India during the Maurya Period
Exercises
1. Answer in one sentence.
(1) Why did the satraps begin to fight among themselves ?
Answer : The satraps began to fight among themselves after Alexander’s death because they wanted to gain more power.
(2) Who did Ashoka send to Sri Lanka for the spread of Buddhism ?
Answer : Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka for the spread of Buddhism.
(3) What were the occupations of the people during the Maurya period ?
Answer : The occupations of the people during the Maurya period included farming, weaving, dyeing cloth, carving, metalwork, and shipbuilding.
(4) Which animals’ engravings are found on the pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka ?
Answer : The engravings of animals like lions, elephants, and bulls are found on the pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka.
2. Can you explain?
Satrap – A satrap was a Greek officer appointed by Alexander to rule the conquered territories.
Sudarshan – Sudarshan was a dam built by Chandragupta Maurya near Junagadh in Gujarat.
‘Devanampiyo Piyadasi’ – It means “Beloved of the Gods and He who Looks on with Affection,” a title used by Emperor Ashoka in his inscriptions.
Ashtapad – It was an ancient board game, similar to chess, played during the Maurya period.
3. Recall and describe:
(1) The extent of Chandragupta Maurya’s empire.
Extent of Chandragupta Maurya’s empire – Chandragupta Maurya’s empire included Magadha, Avanti, Saurashtra, and the northwest regions of Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat after defeating Seleucus Nicator.
(2) The extent of Ashoka’s empire.
Extent of Ashoka’s empire – Ashoka’s empire extended from Afghanistan in the northwest to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in the south, and from Bengal in the east to Saurashtra in the west.
4. Match the following
Group A | Group B |
---|---|
Emperor Seleucus Nicator | Emperor of Magadha |
Megasthenes | Ambassador of Alexander |
Emperor Alexander | Emperor of Greece |
Emperor Ashoka | Emperor of Rome |
5. What is your opinion?
(1) Alexandar had to turn back.
Answer : Alexander had to turn back. – Alexander had to turn back because his soldiers were tired, suffered many hardships, and wanted to return home.
(2) Coins of Greek kings were characteristic.
Answer : Coins of Greek kings were characteristic. – Yes, Greek kings minted special coins that had the king’s image on one side and a Greek god on the other.
(3) Emperor Ashoka decided never to wage war again.
Answer : Emperor Ashoka decided never to wage war again. – Ashoka was deeply moved by the destruction caused in the Kalinga war, so he decided to follow peace and non-violence.
6. Describe in your own words.
(1) Public welfare works of Emperor Ashoka.
Answer : Public welfare works of Emperor Ashoka – Emperor Ashoka worked for the welfare of people by building hospitals for both humans and animals, constructing roads, planting trees, digging wells, and building dharmashalas for travelers.
(2) Means of entertainment and sport of the Maurya period.
Answer : Means of entertainment and sport of the Maurya period – People in the Maurya period enjoyed festivals, dance, music concerts, wrestling matches, chariot races, board games like chess (Ashtapad), and other recreational activities.
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