, Rise and Conquests

Study Notes

Who founded the Maurya dynasty?	Chandragupta Maurya
According to Brahmanical tradition, Chandragupta was born to whom?	Mura, a Shudra woman in the Nanda court
Which earlier tradition describes a Kshatriya clan called Mauryas?	Buddhist tradition
Where did the Maurya Kshatriya clan live according to Buddhist tradition?	Gorakhpur region, adjoining the Nepalese Terai
To which clan did Chandragupta most likely belong?	Maurya clan
Which dynasty did Chandragupta overthrow?	Nanda dynasty
What helped Chandragupta overthrow the Nandas?	Growing weakness and unpopularity of the Nandas
Who helped Chandragupta establish Maurya rule?	Chanakya (Kautilya)
Which Greek writer claimed Chandragupta overran the whole of India?	Justin
According to Justin, how large was Chandragupta's army?	600,000 soldiers
Is Justin's claim about conquering the whole of India certain?	No; the text treats it as uncertain
Whose control did Chandragupta end in north-western India?	Seleucus
Which region did Seleucus rule before his conflict with Chandragupta?	Area west of the Indus
Who appears to have won the war between Chandragupta and Seleucus?	Chandragupta Maurya
What did Chandragupta give Seleucus in the peace settlement?	500 elephants
Which territories did Seleucus give Chandragupta?	Eastern Afghanistan, Baluchistan and territory west of the Indus
Which eastern regions were included in Chandragupta's empire?	Bihar and substantial parts of Odisha and Bengal
Which other major regions did Chandragupta's empire include?	Western India, north-western India and the Deccan
Which southern regions were excluded from Maurya rule according to the text?	Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Which additional region was partly outside Maurya rule?	North-eastern India
What was the geographical extent of Maurya rule according to the text?	Almost the entire Indian subcontinent
What does the text say about some north-western Maurya territories?	They extended into areas not included even in the British Empire

MCQs

1 Who founded the Maurya dynasty?

1. Bindusara
2. Chandragupta Maurya
3. Ashoka
4. Seleucus

1. Bindusara ❌
2. Chandragupta Maurya ✅ He established Maurya rule after overthrowing the Nandas.
3. Ashoka ❌
4. Seleucus ❌

2 According to Brahmanical tradition, Chandragupta was born to whom?

1. A Kshatriya queen
2. A Brahmana woman
3. Mura, a Shudra woman
4. A Greek princess

1. A Kshatriya queen ❌
2. A Brahmana woman ❌
3. Mura, a Shudra woman ✅ This is the account given by Brahmanical tradition.
4. A Greek princess ❌

3 Which tradition associates Chandragupta with a Kshatriya clan called Mauryas?

1. Jain tradition
2. Brahmanical tradition
3. Buddhist tradition
4. Greek tradition

1. Jain tradition ❌
2. Brahmanical tradition ❌
3. Buddhist tradition ✅ The text identifies this as an earlier Buddhist tradition.
4. Greek tradition ❌

4 The Maurya clan mentioned in Buddhist tradition lived near which region?

1. Madurai
2. Gorakhpur and the Nepalese Terai
3. Taxila and Kashmir only
4. Malwa and Gujarat

1. Madurai ❌
2. Gorakhpur and the Nepalese Terai ✅ The text places the clan in this region.
3. Taxila and Kashmir only ❌
4. Malwa and Gujarat ❌

5 Who helped Chandragupta overthrow the Nanda dynasty?

1. Megasthenes
2. Pliny
3. Chanakya (Kautilya)
4. Justin

1. Megasthenes ❌
2. Pliny ❌
3. Chanakya (Kautilya) ✅ He assisted Chandragupta in overthrowing the Nandas.
4. Justin ❌

6 Which Greek writer claimed that Chandragupta overran the whole of India with an army of 600,000?

1. Pliny
2. Justin
3. Megasthenes
4. Seleucus

1. Pliny ❌
2. Justin ✅ The text attributes the claim to Justin and notes its uncertainty.
3. Megasthenes ❌
4. Seleucus ❌

7 Chandragupta Maurya fought against which Greek ruler in the north-west?

1. Alexander
2. Antiochus
3. Seleucus
4. Menander

1. Alexander ❌
2. Antiochus ❌
3. Seleucus ✅ Seleucus controlled the area west of the Indus.
4. Menander ❌

8 What did Chandragupta reportedly give Seleucus under their peace settlement?

1. 500 horses
2. 900 elephants
3. 500 elephants
4. 30,000 soldiers

1. 500 horses ❌
2. 900 elephants ❌
3. 500 elephants ✅ The text specifies 500 elephants in exchange for territory.
4. 30,000 soldiers ❌

9 Which territories did Seleucus surrender to Chandragupta according to the text?

1. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka
2. Eastern Afghanistan, Baluchistan and areas west of the Indus
3. Only Bengal and Bihar
4. Central Asia and Greece

1. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka ❌
2. Eastern Afghanistan, Baluchistan and areas west of the Indus ✅ These were the territories specified in the settlement.
3. Only Bengal and Bihar ❌
4. Central Asia and Greece ❌

10 Which southern regions were excluded from Maurya rule according to the text?

1. Bihar and Bengal
2. Odisha and the Deccan
3. Kerala and Tamil Nadu
4. Western and north-western India

1. Bihar and Bengal ❌
2. Odisha and the Deccan ❌
3. Kerala and Tamil Nadu ✅ The text also mentions parts of north-eastern India as outside Maurya rule.
4. Western and north-western India ❌

Topic 2: Imperial Organization — Sources and Nature of Kingship

Study Notes

How was Maurya administration organized?	Elaborate administrative system
What are the two principal sources for studying Maurya administration in the text?	Megasthenes' account and Kautilya's Arthasastra
Who was Megasthenes?	Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus
At whose court did Megasthenes serve?	Chandragupta Maurya's court
Where did Megasthenes live?	Pataliputra
What subjects did Megasthenes describe?	Pataliputra's administration and the Maurya Empire
Does Megasthenes' original account survive in full?	No
How has Megasthenes' account been preserved?	Quotations in later Greek writers' works
What information do these fragments provide?	Maurya administration, society and economy
What is the Arthasastra associated with?	Kautilya
When was the Arthasastra finally compiled according to the text?	A few centuries after Maurya rule
Can parts of the Arthasastra provide authentic Maurya-era information?	Yes; some books contain genuine material
What kind of ruler was Chandragupta?	Autocrat
Where was supreme power concentrated?	In the king's hands
According to the Arthasastra, what determined the king's happiness?	The happiness of his subjects
According to the Arthasastra, what were the king's troubles?	The troubles of his subjects
Is it certain that Chandragupta always followed this ideal?	No; the text says this is unknown
According to Megasthenes, who assisted the king?	A council of wise members
Was the council's advice necessarily binding on the king?	No evidence that it was binding
From whom were high officers selected?	The councillors

MCQs

1 Which sources are particularly important for understanding Maurya administration?

1. Indica alone
2. Megasthenes' account and Kautilya's Arthasastra
3. Only Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts
4. Only Buddhist legends

1. Indica alone ❌
2. Megasthenes' account and Kautilya's Arthasastra ✅ Both sources help reconstruct the administrative system.
3. Only Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts ❌
4. Only Buddhist legends ❌

2 Megasthenes was sent to Chandragupta Maurya's court by whom?

1. Alexander
2. Justin
3. Seleucus
4. Pliny

1. Alexander ❌
2. Justin ❌
3. Seleucus ✅ Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus.
4. Pliny ❌

3 Where did Megasthenes reside during his mission?

1. Taxila
2. Ujjain
3. Pataliputra
4. Kalinga

1. Taxila ❌
2. Ujjain ❌
3. Pataliputra ✅ It was the Maurya capital and Megasthenes' place of residence.
4. Kalinga ❌

4 How has Megasthenes' account largely survived?

1. As a complete original manuscript
2. Through quotations in later Greek writers' works
3. Only through Maurya coins
4. Through inscriptions written by Chandragupta

1. As a complete original manuscript ❌
2. Through quotations in later Greek writers' works ✅ The original account does not survive in full.
3. Only through Maurya coins ❌
4. Through inscriptions written by Chandragupta ❌

5 When was the Arthasastra finally compiled according to the chapter?

1. Before the Nanda dynasty
2. During Ashoka's reign with certainty
3. A few centuries after Maurya rule
4. During British rule

1. Before the Nanda dynasty ❌
2. During Ashoka's reign with certainty ❌
3. A few centuries after Maurya rule ✅ The text nevertheless says some books contain authentic Maurya-era material.
4. During British rule ❌

6 What type of ruler was Chandragupta Maurya described as?

1. Constitutional monarch
2. Republican leader
3. Autocrat
4. Elected president

1. Constitutional monarch ❌
2. Republican leader ❌
3. Autocrat ✅ The chapter says that Chandragupta concentrated power in his own hands.
4. Elected president ❌

7 According to the Arthasastra ideal quoted in the chapter, the king's happiness lay in what?

1. Expansion of territory alone
2. Wealth of the royal family
3. The happiness of his subjects
4. Victory over every neighbouring kingdom

1. Expansion of territory alone ❌
2. Wealth of the royal family ❌
3. The happiness of his subjects ✅ The text states that the king's happiness depended on his subjects' happiness.
4. Victory over every neighbouring kingdom ❌

8 According to Megasthenes, who assisted Chandragupta in governing?

1. A council of foreign ambassadors
2. A council whose members were noted for wisdom
3. Only military commanders
4. Village assemblies alone

1. A council of foreign ambassadors ❌
2. A council whose members were noted for wisdom ✅ The king was assisted by a council, although its advice was not necessarily binding.
3. Only military commanders ❌
4. Village assemblies alone ❌

Topic 3: Provincial, Urban and Departmental Administration

Study Notes

How was the Maurya Empire divided administratively?	Provinces
Who governed the provinces?	Princes of the royal dynasty
Were provinces divided into smaller administrative units?	Yes
What evidence indicates the importance of urban administration?	Excavations revealing numerous Maurya-period towns
Which were the four most important cities mentioned?	Pataliputra, Kausambi, Ujjain and Taxila
What was the capital of the Maurya Empire?	Pataliputra
How many committees administered Pataliputra?	Six
How many members were in each Pataliputra committee?	Five
What was one responsibility of Pataliputra's committees?	Sanitation
Which committee responsibility concerned non-local visitors?	Care of foreigners
Which records did the city administration maintain?	Births and deaths
What commercial standards did the city committees regulate?	Weights and measures
What archaeological evidence of Maurya-period measurement systems has been found in Bihar?	Various types of weights
How many central state departments did the government maintain approximately?	About two dozen
What did these central departments control?	Social and economic activities
Where was departmental control particularly strong?	Areas near the capital

MCQs

1 Who governed the provinces of the Maurya Empire?

1. Elected village representatives
2. Foreign ambassadors
3. Princes of the royal dynasty
4. Greek merchants

1. Elected village representatives ❌
2. Foreign ambassadors ❌
3. Princes of the royal dynasty ✅ The provinces were placed under princes belonging to the royal family.
4. Greek merchants ❌

2 Which city was the capital of the Maurya Empire?

1. Taxila
2. Kausambi
3. Ujjain
4. Pataliputra

1. Taxila ❌
2. Kausambi ❌
3. Ujjain ❌
4. Pataliputra ✅ Pataliputra was the Maurya capital and had a specialized urban administration.

3 How many committees administered Pataliputra according to Megasthenes' account as presented in the chapter?

1. Four
2. Five
3. Six
4. Eight

1. Four ❌
2. Five ❌
3. Six ✅ The city administration was organized into six committees.
4. Eight ❌

4 How many members constituted each Pataliputra committee?

1. Three
2. Five
3. Six
4. Ten

1. Three ❌
2. Five ✅ Each of the six committees had five members.
3. Six ❌
4. Ten ❌

5 Which of the following was a responsibility of Pataliputra's committees?

1. Electing the emperor
2. Appointing foreign kings
3. Registration of births and deaths
4. Writing all Buddhist scriptures

1. Electing the emperor ❌
2. Appointing foreign kings ❌
3. Registration of births and deaths ✅ The committees maintained records of births and deaths, among other functions.
4. Writing all Buddhist scriptures ❌

6 Which commercial standards were regulated by Pataliputra's committees?

1. Only land ownership
2. Weights and measures
3. Only military ranks
4. Only religious rituals

1. Only land ownership ❌
2. Weights and measures ✅ The committees regulated weights and measures used in commercial activity.
3. Only military ranks ❌
4. Only religious rituals ❌

7 Approximately how many central government departments did the Mauryas maintain?

1. Six
2. Twelve
3. Two dozen
4. One hundred

1. Six ❌
2. Twelve ❌
3. Two dozen ✅ The chapter estimates about two dozen central departments.
4. One hundred ❌

8 Where did the central departments exercise particularly strong control over social and economic activities?

1. Only beyond the Himalayas
2. Only in foreign kingdoms
3. Areas near the capital
4. Only in independent southern states

1. Only beyond the Himalayas ❌
2. Only in foreign kingdoms ❌
3. Areas near the capital ✅ The text qualifies the reach of departmental control in this way.
4. Only in independent southern states ❌

Topic 4: Maurya Military Organization

Study Notes

What was a striking feature of Chandragupta's administration?	Maintenance of a huge army
Which Roman writer provided figures for Chandragupta's army?	Pliny
According to Pliny, how many foot-soldiers did Chandragupta maintain?	600,000
According to Pliny, how many cavalry soldiers did Chandragupta maintain?	30,000
According to Pliny, how many elephants did Chandragupta maintain?	9,000
How many chariots did another source attribute to the Mauryas?	8,000
What additional military force did the Mauryas apparently maintain?	A navy
According to Megasthenes, how many officers administered the armed forces?	30
How was the military board organized?	Six committees of five members each
What were the six military branches or responsibilities mentioned?	Army, cavalry, elephants, chariots, navy and transport
How many members served on each military committee?	Five
How did Maurya military strength compare with that of the Nandas?	Almost three times greater
Why did Maurya military strength increase?	Larger empire and greater resources

MCQs

1 Who supplied the military figures of 600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry and 9,000 elephants?

1. Justin
2. Megasthenes
3. Pliny
4. Kautilya

1. Justin ❌
2. Megasthenes ❌
3. Pliny ✅ The chapter attributes these army figures to the Roman writer Pliny.
4. Kautilya ❌

2 According to Pliny, how many foot-soldiers did Chandragupta maintain?

1. 30,000
2. 90,000
3. 150,000
4. 600,000

1. 30,000 ❌ This was the reported cavalry strength.
2. 90,000 ❌
3. 150,000 ❌
4. 600,000 ✅ Pliny's account gives 600,000 foot-soldiers.

3 How many cavalry soldiers were attributed to Chandragupta's army by Pliny?

1. 9,000
2. 30,000
3. 60,000
4. 600,000

1. 9,000 ❌ This was the reported number of elephants.
2. 30,000 ✅ This was the cavalry figure in Pliny's account.
3. 60,000 ❌
4. 600,000 ❌ This was the infantry figure.

4 How many elephants were attributed to Chandragupta's army by Pliny?

1. 5,000
2. 9,000
3. 30,000
4. 80,000

1. 5,000 ❌
2. 9,000 ✅ Pliny's account specifies 9,000 elephants.
3. 30,000 ❌
4. 80,000 ❌

5 How many chariots did another source attribute to the Mauryas?

1. 800
2. 5,000
3. 8,000
4. 9,000

1. 800 ❌
2. 5,000 ❌
3. 8,000 ✅ The chapter mentions 8,000 chariots according to another source.
4. 9,000 ❌ This was Pliny's reported elephant figure.

6 According to Megasthenes, how many officers administered the armed forces?

1. 20
2. 30
3. 60
4. 100

1. 20 ❌
2. 30 ✅ The military board consisted of 30 officers.
3. 60 ❌
4. 100 ❌

7 How was the Maurya military board divided according to Megasthenes?

1. Three committees of ten
2. Six committees of five
3. Five committees of six
4. Ten committees of three

1. Three committees of ten ❌
2. Six committees of five ✅ Thirty officers were divided into six committees, each with five members.
3. Five committees of six ❌
4. Ten committees of three ❌

8 Which set correctly lists the six military branches or responsibilities mentioned in the chapter?

1. Infantry, archers, engineers, spies, physicians and judges
2. Army, cavalry, elephants, chariots, navy and transport
3. Army, police, revenue, courts, trade and agriculture
4. Cavalry, navy, taxation, mining, liquor and transport

1. Infantry, archers, engineers, spies, physicians and judges ❌
2. Army, cavalry, elephants, chariots, navy and transport ✅ These are the six branches or responsibilities listed in the text.
3. Army, police, revenue, courts, trade and agriculture ❌
4. Cavalry, navy, taxation, mining, liquor and transport ❌

9 Maurya military strength was approximately how many times that of the Nandas?

1. Equal
2. Twice
3. Three times
4. Ten times

1. Equal ❌
2. Twice ❌
3. Three times ✅ The chapter says Maurya military strength was almost three times that of the Nandas.
4. Ten times ❌

Topic 5: Maurya Revenue, Agriculture and State Monopolies

Study Notes

What provided the financial foundation for Chandragupta's administration?	Organized revenue and economic control
According to the Arthasastra, how extensively did the state control economic activities?	Almost all economic activities
How did the state increase cultivated land?	By bringing new land under cultivation
Who helped bring new land under cultivation?	Cultivators and Shudra labourers
What did newly cultivated virgin land provide to the state?	Revenue from newly settled peasants
What proportion of agricultural produce was collected as tax according to the text?	One-fourth to one-sixth
What obligation applied to cultivators receiving state irrigation facilities?	They had to pay for irrigation
What could the state demand from peasants during emergencies?	Additional crop production
Where were tolls collected on commodities brought for sale?	Town gates
Which activity was subject to tolls?	Commodities brought into towns for sale
Which mining-related economic activity was monopolized by the state?	Mining
Which intoxicating commodity's sale was a state monopoly?	Liquor
Which military manufacturing activity was a state monopoly?	Manufacture of arms
Where did state monopolies direct their income?	Royal exchequer
What was the overall result of Chandragupta's fiscal and administrative policies?	A well-organized administration with a sound financial base

MCQs

1 According to the Arthasastra as discussed in the chapter, how extensively did the state control economic activities?

1. Only foreign trade
2. Only temple donations
3. Almost all economic activities
4. No economic activities

1. Only foreign trade ❌
2. Only temple donations ❌
3. Almost all economic activities ✅ The text describes extensive state economic control.
4. No economic activities ❌

2 Who helped bring new land under cultivation in the Maurya Empire?

1. Only Greek soldiers
2. Cultivators and Shudra labourers
3. Only Buddhist monks
4. Foreign ambassadors

1. Only Greek soldiers ❌
2. Cultivators and Shudra labourers ✅ The chapter specifically identifies these groups.
3. Only Buddhist monks ❌
4. Foreign ambassadors ❌

3 What proportion of agricultural produce did peasants reportedly pay as tax?

1. One-half to one-third
2. One-tenth to one-twentieth
3. One-fourth to one-sixth
4. All the produce

1. One-half to one-third ❌
2. One-tenth to one-twentieth ❌
3. One-fourth to one-sixth ✅ The chapter gives this range for agricultural taxes.
4. All the produce ❌

4 What payment obligation applied to peasants who received irrigation facilities from the state?

1. No taxes of any kind
2. Military service only
3. Payment for irrigation facilities
4. Mandatory service as ambassadors

1. No taxes of any kind ❌
2. Military service only ❌
3. Payment for irrigation facilities ✅ The state charged those who received its irrigation facilities.
4. Mandatory service as ambassadors ❌

5 What could happen to agricultural production during emergencies?

1. All cultivation was prohibited
2. Taxes were permanently abolished
3. Peasants could be compelled to raise more crops
4. All agricultural land was transferred abroad

1. All cultivation was prohibited ❌
2. Taxes were permanently abolished ❌
3. Peasants could be compelled to raise more crops ✅ The state could demand additional crop production in emergencies.
4. All agricultural land was transferred abroad ❌

6 Where were tolls collected on commodities brought into towns for sale?

1. Only at village temples
2. At town gates
3. Only at military camps
4. At provincial borders outside the empire only

1. Only at village temples ❌
2. At town gates ✅ The chapter specifies toll collection at the gates of towns.
3. Only at military camps ❌
4. At provincial borders outside the empire only ❌

7 Which group of activities was included in state monopolies mentioned in the chapter?

1. Education, music and poetry only
2. Mining, sale of liquor and manufacture of arms
3. Marriage, festivals and family rituals
4. Private farming and household cooking only

1. Education, music and poetry only ❌
2. Mining, sale of liquor and manufacture of arms ✅ The text lists these as state monopolies.
3. Marriage, festivals and family rituals ❌
4. Private farming and household cooking only ❌

8 What was the principal fiscal benefit of state monopolies?

1. They eliminated the need for revenue
2. They transferred all revenue to foreign rulers
3. They generated income for the royal exchequer
4. They ended state control of the economy

1. They eliminated the need for revenue ❌
2. They transferred all revenue to foreign rulers ❌
3. They generated income for the royal exchequer ✅ Monopoly income strengthened the state's financial base.
4. They ended state control of the economy ❌

Topic 6: Ashoka — Accession, Sources and Inscriptions

Study Notes

Who succeeded Chandragupta Maurya?	Bindusara
What was notable about Bindusara's reign?	Continued links with Greek princes
Who succeeded Bindusara?	Ashoka
Which Maurya ruler is described as the greatest in the chapter?	Ashoka
What does Buddhist tradition claim about Ashoka's early life?	He killed 99 brothers to obtain the throne
Should the story of Ashoka killing 99 brothers be accepted as certain fact?	No; it is a legend
Why are Buddhist biographies of Ashoka treated cautiously in the chapter?	They contain much fiction
What is the principal basis for reconstructing Ashoka's history?	His inscriptions
Why is Ashoka significant in Indian epigraphic history?	First Indian king to address people directly through inscriptions
Where were Ashoka's inscriptions engraved?	Rocks, polished stone pillars with capitals, and caves
Where have Ashoka's inscriptions been found outside the Indian subcontinent's main regions?	Kandahar in Afghanistan
How many royal orders are described in the chapter?	44
Did each royal order have only one copy?	No; each had several copies
What was the principal language of Ashoka's inscriptions?	Prakrit
Which script was used throughout most of the empire?	Brahmi
Which script was used in the north-western part of the empire?	Kharosthi
Which languages and scripts are associated with Ashokan inscriptions at Kandahar?	Aramaic and Greek; Greek script and language
Where were Ashoka's inscriptions generally placed?	Ancient highways
What historical information do Ashoka's inscriptions provide?	Career, domestic and foreign policies, and imperial extent
What dates are given for Ashoka's reign in the chapter heading?	273–232 BC

MCQs

1 Who succeeded Chandragupta Maurya?

1. Ashoka
2. Bindusara
3. Seleucus
4. Chanakya

1. Ashoka ❌
2. Bindusara ✅ Bindusara succeeded Chandragupta and was followed by Ashoka.
3. Seleucus ❌
4. Chanakya ❌

2 What is the principal basis for reconstructing Ashoka's history according to the chapter?

1. Only Greek legends
2. Only the Arthasastra
3. Ashoka's inscriptions
4. Only coins of the Nandas

1. Only Greek legends ❌
2. Only the Arthasastra ❌
3. Ashoka's inscriptions ✅ The chapter identifies inscriptions as the main source for reconstructing his history.
4. Only coins of the Nandas ❌

3 Which statement best describes the Buddhist story that Ashoka killed 99 brothers?

1. It is confirmed by all his inscriptions
2. It is a legend and should not be accepted uncritically
3. It was recorded by Megasthenes
4. It describes the Kalinga War

1. It is confirmed by all his inscriptions ❌
2. It is a legend and should not be accepted uncritically ✅ The chapter explicitly cautions against treating this story as certain fact.
3. It was recorded by Megasthenes ❌
4. It describes the Kalinga War ❌

4 Why is Ashoka described as an important figure in Indian epigraphic history?

1. He abolished all writing
2. He introduced Greek as the only language
3. He was the first Indian king to address people directly through inscriptions
4. He wrote the Arthasastra

1. He abolished all writing ❌
2. He introduced Greek as the only language ❌
3. He was the first Indian king to address people directly through inscriptions ✅ His inscriptions communicated royal messages to the public.
4. He wrote the Arthasastra ❌

5 On which media were Ashoka's inscriptions engraved?

1. Only palm leaves
2. Only copper coins
3. Rocks, polished stone pillars and caves
4. Only wooden tablets

1. Only palm leaves ❌
2. Only copper coins ❌
3. Rocks, polished stone pillars and caves ✅ The chapter lists these inscription locations.
4. Only wooden tablets ❌

6 How many royal orders are described in the chapter's account of Ashokan inscriptions?

1. 14
2. 30
3. 44
4. 100

1. 14 ❌
2. 30 ❌
3. 44 ✅ The chapter describes the inscriptions as 44 royal orders, each with several copies.
4. 100 ❌

7 Which language was primarily used in Ashoka's inscriptions?

1. Sanskrit exclusively
2. Greek exclusively
3. Prakrit
4. Tamil exclusively

1. Sanskrit exclusively ❌
2. Greek exclusively ❌
3. Prakrit ✅ Prakrit was the principal language; other languages were used in some north-western inscriptions.
4. Tamil exclusively ❌

8 Which script was used across most of Ashoka's empire?

1. Kharosthi
2. Aramaic
3. Brahmi
4. Greek

1. Kharosthi ❌ It was used in the north-western region.
2. Aramaic ❌ It appears in the Kandahar context.
3. Brahmi ✅ Brahmi was used throughout the greater part of the empire.
4. Greek ❌ Greek script and language appear in Kandahar inscriptions.

9 Which script was used in the north-western part of Ashoka's empire?

1. Brahmi only
2. Kharosthi
3. Devanagari
4. Grantha

1. Brahmi only ❌
2. Kharosthi ✅ The chapter distinguishes north-western inscriptions by their use of Kharosthi.
3. Devanagari ❌
4. Grantha ❌

10 Ashokan inscriptions in the Kandahar region included which linguistic traditions?

1. Only Tamil and Brahmi
2. Only Prakrit and Kharosthi
3. Aramaic and Greek
4. Only Sanskrit and Devanagari

1. Only Tamil and Brahmi ❌
2. Only Prakrit and Kharosthi ❌
3. Aramaic and Greek ✅ The chapter mentions Aramaic and Greek script and language in Kandahar.
4. Only Sanskrit and Devanagari ❌

11 Where were Ashoka's inscriptions generally placed?

1. Only inside royal palaces
2. Along ancient highways
3. Only at sea ports
4. Only inside private homes

1. Only inside royal palaces ❌
2. Along ancient highways ✅ Their placement helped communicate royal messages across the empire.
3. Only at sea ports ❌
4. Only inside private homes ❌

Topic 7: Kalinga War — Remorse and Dhamma Conquest

Study Notes

Which ideology guided Ashoka's domestic and foreign state policies?	Buddhism
How many major wars did Ashoka fight after his accession, according to the chapter?	One: the Kalinga War
How many people did Ashoka report killed in the Kalinga War?	100,000
How many people did Ashoka report deported in the Kalinga War?	150,000
Which groups suffered in the Kalinga War according to the text?	Brahmana priests and Buddhist monks, among others
What emotional response did the Kalinga War produce in Ashoka?	Grief and remorse
What policy replaced physical conquest after the Kalinga War?	Cultural conquest
What does bherighosha mean in the chapter's contrast?	War drums; military conquest
What does dhammaghosha represent?	Proclamation or spread of Dhamma
Which inscription describes Ashoka's remorse after the Kalinga War?	13th Major Rock Edict
In which year of his consecration did Ashoka conquer Kalinga according to the edict?	Eight years after consecration
How many deportees are mentioned in the 13th Major Rock Edict?	150,000
How many people are mentioned as killed in the edict?	100,000
What did Ashoka consider the foremost victory?	Victory by Dhamma
What was especially grievous to Ashoka about conquering an independent country?	Killing, death, deportation and suffering
Who suffered violence and separation according to the edict?	Brahmanas, sramanas, other sects, householders, relatives, slaves and servants
How did Ashoka address the people of independent Kalinga?	He asked them to obey him as a father and trust him
Who was instructed to spread this paternal message?	Appointed officials
What did Ashoka ask tribal peoples to follow?	Dhamma

MCQs

1 Which major war did Ashoka fight after his accession, according to the chapter?

1. War against Seleucus
2. War against the Nandas
3. Kalinga War
4. War against the Cholas

1. War against Seleucus ❌
2. War against the Nandas ❌
3. Kalinga War ✅ The chapter identifies the Kalinga War as Ashoka's only major war after accession.
4. War against the Cholas ❌

2 How many people did Ashoka report as killed in the Kalinga War?

1. 10,000
2. 50,000
3. 100,000
4. 150,000

1. 10,000 ❌
2. 50,000 ❌
3. 100,000 ✅ The 13th Major Rock Edict reports 100,000 killed.
4. 150,000 ❌ This figure refers to deportees in the edict.

3 How many people did Ashoka report as deported after the conquest of Kalinga?

1. 50,000
2. 100,000
3. 150,000
4. 200,000

1. 50,000 ❌
2. 100,000 ❌ This is the reported number killed.
3. 150,000 ✅ The edict records 150,000 deported.
4. 200,000 ❌

4 Which inscription records Ashoka's remorse after the Kalinga War?

1. 1st Major Rock Edict
2. 5th Major Rock Edict
3. 13th Major Rock Edict
4. Rummindei Pillar Inscription

1. 1st Major Rock Edict ❌
2. 5th Major Rock Edict ❌
3. 13th Major Rock Edict ✅ It records the suffering caused by the conquest and Ashoka's remorse.
4. Rummindei Pillar Inscription ❌ That inscription concerns the Buddha's birthplace and Lumbini's tax concessions.

5 In which year after consecration did Ashoka conquer Kalinga according to the 13th Major Rock Edict?

1. In the first year
2. In the fifth year
3. In the eighth year
4. In the twentieth year

1. In the first year ❌
2. In the fifth year ❌
3. In the eighth year ✅ The edict begins its account by placing the conquest eight years after consecration.
4. In the twentieth year ❌

6 What policy did Ashoka favour over physical conquest after the Kalinga War?

1. Permanent military expansion
2. Abandonment of all administration
3. Cultural conquest through Dhamma
4. Forced conversion of every subject

1. Permanent military expansion ❌
2. Abandonment of all administration ❌
3. Cultural conquest through Dhamma ✅ Ashoka shifted emphasis from military expansion to moral and ideological influence.
4. Forced conversion of every subject ❌

7 In Ashoka's contrast, what replaced bherighosha?

1. Arthaghosha
2. Dhammaghosha
3. Rajaghosha
4. Yuddhaghosha

1. Arthaghosha ❌
2. Dhammaghosha ✅ The contrast represents a shift from the sound of war to the proclamation of Dhamma.
3. Rajaghosha ❌
4. Yuddhaghosha ❌

8 According to Ashoka, what was the foremost form of victory?

1. Victory through elephants
2. Victory through annexation
3. Victory through wealth
4. Victory by Dhamma

1. Victory through elephants ❌
2. Victory through annexation ❌
3. Victory through wealth ❌
4. Victory by Dhamma ✅ The 13th Major Rock Edict explicitly gives priority to victory through Dhamma.

9 How did Ashoka ask the people of independent Kalinga to regard him?

1. As a foreign merchant
2. As a father whom they should obey and trust
3. As an elected village head
4. As a Buddhist monk without political authority

1. As a foreign merchant ❌
2. As a father whom they should obey and trust ✅ Ashoka used the ideal of paternal kingship to build confidence among the people.
3. As an elected village head ❌
4. As a Buddhist monk without political authority ❌

Topic 8: Ashoka's Foreign Policy, Tribal Policy and Imperial Consolidation

Study Notes

How did Ashoka approach foreign dominions after the Kalinga War?	Ideological conquest rather than military conquest
Did Ashoka regard foreign territories as legitimate targets for routine military conquest?	No
Whose welfare did Ashoka seek to promote in foreign lands?	Humans and animals
What was distinctive about Ashoka's concern for foreign lands?	Welfare measures beyond his empire
Where did Ashoka send ambassadors of peace?	Greek kingdoms in Western Asia and Greece
According to Buddhist tradition, where were missionaries sent?	Sri Lanka and Central Asia, among other regions
What means did Ashoka use to expand political influence?	Propaganda and ideological influence
Did Ashoka become an absolute pacifist after Kalinga?	No
What happened to Kalinga after its conquest?	It was retained and incorporated into the empire
Is there evidence that Ashoka disbanded Chandragupta's huge army?	No
What did Ashoka do when tribal peoples violated established social order and righteousness?	He threatened them
What were rajukas authorized to do?	Reward and punish people
What was the purpose of appointing rajukas?	Administration and enforcement of justice
What does the Kandahar inscription suggest about Ashoka's policy?	Hunters and fishermen gave up killing animals
What change may hunters and fishermen have made after giving up killing animals?	Possibly adopted settled agriculture
What was the political objective of Ashoka's Dhamma policy?	Consolidation of the empire

MCQs

1 How did Ashoka seek to influence foreign dominions after the Kalinga War?

1. Through continuous annexation
2. By abandoning all diplomatic relations
3. Through ideological conquest
4. By transferring his capital abroad

1. Through continuous annexation ❌
2. By abandoning all diplomatic relations ❌
3. Through ideological conquest ✅ Ashoka sought to spread Dhamma and influence foreign territories without routine military conquest.
4. By transferring his capital abroad ❌

2 To which regions did Ashoka send ambassadors of peace according to the chapter?

1. Only China and Japan
2. Greek kingdoms in Western Asia and Greece
3. Only southern India
4. Only the Himalayan kingdoms

1. Only China and Japan ❌
2. Greek kingdoms in Western Asia and Greece ✅ The chapter identifies these destinations for his peace ambassadors.
3. Only southern India ❌
4. Only the Himalayan kingdoms ❌

3 According to Buddhist tradition, Ashoka sent missionaries to which regions?

1. Only Greece
2. Only Egypt
3. Sri Lanka and Central Asia, among other regions
4. Only the Roman Empire

1. Only Greece ❌
2. Only Egypt ❌
3. Sri Lanka and Central Asia, among other regions ✅ This is the missionary activity attributed to Ashoka by Buddhist tradition in the text.
4. Only the Roman Empire ❌

4 Which statement about Ashoka's post-Kalinga policy is correct?

1. He became an absolute pacifist and disbanded his army
2. He abandoned Kalinga immediately
3. He retained Kalinga and continued to maintain imperial power
4. He stopped administering the empire

1. He became an absolute pacifist and disbanded his army ❌ The text gives no evidence that the army was disbanded.
2. He abandoned Kalinga immediately ❌ Kalinga was incorporated into the empire.
3. He retained Kalinga and continued to maintain imperial power ✅ His policy was practical consolidation, not the abandonment of government.
4. He stopped administering the empire ❌

5 What powers were given to the rajukas appointed by Ashoka?

1. Only power to collect tolls
2. Authority to reward and punish people
3. Only power to appoint kings
4. Authority to command foreign Greek kingdoms

1. Only power to collect tolls ❌
2. Authority to reward and punish people ✅ Rajukas exercised authority connected with administration of justice.
3. Only power to appoint kings ❌
4. Authority to command foreign Greek kingdoms ❌

6 What does the Kandahar inscription suggest about some hunters and fishermen under Ashoka's influence?

1. They increased animal slaughter
2. They joined the Greek army
3. They gave up killing animals and possibly adopted settled agriculture
4. They migrated to Sri Lanka

1. They increased animal slaughter ❌
2. They joined the Greek army ❌
3. They gave up killing animals and possibly adopted settled agriculture ✅ The chapter presents this as evidence of the influence of Ashoka's policy.
4. They migrated to Sri Lanka ❌

Topic 9: Ashoka's Internal Policy, Dhamma and Buddhism

Study Notes

What event led to Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism according to the text?	Kalinga War
According to tradition, what did Ashoka do after becoming a Buddhist?	Became a monk, gave gifts to Buddhists and visited Buddhist shrines
Which inscriptions suggest Ashoka visited Buddhist shrines?	Inscriptions mentioning Dhamma-yatras
Who chaired the Buddhist council according to the tradition described?	Ashoka's brother
Where were Buddhist missionaries reportedly sent?	South India, Sri Lanka, Burma and other countries
What ideal of kingship did Ashoka promote?	Paternal kingship
How did Ashoka ask officials to describe his relationship with subjects?	The king regarded them as his children
What responsibility did royal officials have toward the people?	Care for the people
Who were the dharmamahamatras?	Officials appointed to propagate Dhamma
Among which groups did dharmamahamatras spread Dhamma?	Various social groups, including women
Which officials were appointed for the administration of justice?	Rajukas
Which practices did Ashoka disapprove of?	Rituals, especially those observed by women
What did Ashoka prohibit in the capital?	Slaughter of animals
What other animal-related restriction did Ashoka impose?	He forbade killing certain birds and animals
Which social events did Ashoka interdict?	Gay social functions involving revelry
Was Ashoka's Dhamma a narrow sectarian religion?	No
What broad objective did Ashoka's Dhamma serve?	Preservation of social order
Which family members were people instructed to obey?	Parents
Whom were people instructed to respect?	Brahmanas and Buddhist monks
How were people instructed to treat slaves and servants?	With mercy
What principle did Ashoka teach concerning living beings?	Live and let live
What did Ashoka emphasize toward animals?	Compassion
What did Ashoka emphasize in relations with relatives?	Proper behaviour
Which social institutions did Ashoka's teachings seek to strengthen?	Family and existing social classes
What did Ashoka say well-behaved people could attain?	Heaven
Did Ashoka promise that following his Dhamma would attain Nirvana?	No; the text explicitly distinguishes his teaching from that goal
What was the basis of Ashoka's effort to maintain social order?	Tolerance

MCQs

1 What event is associated with Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism in the chapter?

1. Battle with Seleucus
2. Accession of Bindusara
3. Kalinga War
4. Construction of Taxila

1. Battle with Seleucus ❌
2. Accession of Bindusara ❌
3. Kalinga War ✅ The chapter associates Ashoka's conversion with the suffering caused by the Kalinga War.
4. Construction of Taxila ❌

2 Which activities are attributed to Ashoka by Buddhist tradition after his conversion?

1. Abandoning all public duties
2. Becoming a monk, making gifts to Buddhists and visiting Buddhist shrines
3. Waging continuous wars
4. Rejecting all religious institutions

1. Abandoning all public duties ❌
2. Becoming a monk, making gifts to Buddhists and visiting Buddhist shrines ✅ These activities are reported by Buddhist tradition in the chapter.
3. Waging continuous wars ❌
4. Rejecting all religious institutions ❌

3 Which term in Ashoka's inscriptions is associated with journeys connected with Dhamma?

1. Digvijaya
2. Bherighosha
3. Dhamma-yatras
4. Rajasuya

1. Digvijaya ❌
2. Bherighosha ❌
3. Dhamma-yatras ✅ The chapter cites Dhamma-yatras as evidence suggesting visits to Buddhist shrines.
4. Rajasuya ❌

4 What ideal of kingship did Ashoka repeatedly emphasize?

1. Divine kingship without responsibility
2. Military kingship alone
3. Paternal kingship
4. Elected kingship

1. Divine kingship without responsibility ❌
2. Military kingship alone ❌
3. Paternal kingship ✅ Ashoka asked officials to tell the people that the king regarded them as his children.
4. Elected kingship ❌

5 Who were the dharmamahamatras?

1. Greek military officers
2. Officials appointed to propagate Dhamma
3. Village merchants
4. Foreign kings

1. Greek military officers ❌
2. Officials appointed to propagate Dhamma ✅ They spread Dhamma among various social groups, including women.
3. Village merchants ❌
4. Foreign kings ❌

6 Which officials did Ashoka appoint for the administration of justice?

1. Dharmamahamatras alone
2. Greek ambassadors
3. Rajukas
4. Village merchants

1. Dharmamahamatras alone ❌
2. Greek ambassadors ❌
3. Rajukas ✅ Rajukas were appointed for justice and could reward or punish people.
4. Village merchants ❌

7 Which animal-related measures are attributed to Ashoka?

1. Mandatory animal sacrifice throughout the empire
2. Ban on agriculture involving animals
3. Prohibition on killing certain birds and animals and on slaughter in the capital
4. Compulsory hunting for all officials

1. Mandatory animal sacrifice throughout the empire ❌
2. Ban on agriculture involving animals ❌
3. Prohibition on killing certain birds and animals and on slaughter in the capital ✅ The chapter describes these restrictions as part of Ashoka's internal policy.
4. Compulsory hunting for all officials ❌

8 Which statement best describes Ashoka's Dhamma?

1. A narrow sectarian faith imposed on all subjects
2. A policy intended only for Buddhist monks
3. A broad ethical policy aimed at preserving social order through tolerance
4. A programme of compulsory military expansion

1. A narrow sectarian faith imposed on all subjects ❌
2. A policy intended only for Buddhist monks ❌
3. A broad ethical policy aimed at preserving social order through tolerance ✅ The chapter explicitly rejects the idea that Dhamma was a narrow sectarian religion.
4. A programme of compulsory military expansion ❌

9 According to Ashoka's Dhamma, which behaviour was encouraged?

1. Disobedience to parents
2. Harsh treatment of servants
3. Respect for parents and religious teachers, and mercy toward slaves and servants
4. Hostility toward all other sects

1. Disobedience to parents ❌
2. Harsh treatment of servants ❌
3. Respect for parents and religious teachers, and mercy toward slaves and servants ✅ These ethical instructions appear in the chapter's account of Dhamma.
4. Hostility toward all other sects ❌

10 According to the chapter, what could people attain by behaving well under Ashoka's teaching?

1. Nirvana as an explicit promise to all followers
2. Heaven
3. The imperial throne
4. Automatic exemption from all taxes

1. Nirvana as an explicit promise to all followers ❌ The text says Ashoka did not promise Nirvana as the goal of his teachings.
2. Heaven ✅ Ashoka taught that good conduct could lead to heaven.
3. The imperial throne ❌
4. Automatic exemption from all taxes ❌

11 Which social institutions did Ashoka's teachings seek to strengthen?

1. Only the military
2. Only foreign trade
3. Family and existing social classes
4. Only royal succession

1. Only the military ❌
2. Only foreign trade ❌
3. Family and existing social classes ✅ The chapter states that Dhamma was intended to reinforce these institutions.
4. Only royal succession ❌

Topic 10: Rummindei Pillar Inscription — Lumbini and Tax Concessions

Study Notes

Which Ashokan inscription is reproduced in the chapter?	Rummindei Pillar Inscription
In which script is the Rummindei inscription written?	Brahmi
In which language is the Rummindei inscription written?	Prakrit
Which royal title appears in the inscription?	Devanampiya Piyadassi
How many years after consecration did Ashoka visit the Buddha's birthplace according to the inscription?	Twenty years
Whose birthplace did Ashoka visit and worship?	Buddha Sakyamuni
Where was Buddha Sakyamuni born according to the inscription?	Lumbini
What did Ashoka cause to be erected at the birthplace?	A stone pillar and a stone structure or marker
What was the fiscal concession granted to Lumbini?	Exemption from bali tribute
What happened to Lumbini's bhaga, or royal share of produce?	Reduced to one-eighth
What does the inscription reveal about Ashoka?	His visit to the Buddha's birthplace and tax concessions to Lumbini

MCQs

1 In which script is the Rummindei Pillar Inscription written?

1. Kharosthi
2. Brahmi
3. Greek
4. Aramaic

1. Kharosthi ❌
2. Brahmi ✅ The chapter identifies the inscription's script as Brahmi.
3. Greek ❌
4. Aramaic ❌

2 Which language is used in the Rummindei Pillar Inscription?

1. Sanskrit
2. Greek
3. Prakrit
4. Tamil

1. Sanskrit ❌
2. Greek ❌
3. Prakrit ✅ The inscription is written in Prakrit using Brahmi script.
4. Tamil ❌

3 How many years after consecration did Ashoka visit the Buddha's birthplace according to the Rummindei inscription?

1. Eight years
2. Ten years
3. Twenty years
4. Thirty years

1. Eight years ❌ This is the period associated with the conquest of Kalinga in the 13th Major Rock Edict.
2. Ten years ❌
3. Twenty years ✅ The Rummindei inscription states that Ashoka visited the site after twenty years of consecration.
4. Thirty years ❌

4 Which sacred event is commemorated by the Rummindei Pillar Inscription?

1. Ashoka's conquest of Kalinga
2. The founding of Pataliputra
3. The birth of Buddha Sakyamuni at Lumbini
4. The treaty with Seleucus

1. Ashoka's conquest of Kalinga ❌
2. The founding of Pataliputra ❌
3. The birth of Buddha Sakyamuni at Lumbini ✅ Ashoka visited and worshipped the Buddha's birthplace.
4. The treaty with Seleucus ❌

5 Which fiscal concession did Ashoka grant to Lumbini according to the inscription?

1. Complete exemption from every form of taxation for all time
2. Exemption from bali and reduction of bhaga to one-eighth
3. Reduction of bhaga to one-half
4. Increase of bali and bhaga

1. Complete exemption from every form of taxation for all time ❌
2. Exemption from bali and reduction of bhaga to one-eighth ✅ The inscription specifies exemption from bali tribute and reduction of the royal produce share to one-eighth.
3. Reduction of bhaga to one-half ❌
4. Increase of bali and bhaga ❌

Topic 11: Ashoka's Place in History — Achievements and Limitations

Study Notes

Did Ashoka's peaceful policy necessarily ruin the Maurya Empire?	No; the chapter rejects this interpretation
How is Ashoka characterized in the history of the ancient world?	Greatest missionary ruler
What political achievement is credited to Ashoka?	Political unification of the country
What helped reinforce unity under Ashoka?	Dhamma, shared administrative communication and widely used scripts
Which scripts did Ashoka accommodate in his empire?	Brahmi, Kharosthi, Aramaic and Greek
Which languages are mentioned in connection with Ashoka's policy of accommodation?	Greek, Prakrit and Sanskrit
How did Ashoka treat different religious sects?	With tolerance
Did Ashoka force Buddhist faith upon all subjects?	No
To whom did Ashoka give gifts besides Buddhists?	Non-Buddhist and even anti-Buddhist sects
How did officials in distant provinces affect imperial governance?	Strengthened administration and cultural contacts
Which regions received material culture from the Gangetic heartland?	Kalinga, lower Deccan and northern Bengal
What policies make Ashoka especially important in history?	Peace, non-aggression and cultural conquest
Which Egyptian ruler is mentioned as an earlier example of a pacific policy?	Akhnaton
In which century BC did Akhnaton pursue a pacific policy according to the chapter?	Fourteenth century BC
Was Ashoka aware of Akhnaton's example according to the text?	Apparently not
How did Ashoka's approach differ from Kautilya's advice?	Ashoka favoured peace and Dhamma over continuous physical conquest
What did Ashoka advise his successors to abandon?	Conquest and aggression
How long had aggressive wars affected Magadhan princes before the Kalinga War according to the text?	About two centuries
Did Ashoka wage another war after the conquest of Kalinga according to the chapter?	No
Did Ashoka possess resources and maintain a large army despite his peaceful policy?	Yes
What happened to Ashoka's viceroys and vassals after his death or retirement from power?	They declared independence in their respective areas
When did these viceroys and vassals declare themselves independent?	After Ashoka's exit from power in 232 BC
Did Ashoka's policy permanently convert neighbouring powers to his ideals?	No
What happened to the north-western frontier within 25 years of Ashoka's exit from power?	Neighbouring powers moved into the frontier region
What was a limitation of Ashoka's Dhamma policy?	It failed to ensure lasting political unity after his rule

MCQs

1 How does the chapter evaluate the claim that Ashoka's pacific policy ruined the Maurya Empire?

1. It accepts the claim without qualification
2. It states that the empire ended during the Kalinga War
3. It rejects the claim as untrue
4. It attributes the empire's decline to Seleucus alone

1. It accepts the claim without qualification ❌
2. It states that the empire ended during the Kalinga War ❌
3. It rejects the claim as untrue ✅ The chapter highlights Ashoka's achievements and does not blame his peaceful policy for ruining the empire.
4. It attributes the empire's decline to Seleucus alone ❌

2 How is Ashoka characterized in the history of the ancient world?

1. As the first Greek ambassador
2. As the author of the Arthasastra
3. As the greatest missionary ruler
4. As the founder of the Nanda dynasty

1. As the first Greek ambassador ❌
2. As the author of the Arthasastra ❌
3. As the greatest missionary ruler ✅ The chapter emphasizes his missionary zeal and domestic and foreign achievements.
4. As the founder of the Nanda dynasty ❌

3 Which scripts did Ashoka accommodate across his empire?

1. Only Devanagari and Grantha
2. Only Brahmi
3. Brahmi, Kharosthi, Aramaic and Greek
4. Only Tamil and Persian

1. Only Devanagari and Grantha ❌
2. Only Brahmi ❌
3. Brahmi, Kharosthi, Aramaic and Greek ✅ The chapter highlights this diversity as part of Ashoka's unifying and accommodating approach.
4. Only Tamil and Persian ❌

4 Which statement best describes Ashoka's religious policy?

1. He forced every subject to become Buddhist
2. He prohibited all non-Buddhist sects
3. He followed religious tolerance and gave gifts even to non-Buddhist and anti-Buddhist sects
4. He refused support to every religious community

1. He forced every subject to become Buddhist ❌
2. He prohibited all non-Buddhist sects ❌
3. He followed religious tolerance and gave gifts even to non-Buddhist and anti-Buddhist sects ✅ The chapter explicitly emphasizes his religious accommodation.
4. He refused support to every religious community ❌

5 Which regions are identified as recipients of material culture from the Gangetic heartland?

1. Only Sri Lanka and Greece
2. Kalinga, the lower Deccan and northern Bengal
3. Only Kerala and Tamil Nadu
4. Only Afghanistan and Egypt

1. Only Sri Lanka and Greece ❌
2. Kalinga, the lower Deccan and northern Bengal ✅ The spread of material culture helped strengthen cultural contacts across the empire.
3. Only Kerala and Tamil Nadu ❌
4. Only Afghanistan and Egypt ❌

6 Which Egyptian ruler is mentioned as an earlier example of a pacific policy?

1. Ramses II
2. Cleopatra
3. Akhnaton
4. Tutankhamun

1. Ramses II ❌
2. Cleopatra ❌
3. Akhnaton ✅ The chapter mentions Akhnaton's pacific policy in the fourteenth century BC.
4. Tutankhamun ❌

7 How did Ashoka's policy differ from Kautilya's advice regarding conquest?

1. Both demanded continuous military conquest
2. Ashoka advocated conquering every foreign territory
3. Ashoka favoured peace and Dhamma over continuous physical conquest
4. Kautilya advised abolishing the state

1. Both demanded continuous military conquest ❌
2. Ashoka advocated conquering every foreign territory ❌
3. Ashoka favoured peace and Dhamma over continuous physical conquest ✅ The chapter contrasts Ashoka's approach with Kautilya's emphasis on physical conquest.
4. Kautilya advised abolishing the state ❌

8 What did Ashoka advise his successors to abandon?

1. All forms of administration
2. All religious tolerance
3. Conquest and aggression
4. All communication with subjects

1. All forms of administration ❌
2. All religious tolerance ❌
3. Conquest and aggression ✅ Ashoka advised his successors to pursue peace after centuries of aggressive wars.
4. All communication with subjects ❌

9 What happened to many viceroys and vassals after Ashoka's exit from power?

1. They all moved to Greece
2. They abolished every provincial government
3. They declared themselves independent in their respective areas
4. They elected Ashoka's brother as emperor

1. They all moved to Greece ❌
2. They abolished every provincial government ❌
3. They declared themselves independent in their respective areas ✅ The chapter identifies this as a limitation of the durability of Ashoka's imperial policy.
4. They elected Ashoka's brother as emperor ❌

10 Within how many years of Ashoka's exit from power did neighbouring powers move into the north-western frontier according to the chapter?

1. Five years
2. Ten years
3. Twenty-five years
4. One hundred years

1. Five years ❌
2. Ten years ❌
3. Twenty-five years ✅ The chapter states that neighbouring powers entered the north-western frontier within 25 years of Ashoka's exit from power.
4. One hundred years ❌

Topic 12: Chapter Review — Important Questions and Integrated MCQs

Study Notes

How did Chandragupta establish the Maurya dynasty?	Overthrew the Nandas with Chanakya's help
What were the main features of Maurya imperial organization?	Centralized kingship, provinces, urban committees, departments and a large army
What do Megasthenes and the Arthasastra tell us?	Administration, society, economy and military organization
What is meant by Ashoka's Dhamma?	Ethical conduct, tolerance, compassion and social order
How did Ashoka promote Buddhism according to the chapter?	Personal devotion, visits to shrines, gifts and missionary activity reported by tradition
What was the principal impact of the Kalinga War on Ashoka?	Remorse and a shift toward Dhamma conquest
What was Ashoka's approach to religious diversity?	Tolerance; he did not force Buddhist belief on all subjects
What was the central contradiction in Ashoka's imperial legacy?	Strong moral and cultural influence but limited long-term political durability

MCQs

1 Consider the following statements about Chandragupta Maurya:
1. He founded the Maurya dynasty.
2. Chanakya helped him overthrow the Nandas.
3. He exchanged 500 elephants for territories surrendered by Seleucus.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1 only ❌
2. 1 and 2 only ❌
3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 1, 2 and 3 ✅ All three statements are supported by the chapter.

2 Consider the following statements about Maurya administration:
1. Pataliputra was administered by six committees.
2. Each committee consisted of five members.
3. The central government maintained about two dozen departments.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1 only ❌
2. 1 and 2 only ❌
3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 1, 2 and 3 ✅ All three details appear in the chapter's description of Maurya administration.

3 Consider the following statements about Ashoka's inscriptions:
1. Prakrit was their principal language.
2. Brahmi was used across most of the empire.
3. Kharosthi was used in the north-western region.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1 only ❌
2. 1 and 2 only ❌
3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 1, 2 and 3 ✅ All three statements match the chapter's account of Ashokan inscriptions.

4 Consider the following statements about the Kalinga War:
1. Ashoka reported 100,000 people killed.
2. Ashoka reported 150,000 people deported.
3. The 13th Major Rock Edict expresses remorse over the suffering caused.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1 only ❌
2. 1 and 2 only ❌
3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 1, 2 and 3 ✅ The three details are explicitly presented in the chapter's discussion of the 13th Major Rock Edict.

5 Consider the following statements about Ashoka's Dhamma:
1. It emphasized respect for parents and religious teachers.
2. It encouraged mercy toward slaves and servants.
3. It was intended as a narrow sectarian faith imposed on all subjects.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1 only ❌
2. 1 and 2 only ✅ The first two statements reflect the ethical instructions of Dhamma.
3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 1, 2 and 3 ❌ Statement 3 is incorrect because the chapter explicitly says Ashoka's Dhamma was not a narrow sectarian faith.

6 Consider the following statements about the Rummindei Pillar Inscription:
1. It is written in Brahmi script.
2. It identifies Lumbini as the birthplace of Buddha Sakyamuni.
3. It records exemption from bali and reduction of bhaga to one-eighth.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1 only ❌
2. 1 and 2 only ❌
3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 1, 2 and 3 ✅ All three statements are supported by the inscription as reproduced in the chapter.

7 Consider the following statements about Ashoka's foreign policy:
1. He sent ambassadors of peace to Greek kingdoms in Western Asia and Greece.
2. He retained Kalinga after conquering it.
3. He disbanded his entire army immediately after the Kalinga War.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1 only ❌
2. 1 and 2 only ✅ The text records peace ambassadors and the incorporation of Kalinga into the empire.
3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 1, 2 and 3 ❌ Statement 3 is incorrect; the chapter says there is no evidence that Ashoka disbanded the large army.

8 Consider the following statements about Ashoka's historical legacy:
1. He promoted religious tolerance.
2. He emphasized peace, non-aggression and cultural conquest.
3. His policy permanently prevented provincial rulers from declaring independence.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

1. 1 only ❌
2. 1 and 2 only ✅ Both statements accurately describe major features of Ashoka's policy.
3. 2 and 3 only ❌
4. 1, 2 and 3 ❌ Statement 3 is incorrect; the chapter says viceroys and vassals declared independence after Ashoka's exit from power.