India during Mauryan period
Short Questions
1. What was the first Indian empire?
Answer: The Magadha Empire was the first Indian empire.
2. Who was the first well-known king of the Haryanka dynasty?
Answer: Bimbisara was the first well-known king of the Haryanka dynasty.
3. What was the capital of the Mauryan Empire?
Answer: Pataliputra was the capital of the Mauryan Empire.
4. Who established the Mauryan Empire?
Answer: Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan Empire.
5. What does the term ‘Chakravarti’ mean?
Answer: A Chakravarti is a sovereign ruler whose chariot rolls unobstructed in all directions.
6. Who was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty?
Answer: Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty.
7. What policy did Ashoka adopt after the Kalinga war?
Answer: Ashoka adopted the policy of Dharmavijay after the Kalinga war.
8. What is the significance of Ashoka’s rock edicts?
Answer: Ashoka’s rock edicts provide insights into his rule and the spread of Buddhism.
9. Which Greek king did Chandragupta Maurya defeat?
Answer: Chandragupta Maurya defeated Seleucus.
10. What was the main industry during the Mauryan period?
Answer: Cloth production was the main industry during the Mauryan period.
11. Who wrote the Arthashastra?
Answer: Kautilya wrote the Arthashastra.
12. What is the ‘Mauryan Polish’ known for?
Answer:The ‘Mauryan Polish’ is known for the mirror-like finish on stone carvings.
13. Which Mauryan king organized the third Buddhist council?
Answer: Ashoka organized the third Buddhist council.
14. What was the tax called ‘Vishti’ during the Mauryan period?
Answer: Vishti was a tax paid by people in the form of physical labor.
15. Which port was a prosperous trade center during the Mauryan period?
Answer: Sopara was a prosperous trade center during the Mauryan period.
Long Questions
1. Explain the factors that contributed to the rise of the Magadha Empire.
Answer: The rise of the Magadha Empire was driven by its fertile land, ideal for agriculture, and access to perennial rivers that supported navigation and trade. The kingdom’s control over rich natural resources like timber, iron, and copper boosted local industries. Additionally, the political ambitions of rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, combined with strategic matrimonial alliances, strengthened Magadha’s dominance.
2. Describe the significance of the concept of ‘Chakravarti’ in ancient Indian polity.
Answer: The concept of ‘Chakravarti’ referred to a universal sovereign ruler whose authority extended across vast territories without obstruction. Such a ruler, like Chandragupta Maurya, was expected to govern ethically for the welfare of the state, maintaining the wheel of ‘Ruta’ (order). This ideal symbolized centralized power and moral leadership in ancient Indian political thought.
3. How did Ashoka’s policy of Dharmavijay differ from his earlier policy of Digvijaya?
Answer: Initially, Ashoka pursued Digvijaya, a policy of territorial conquest, as seen in the Kalinga war. After witnessing the war’s devastation, he embraced Dharmavijaya, focusing on spreading Buddhist principles of non-violence and moral conduct. This shift transformed his rule, emphasizing peace and ethical governance over military expansion.
4. What role did the administrative system play in the success of the Mauryan Empire?
Answer: The Mauryan administrative system was highly organized, with a decentralized structure that ensured efficient governance across a vast empire. Departments led by officers like Amatyas managed revenue, military, and justice, while the Mantri Parishad advised the king. This system, detailed in Kautilya’s Arthashastra, supported economic prosperity and public welfare, contributing to the empire’s stability.
5. How did trade flourish during the Mauryan period?
Answer:The Mauryan period saw flourishing trade due to a well-organized taxation system and prosperous agriculture and industries like cloth production. Royal roads and ports like Sopara and Bharuch facilitated internal and foreign trade with regions like Greece and Rome. The government ensured trade security by appointing officers like Chorarajjuka, boosting economic growth.
6. Discuss the contributions of Ashoka to the spread of Buddhism.
Answer:Ashoka played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism by sending monks, including his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra, to distant regions like Sri Lanka. His rock edicts and pillar inscriptions promoted Buddhist principles of non-violence and moral conduct. Additionally, he organized the third Buddhist council at Pataliputra to strengthen Buddhist teachings.
7. Why are the rock edicts and pillar inscriptions of Ashoka considered important historical sources?
Answer: Ashoka’s rock edicts and pillar inscriptions are vital historical sources as they detail his policies, the boundaries of the Mauryan Empire, and his efforts to spread Buddhism. Written in Brahmi and Prakrit, they provide insights into the socio-political and religious conditions of the time. They also connect Indian history with contemporary global rulers, aiding chronological studies.
8. How did the Mauryan period contribute to the development of art and architecture?
Answer: The Mauryan period marked the beginning of ancient Indian architecture with rock-cut caves like those at Barabar and polished stone sculptures. Ashokan pillars, such as the Sarnath lion capital, showcased advanced sculpting and the ‘Mauryan Polish.’ Stupas and statues like the Didarganj Yakshi reflected the period’s artistic excellence and cultural prosperity.
9. What were the key features of social life during the Mauryan period?
Answer: Social life during the Mauryan period was prosperous, with a society divided into seven professional classes, including priests, traders, and entertainers, as noted by Megasthenes. Education centers like Taxila thrived, though female education declined. Women had rights over Stridhana, and the state supported orphans and disabled women, reflecting a structured social system.
10. Explain the decline of the Mauryan Empire after Ashoka’s death.
Answer: After Ashoka’s death, the Mauryan Empire declined due to the inefficiency of his successors, who failed to maintain centralized control. The vast empire fragmented into smaller kingdoms as regional powers grew stronger. General Pushyamitra’s assassination of the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha, marked the end of the dynasty, ushering in the Shunga rule.
Leave a Reply