CHAPTER 8: Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War (Date : 28-07-2018)

Question 1:

Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire around 2300 years ago?

Bindusara
Bimbisara
Chandragupta I
Chandragupta Maurya

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Maurya Empire, more than 2300 years ago. Chandragupta was supported by a wise man called Chanakya or Kautilya.

Question 2:

Which of the following famous books was written by Chanakya?

Ashtadhyayi
Arthashastra
Malavikagnimitram
Abhigyaanshakuntalam

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

Many of Chanakya’s ideas were written down in a book called the Arthashastra.

Question 3:

Which of the following is the correct order of the Mauryan dynasty, with three important rulers?

Chandragupta, Ashoka, Bindusara
Ashok, Bindusara, Chandragupta
Bindusara, Chandragupta, Ashok
Chandragupta, Bindusara, Ashoka

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

When members of the same family become rulers one after another, the family is often called a dynasty. The Mauryas were a dynasty with three important rulers — Chandragupta, his son Bindusara, and Bindusara’s son, Ashoka.

Question 4:

Which of the following cities was the capital of the Mauryan Empire?

Pataliputra
Ujjain
Taxila
Sanchi

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

There were several cities in the empire. These included the capital Pataliputra, Taxila, and Ujjain.

Taxila was a gateway to the northwest, including Central Asia, while Ujjain lay on the route from north to south India.

Question 5:

In which of the following places were the inscriptions of Ashoka found?

Kandahar
Brahmagiri
Jaugada
Girnar
Lumbini

Select the correct answer with the code given below—

1 and 2 only
2 and 5 only
1, 3 and 4
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

Ashokan inscriptions have been found in Kandahar, Lampaka, Mansehra, Shahbazgarhi, Kalsi, Topra, Meerut, Bahapur (Delhi), Lumbini, Rampurwa, Lauriya Araraj, Gujara, Sarnath, Kaushambi, Rupnath, Sanchi, Panguraria, Girnar, Jaugada (Kalinga), Sopara, Sannathi, Maski, Yerragudi and Brahmagiri.

Question 6:

In the context of tax and tribute, consider the following statements—

Taxes were collected irregularly.
Tribute was collected daily by the state.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because taxes were collected on a regular basis.
Statement 2 is incorrect because tribute was collected as and when it was possible from people who gave a variety of things, more or less willingly.

Question 7:

In the context of the Mauryan Administration, consider the following statements—

Royal princes were often sent as governors in the provinces.
In the area under the direct control of the emperor, the officials were appointed to collect taxes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Both the above statements are correct.

Although there was some amount of control from Pataliputra, and royal princes were often sent as governors, local customs and rules were probably followed.
The area around Pataliputra was under the direct control of the emperor. This meant that officials were appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, crafts persons and traders, who lived in villages and towns in the area. Officials also punished those who disobeyed the ruler’s orders. Many of these officials were given salaries.

Question 8:

In the context of the Mauryan Administration, consider the following statements—

Small areas or provinces of Mauryan administration were ruled from a provincial capital such as Taxila or Ujjain.
The Mauryas tried to control roads and rivers, which were important for transport.
People living in the states used to give tribute to the Mauryan officials.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
1 and 2
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

All the above statements are correct.

There were other areas or provinces. Each of these was ruled from a provincial capital such as Taxila or Ujjain. Local customs and rules were probably followed there.
Besides, there were vast areas between these centres. Here the Mauryas tried to control roads and rivers, which were important for transport, and to collect whatever resources were available as tax and tribute.
For example, the Arthashastra tells us that the north-west was important for blankets, and south India for its gold and precious stones. It is possible that these resources were collected as tribute.

Question 9:

What was the name of the ambassador, sent to the court of Chandragupta by the Greek ruler of West Asia, Seleucus Nicator?

Megasthenes
Damascus
Fa Hien
Hsuan Tsang

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

Megasthenes was an ambassador who was sent to the court of Chandragupta by the Greek ruler of West Asia named Seleucus Nicator.

Question 10:

Megasthenes wrote an account on the basis of what he saw. In the context of the description of the emperor, consider the following statements:

The occasions on which the emperor appears in public are celebrated with grand royal processions.
His guards ride elephants decorated with gold and silver. Some of the guards carry trees.
The king is normally surrounded by armed women.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
1 and 2
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

All the above statements are correct.

Megasthenes wrote an account about what he saw. Here is a part of his description:

“The occasions on which the emperor appears in public are celebrated with grand royal processions. He is carried in a golden palanquin. His guards ride elephants decorated with gold and silver. Some of the guards carry trees on which live birds, including a flock of trained parrots, circle about the head of the emperor. The king is normally surrounded by armed women. He is afraid that someone may try to kill him.

Question 11:

In the context of the Mauryan Empire, consider the following statements—

Ujjain lay en route from north to west India.
Areas of modern Pakistan and Afghanistan areas were included under the Mauryan Empire.
Many of Chandragupta’s ideas were compiled in a book called the Arthashastra.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
1 and 2
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because Ujjain lay en route from north to south India.
Statement 3 is incorrect because many of Chanakya’s ideas were written down in a book called the Arthashastra. Chanakya was the supporter of Chandragupta.

Question 12:

Regarding Ashoka, consider the following statements—

He was the first ruler who tried to take his message to the people through inscriptions.
Most of Ashoka’s inscriptions were written in the Kharosthi script.
One of the Ashoka’s inscriptions described the Kalinga war.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Most of Ashoka's inscriptions were in Prakrit language using the Brahmi script.

Question 13:

Horrified by the loss of life, violence and bloodshed in the Kalinga war, Ashoka decided to observe 'Dhamma' and to teach others about it as well.

In the context of Dhamma, consider the following statements—

Ashoka believed that winning people over through dhamma is much better than conquering them through force.
He wanted his sons and grandson do not indulge in wars after him. Instead, he wanted them to contribute in spreading Dhamma.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Both of these above statements are correct.

The Kalinga war brought about a change in Ashoka’s attitude towards war. One of his inscription says.

“I believe that winning people over through dhamma is much better than conquering them through force.

I am inscribing this message for the future, so that my son and grandson after me should not think about war.

Instead, they should try to think about how to spread dhamma”

‘Dhamma’ is the Prakrit word for the Sanskrit term ‘Dharma’.

Question 14:

Which of the following officials were appointed by Ashoka to go from place to place for teaching people about dhamma?

Dhammadhikari
Dhamma guru
Dhamma mahamatta
Dhamma amaatya

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Ashoka felt it was his duty to solve problems. So, he appointed officials, known as the Dhamma Mahamatta who went from place to place teaching people about dhamma.

Question 15:

In the context of the methods used by Ashoka for the promotion of Dhamma, consider the following statements—

Ashoka got his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars.
He instructed his officials to read his message to those who could not read it themselves.
Ashoka also sent messengers to spread ideas about dhamma to other lands, such as Syria, Egypt, Greece and Sri Lanka

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 and 3
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

All the above statements are correct.

Ashoka’s dhamma did not involve worship of a god, or performance of a sacrifice. He felt that just as a father tries to teach his children, he had a duty to instruct his subjects. He was also inspired by the teachings of the Buddha.

Question 16:

From which of the following scripts have most modern Indian scripts developed over a period of hundreds of years?

Devanagari
Tamil
Brahmi
Bangla

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Most modern Indian scripts have developed from the Brahmi script over hundreds of years.

Question 17:

In the context of the Ashoka’s message to his subjects , consider the following statements:

Rituals performed on various occasions are not useful.
He told other practices in place of rituals. These are – being gentle with slaves and servants, respecting one’s elders treating all creatures with compassion and giving gifts to brahmins and monks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Both of the statements are correct. One of Ashoka’s inscription says

“Variety of rituals performed by people, when they fall ill, when their children get married, when children are born, or when they go on a journey; are not useful.”
“If instead, people observe other practices, this would be more fruitful. These practices are: being gentle with slaves and servants. Respecting one’s elders. Treating all creatures with compassion. Giving gifts to brahmins and monks.”
“It is wrong to praise one’s own religion as well as to criticise others.”

Question 18:

Which of the following was the Roman name for Arikamedu located in south India?

Poduca
Barygaza
Masulipatnam
Mujrim

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

The Roman name of Arikamedu was Poduca.

Question 19:

Which of the following was the Roman name for Arikamedu located in south India?

Poduca
Barygaza
Masulipatnam
Mujrim

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

The Roman name of Arikamedu was Poduca.

Question 20:

Which of the following is the correct order of foreign invaders coming to India?

Indo-Greeks, Kushans, Shakas, Indo-Parthian
Kushanas, Indo-Parthian, Shakas, Indo-Greeks
Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Indo-Parthian, Kushanas
Indo-Greeks, Indo-Parthian, Shakas, Kushanas

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

The Mauryan empire collapsed about 2200 years ago. In its place (and elsewhere) rose several new kingdoms. In the north-west, and in parts of north India, kings known as the Indo-Greeks ruled for about one hundred years. They were followed by a Central Asian people known as the Shakas, who set up kingdoms in the north-west, north and western India. Some of these kingdoms lasted for about 500 years, till the Shakas were defeated by the Gupta kings. The Shakas in turn were followed by the Kushanas (about 2000 years ago).