India during Mauryan period
Q.1 (A) Choose the correct alternative and write the complete sentences.
(1) The first well-known king of the Haryank dynasty is _______ .
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bimbisara (c) Ajatashatru
(d) Mahapadma
Answer: (b) Bimbisara
(2) The Nanda dynasty was established by _______ .
(a) Dhanananda (b) Shishunaga
(c) Mahapadma Nanda
(d) Emperor Ashoka
Answer: (c) Mahapadma Nanda
(3) The great drama in Sankrit literature Swapnavasavadatta, was written by ______ .
(a) Kautilya (b) Bharat
(c) Kalidasa (d) Bhasa
Answer: (d) Bhasa
(B) Find out the incorrect pair from set B and write the correct ones.
| Set ‘A’ | Set ‘B’ |
| (1) Built the foundation of Magadha Empire | Bimbisara |
| (2) Brought an end to rule of the Nandas | Chandragupta Maurya |
| (3) Chinese traveler who visited India during the period of Chandragupta Maurya | Megasthenes |
| (4) Changed his mind due to the destruction in Kalinga war | Emperor Ashoka |
Answer: (b) Greek ambassador who visited India during the period of Chandragupta Maurya – Megasthenes
Q.2 Choose the correct reason and complete the sentence.
Emperor Ashoka erected many pillars. Reason ______ .
(a) Spread of Art
(b) Spread of ‘Dhamma’
(c) Growth of trade
(d) For recognition of his work
Answer: (b) Spread of ‘Dhamma’
Q.3 Explain the following statements with reasons.
(1) Ashoka’s victory at Kalinga proved to be a turning point in history as well as the life of Ashoka.
Answer: The Kalinga war resulted in significant human loss and destruction, which deeply affected Ashoka. This led him to abandon his policy of Digvijaya (military conquest) and adopt Dharmavijaya (spiritual conquest) based on Buddhist principles of non-violence and peace. His transformation influenced the spread of Buddhism across India and beyond, marking a significant shift in Indian history towards ethical governance and religious propagation.
(2) The war between Chandragupta and the Greek king Seleucus was very important.
Answer: The war between Chandragupta Maurya and Seleucus I Nicator resulted in a treaty that extended the Mauryan Empire’s boundaries to the Hindukush in the northwest. This expansion strengthened the empire’s geopolitical influence and facilitated trade and cultural exchanges with the Hellenistic world, establishing the Mauryan Empire as a major power in the ancient world.
(3) The Mauryan administration acquired a definite form.
Answer: The Mauryan administration was well-organized, with a centralized yet decentralized system suited to the vast empire. It included a council of ministers (Mantri Parishad), specialized departments led by officers (Amatyas), and a hierarchical structure from the emperor to local officials (Gramini). The administration emphasized material and moral development, with separate civil and military sectors, an independent judiciary, and a structured taxation system, as detailed in Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Megasthenes’ Indica.
Q.4 State your opinion.
(1) Chandragupta Maurya is the first Chakravarti emperor in the history of India.
Answer: I agree with this statement. Chandragupta Maurya is recognized as the first Chakravarti emperor, as he established a vast empire that extended from the Hindukush to the Bay of Bengal and from the Himalayas to the Krishna River. His rule, as described in the document, fulfilled the criteria of a Chakravarti—a sovereign ruler whose authority was unchallenged across an extended territory, with ethical governance aimed at the welfare of the state.
(2) The rock edicts of Ashoka are important sources of history.
Answer: The rock edicts and pillar inscriptions of Ashoka are crucial historical sources. They provide detailed information about the extent of the Mauryan Empire, Ashoka’s policies, and his efforts to spread Buddhism. These inscriptions, written in Prakrit and Brahmi script, offer insights into his Dhamma policy, diplomatic relations with contemporary Greek kings, and the socio-religious conditions of the time, making them invaluable for understanding Mauryan history.
(3) Various trade guilds developed during the Mauryan period.
Answer: This statement is valid. The Mauryan period saw significant economic prosperity due to a well-organized taxation system, flourishing agriculture, and industries like cloth production and metallurgy. The document mentions the development of trade routes, ports like Bharuch and Sopara, and the government’s role in protecting traders through officers like Chorarajjuka. These conditions likely fostered the growth of trade guilds, which organized and regulated commercial activities, contributing to the empire’s economic strength.
Q.5 Observe the map on Page number 58 and answer the questions based on it.
(1) Regions included in Ashoka’s Empire
Answer: Ashoka’s Empire extended across a vast region of the Indian subcontinent, including:
- North: From the Himalayas to the Hindukush in the northwest.
- East: Up to the Bay of Bengal, covering regions like Pataliputra and Tamralipti.
- West: Including Gujarat and ports like Sopara.
- South: Extending to the Krishna River and parts of Maharashtra, such as Sopara and Chaul.
The empire also included regions in modern-day Afghanistan and Nepal, as indicated by the locations of his inscriptions.
(2) Locations of Ashoka’s rock and pillar edicts
Answer: Ashoka’s rock and pillar edicts are found in various locations across his empire, including:
- India: Sopara (8th rock edict), Bhuigaon village (9th rock edict), Meerut, Sarnath (pillar with four-lion capital), Rampurva, Lauria Nandangarh, Sankissa, and Barabar and Nagarjuni hills (rock-cut caves).
- Afghanistan: Regions where inscriptions have been found, indicating the northwestern extent of the empire.
- Nepal: Sites with Ashoka’s inscriptions, confirming the empire’s northern reach.
These edicts were strategically placed at locations significant to Buddhism or along major trade routes to spread Ashoka’s Dhamma.
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