Mauryan Empire Q&A: Governance, Ashoka, and Administration

  1. Who was the Greek envoy at the court of Chandragupta Maurya?
    • a. Megasthenes
    • b. Seleucus Nicator
    • c. Darius I
    • d. Alexander
    • Ans: a
  2. Which ancient text provides insights into the governance of Pataliputra?
    • a. Arthashastra
    • b. Indica
    • c. Manusmriti
    • d. Rajatarangini
    • Ans: b
  3. Who among the following was recognized as Vishnugupta?
    • a. Chandragupta Maurya
    • b. Kautilya
    • c. Bindusara
    • d. Megasthenes
    • Ans: b
  4. Which Mauryan ruler expanded the empire into the Deccan region?
    • a. Ashoka
    • b. Bindusara
    • c. Chandragupta Maurya
    • d. Brihadratha
    • Ans: b
  5. What was the primary reason behind Ashoka’s shift towards Dhamma-based governance?
    • a. His exposure to Buddhist teachings
    • b. The influence of Upagupta
    • c. The devastation caused by the Kalinga War
    • d. A treaty with the Greeks
    • Ans: c
  6. Which language was primarily used in Ashokan inscriptions?
    • a. Sanskrit
    • b. Tamil
    • c. Pali
    • d. Prakrit
    • Ans: d
  7. Who was responsible for judicial administration during Ashoka’s rule?
    • a. Amatya
    • b. Rajuka
    • c. Mahamatras
    • d. Sarthavaha
    • Ans: b
  8. Which Mauryan ruler was also referred to as Devanama Piyadasi?
    • a. Ashoka
    • b. Chandragupta Maurya
    • c. Bindusara
    • d. Dasaratha Maurya
    • Ans: a
  9. Which dynasty succeeded the Nanda rulers in Magadha?
    • a. Gupta
    • b. Shunga
    • c. Maurya
    • d. Kanva
    • Ans: c
  10. Which Buddhist monk played a role in Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism?
  • a. Mahinda
  • b. Ashvaghosha
  • c. Upagupta
  • d. Dharmaraksha
  • Ans: c
  1. The renowned Great Stupa of Sanchi is situated in which state?
  • a. Uttar Pradesh
  • b. Madhya Pradesh
  • c. Bihar
  • d. Gujarat
  • Ans: b
  1. What is the focus of Kautilya’s Arthashastra?
  • a. Religious teachings
  • b. Political and economic administration
  • c. Ethics
  • d. Scientific discoveries
  • Ans: b
  1. Which Rock Edict of Ashoka details the horrors of the Kalinga War?
  • a. 5th Rock Edict
  • b. 9th Rock Edict
  • c. 13th Rock Edict
  • d. 1st Rock Edict
  • Ans: c
  1. Which theory related to governance is described in Kautilya’s Arthashastra?
  • a. Mandala Theory
  • b. Saptanga Theory
  • c. Rajadharma Theory
  • d. Dharma Theory
  • Ans: b
  1. Who was the first ruler to unify the regions of the Sindhu, Ganga, and Yamuna valleys?
  • a. Bindusara
  • b. Chandragupta Maurya
  • c. Mahapadmananda
  • d. Ashoka
  • Ans: b
  1. Which ancient educational center was famous during the Mauryan era?
  • a. Nalanda
  • b. Takshashila
  • c. Vikramashila
  • d. Vallabhi
  • Ans: b
  1. Which animal is absent from the abacus of Ashoka’s Sarnath Lion Capital?
  • a. Elephant
  • b. Deer
  • c. Bull
  • d. Lion
  • Ans: b
  1. Which major Buddhist Council took place during Ashoka’s reign?
  • a. First
  • b. Second
  • c. Third
  • d. Fourth
  • Ans: c
  1. Who among the following was a contemporary of Alexander the Great?
  • a. Ashoka
  • b. Chandragupta Maurya
  • c. Bindusara
  • d. Mahapadmananda
  • Ans: b
  1. Which location does NOT have any known Ashokan inscriptions?
  • a. Pataliputra
  • b. Kalinga
  • c. Sanchi
  • d. Junagadh
  • Ans: a
  1. How did Megasthenes classify Indian society?
  • a. Four classes
  • b. Five classes
  • c. Seven divisions
  • d. Eight divisions
  • Ans: c
  1. Which work by Vishakhadatta discusses Chandragupta Maurya?
  • a. Arthashastra
  • b. Indica
  • c. Rajatarangini
  • d. Mudrarakshasa
  • Ans: d
  1. What was the administrative rank responsible for governing a district in Mauryan rule?
  • a. Vishayapati
  • b. Amatya
  • c. Rajuka
  • d. Dhamma Mahamatra
  • Ans: c
  1. Who among the following was sent as an envoy by Seleucus Nicator to the Mauryan court?
  • a. Darius I
  • b. Alexander
  • c. Megasthenes
  • d. Ptolemy
  • Ans: c
  1. What is the nature of Kautilya’s Arthashastra?
  • a. A religious scripture
  • b. A philosophical text
  • c. A guide on governance and statecraft
  • d. A literary masterpiece
  • Ans: c

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