Mauryan Empire — Part 1 MCQs with Explanations

The Shunga dynasty was a Brahmin dynasty, established in 185 BCE, about 50 years after Ashoka's death, when the emperor Brihadratha Maurya, the last ruler of the Maurya Empire, was assassinated by his Senani or commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga, while he was reviewing the Guard of Honour of his forces.

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.

The decline of the Nanda dynasty and the rise of Chandragupta Maurya, with the guidance of the political strategist Chanakya (also known as Kautilya), has been depicted in the Sanskrit play "Mudrarakshas." This play was written by the renowned ancient Indian playwright and poet, Vishakhadatta. "Mudrarakshas" is a historical drama that portrays the events and political intrigue leading to the downfall of the Nanda dynasty and the establishment of the Mauryan Empire. It highlights the role of Chanakya in shaping the destiny of Chandragupta Maurya and his rise to power. Options B, C, and D are not relevant to the specific historical context of the decline of the Nandas and the rise of Chandragupta Maurya, as portrayed in the play "Mudrarakshas." Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: Mudrarakshas , as it is the Sanskrit play that vividly portrays the decline of the Nandas and the emergence of Chandragupta Maurya under the guidance of Chanakya.

Kushana king Kanishka is also called "Second Ashoka". Like Ashoka, Kanishka also became a convert to Buddhism. Kanishka I or Kanishka the Great, was the emperor of the Kushan dynasty in the second century (c. 127–150 CE). He is famous for his military, political, and spiritual achievements.

Kadambari is a romantic novel in Sanskrit. It was substantially composed by Baṇabhatta in the first half of the 7th century CE, who did not survive to see it through completion. The novel was completed by Banabhatta's son Bhushanabhatta, according to the plan laid out by his late father. It is conventionally divided into Purvabhaga (earlier part) written by Banabhatta, and Uttarabhaga (latter part) by Bhushanabhatta. (An alternate tradition gives the son's name as Pulindabhatta.)

The art and culture of Gandhara, at the crossroads of the Kushan hegemony, continued the traditions of Greco-Buddhist art and are the best known expressions of Kushan influences to Westerners.

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.

Indica is the book written by Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to India around 300 Be. The division of Maurya society into seven classes was particularly mentioned in the 'Indica' of Megasthenes. 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.

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.

Kharavela was a king of Kalinga in present-day Odisha, India. He ruled somewhere around first or second century BCE. Kharavela is believed to be a follower of Jainism, although the Hathigumpha inscription describes him as a worshipper of all religious orders.

Chandragupta thereafter built one of the largest empires ever on the Indian subcontinent. 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.

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

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 Ananda, the Buddha's attendant.

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

The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire existing from the mid-to-late 3rd century CE to 590 CE. At its zenith, from approximately 319 to 550 CE, it covered much of the Indian subcontinent. This period is called the Golden Age of India by some historians.

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.

During his last days Chandragupta accepted Jainsim and spent his last days at Sravanabelagola with Bhadrabahu.

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.

The Satavahanas started the practice of granting tax-free villages to brahmanas and Buddhist monks. The cultivated fields and villages granted to them were declared free from intrusion by royal policemen, soldiers, and other royal officers. These areas therefore became small independent islands within the Satavahana kingdom.

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.

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

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. Another immediate cause was the partition of the Empire into two. Had not the partition taken place, the Greek invasions could have been held back giving a chance to the Mauryas to re-establish some degree of their previous power. Mauryan Empire began to decline after the death of Ashoka in 232 BC. The last king was Brihadratha was assassinated by his general Pushyamitra Shunga who was a Brahmin.

The Satvahanas predominantly minted their coins in lead. They also used 'potin' an alloy of silver and copper to mint coins.

The most commonly used coin during the Mauryan period was karashopana.

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 Mahamata, the "Inspectors of the Dharma". They were apparently a class of senior officials who were in charge various aspects of administration and justice.

The dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Shunga, after the fall of the Maurya Empire. Its capital was Pataliputra, but later emperors such as Bhagabhadra also held court at Besnagar (modern Vidisha) in eastern Malwa. Pushyamitra Shunga ruled for 36 years and was succeeded by his son Agnimitra.

Charaka was the court physician of Kanishka I. He was one of the principal contributors to the ancient art and science of Ayurveda, a system of medicine and lifestyle developed in Ancient India. He is sometimes referred to as the Father of Indian Medicine.

The beginning of the Shaka era is now widely equated to the ascension of king Chashtana in 78 CE. His inscriptions, dated to the years 11 and 52, have been found at Andhau in Kutch region. These years are interpreted as Shaka years 11 (89 CE) and 52 (130 CE). A previously more common view was that the beginning of the Shaka era corresponds to the ascension of Kanishka I in 78 CE.

The Arthashastra, attributed to the Mauryan minister Chanakya in the 4th Century B.C., is one of the earliest Indian texts devoted to political philosophy, and it discusses ideas of statecraft and economic policy. During the Indian struggle for independence in the early 20th Century, Mahatma Gandhi popularized the philosophies of ahimsa (non-violence) and satyagraha (non-violent resistance), which were influenced by the teachings of the Hindu Bhagavad Gita, as well as Jesus, Tolstoy, Thoreau and Ruskin.

Sungas, Kanvas, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians and Guptas is the correct chronological sequence of the ruling dynasties of northern India, from the decline of the Mauryas to the rise of the imperial Guptas.

The great silk-route to the Indians was opened by Kaniskha. Silk Route was established during the reign of Han Dynasty of China. It connects China with East Europe Mediterranean countries and Central Asia, passing through India.

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

Thanesar to Kannauj

Kanishka was a great patron of the Buddhist faith; Buddhism spread to Central Asia and the Far East across Bactria and Sogdia, where his empire met the Han Empire of China. King Kanishka was greatly influenced by the knowledge, teachings and personality of the Buddhist scholar Asvaghosha so, he decided to embrace Buddhism in later days of his life. He even accepted the Mahayana sect of Buddhism as his state religion.

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".

Seleucus dispatched an ambassador, Megasthenes, to Chandragupta, and later Antiochos sent Deimakos to his son Bindusara, at the Maurya court at Pataliputra (modern Patna in Bihar state).

Chandragupta Maurya was born in 340 BC in Pataliputra, in modern-day Bihar. His background is, however, uncertain. Some claim that he was born to a Nanda prince and his maid-servant, Mura, from the Shudra caste, while others state that he belonged to the Moriya tribe of Peacock-tamers.

The Mahavamsa suggests that Bindusara appointed his son Ashoka as the viceroy of 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.

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. The Kalinga war witnessed terrible manslaughter and destruction. Asoka's victory in the Kalinga war followed by remorse. Victory of morality in India and among the Greeks (Yonas), as far as where the Greek kings Antiochus, Ptolemy, Antigonus, Magas and Alexander rule.

And it is after Alexander's death in 323 BC., 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.