Ancient History

Mauryan Empire
(Theory + Imp MCQ)
By – Indo Pathshala
Contact Number – 9123206137
https://www.youtube.com/@indopathshala400

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  The Mauryan Dynasty, which began about 321 BCE and lasted in 185 BCE, was the first pan-
Indian empire, encompassing the majority of India.

 It encompassed sections of central and northern India as well as modern-day Iran. The
conquest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain centred the Mauryan Empire, and Pataliputra served as
its capital city (modern Patna).

 The Iron Age Empire was a formidable power in South Asia and was based out of Magadha

 The era saw powerful rulers and kingmakers and rapidly expanded conquering the
previous Indo-Greek kingdoms

 Outside of the imperial core, the empire's geographical extent was determined by the
loyalty of military commanders who ruled the armed cities that dot it.

Mauryan Dynasty

 Literary sources such as Kautilya's Arthashastra, Megasthenes' Indica, Visakha Datta’s

‘Mudra Rakshasa Buddhist Text (Jatak Stories, Deepvamsa, Mahavamsa, Divyavadan) and
Ashoka's edicts shed more insight on this period's history.

 Dhana Nanda, the last of the Nanda monarchs, was widely despised for his severe tax
scheme.

 Furthermore, following Alexander's conquest of North-Western India, that region suffered

a great deal of turmoil from other nations.

 Some of these areas were ruled by the Seleucid Dynasty, which was founded by Seleucus
Nicator I. He was one of Alexander the Great's generals.

 In 321 BC, Chandragupta, assisted by a clever and politically adept Brahmin, took the
kingdom by beating Dhana Nanda.

 Under the leadership of Chandragupta Maurya and his tutor Chanakya (also known as
Kautilya, who played a crucial role in his political and military strategies), the Maurya
Empire was created in the Magadha area. Chanakya took Chandragupta to Taxila to learn
about statecraft and governance.

 Chandragupta needed an army, so he recruited and absorbed minor military republics like
the Yaudheyas, which had opposed Alexander's Empire.

 The Mauryan army swiftly rose to prominence as a regional force in the Indian
subcontinent's northwestern area.

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  However, it was under Ashoka, Bindusara’s son, that the Mauryan Empire reached its peak.
Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, expanded the empire to cover a vast territory,
including most of the Indian subcontinent

 Chandragupta’s son, Bindusara, succeeded him and continued to expand the empire.
Bindusara is said to have extended the Mauryan Empire’s influence to various regions in
India

 The Mauryan Empire expanded through a combination of military conquest and strategic
diplomacy

 After Ashoka’s death the empire shrank because of invasions, defections by southern
princes, and quarrels over ascension

 The last ruler, Brihadratha, was killed in 185 BCE by his Brahman commander in
chief, Pushyamitra, who then founded the Shunga dynasty, which ruled in central
India for about a century

 The republic and oligarchy form of government came to an end and Monarchy reached
excellence under the Mauryas. The empire is known for their exceptional creativity in the
fields of literature, art, architecture and inscriptions. The Lion Capital of Ashoka which is
the national emblem of India belongs to this era

Mauryan Dynasty Ruling period

Chandragupta Maurya 322 – 297 BCE
Bindusara 297 – 272/268 BCE
Ashoka 272/268 – 232 BCE
Dasharatha 232 – 224 BCE
Samprati 224 – 215 BCE
Shalishuka 215 – 202 BCE
Devavarman 202 – 195 BCE
Shatadhanvan 195 – 187 BCE
Brihadratha 187 – 180 BCE
Chandragupta Maurya - Founder of Mauryan Empire

 The beginnings of Chandragupta are shrouded in mystery.

 The Greek texts (the earliest) identify him as being of non-warrior ancestry.

 According to Hindu texts, he was a Kautilya disciple of lowly origin (probably born to a
Shudra woman). According to most Buddhist texts, he was a Kshatriya.

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 It is often assumed that he was an orphaned youngster from a poor home who was tutored
by Kautilya.

 Sandrokottos is the name given to him in Greek records.

 Alexander abandoned his invasion of India in 324 BC, and within a year, Chandragupta had
beaten several of the Greek-ruled towns in the country's northwestern region.

 Kautilya devised the approach, which Chandragupta carried out. They had formed their
own mercenary army.

 They then proceeded eastward towards Magadha.

 In around 321 BC, He took advantage of the decline and weakness of the Nandas. He
overthrew the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, Dhanananda with the help of Chanakya
(Kautilya) and crowned himself as the emperor, laying the groundwork for the Maurya
Empire.

 In 305 BC, he entered into a treaty with Seleucus Nicator in which Chandragupta acquired
Baluchistan, eastern Afghanistan and the region to the west of Indus. He also married
Seleucus Nicator’s daughter. In return, Seleucus Nicator got 500 elephants. Seleucus Nicator
avoided a full-scale war with the mighty Chandragupta and in return got war assets that
would lead him to victory against his rivals in the Battle of Ipsus, fought in 301 BC

 Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, was sent by Seleucus in the Chandragupta Maurya court

 With the exception of a few locations like Kalinga and the far south, Chandragupta
spearheaded an expansionist programme that brought practically the whole present-day
India under his rule.

 From 321 BC until 297 BC, he ruled. Chandragupta Maurya was an autocrat, who kept all
powers in his hands

 After conquering the region between Beas and Bay of Bengal, Chandragupta launched
expeditions throughout the country and included territories of Andhra, Karnataka,
Maharashtra, Gujrat and Central regions to Mauryan empire. Thus, the credit of first
unification of North India is attributed to Chandragupta Maurya

 He abdicated in favour of his son, Bindusara, and travelled to Karnataka with the Jain monk
Bhadrabahu.

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  He had converted to Jainism and is claimed to have starved himself to death in
Shravanabelagola according to Jain legend.

Bindusara

 Bindusara was the son of Chandragupta, the Mauryan Empire's founder. Several texts,
including the Puranas and the Mahavamsa, attest to this.

 Throughout his term, Chanakya served as Prime Minister.

 Bindusara maintains cordial diplomatic relations with Greece. Deimachus was the Seleucid
emperor Antiochus I's envoy to Bindusara's court.

 Greeks called him by the names Amitragata, Amitrochates, Allitrochates which means
slayer of enemies

 Bindusara, unlike his father Chandragupta (who eventually converted to Jainism), belonged
to the Ajivika sect. Bindusara's master, Pingalavatsa (Janasana), was an Ajivika Brahmin.

 Bindusara died around the 270s BCE, according to historical sources.

 Bindusara is credited for extending the Mauryan Empire to Mysore.

 He united sixteen nations into the Mauryan Empire, conquering nearly the whole Indian
peninsula.

Ashoka

 Son of Mauryan Emperor Bindusara and Subhadrangi. Chandragupta Maurya's grandson.

 His other names were Devanampiya (Sanskrit Devanampriya, which means Beloved of the
Gods) and Piyadasi.

 One of India's greatest monarchs.

 He was born in 304 BC.

 His rule lasted from 268 BC until 232 BC, when he died.

 Ashoka’s expansion campaigns were marked by both military conquests and the
propagation of Buddhism

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 He adopted a policy of non-violence (ahimsa) and embraced Buddhism, advocating for the
welfare and moral upliftment of his subjects

 As a young prince, Ashoka was a superb commander who suppressed revolts in Ujjain and
Takshashila.

 As emperor, he was ambitious and aggressive, re-establishing the Empire's supremacy in

southern and western India. But it was his conquest of Kalinga (262–261 BCE). Ashoka’s
wins included the annexation of the Kalinga region (modern-day Odisha) after a brutal war,
that proved to be the defining event of his life
 This war is mentioned in the 13th Major Rock Edict

 As he was moved by the massacre of the Kalinga war, he gave up the idea of conquest by
war and followed conquest by dhamma. In other words he replaced Bherigosha with
Dhammagosha. With this, he was noted to be the first emperor who gave up war.

 He became a Buddhist. A Buddhist monk named Moggaliputta Tissa became his guru.

 In 247 BC, Ashoka presided over the third Buddhist Council in Pataliputra, which was
presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.

 His policy of Dhamma was a broad concept which covered the way of life, code of conduct
and set of principles that people should adopt in their daily life

 He followed religious tolerant policy. He was known for his policy of peace, non aggression
and cultural conquest

 Dasaratha Maurya (232 BCE – 224 BCE): Dasaratha was the son of Ashoka. His reign marked
a period of relative stability and continuation of Ashoka’s policies.Several territories of the
empire broke away during his reign

 Samprati (224 BCE – 215 BCE): Samprati was a grandson of Ashoka and is believed to have
continued Ashoka’s emphasis on Buddhism and welfare measures.
 Samprati ruled both from Pataliputra and Ujjain, according to the Jain text Parisistaparvan
 Contributions to Jainism: He is regarded for his patronage and efforts to spread Jainism in
East India.He reconquered the provinces of Saurashtra, Maharashtra, Andhra, and
Mysore, which were disintegrated after Ashoka’s death

 Salisuka (215 BCE – 202 BCE): Salisuka’s rule saw the decline of the Mauryan Empire, with
several provinces breaking away. He was mentioned in the Gargi Samhita's Yuga Purana
section as a quarrelsome, unrighteous ruler

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  Devavarman (202 BCE – 195 BCE): Devavarman’s reign marked a period of further
disintegration of the empire.

 Shatadhanvan (195 BCE – 187 BCE): Shatadhanvan was one of the last rulers of the
Mauryan Empire, and his rule saw further decline and weakening of the empire.

 Brihadratha (187 BCE- 184 BCE): He was the last Mauryan ruler and was assassinated by
Pushyamitra Shunga, his commander-in-chief

Chanakya
 Teacher of Chandragupta Maurya, who was also his Chief Minister.

 He was a teacher and scholar at Taxila. Other names are Vishnugupta and Kautilya.

 He was also a minister in the court of Bindusara.

 He is credited to be the master strategist behind the usurping of the Nanda throne and the
rise of the Mauryan Empire through his student, Chandragupta.

 He wrote Arthashastra which is a treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy.

 Arthashastra was rediscovered by R Shamasastry in 1905 after it had disappeared in the

12th century.

 The work contains 15 books and 180 chapters. The main theme is divided into:

King, Council of Ministers and Departments of the Government

Civil and criminal law
Diplomacy of war

 It also contains information on trade and markets, a method to screen ministers, spies,
duties of a king, ethics, social welfare, agriculture, mining, metallurgy, medicine, forests,
etc.

 Chanakya is also called ‘Indian Machiavelli”.

Mudrarakshasa
 Mudrarakshasa is a drama written by Visakadata in Sanskrit

 Though this piece of work belongs to the Gupta era, it gives an image of the socio economic
conditions under the Mauryas
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  The victory of Chandragupta Maurya over Nandas under the guidance of Kautilya is
elaborated in this

Indika
 Indika was written by Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador who was sent by Selecus to
Chandragupta Maurya’s court

 He wrote an account of the administration of the capital city, Pataliputra and the Mauryan
empire as well

 His works were not available in full and the fragments of his works were collected and
compiled by the Greek writers. This compilation was published in the name Indika

Varna system

 Varna system had completely developed during the time of Mauryas

 There were four types of Varna i.e Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra and their
work was decided according to their Varna

 Apart from these four Varnas Kautilya in his Arthashastra talked

about Varnashankaras such as Nishad, Magadh, Sut, Veg, Chandals, etc. Kautilya
considered them to be Shudras

 Pravahana was a social function which included a gathering when organized

Mauryan Dynasty - Administration

 The Empire was split into four provinces, with Pataliputra serving as the imperial capital.

 According to Ashokan edicts, the four provincial capitals are Tosali (in the east), Ujjain (in
the west), Suvarnagiri (in the south), and Taxila (in the north) .

 The Kumara (royal prince), who controlled the provinces as the king's agent, was in charge
of the provincial government. Mahamatyas and the council of ministers helped the kumara.

 The Emperor and his Mantriparishad mirrored this organisational system at the imperial
level.

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  The Mauryans built a sophisticated currency minting method. The majority of coins were
made of silver and copper.

 Certain gold coins were also in circulation. The coins were frequently used in commerce
and trade.

Central Government

 The Mauryan government was well-known for being very centralised.

 It all started with the Emperor possessing enormous power and exerting all authority.

 The state was ruled by a council of ministers known as the 'Mantriparishad,' and the
ministers were known as 'Mantris' during the time.

 The 'Mantri Parishad-adhyaksha' presided over this Mantri council.

 Mahamattas are titles bestowed upon some of the highest-ranking officials.

 There were also Amatyas, or high-ranking officials who worked in administrative and
judicial positions.

 The Adhyakshyas were organised into departments and a secretariat was formed.

 The government monitored and documented manufacturing, births and deaths, industries,
foreigners, product trade and sale, and sales tax collection to ensure smooth operations.

 Many Adhyakshyas are mentioned in Arthashastra for trade, storehouses, gold, ships,
agriculture, cows, horses, city, chariots, mint, infantry, and so on.

 Yuktas are subordinate officers in charge of the Empire's income.

 Rajjukas: Land measuring and boundary-fixing officers.

 Sanstha Adhyaksha: Mint Superintendent

 Samastha Adhyaksha: Market Superintendent

 Sulka Adhyaksha: Toll Superintendent

 Sita Adhyaksha: Agriculture Superintendent

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  Navadhyaksha is a ship's superintendent.

 Loh Adhyaksha: Iron Superintendent

 Pauthavadhyakhsa: Weights and Measures Superintendent

 Mine Superintendent: Nagaradhyaksha

 Vyavaharika Mahamatta: Members of the judiciary

 Public relations officers in Pulisanj

 The administration was in charge of birth and death registration, foreigners, industry,
commerce, manufacturing and sale of commodities, and sales tax collection.

Military Administration

 Senapati, the Emperor's right-hand man, was the commander-in-chief of the whole military.
The Emperor appointed him.

 The army received its pay in cash.

 A board of 30 men oversees military administration, which is organised into six

committees: infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots, navy, and transport.

 Gudda Purushas/Detectives mentions two sorts of detectives:

Sansthan's (stationary)
Sanchari's (wandering)

 The Mauryan administration was notable for maintaining a large military. Kautilya
empowered all four Varnas to serve in the military.

 Pliny claims that the Mauryas maintained a force of six lakh men. The Mauryans also had a
navy in their military.

 All of the major cities have police stations.

 Bandhangara was the name of the jail, while Charaka was the name of the lock-up.

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Justice System

 The ruler was in charge of the legal system.

 The Gramvardha and Nagarvyavaharika Mahamatras resolved disputes in both villages and
towns, respectively.

 There were Rajukas throughout the state who were equivalent to our present district
magistrates.

 Dharmasthiya (Civil Court) and Kantaka Shodhana (Criminal Court) are two further types
of courts mentioned by Kautilya.

Local Administration

 Aside from the directly managed metropolitan zone, the empire was divided into four
provinces, each of which was commanded by a prince or a member of the royal family
(Kumara or Aryaputra).

 Under Asoka, there were four provinces: the Northern Province (Uttarapatha), which
had Taxila as its capital, the Western Province (Avantiratha), which had Ujjain as its capital,
the Eastern Province (Prachyapatha), which had Tosali as its centre, and the Southern
Province (Dakshinapatha), which had Suvarnagiri as its capital.

 The kingdom's headquarters were in the central province of Magadha, with its capital
at Pataliputra.

 He nominated some of the viceroy's officers, including the Mahamattas, who went on tour
every five years.

 The village was the smallest administrative entity.

 Gramika Villages had a lot of liberty as a leader.

 The province governors or district magistrates were known as Pradeshika.

 Sthanika: Tax collectors who report to Pradeshikas.

 Durgapal: Fort Governors.

 Antapala: Frontier governors.

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  Akshapatala: General Accountant Lipikaras.

Revenue Administration

 Samharta was the head of the revenue department.

 Sannidhata was another significant official (treasurer).

 Land, irrigation, shops, customs, woods, ferries, mining, and pastures all generated
revenue.

 Artist licence payments were collected, and fines were levied in the courts.

 One-sixth of the output was used to generate the majority of the land revenue.

 Bhaga (land tax): 1/6th of the produce paid by the peasants

 The peasants paid a tax known as pindakara, which was levied on groups of villages by
husbandmen

 Other taxes were Bali and Hiranaya (paid in cash)

Espionage

 The Mauryas had a well-developed espionage system.

 Spies provided information to the Emperor on the bureaucracy and markets.

 There were two kinds of spies: Samsthana (stationary) and Sanchari (moving around)

 Gudda Purushas were covert agents or investigators.

 The Mahamatyapasarpa ruled over them. These agents were chosen from various social
groups.

 There were additional agents known as Vishakanyas (poisonous girls).

Mauryan Dynasty - Economy

 Most important feature of the economy was agriculture.

 Kautilya mentioned about three crops in a year whereas Megasthenese mentions about two
types of crops.
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 The economy of the state was based on agriculture, animal husbandry and trade. These
three were all together known as Varta.

 It was during the Mauryan period that the transition to agriculture was completed in India
and agriculture became the basic economic activity of the people.

 The principal crops were rice, barley, millet and wheat. There are also references to
sugarcane, fruits and vegetables

 The prime industry during the Mauryas were spinning and weaving Madura, Aparant,
Kalinga, Kashi, Vatsa and Mahishmati are mentioned as important cotton textile centre
in Kautilya’s Arthashastra .

 In the same context, Kautilya mentions linen fabrics of Kasi and Pundra

 As regards to costlier textiles, there were references to silk cloth. Kautilya mentions
Kauseya along with Chinese fabric of Chinese manufacture

 The manufacture of wool was an old and indigenous industry. Kautilya refers to varieties of
fabrics of sheep’s wool.

 External trade was carried on with Syria, Egypt, Greece,etc. in the west

 After the conquest of Kalinga with its sea port on the eastern coast of India. It was carried
on with the countries of South-East Asia and China.

 The chief articles of export were spices, pearls, diamonds, sandalwoods, ivory, cotton cloth,
silk yarn, muslin, etc.

 The principal imports were linen, silver, gold, dry fruits, etc

 Further, an important aspect of Mauryan economy was the state monopoly of mining and
metallurgy. It was a source of great income.

 The superintendent of mining was Akradhyaksha whose duty was to prospect for new
mines and reopen old and disused ones

 In Arthashastra coins were called as Roop.

 Other types of coins were:

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 Nishaka/Suvarna- Gold coins.
Karshapan/ Dharan/ Pann- silver coin
Mashak/ kakini- there were copper coins.

 In Arthashastra it is mentioned that there were state minting factories also and its head
was known as Lakshanadhyaksha.

 Rupdarshaka was known as the examiner of coins.

 The economic month of Mauryas started from July

 Apart from these, there were also called punch marked coins.

 Several images such as of snakes, peacock, trees were punched on these coins.

 The coins had only images and did have any information or inscription written on it.

 Barbairikam- It was located in Sindh , Bhrigukacch(Bharoach)- Greeks called it Berigaja,

sopra, these three ports were situated in the western parts of the empire. Tamralipti was
the important port on the eastern side

 Kautilya in his Arthashastra mentioned about the import duties which was 10% on the
imported goods.

 State also participated directly in trade and commerce. State had monopoly over some
products such as wine, salt, mine, ships, forest,etc.

 The highest authority of trade was known as

Mauryan Dynasty - Architecture

 The ancient palace at Pataliputra, present Kumhrar in Patna, was the grandest monument
of this time, built during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.

 Excavations have uncovered the remnants of the palace, which is assumed to have been a
collection of many structures, the most notable of which was a massive pillared hall
supported on a high substratum of timbers.

 The pillars were arranged in regular rows, separating the hall into many smaller square
bays.

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 The structures were set amid a sprawling park filled with fish ponds and a wide range of
attractive plants and bushes.

 The manner of palace construction during this time is also described in

Kauilya's Arthashastra.

 Later stone pillar pieces, including one virtually whole, with round tapering shafts and
flawless polish show that Ashoka was responsible for the stone columns that replaced the
earlier wooden ones.

 These pillars were erected at various locations across the empire and carried inscriptions
in Brahmi script. They provided information about Ashoka’s policies, his conversion to
Buddhism, and his efforts towards promoting moral and ethical values

 The Sarnath Lion Capital is a famous example of Mauryan art and is now the national
emblem of India. It features four lions back-to-back, symbolizing dharma, and was placed
atop an Ashoka Pillar

 Ashoka’s first pillar was found from Vaishali known as Koluha pillar

 During the Ashokan period, masonry was of the highest quality, with tall free-standing
pillars, stupa railings, lion thrones, and other massive statues.

 Ashoka was in charge of the construction of multiple stupas, which were enormous domes
adorned with Buddha iconography.

 The most famous stupa of this time is the Great Stupa at Sanchi, which was initially
commissioned by Ashoka and later enlarged. It has a simple hemispherical shape and
houses relics of the Buddha

 The main ones are in Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati, Bodhgaya, and Nagarjunakonda.

 The Ashoka pillars and carved edicts of Ashoka, sometimes finely painted, are the most
common specimens of Mauryan architecture, with over 40 scattered over the Indian
subcontinent.

 As represented by Ashoka's pillars at Nandangarh and Sanchi Stupa, the peacock was a
dynastic symbol of the Mauryans.

 Artistic motifs of the Mauryan era often depicted animals, plants, and geometric designs.
The use of these motifs can be seen in sculptures, particularly those associated with pillars
and stupas.
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  Piprahwa stupa in Uttar Pradesh is the oldest one

 Polished stone sculptures, including figurines and decorative elements, were produced
during the Mauryan period. These sculptures displayed a level of artistic skill and
craftsmanship. Kosambi and Patliputra were the centres of Northern Black Polished
Ware(NBPW)

 The Viharas in India were originally constructed to shelter the monks during the
rainy season, when it became difficult for them to lead the wanderer’s life.
In Patliputra Ashoka built Ashokaram vihara and Kakuttaram

 The Mauryan period saw the beginning of rock cut cave architecture. The Barabar
and Nagarjuni hills contain several caves which are built by Ashoka and Dasharatha
.The only sculpture ornamentation is a relief carving on the doorway of a cave known
as Lomas Rishi Cave

Mauryan Dynasty - Religion

 Brahmanism was a significant religion throughout the early period of the kingdom.

 The Mauryans were followers of Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Minor religious
groups such as Ajivikas were also supported.

 When Chandragupta Maurya retired, he sacrificed his kingdom and his assets to join a
roaming group of Jain monks.

 Acharya Bhadrabahu, a Jain monk, was Chandragupta's pupil. Thus, under Mauryan rule,
Jainism became an important force.

 The spread of Jainism in South India is attributed to Chandragupta and Samprati.

 During their reigns, hundreds of thousands of temples and stupas are claimed to have been
built.

 Magadha, the empire's centre, was also the birthplace of Buddhism.

 Following the Kalinga War, Ashoka abandoned expansionism and violence, as well as the
harsher injunctions of the Arthashastra on the use of force, intense policing, and brutal
means for tax collection and against rebels.

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The Decline of Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan empire began to disintegrate with the end of Ashoka reign in 232 BCE. Several
factors led to the decline and fall of the vast empire. The causes are widely debated by the
scholars.

Brahmanical Reaction
 Though Ashoka adopted the policy of religious tolerance, he was against the killing of
animals and birds and also prohibited the superstitious sacrifices and rituals performed by
women.

 This anti sacrifice attitude of Ashoka brought about loss to the Brahmanical society, who
lived on the offers made in the name of sacrifices.

 This turned the Brahmanas against Ashoka and developed some kind of antipathy towards
him.

Financial Crisis
 The Mauryan empire was known for maintaining the largest army and the largest regiment
of officers in ancient times.

 This led to huge expenditure on payment to the army and the bureaucrats, thus resulting in
economic constraints.

 Ashoka made huge grants out of the royal treasury to the Buddhist monks, which soon ran
empty.

 In later periods, the images made of gold were melted to meet the expenses .

Oppressive Rule
 During the reign of Bindusara, people of Taxila complained about the misrule of the wicked
bureaucrats.This was sorted by appointing Ashoka.

 This repeated during the reign of Ashoka. He ordered the mahamatras to not torture the
people without due cause.

 He introduced rotation of officers in Ujjain, Taxila and Tosali to address this issue. However
the oppression continued to exist in the outlying provinces.

Spread of the New Knowledge

 As a result of the expansion of the Mauryan empire, the knowledge of the material
advantages of the Mauryas spread to central India, Kalinga and Deccan.

 With this, the Gangetic basin which was the heart of the empire lost its special advantage.

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  New kingdoms such as Shungas, Kanvas, Chetis were founded and expanded on the basis of
this material knowledge gained from the Magadha

Neglect of the North-West Frontier

 Ashoka was preoccupied with the missionary activities at homeland and abroad. He failed
to concentrate on the passages of the North West Frontier.

 The nomadic people were looked upon as a serious threat to India and China. So the then
ruler of China constructed the great wall of China to shield the empire against these attacks.

 No such measures were made by Ashoka. As a result when Scythians approached India, they
forced the Parthians, the shakas and the Greeks to move towards India.

 The Greeks invaded north Afghanistan and set up an empire known as Bactria. They were
the first to invade India which was followed by a series of invasions.

IMP Question Related to Mauryan Empire

Which dynasty ruled over ‘Magadha’ after Mauryan Dynasty?

A. Satavahan
B. Shunga
C. Nanda
D. Kanva

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : The Shunga dynasty was a Brahmin dynasty, established in 185 BCE,

2. With which of the following centres of learning, Chanakya the famous teacher of Chandragupta
Maurya, was associated?
A. Taxila
B. Nalanda
C. Vikramshila
D. Vaishali

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : Taxila had great influence on Hindu culture and the Sanskrit language. It is perhaps
best known for its association with Chanakya, also known as Kautilya, the strategist who guided
Chandragupta Maurya and assisted in the founding of the Mauryan empire.

3. The decline of the Nandas at the hands of Kautilya and Chandragupta Maurya has been vividly
portrayed in the Sanskrit play written by Kalidasa
A. Mudrarakshas
B. Devichandragupta
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C. Malavikagnimitram
D. Mrichhakatika

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : The Mālavikāgnimitram is a Sanskrit play by Kālidāsa. It is his first play. The play
tells the story of the love of Agnimitra, the Shunga Emperor at Vidisha, for the beautiful lun-
maiden of his chief queen. He falls in love with the picture of an exiled servant girl named
Mālavikā.

4. Who is called as the ‘second Ashoka’ ?

A. Samudra Gupta
B. Chandra Gupta Maurya
C. Kanishka
D. Harshavardhana

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : Kushana king Kanishka is also called “Second Ashoka”.

5. The Mauryan administration was highly

A. Decentralized
B. Bureaucratic
C. Centralized
D. Despotic

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : It can be appropriately claimed that the Mauryan administration system, though
monarchical, was sufficient because it had the privilege of possessing successful administrators
such as Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara Maurya and Ashoka.

6. The author of ‘Arthashastra’ was a contemporary of

A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Samudragupta
D. Chandragupta Vikramaditya

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, was believed to be the chief minister in the court
of Chandragupta Maurya, a contemporary of Alexander and the first great emperor of India who
ruled the subcontinent in the 4th Century BC.

7. Which event brought about a profound change in Ashoka’s administrative policy?

A. The third Buddhist Council
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B. The Kalinga War
C. His embracing of Buddhism
D. His sending missionary to Ceylon

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : The Kalinga War (ended c. 262 BCE) was fought in what is now India between the
Maurya Empire under Ashoka and the state of Kalinga, an independent feudal kingdom located on
the east coast, in the present-day state of Odisha and north of Andhra Pradesh .

8. Arrange the following Magadhan dynasties in chronological order-,I. Nandas,II. Shisu nagas,III.
Mauryas,IV. Hariyankas
A. IV II III and I
B. II I IV and III
C. IV II I and III
D. III I IV and II

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : Magadhan dynasties in chronological order: Haryankas (544 – 412 BC) Shishunags
(412 – 344 BC) Nandas (344 – 322 BC) Mauryans (323 – 184BC)

9. Who was the spatial (Sthaanik) during Mauryan’s period?

A. District Administrator
B. Provincial Administrator
C. Village Administrator
D. City Administrator

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : Sthaanik were the District Administrator in Maurayan Empire. Provinces were
subdivided into districts for purposes of administration, and a group of officials worked in each
district.

10. Which one of the following mentioned division of the Mauryan Society into seven classes?
A. Ashoka’s Edicts
B. Indica
C. Kautilya’s Arthshastra
D. Vishnu Purana

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : Indica is the book written by Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to India around
300 Be.The Indians generally were divided into seven categories, the wise men (Brahmins),
farmers, herdsmen, artisans, soldiers, over lookers and government officials including army and
navy officers.
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11. Who, among the following, was not a part of the Mauryan dynasty?
A. Ajatsatru
B. Bindusara
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. None of these

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : Ajatshatru was born in 492 BC that is approx 200 years before Maurya. Ajatshatru
was the king of Haryanka dynasty of Magadh having his capital as Rajgir.

12. Kalinga’s ruler Kharavela gave his protection to

A. Hinduism
B. Shaivism
C. Buddhism
D. Jainism

Answer
Answer: Option D
Explanation : Kharavela was a king of Kalinga in present-day Odisha, India.

13. Chandragupta Maurya was an ardent follower of __________

A. Sikhism
B. Jainism
C. Buddhism
D. Jewism

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : According to Jain sources, he then renounced it all, and became a monk in the Jain
tradition. Chandragupta is claimed, by the historic Jain texts, to have followed Jainism in his life,
by first renouncing all his wealth and power, going away with Jaina monks into the Deccan region
(now Karnataka), and ultimately performing Sallekhana – the Jain religious ritual of peacefully
welcoming death by fasting.

14. Arthasastra was written by

A. Dhanananda
B. Kautilya
C. Bimbisara
D. Pushyamitra

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : The Arthashastra is the title of a handbook for running an empire, written by
Kautilya (also known as Chanakya, c. 350-275 BCE) an Indian statesman and philosopher, chief

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advisor and Prime Minister of the Indian Emperor Chandragupta, the first ruler of the Mauryan
Empire.

15. The monk who influenced Ashoka to embrace Buddhism was

A. Vishnu Gupta
B. Upagupta
C. Brahma Gupta
D. Brihadratha

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : Upagupta (c. 3rd Century BC) was a Buddhist monk. According to some stories in the
Sanskrit text Ashokavadana, he was the spiritual teacher of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.
Upagupta’s teacher was Sanavasi who was a disciple of Ānanda, the Buddha’s attendant.

16. Name the Greek Ambassador at the Mauryan Court ?

A. Alexander
B. Megasthanese
C. Plato
D. Aristotle

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : Megasthenes was born in Asia Minor and became an ambassador of Seleucus I
Nicator of the Seleucid dynasty to Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra, India.

17. Who usurped power from the Mauryas after killing the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha?
A. Pushyamitra Sunga
B. Agnimitra
C. Vasumitra
D. Jyesthamitra

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : Brihadratha Maurya was killed in 180 BCE and power usurped by his general,
Pushyamitra Shunga, who then took over the throne and established the Shunga Empire.

18. Chandra Gupta Maurya spend his last days here

A. Kashi
B. Pataliputra
C. Ujjain
D. Shravanabelagola

Answer

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Answer: Option D
Explanation : During his last days Chandragupta accepted Jainsim and spent his last days at
Sravanabelagola with Bhadrabahu.

19. Bindusara was the son of?

A. Ashoka
B. Akbar
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Shivaji

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : Bindusara was the second Mauryan emperor of India. He was the son of the
dynasty’s founder Chandragupta, and the father of its most famous ruler Ashoka.

20. Which one of the following was not a characteristic of society in Mauryan times?
A. Slavery
B. Rigidity of Caste
C. Prostitution
D. Widow remarriage

Answer
Answer: Option D
Explanation : Although societies frowned on remarriage, widow remarriage was not unusual
when the women’s surviving family was not able to support her and her children or did not have a
male of sufficient age to ensure the family’s future.

21. Which of the following was not one of the actual cause for the decline of the Mauryan empire?
A. Ashoka’s pacifist policies
B. Division of the empire after Ashoka
C. Foreign aggressions particularly Greek
D. Economic and financial crisis

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : The decline of the Maurya Dynasty was rather rapid after the death of
Ashoka/Asoka. One obvious reason for it was the succession of weak kings.

22. Satvahanas minted their coins predominantly in

A. Lead
B. Silver
C. Gold
D. Copper

Answer

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Answer: Option A
Explanation : The Satvahanas predominantly minted their coins in lead. They also used ‘potin’ an
alloy of silver and copper to mint coins.

23. The most commonly used coin during the Mauryan period was
A. Karashopana
B. Nishka
C. Suvarna
D. Kakini

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : The most commonly used coin during the Mauryan period was karashopana.

24. Dharmamahamatras were __________ during the Mauryans

A. Officials
B. Buddhist Monks
C. Jain Monks
D. Soldiers

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : A Mahamatra (meaning “”Officer of high rank”) was an “officer of morality”
established by the Indian Emperor Ashoka (reigned 269-233 BCE). Their full title was Dhaṃma
Mahāmātā, the “Inspectors of the Dharma”. They were apparently a class of senior officials who
were in charge various aspects of administration and justice.

25. Chandragupta Maurya was born in

A. 340 BC
B. 563 BC
C. 189 BC
D. 99 BC

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : Chandragupta Maurya was born in 340 BC in Pataliputra, in modern-day Bihar.

26. Bindusara sent Ashoka to quell the rebellion in

A. Swarnagiri
B. Taxila
C. Ujjain
D. Tosali

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : The Mahavamsa suggests that Bindusara appointed his son Ashoka as the viceroy of
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Ujjayini. Ashokavadana states that Bindusara sent Ashoka to lay siege to Takshashila. The
Emperor refused to provide any weapons or chariots for Ashoka’s expedition.

27. Which one of the following is the principle source of information of Ashoka’s campaign against
Kalinga?
A. Pillar Edict-VII
B. Mahavamsa
C. Divyavadana
D. Rock Edict-XIII

Answer
Answer: Option D
Explanation : The rock edict XIII gives a clue that Kalinga was a country previously unconquered,
thus Ashoka’s declaration of war was that of unprovoked aggression

28. The Greeks were driven out of India by

A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Chandragupta Vikramaditya
C. Ashoka
D. Bindusara

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : And it is after Alexander’s death in 323 B.C., that Chandragupta is said to have put an
end to the Greek rule in northwest India, returned to Magadha, killed the Nanda king, and
proclaimed the Maurya dynasty in 322 BC.

29. Under Mauryas each province was placed under a__________

A. Prince
B. Commander
C. Council
D. Minister

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : The empire was divided into four provinces, each under a prince or member of the
royal family (Kumara and Aryaputra).

30. The official language of the Mauryan Court was

A. Magadhi
B. Prakrit
C. Mythili
D. Sanskrit

Answer

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Answer: Option A
Explanation : It is believed to be the language spoken by Gautama Buddha. It was the official
language of the Mauryan court, in which the edicts of Ashoka were composed. The name Magahi is
directly derived from the name Magadhi Prakrit, and educated speakers of Magahi prefer to call it
“Magadhi” rather than “Magahi”.

31. Seleucus Nicator was defeated by

A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Bindu Sara
D. Brihadratha

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : The Seleucid–Mauryan War was fought between 305 and 303 BCE. It started when
Seleucus I Nicator, of the Seleucid Empire, sought to retake the Indian satrapies of the Macedonian
Empire which had been occupied by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, of the Maurya Empire.

32. Which among the following is the oldest dynasty?

A. Maurya
B. Gupta
C. Kushan
D. Kanva

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : Mauryan Dynasty was the first dynasty in 3rd -4th Centuries BCE, that unified the
subcontinent and contributed in spreading religion (Buddhism).

33. Ashoka spread Buddhism all over India and Ceylon by

A. Teaching the Triratnas
B. Sending the Dharma Mahamantras
C. Wagins wars
D. Becoming a Buddhist Monk

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : Ashoka became a upasaka of Buddha. He established an intimate relation with the
Buddhist Sangha and is said to have become a monk. He undertook Dharma yatra instructing
Dharma to the people. He took up pilgrimages to the birth place of the Sakyamuni. To spread the
message of Dharma to the vast extent of his empire. He appointed officers in charge of religious
propagation. They were called Dharma Mahamatras, to spread his ideas of Dharma and spread
Buddhism all over India and Ceylon.

34. Mauryan Dynasty was founded by

A. Ashoka
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B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Pushyamitra
D. Ajatasatru

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : The Maurya Empire was founded in 322 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, who had
overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power westward across central and
western India in order to take advantage of the disruptions of local powers in the wake of the
withdrawal by Alexander the Great ‘s armies.

35. The capital of the Mauryan kingdom was located at

A. Pataliputra
B. Vaishali
C. Lumbini
D. Gaya

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : The Maurya Empire was centralized by conquering the Indo-Gangetic Plain in the
eastern extent of the empire and had its capital city at Pataliputra (modern Patna).

36. Which of the following could be the most accurate description of the Mauryan monarchy under
Ashoka?
A. Enlightened despotism
B. Centralised autocracy
C. Oriental despotism
D. Guided democracy

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : The most accurate description of The Mauryan monarchy under Ashoka was
Enlightened despotism.

37. The best specimens of Mauryan art are represented by their

A. Stupas
B. Pillars
C. Chaityas
D. Caves

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : It represented an important transition in Indian art from use of wood to stone. It
was a royal art patronized by Mauryan kings especially Ashoka. Pillars are the most prominent
examples.

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38. Chandragupta Maurya was__________
A. A benevolent despot
B. Autocrat
C. Democrat
D. A pious ruler

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : The Maurya king was an absolute ruler. He was at the apex of administration. His
ideal of kingship was benevolent despotism. The main principle of administration was welfare of
the people.

39. Who took the throne after Chandra Gupta Maurya?

A. Bimbisara
B. Ashoka
C. Bindusara
D. Vishnugupta

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : In 298 BCE, Chandragupta voluntarily abdicated the throne in favour of his son
Bindusara, who became the new Mauryan emperor. What we know after this point seems closer to
legend than an actual historical account. It is said that Chandragupta turned into an ascetic and
follower of Jainism.

40. In Mauryan dynasty Kalinga war took place in the year

A. 260 BC
B. 261 BC
C. 126 BC
D. 232 BC

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : Ashoka lead a huge army against Kalinga. This took place in 261 B.C., the freedom
loving people of Kalinga offered a stiff resistance to the Mauryan army.

41. Which one of the following item was collected only in cash under the Mauryas?
A. Kara
B. Bhaga
C. Pranaya
D. Hiranya

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : Pranaya literally meaning a gift of affection, pranaya was a levy imposed by the state
during emergency periods. Though first mentioned by Panini, it was elaborated upon for the first
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time in Arthashastra. Pranaya amounted to onethird or one-fourth of the produce according to the
nature of the soil.

42. In which one of the following do we come across a detailed account of the municipal
administration of Mauryas?
A. The Arthashastra of Kautilya
B. The account of Megasthenes
C. The Mudrarakshasa
D. Mauryan inscription

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : Megasthenes describes the administration of the armed forces as comprising of six
committees with five members on each. The first committee was concerned with naval warfare,
second equivalent to the modern commissariat supervising the transport of war materials, third
supervising the infantry, the fourth supervising cavalry, the fifth was concerned with chariots and
the sixth supervised the elephant corps.

43. Which Mauryan king holds the title of Amitraghata?

A. Bimbisar
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Bindusara
D. Ashoka

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : Bindusara is also known as Amitraghata (amitra-enemy, ghata-slayer) in Sanskrit
Literature. Strabo has named him Amitrochates or Allitrochades which are greek version of the
name Amitraghata.

44. Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya decided to overthrow the Nandas because
A. Chanakya had been humiliated by the Nandas
B. the Nandas were low-born
C. the Nandas had accumulated a great deal of wealth by extortion and oppression of the people
D. Chanakya wanted to restore the ideal of Kshatriya rule

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya decided to overthrow the Nandas
because the Nandas accumulated a great deal of wealth by extortion and oppression of the people.

45. After Alexander’s death the Eastern part of his empire came under
A. Seleucus Nicator
B. Menander
C. Rudradaman
D. Kanishka
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Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : After the death of Alexander in June 323 BC, Seleucus initially supported Perdiccas,
the regent of Alexander’s empire, and was appointed Commander of the Companions and
chiliarch at the Partition of Babylon in 323 BC. Seleucus ruled not only Babylonia, but the entire
enormous eastern part of Alexander’s empire.

46. Which among the following Kavya of Sanskrit, deal with court intrigues & access to power of
Chandragupta Maurya?
A. Mrichhakatika
B. Ritusamhara
C. Kumarasambhava
D. Mudrarakshahsa

Answer
Answer: Option D
Explanation : Mudrarakshasa deals with court intrigues & access to power of Chandragupta
Maurya. The Mudrarakshasa is a Sanskrit-language play by Vishakhadatta that narrates the
ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in India.

47. Upto where did Chandragupta Maurya’s empire extend in the north west?
A. Ravi river
B. Indus river
C. Satluj river
D. Hindukush range

Answer
Answer: Option D
Explanation : According to the Buddhist text Mahavamsa tika, Chandragupta and his guru
Chanakya began recruiting an army after he completed his studies at Taxila (now in Pakistan).
This was a period of wars, given that Alexander the Great had invaded the northwest subcontinent
from Caucasus Indicus (also called Paropamisadae in ancient texts, now called

48. The correct descending order of the Mauryan officers, at the district level, was
A. Rajuka pradeshika yukta
B. Yukta rajuka pradeshika
C. Pradeshika yukta rajuka
D. Pradeshika rajuka yukta

Answer
Answer: Option D
Explanation : The correct descending order of the Mauryan officers, at the district level, was
Pradeshika, rajuka, yukta.

49. Who amidst the following was a wife of emperor Ashoka who influenced him?
A. Chandalika
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B. Charulata
C. Gautami
D. Karuwaki

Answer
Answer: Option D
Explanation : Karuvaki was the second queen of the third Mauryan emperor, Ashoka. She was also
the mother of Ashoka’s son, Prince Tivala.

50. The ruler of Kharvela was the greatest ruler of which Chedi Dynasty?
A. Cholamandalam
B. Kalinga
C. Kannoj
D. Purushpura

Answer
Answer: Option B
Explanation : Kharavela was a king of Kalinga in present-day Odisha, India. He ruled somewhere
around first or second century BCE. His name is also transliterated as Khārabēḷa.

51. The last Mauryan king was

A. Pushyamitra Sunga
B. Ashoka
C. Harsha
D. Brihadratha

Answer
Answer: Option D
Explanation : Brihadratha Maurya was the last ruler of the Maurya Empire. He ruled from c. 187 –
c. 180 BCE. He was killed by his general, Pushyamitra Shunga, who went on to establish the
Shunga Empire.

52. How did the Maurya Empire finally end?

A. The last Mauryan ruler was killed by his General
B. The Kanvas of Central India deposed the last Mauryan ruler
C. The last Mauryan ruler was killed in a battle with the foreign invader from the north-west
D. The last mauryan ruler had no heir and the throne was claimed by one of his powerful
ministers

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : After the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan empire did not get strong rulers and the
empire became weak and later the last ruler of the dynasty, Brihadratha Maurya got killed by his
own senapati Pushyamitra Shunga and then Mauryan empire came to an end and the Shunga
dynasty came in power.

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53. The one most important feature of the Mauryan Administration was
A. wide powers enjoyed by the provincial governors
B. the presence of a ‘council of ministers’
C. the presence of vast numerous powers of the bureaucracy
D. an extensive network of spy-system

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : The one most important feature of the Mauryan Administration was the presence of
vast, numerous powers of the bureaucracy.

54. Who amongst the following also had the name ‘Devanama Piyadassi’?
A. Mauryan King Ashoka
B. Mauryan King Chandragupta Maurya
C. Gautam Buddha
D. Bhagwan Mahavira

Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation : Ashoka the Great known also as Piyadasi (Pali. Sanskrit:Priyadarśin – meaning ‘good
looking’), and Devanaŋpiya was the emperor of the Mauryan Empire from 273 BCE to 232 BCE.

55. During the reign of Bindusara there was unrest at __________

A. Ujjayani
B. Pushkalavati
C. Taxila
D. Rajagriha

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : During the reign of Bindusara the people of Taxila rose against the Magadha empire
to quell that agitation Bindusara sent Ashoka at Taxila. Upon the civil unrest in the kingdom,
Nanda resigned and disappeared into exile.

56. The Monk whom Chandragupta Maurya accompanied to South India was __________
A. Asvaghosa
B. Vasumitra
C. Upagupta
D. Bhadrabahu

Answer

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Answer: Option D
Explanation : Ācharya Bhadrabahu (c. 367 – c. 298 BCE) was, according to the Digambara sect of
Jainism, the last Shruta Kevalin in Jainism. He was the last acharya of the undivided Jain sangha.
He was the last spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya.

57. The Mauryan sculptors had attained the highest perfection in the carving of
A. floral designs
B. pillars
C. animal figures
D. yaksha figures

Answer
Answer: Option C
Explanation : The Mauryan sculptors had attained the highest perfection in the carving of animal
figure. Stone pillars were erected all over the Mauryan Empire. The top portion of the pillar was
carved with figures like a bull, lion, elephant, etc. All the capital figures (usually animals) are
vigorous and carved standing on a square or circular abacus.

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