Mauryan Empire and Ashoka MCQs Set
In this post, we have put in a lot of effort to compile a set of highly important and repeatedly asked multiple-choice questions on the Mauryan Empire and Emperor Ashoka. These questions have been carefully selected based on their frequent appearance in various competitive exams such as OPSC, OSSC, OSSSC, Police, Railway, SSC, and more.
We are confident that 1 to 2 questions from this set are very likely to appear in your upcoming exams.
Your job is to practice all the questions thoroughly to improve your chances of success.
At the end of this post, we’ve also provided a download link for the PDF, so you can easily save and study it offline.
All the best, friends – keep practicing and crack your exam!
Okay, here are 120 multiple-choice questions about the Mauryan Empire and Ashoka, formatted as before with answers directly below each question, focusing on those frequently asked in exams:
Mauryan Empire and Ashoka – Frequently Asked Questions
Okay, here are 120 multiple-choice questions about the Mauryan Empire and Ashoka, formatted as before with answers directly below each question, focusing on those frequently asked in exams:
Mauryan Empire and Ashoka – Frequently Asked Questions
Section 1: Foundation and Early Rulers
- Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
a) Bindusara
b) Ashoka
c) Chandragupta Maurya
d) Brihadratha
Answer: c) Chandragupta Maurya - Who was the mentor and chief advisor of Chandragupta Maurya?
a) Megasthenes
b) Seleucus Nicator
c) Chanakya (Kautilya/Vishnugupta)
d) Justin
Answer: c) Chanakya (Kautilya/Vishnugupta) - Which dynasty did the Mauryas overthrow to establish their empire?
a) Nanda dynasty
b) Shunga dynasty
c) Gupta dynasty
d) Kushana dynasty
Answer: a) Nanda dynasty - The Arthashastra, a treatise on statecraft, is traditionally attributed to:
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Ashoka
c) Chanakya
d) Megasthenes
Answer: c) Chanakya - The capital of the Mauryan Empire was located at:
a) Rajagriha
b) Vaishali
c) Pataliputra
d) Taxila
Answer: c) Pataliputra - Who was the successor of Chandragupta Maurya?
a) Ashoka
b) Bindusara
c) Dasharatha
d) Samprati
Answer: b) Bindusara - Bindusara is known for maintaining friendly relations with which Hellenistic kingdom?
a) Ptolemaic Egypt
b) Seleucid Empire
c) Antigonid Macedonia
d) Attalid Pergamum
Answer: b) Seleucid Empire - Greek sources refer to Bindusara by which name?
a) Sandrocottus
b) Amitrochates
c) Deimachos
d) Dionysius
Answer: b) Amitrochates - Ashoka was the son of:
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Bindusara
c) Brihadratha
d) Kanishka
Answer: b) Bindusara - Before becoming a Buddhist, Ashoka was initially a follower of:
a) Jainism
b) Hinduism
c) Ajivika sect
d) Zoroastrianism
Answer: b) Hinduism
Section 2: Ashoka’s Reign and Policies
- The Kalinga War is a significant event in Ashoka’s reign. In which year (approximately) did it take place?
a) 321 BCE
b) 261 BCE
c) 185 BCE
d) 100 CE
Answer: b) 261 BCE - The Kalinga War led to a profound change in Ashoka’s policies. What was the main impact?
a) Expansion of the Mauryan Empire
b) Adoption of Buddhism and a policy of Dhamma
c) Strengthening of the military
d) Establishment of trade relations with Southeast Asia
Answer: b) Adoption of Buddhism and a policy of Dhamma - The term ‘Dhamma’ in Ashokan inscriptions refers to:
a) Buddhist scriptures
b) A set of ethical principles and social welfare policies
c) A type of tax
d) A military strategy
Answer: b) A set of ethical principles and social welfare policies - Ashoka propagated his Dhamma through various means, most notably through:
a) Construction of grand palaces
b) Issuing edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks
c) Sending military expeditions
d) Organizing large-scale religious conversions
Answer: b) Issuing edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks - In which script were the majority of Ashoka’s edicts in the northern parts of the subcontinent inscribed?
a) Brahmi
b) Kharosthi
c) Greek
d) Aramaic
Answer: a) Brahmi - Which script was primarily used for Ashoka’s edicts in the northwestern parts of the subcontinent (Gandhara region)?
a) Brahmi
b) Kharosthi
c) Pali
d) Sanskrit
Answer: b) Kharosthi - Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to various parts of the world. His son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra are known for taking Buddhism to:
a) China
b) Tibet
c) Sri Lanka
d) Southeast Asia
Answer: c) Sri Lanka - The Lion Capital at Sarnath, adopted as the national emblem of India, was erected by:
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Bindusara
c) Ashoka
d) Kanishka
Answer: c) Ashoka - Ashoka convened the Third Buddhist Council at:
a) Rajagriha
b) Vaishali
c) Pataliputra
d) Kundalvana
Answer: c) Pataliputra - Who presided over the Third Buddhist Council convened by Ashoka?
a) Mahakassapa
b) Moggaliputta Tissa
c) Vasumitra
d) Nagasena
Answer: b) Moggaliputta Tissa
Section 3: Mauryan Administration and Society
- The Mauryan Empire was divided into provinces, each ruled by a:
a) Senapati
b) Amatya
c) Kumara (royal prince)
d) Gramani
Answer: c) Kumara (royal prince) - The Mauryan administration had a well-organized system of espionage. What were the spies called?
a) Dutas
b) Samahartas
c) Pradeshtas
d) Gudhapurushas
Answer: d) Gudhapurushas - The chief revenue officer in the Mauryan administration was known as:
a) Samaharta
b) Sannidhata
c) Yukta
d) Rajuka
Answer: a) Samaharta - The officer in charge of the royal treasury in the Mauryan administration was called:
a) Samaharta
b) Sannidhata
c) Antapala
d) Durgapala
Answer: b) Sannidhata - Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, visited the court of which Mauryan ruler?
a) Ashoka
b) Bindusara
c) Chandragupta Maurya
d) Dasharatha
Answer: c) Chandragupta Maurya - Megasthenes’ account of the Mauryan Empire is recorded in his work titled:
a) Indika
b) Arthashastra
c) Dipavamsa
d) Mahavamsa
Answer: a) Indika - According to Megasthenes, Mauryan society was divided into how many classes?
a) Four
b) Five
c) Seven
d) Ten
Answer: c) Seven - Land revenue was the primary source of income for the Mauryan Empire. What was the standard rate of land tax?
a) 1/6th of the produce
b) 1/4th of the produce
c) 1/3rd of the produce
d) 1/2th of the produce
Answer: a) 1/6th of the produce - The Mauryan rulers maintained a large and well-equipped army. Which of the following was a key component of their military?
a) Strong navy
b) Cavalry
c) Chariots
d) War elephants
Answer: d) War elephants - The Mauryan Empire had an efficient system of roads and waterways, which facilitated:
a) Trade and commerce
b) Military movement
c) Communication
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Section 4: Ashoka’s Edicts and Dhamma
- Ashoka’s edicts were written in which languages?
a) Sanskrit only
b) Pali only
c) Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic
d) Tamil and Telugu
Answer: c) Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic - The Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka provide detailed information about:
a) His personal life
b) The Kalinga War and his subsequent policies
c) The Mauryan administration
d) Buddhist philosophy
Answer: b) The Kalinga War and his subsequent policies - Rock Edict XIII of Ashoka specifically describes the:
a) Principles of Dhamma
b) Details of the Kalinga War and its impact
c) Appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras
d) His pilgrimages to Buddhist sites
Answer: b) Details of the Kalinga War and its impact - The concept of ‘non-injury to all living beings’ (Ahimsa) was a central tenet of Ashoka’s:
a) Military policy
b) Economic policy
c) Dhamma policy
d) Foreign policy
Answer: c) Dhamma policy - Ashoka appointed special officers to propagate Dhamma. What were they called?
a) Rajukas
b) Yuktas
c) Dhamma Mahamatras
d) Antapalas
Answer: c) Dhamma Mahamatras - Ashoka’s Minor Rock Edicts often begin with his personal history and his conversion to Buddhism. Which title does he frequently use for himself in these edicts?
a) Devanampiya Piyadassi (Beloved of the Gods, of pleasing appearance)
b) Chakravartin (Universal Monarch)
c) Samrat (Emperor)
d) Dharmaraja (King of Righteousness)
Answer: a) Devanampiya Piyadassi (Beloved of the Gods, of pleasing appearance) - The Bhabru Edict of Ashoka is significant because it directly mentions his:
a) Victory in the Kalinga War
b) Faith in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha
c) Pilgrimage to Lumbini
d) Appointment of governors
Answer: b) Faith in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha - Ashoka’s pillar edicts are known for their:
a) Length and detailed administrative instructions
b) Polished sandstone and animal capitals
c) Use of multiple languages
d) Focus on military achievements
Answer: b) Polished sandstone and animal capitals - The Sarnath pillar capital features which animals?
a) Lion, horse, bull, elephant
b) Lion, tiger, deer, rhino
c) Horse, elephant, camel, lion
d) Bull, elephant, monkey, lion
Answer: a) Lion, horse, bull, elephant - Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma aimed at promoting:
a) Religious uniformity
b) Social harmony and tolerance
c) Economic prosperity through conquest
d) Expansion of Brahmanical rituals
Answer: b) Social harmony and tolerance
Section 5: Decline and Legacy of the Mauryan Empire
- Who was the last ruler of the Mauryan Empire?
a) Ashoka
b) Bindusara
c) Brihadratha
d) Dasharatha
Answer: c) Brihadratha - The Mauryan Empire was overthrown by:
a) The Gupta dynasty
b) The Shunga dynasty
c) The Kushana dynasty
d) The Satavahana dynasty
Answer: b) The Shunga dynasty - Who assassinated the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, and established the Shunga dynasty?
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Pushyamitra Sunga
c) Agnimitra
d) Vasudeva
Answer: b) Pushyamitra Sunga - What were some of the reasons for the decline of the Mauryan Empire?
a) Weak successors
b) Division of the empire
c) Financial strain
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan Empire’s efficient administrative system served as a model for:
a) The Gupta Empire
b) Later Indian empires
c) Southeast Asian kingdoms
d) All of the above
Answer: b) Later Indian empires - Ashoka’s promotion of Buddhism had a lasting impact on:
a) The religious landscape of India and Asia
b) The development of Indian art and architecture
c) The principles of governance
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Ashokan pillars are considered masterpieces of:
a) Gupta art
b) Mauryan art
c) Gandhara art
d) Mathura art
Answer: b) Mauryan art - The concept of ‘chakravartin’ (universal ruler) is often associated with rulers like:
a) Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka
b) Kanishka and Harsha
c) Samudragupta and Chandragupta II
d) Shivaji and Akbar
Answer: a) Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka - The Mauryan Empire played a crucial role in connecting:
a) North and South India politically
b) India with Central Asia and the Hellenistic world
c) Eastern and Western trade routes
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The legacy of Ashoka’s Dhamma continues to influence discussions on:
a) Environmental ethics
b) Social justice
c) Peaceful coexistence
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Section 6: Further Details
- The Mauryan Empire reached its zenith under the rule of:
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Bindusara
c) Ashoka
d) Brihadratha
Answer: c) Ashoka - The Mauryan currency primarily consisted of:
a) Gold coins
b) Silver and copper punch-marked coins
c) Leather tokens
d) Cowrie shells
Answer: b) Silver and copper punch-marked coins - The Mauryan rulers invested heavily in irrigation and agriculture, as mentioned in:
a) Megasthenes’ Indika
b) Ashokan edicts
c) Kautilya’s Arthashastra
d) All of the above
Answer: c) Kautilya’s Arthashastra - Forest officials in the Mauryan administration were responsible for:
a) Collecting taxes from forest dwellers
b) Maintaining forest resources and elephants
c) Recruiting soldiers from tribal communities
d) Promoting agriculture in forest areas
Answer: b) Maintaining forest resources and elephants - The institution of slavery in Mauryan India is a topic of debate based on the accounts of:
a) Fa-Hien
b) Hiuen Tsang
c) Megasthenes
d) Ptolemy
Answer: c) Megasthenes - Ashoka’s inscriptions provide evidence of his concern for:
a) Human welfare
b) Animal welfare
c) Religious tolerance
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The term ‘Yavana’ in Ashokan edicts generally refers to:
a) Indian rulers
b) Greek or Hellenistic people
c) Tribal communities
d) Chinese travelers
Answer: b) Greek or Hellenistic people - Ashoka’s edicts mention the names of several contemporary Hellenistic rulers, including:
a) Alexander
b) Seleucus
c) Antiochus II Theos
d) All of the above
Answer: c) Antiochus II Theos (and others like Ptolemy II Philadelphus, Antigonus Gonatas, Magas of Cyrene, and Alexander of Epirus) - The Barabar Caves, some of the earliest rock-cut caves in India, were built during the Mauryan period and associated with which sect?
a) Buddhists
b) Jains
c) Ajivikas
d) Hindus
Answer: c) Ajivikas - Ashoka undertook pilgrimages to various Buddhist sites. Which of the following places is specifically mentioned in his Rummindei Pillar Edict as his birthplace visit?
a) Bodh Gaya
b) Sarnath
c) Lumbini
d) Kushinagar
Answer: c) Lumbini
Section 7: More In-Depth Questions
- The concept of ‘Dandaniti’ (the science of punishment) is extensively discussed in:
a) The Upanishads
b) The Arthashastra
c) Ashoka’s edicts
d) Megasthenes’ Indika
Answer: b) The Arthashastra - The Mauryan empire’s control extended over a vast territory, including most of the Indian subcontinent except for the:
a) Southernmost tip
b) Northeastern regions
c) Northwestern frontier
d) Central highlands
Answer: a) Southernmost tip
Okay, let’s continue with more in-depth questions about the Mauryan Empire and Ashoka, up to number 120:
- The use of standardized weights and measures likely contributed to the efficiency of:
a) The Mauryan military
b) Mauryan trade and commerce
c) Mauryan religious practices
d) Mauryan art and architecture
Answer: b) Mauryan trade and commerce - The Mauryan system of justice, while emphasizing fairness, also included harsh punishments as detailed in:
a) Ashoka’s edicts promoting non-violence
b) Megasthenes’ accounts of a peaceful society
c) Kautilya’s Arthashastra
d) Buddhist Jataka tales
Answer: c) Kautilya’s Arthashastra - The role of ‘Rajukas’ in Ashokan administration was primarily related to:
a) Military command
b) Revenue collection
c) Judicial and administrative functions in rural areas
d) Religious propagation
Answer: c) Judicial and administrative functions in rural areas - Ashoka’s policy towards bordering kingdoms was generally one of:
a) Aggressive expansion
b) Peaceful coexistence and diplomatic relations
c) Complete isolation
d) Economic exploitation
Answer: b) Peaceful coexistence and diplomatic relations - The influence of the Ajivika sect during the Mauryan period is evident from:
a) Ashoka’s patronage of Buddhist monasteries
b) The Barabar Caves dedicated to Ajivika ascetics
c) Megasthenes’ detailed accounts of religious practices
d) The absence of any mention of other sects in Mauryan records
Answer: b) The Barabar Caves dedicated to Ajivika ascetics - The decline of the Mauryan Empire coincided with:
a) The rise of powerful centralized states in the south
b) Increased foreign invasions from the northwest
c) Internal rebellions and the weakening of central authority
d) All of the above
Answer: c) Internal rebellions and the weakening of central authority - The Mauryan art and architecture, as seen in the stupas and pillars, often incorporated symbols and motifs related to:
a) Vedic deities
b) Buddhist philosophy and Ashoka’s Dhamma
c) Greek mythology
d) Jain Tirthankaras
Answer: b) Buddhist philosophy and Ashoka’s Dhamma - The concept of a welfare state, with the ruler taking responsibility for the well-being of the subjects, is reflected in:
a) The militaristic policies of Chandragupta
b) Ashoka’s edicts emphasizing social welfare measures
c) The strict legal codes of the Arthashastra
d) The economic policies focused solely on revenue generation
Answer: b) Ashoka’s edicts emphasizing social welfare measures - The Mauryan Empire’s extensive road network, including the Grand Trunk Road (Tamralipti to Taxila), facilitated:
a) Long-distance trade
b) Rapid movement of the army
c) Efficient communication
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s emphasis on religious tolerance is evident in his edicts that:
a) Promote Buddhism as the sole religion of the empire
b) Criticize all other religious sects
c) Advocate respect for all religious sects
d) Remain silent on religious matters
Answer: c) Advocate respect for all religious sects - The Mauryan administration had a sophisticated system of urban administration, with officials responsible for:
a) Maintaining law and order
b) Regulating trade and commerce
c) Public works and sanitation
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan Empire’s economic strength was based on:
a) Agriculture and land revenue
b) Trade and commerce
c) Control over mineral resources
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s efforts to spread Dhamma extended beyond the Indian subcontinent to regions like:
a) Southeast Asia
b) Central Asia
c) The Hellenistic world
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan period witnessed significant developments in the field of:
a) Metallurgy and iron technology
b) Stone sculpture and architecture
c) Coinage and currency systems
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan rulers maintained a close relationship with the Sangha (Buddhist monastic order), providing:
a) Financial support
b) Land grants
c) Patronage for construction of monasteries and stupas
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan Empire’s centralized administration required a large bureaucracy, which was organized into various departments overseen by:
a) Military generals
b) Royal family members
c) High-ranking officials (Amachyas)
d) Religious leaders
Answer: c) High-ranking officials (Amachyas) - Ashoka’s concern for the welfare of his subjects is reflected in measures such as:
a) Establishing hospitals for humans and animals
b) Planting trees and digging wells along roads
c) Appointing officials to ensure just governance
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan Empire ultimately fragmented into smaller states due to a combination of:
a) External invasions and internal weaknesses
b) Economic collapse and social unrest
c) Religious conflicts and succession disputes
d) All of the above
Answer: a) External invasions and internal weaknesses - The edicts of Ashoka provide a unique insight into the:
a) Daily life of common people in Mauryan India
b) Personal beliefs and policies of a major ancient ruler
c) Military strategies of the Mauryan army
d) Trade relations with neighboring empires
Answer: b) Personal beliefs and policies of a major ancient ruler - The Mauryan influence on subsequent Indian art and architecture is evident in the continuation of:
a) The use of brick and timber
b) The polished stone tradition and stupa design
c) The depiction of Vedic deities
d) The absence of figurative sculpture
Answer: b) The polished stone tradition and stupa design - The Mauryan Empire’s efficient revenue system helped finance its:
a) Large army
b) Public works
c) Philanthropic activities under Ashoka
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s transformation after the Kalinga War highlights the impact of:
a) Economic incentives on political decisions
b) Religious conversion on a ruler’s ideology and policies
c) Military defeat on territorial expansion
d) Diplomatic negotiations on international relations
Answer: b) Religious conversion on a ruler’s ideology and policies - The Mauryan Empire’s control over key trade routes in the north and northwest was crucial for its:
a) Cultural exchange
b) Economic prosperity
c) Political influence
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma can be interpreted as an attempt to:
a) Create a new religion distinct from Buddhism
b) Establish a common ethical framework for a diverse empire
c) Impose Buddhist beliefs on the entire population
d) Weaken the authority of the Brahmanical priests
Answer: b) Establish a common ethical framework for a diverse empire - The Mauryan state maintained a significant degree of control over various economic activities, including:
a) Agriculture and irrigation
b) Mining and metallurgy
c) Trade and manufacturing
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan period saw the flourishing of urban centers, facilitated by:
a) Increased agricultural surplus
b) Expansion of trade networks
c) Royal patronage and infrastructure development
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s emphasis on non-violence and compassion had implications for the Mauryan:
a) Military strategies
b) Judicial system
c) Treatment of animals
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan Empire’s legacy lies not only in its political unification but also in its:
a) Contributions to art and architecture
b) Promotion of ethical governance
c) Spread of Buddhist philosophy
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan rulers implemented a sophisticated system of communication, including:
a) Postal services
b) Well-maintained roads
c) Messengers and spies
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s inscriptions provide valuable insights into the social and religious landscape of:
a) The Harappan Civilization
b) The Vedic Period
c) 3rd century BCE India
d) The Gupta Empire
Answer: c) 3rd century BCE India - The Mauryan Empire’s decline created a power vacuum that led to the rise of various:
a) Foreign invaders
b) Regional kingdoms
c) Religious movements
d) All of the above
Answer: b) Regional kingdoms - Ashoka’s edicts reflect a ruler deeply concerned with:
a) His personal glory
b) The welfare of his subjects and the propagation of Dhamma
c) Maintaining strict social hierarchies
d) Expanding his territorial control through military might
Answer: b) The welfare of his subjects and the propagation of Dhamma - The Mauryan Empire’s centralized structure required a strong:
a) Religious establishment
b) Military force
c) Bureaucracy
d) Guild system
Answer: c) Bureaucracy - Ashoka’s patronage of Buddhism contributed significantly to its:
a) Initial establishment in India
b) Spread within India and beyond
c) Doctrinal changes
d) Decline in later centuries
Answer: b) Spread within India and beyond - The Mauryan Empire’s interaction with the Hellenistic world led to:
a) Cultural exchange
b) Diplomatic relations
c) Trade connections
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s policy of non-violence did not necessarily mean a complete disbandment of the army, but rather a shift in:
a) Military technology
b) The purpose and use of military power
c) The recruitment process
d) The training methods
Answer: b) The purpose and use of military power - The Mauryan Empire’s economic policies aimed at ensuring:
a) Equitable distribution of wealth
b) State control over key resources and trade
c) Minimal government intervention
d) Dependence on foreign trade
Answer: b) State control over key resources and trade - Ashoka’s legacy as a benevolent and just ruler has endured through:
a) Oral traditions
b) Literary works
c) His own inscriptions
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan state played a significant role in the development of infrastructure, including:
a) Roads and irrigation systems
b) Hospitals and rest houses
c) Stupas and monasteries
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s understanding and application of Buddhist principles to governance make his reign a unique case study in:
a) Theocratic rule
b) Ethical governance
c) Military dictatorship
d) Feudal administration
Answer: b) Ethical governance - The Mauryan Empire’s fall paved the way for the emergence of:
a) A unified pan-Indian empire
b) Smaller regional powers
c) Renewed foreign invasions
d) A prolonged period of peace
Answer: b) Smaller regional powers - Ashoka’s inscriptions are crucial primary sources for understanding:
a) The Vedic rituals
b) The Harappan culture
c) Mauryan history and administration
d) The Gupta dynasty
Answer: c) Mauryan history and administration - The Mauryan Empire’s influence extended to the realm of law and justice, with a system based on:
a) Religious scriptures
b) Royal decrees and Arthashastra principles
c) Local customs and traditions
d) Foreign legal codes
Answer: b) Royal decrees and Arthashastra principles - Ashoka’s efforts towards social welfare included:
a) Prohibition of animal sacrifices
b) Regulation of hunting
c) Establishment of medical facilities
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan Empire’s artistic achievements are best exemplified by the:
a) Terracotta figurines
b) Highly polished pillars and monumental sculptures
c) Cave paintings
d) Metalwork
Answer: b) Highly polished pillars and monumental sculptures - Ashoka’s concept of Dhamma aimed at creating a society characterized by:
a) Religious conformity
b) Peace, harmony, and ethical conduct
c) Strict social stratification
d) Military dominance
Answer: b) Peace, harmony, and ethical conduct - The Mauryan Empire’s efficient bureaucracy facilitated:
a) Centralized control over a vast territory
b) Effective revenue collection
c) Implementation of royal policies
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s transformation and his commitment to Dhamma serve as a significant example of:
a) The power of military conquest
b) The influence of religious and philosophical ideas on governance
c) The cyclical nature of empires
d) The importance of economic prosperity for political stability
Answer: b) The influence of religious and philosophical ideas on governance - The Mauryan Empire’s decline can also be attributed to the rise of:
a) Powerful Brahminical reactions
b) Autonomous regional governors
c) Large-scale peasant revolts
d) Successful foreign invasions
Answer: b) Autonomous regional governors - Ashoka’s edicts provide evidence of his communication and interaction with:
a) Tribal communities within his empire
b) Neighboring kingdoms in South India
c) Hellenistic rulers in the west
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan Empire’s administrative structure influenced the development of:
a) Village self-governance
b) Future Indian empires’ administrative systems
c) Trade regulations
d) Religious institutions
Answer: b) Future Indian empires’ administrative systems - Ashoka’s emphasis on tolerance and non-violence was a departure from the prevalent:
a) Vedic emphasis on rituals
b) Arthashastra’s focus on statecraft and power
c) Greek philosophical ideals
d) Tribal warfare practices
Answer: b) Arthashastra’s focus on statecraft and power - The Mauryan Empire’s control over mineral resources, particularly iron, provided an advantage in:
a) Agriculture
b) Weaponry
c) Construction
d) All of the above
Answer: b) Weaponry - Ashoka’s efforts to promote Dhamma included:
a) Sending envoys to foreign lands
b) Erecting pillars and inscribing edicts
c) Organizing public gatherings and discussions
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - The Mauryan Empire’s efficient transportation and communication network facilitated:
a) The movement of goods and people
b) The dissemination of royal orders
c) The maintenance of law and order
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Ashoka’s reign is often remembered as a golden age of:
a) Military conquest
b) Cultural synthesis and ethical governance
c) Economic prosperity through exploitation
d) Religious persecution
Answer: b) Cultural synthesis and ethical governance - The Mauryan Empire’s legacy in terms of political unification and administration laid the groundwork for:
a) The fragmentation of India into small republics
b) The subsequent large empires of India
c) The decline of urban centers
d) The isolation of India from the outside world
Answer: b) The subsequent large empires of India - Ashoka’s transformation into a proponent of peace and non-violence remains a significant example of:
a) The limitations of military power
b) The potential for personal and political change
c) The dominance of religious ideology in statecraft
d) The cyclical nature of history
Answer: b) The potential for personal and political change