THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

UPSC STUDYMATERIALS

THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

Who wrote Arthasastra in which language? Kautilya (Language:Sanskrit)
Who is called as “Indian Machiavelli”? Kautilya
Who discovered the manuscript of Arthasastra? When? R. Shama Sastri in 1904
How many books and chapters are there in Arthasastra? 15 books and 180 chapters
What does the first part of Arthasastra deal with? king and his council and the departments of government
What does the second part of Arthasastra deal with? civil and criminal law
What does the third part of Arthasastra deal with? diplomacy and war
Who was the author of Mudrarakshasa? Visakadatta (in Sanskrit)
Who book deals with the socio-economic condition under the Mauryas? Mudrarakshasa
Name the Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya? Megasthenes
Who wrote Indica? Megasthenes
Name the capital of Mauryan empire. Pataliputra
Name the buddhist literature which gives information on the Mauryas. Jatakas
Name the Ceylonese Chronicles which threw light on the role Asoka in spreading Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
Who deciphered the inscriptions of Asoka? When? James Princep in 1837
In which language the inscriptions of Asoka were written? Mostly Pali and some in Prakrit
In which script the edicts of Asoka were written? Brahmi script
In which script the edicts of Asoka were found in north-west India? Karoshti script
How many major rock edicts of Asoka were found? 14
Which Rock Edict gives details about the war of Ashoka with Kalinga? XIII Rock Edict
Which Pillar Edict briefs the efforts of Ashoka to promote the Dhamma within his kingdom? Pillar Edict VII
Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire? Chandragupta Maurya
Who captured Pataliputra from Dhanananda? Chandragupta Maurya
What are the other names of Kautilya? Chanakya or Vishnugupta
Name the Alexander’s General who was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya in 305 B.C.? Selukas Niketar
Name the trans-Indus territories captured by Chandragupta Maurya from Selukas Niketar. Aria, Arakosia and Gedrosia
Name the gift of Chandragupta Maurya to Selukas Niketar. 500 elephants
Who was sent to Mauryan court as Greek ambassador? Megasthenes
Name the son of Chandragupta Maurya. Bindusara
Where did Chandragupta Maurya die? Sravana Belgola, near Mysore
What was the nick-name of Bindusara? Amitragatha” (meaning slayer of enemies)
According to which Tibetan monk, Bindusara conquered 16 states? Taranatha
Which tamil literature confirmed the Mauryan invasion of the far south? Sangam literature
Whom did Bindusara receive as ambassador from the Syrian king Antiochus I? Deimachus
What did Bindusara get from Antiochus I? sweet wine, dried figs
What did Antiochus I refuse to send to Antiochus I? sophist
Bindusara was a supporter of which religious sect? Ajivikas
Whom did Bindusara appoint as the governor of Ujjain? His son Asoka
Who acted as governor of Ujjain before becoming King? Asoka
Who suppressed a revolt in Taxila during Bindusara’s reign? Asoka
When did Asoka’s accession to the throne took place? 273 B.C.
When did Asoka’s actual coronation took place? 269 B.C
Which Chronicles state that Asoka killed his ninety nine brothers to capture throne? Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
Who is the elder brother of Asoka? Susima
Who is the youngest brother spared by Asoka? Tissa
How many brothers did Asoka kill to get in power, according to Taranatha of Tibet? Six
In which year Kalinga war took place? 261 B.C
The effects of Kalinga war were depicted in which rock? Rock edict XIII
After Kalinga war, which religion did Asoka embrace? Buddhism
Name the Buddhist monk who influenced Asoka to embrace Buddhism. Upagupta
What is the word that refers to lay discipline? Sakya Upasaka
Name the word that refers to Monk. Bikshu
Whom did Asoka appoint to fasten the progress of Dhamma? Special officers called Dharma Mahamatras
When did Asoka visit the Lumbini Garden? 241 B.C.
Whom did Asoka send to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism. son Mahendra and daughter Sangamitra
Who convened the third Buddhist Council? Where? When? Asoka, Pataliputra in 240 B.C
Moggaliputta Tissa was the head of which Buddhist Council? Third
According to whom, “Amidst the tens and thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, the name of Asoka shines and shines almost alone, a star”? H.G. Wells
In which year Asoka died? 232 B.C
After the death of Asoka how did Mauryan Empire divide? western and eastern
Who ruled the western part of Mauryan Empire? Kunala, son of Asoka
Who ruled the eastern part of Mauryan Empire? Dasaratha, grandson of Asoka
Name the king who kept the eastern part of Mauryan Empire intact? Samprati, successor of Dasaratha
Who was the last Mauryan king? Brihatratha
Who killed Brihatratha? Pushyamitra Sunga
Name the council of ministers who assisted the king in administration under Mauryan empire? Mantriparishad
Who are included in Mantriparishad? Purohita, Mahamantri, Senapati and Yuvaraja
What was the name given to the civil servants under the Mauryan empire? Amatyas
Whom did Asoka appoint to spread Dhamma? Dhamma Mahamatras
Who was the chief of the Revenue Department under Mauryan empire? Samharta
How much was the land revenue in Mauryan empire? one sixth of the produce
Who controlled the Mauryan army? Senapati
Who controlled the various wings of Mauryan army? Adyakshas or Superintendents
Who are Adyakshas in Mauryan empire? Officers under the Department of Commerce and Industry
How was the chief justice of the Supreme Court called in Mauryan empire? Dharmathikarin
Under whose control were the subordinate courts functioned in Mauryan empire? Amatyas
Name the capitals of four provinces of Mauryan empire? Taxila, Ujjain, Suvarnagiri and Kalinga.
Who controlled district administration under Mauryan empire? Rajukas
What are the subordinate officials of Rajukas called? Yuktas
Who controlled village administration under Mauryan empire? Gramani
Name the superior of Gramani in Mauryan empire. Gopa
Which book details about the role of Nagarika or city superintendent? Arthasastra
Which book refers to the six committees in the Pataliputra? Book Indica
Where is the only remaining stupa of Asoka’s period found? Sanchi
Name the most significant pillar of Asoka period? Saranath pillar with four lions
Which pillar was adopted by Indian Government as its state emblem? Saranath pillar
Name the famous stupa built by Asoka. Sanchi stupa
Name the wonderful caves of Mauryan architecture. Caves at Barabar hills near Bodh Gaya
Who drive away the Mauryan power and establish the Sunga dynasty? Pushyamitra Sunga
Who was the successor of Sunga dynasty? Kanva dynasty

THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

UPSC Study Materials​MCQs for Competitive Examinations

UPSC Study Materials
MCQs for Competitive Examinations