Maurya Period

What is the subject matter of the Maurya Period?

 The Maurya Period marks the rise of the first large empire in ancient India.

Who founded the Maurya Empire?

 Chandragupta Maurya.

When was the Maurya Empire founded?

 Around 322 BCE.

Who helped Chandragupta Maurya establish the Maurya Empire?

 Chanakya or Kautilya.

Which dynasty was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya?

 Nanda dynasty.

What was the capital of the Maurya Empire?

 Pataliputra.

Which Greek ruler concluded a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya?

 Seleucus Nicator.

What did Seleucus receive under the treaty with Chandragupta Maurya?

 500 war elephants.

Who was the Greek ambassador in Chandragupta Maurya’s court?

 Megasthenes.

Which work was written by Megasthenes?

 Indica.

Which text is associated with Kautilya?

 Arthashastra.

What is Arthashastra primarily concerned with?

 Statecraft, administration, and economy.

Who succeeded Chandragupta Maurya?

 Bindusara.

What was the other name of Bindusara?

 Amitraghata or Slayer of Foes.

Who succeeded Bindusara?

 Ashoka.

Which Mauryan ruler is known for the Kalinga War?

 Ashoka.

When was the Kalinga War fought?

 Around 261 BCE.

Which region was conquered in the Kalinga War?

 Kalinga.

What was the impact of the Kalinga War on Ashoka?

 He adopted Dhamma and embraced non-violence.

Which Mauryan ruler embraced Buddhism after a war?

 Ashoka.

What is Ashoka’s policy of governance known as?

 Dhamma.

What was the main aim of Ashoka’s Dhamma?

 Moral welfare and ethical conduct.

Which language was mainly used in Ashokan inscriptions?

 Prakrit.

Which script was mainly used in Ashokan inscriptions?

 Brahmi script.

Which scripts were used in north-western Ashokan inscriptions?

 Kharosthi, Greek, and Aramaic.

What are Ashoka’s inscriptions broadly classified into?

 Major Rock Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts, Major Pillar Edicts, and Minor Pillar Edicts.

Which Ashokan edict mentions the Kalinga War?

 Major Rock Edict XIII.

What does Major Rock Edict XIII emphasize?

 Ashoka’s remorse after the Kalinga War and policy of Dhamma.

Which Ashokan inscription mentions Dhamma Mahamatras?

 Major Rock Edict V.

Who were Dhamma Mahamatras?

 Officials appointed to propagate Dhamma.

Which Ashokan inscription prohibits animal slaughter on certain occasions?

 Major Rock Edict I.

Which Ashokan edict concerns medical treatment for humans and animals?

 Major Rock Edict II.

Which Ashokan edict stresses respect for all sects?

 Major Rock Edict XII.

Which Ashokan edict records Ashoka’s pilgrimage to Lumbini?

 Rummindei Pillar Inscription.

What privilege was granted to Lumbini by Ashoka?

 Reduction of land revenue.

Which Ashokan inscription records the enlargement of a stupa by Ashoka?

 Nigali Sagar Inscription.

Which Buddhist council was held during Ashoka’s reign?

 Third Buddhist Council.

Where was the Third Buddhist Council held?

 Pataliputra.

Who presided over the Third Buddhist Council?

 Moggaliputta Tissa.

Who was sent to Sri Lanka for propagation of Buddhism?

 Mahendra and Sanghamitra.

What animal capital became the national emblem of India?

 Lion Capital of Sarnath.

Which Mauryan ruler is known as ‘Devanampiya Piyadasi’?

 Ashoka.

What does ‘Devanampiya Piyadasi’ mean?

 Beloved of the Gods, He Who Looks with Affection.

Which source provides details of Mauryan administration and society?

 Indica of Megasthenes.

How was the Mauryan administration organized?

 Through a centralized administrative system.

Who was the head of the Mauryan administration?

 The King.

Which council assisted the Mauryan king?

 Council of Ministers.

How was the Mauryan Empire divided administratively?

 Into provinces, districts, and villages.

Name the major provinces of the Mauryan Empire.

 Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali, and Suvarnagiri.

Who governed the provinces in the Mauryan Empire?

 Princes or royal governors.

What was the smallest administrative unit in the Mauryan Empire?

 Village.

Who was the village headman during the Mauryan period?

 Gramani.

What was the chief source of revenue in the Mauryan Empire?

 Land revenue.

What was the approximate share of land revenue in the Mauryan period?

 Generally one-sixth of produce.

Which department supervised trade and commerce under the Mauryas?

 State departments under appointed officials.

What was the role of spies in Mauryan administration?

 Collection of intelligence and secret information.

Which army branches existed in the Mauryan Empire?

 Infantry, cavalry, chariots, elephants, and navy.

What committee system of military administration is mentioned by Megasthenes?

 Six committees managing military affairs.

What economic features marked the Mauryan Period?

 Agriculture, trade, taxation, and state control.

Which ports were important during the Mauryan Period?

 Tamralipti and Bharukachchha.

Which cave architecture is associated with the Maurya Period?

 Barabar Caves.

Which Mauryan ruler dedicated the Barabar Caves to Ajivikas?

 Ashoka.

What polishing style is characteristic of Mauryan art?

 Mauryan polish.

Which monument is associated with Mauryan pillar architecture?

 Ashokan Pillars.

What material was commonly used for Mauryan pillars?

 Chunar sandstone.

Which dynasty succeeded the Mauryas in Magadha?

 Shunga dynasty.

Who was the last Mauryan ruler?

 Brihadratha.

Who ended the Maurya dynasty?

 Pushyamitra Shunga.

When did the Maurya Empire decline?

 After the death of Ashoka.

Why is the Maurya Period significant in Indian history?

 It established the first extensive imperial and centralized state in India.