MAURYA PERIOD
The Mauryan Empire lasted from 321 BCE to 185 BCE. It is regarded as the first great empire in Indian history. The empire covered most of the Indian subcontinent under the leadership of Chandragupta, Bindusara, and Ashoka the Great. It fell due to Ashoka's Dhamma policy.
1. Which dynasty did rule over Magadha after Nanda dynasty?
Ans: Maurya. [47th BPSC, 2025]
2. The division of Mauryan society into seven classes was particularly mentioned in –
Ans: “Indica” of Megasthenes. [RRB, 2006]
3. Which historical personality of India is also known as Vishnugupta?
Ans: Chanakya. [SCRA, 2007]
4. Who is known as Devanama Piyadasi?
Ans: Mauryan King Ashoka.
5. Which event brought about a profound change in Ashoka’s administrative policy?
Ans: The Kalinga War. [SSC Tax Assist, 2009]
6. Who was a contemporary of Alexander the Great?
Ans: Chandragupta Maurya. [NDA, 2007]
7. Megasthenes was an envoy of which king?
Ans: Seleucus. [RRB, 2006]
8. A Buddhist council during the reign of Ashoka was held at –
Ans: Pataliputra. [45th BPSC, 2002]
9. Language used in the inscriptions of Ashoka is –
Ans: Prakrit. [46th BPSC, 2004]
10. Kautilya’s “Arthashastra” is a book on –
Ans: Principles and practices of statecraft. [RRB, 2006; MTS SSC, 2017]
11. Which Mauryan ruler did conquer the Deccan?
Ans: Bindusara. [46th BPSC, 2004]
12. To which dynasty did Ashoka belong?
Ans: Maurya. [CDS, 2006]
13. Kautilya’s “Arthashastra” deals with aspects of –
Ans: Political Policies. [45th BPSC, 2002]
14. Which Rock Edict of Ashoka provides a description of the horrors of Kalinga war?
Ans: 13th Rock Edict. [CDS, 2007]
15. Who was appointed by Ashoka to administer justice in his empire?
Ans: Rajuka. [NDA, 2003]
16. The monk who influenced Ashoka to embrace Buddhism was –
Ans: Upagupta. [SSC Gr. 2010]
17. The head of a district (Ahara), the principal coordinator of the revenue and the officer-in-charge of general and military functions in his jurisdiction during Maurya Empire was known as –
Ans: Rajuka. [CDS, 2009]
18. The description of the administration of Pataliputra is available in –
Ans: Indica. [46th BPSC, 2004]
19. Great Stupa at Sanchi is in –
Ans: Madhya Pradesh. [SSC Data Entry Operator, 2009]
20. The valleys of Sindhu, Ganga and Yamuna were brought together for the first time under one political authority by –
Ans: Chandragupta Maurya. [RRB TC, 2006]
21. With which centre of learning was Chanakya, the famous teacher of Chandragupta Maurya, associated?
Ans: Takshasila. [SSC Mat. 2008]
22. The notion of “saptanga” that was introduced in “Arthashastra” includes –
Ans: Kings, territory, administration and treasury. [NDA, 2010]
23. The most famous educational centre during the period of Mauryan age was –
Ans: Taxila. [47th BPSC, 2005]
24. Which inscription contains the name of Ashoka?
Ans: Gurjara. [UP PCS, 2014]
25. Who constructed the Sanchi Stupa?
Ans: Ashoka. [MP PSC (P), 2004]
26. The last Mauryan emperor was –
Ans: Brihadratha. [48th BPSC, 2008]
27. Who was the writer of “Mudrarakshasa”?
Ans: Vishakhdatta. [47th BPSC, 2005]
28. Who deciphered the Brahmi inscription of Ashoka first time?
Ans: James Prinsep.
29. An Ashokan edict located in Uttaranchal is at –
Ans: Kalsi. [Utt PSC (P), 2005]
30. Which South Indian kingdom is not mentioned in the Ashokan inscription?
Ans: Satvahanas. [UP PCS, 2005]
31. Who identified the name Sandrocottus as Chandragupta Maurya?
Ans: William Jones.
32. Who in ancient India assumed the title “Amitraghata”?
Ans: Bindusara. [WB PCS(P), 2008]
33. Which Indian king defeated Seleucus, the administrator of Sindh and Afghanistan appointed by Alexander?
Ans: Chandragupta. [MP PCS(P), 2008]
34. In which inscription has the name of Ashoka been mentioned?
Ans: Minor Rock Edict of Maski.
35. In how many “adhikaranas” is Kautilya’s “Arthashastra” divided?
Ans: 15
36. Who was the first king to conquer Malwa, Gujarat and Maharashtra?
Ans: Chandragupta Maurya.
37. Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the power of Nandas at –
Ans: Magadha. [L.I.C.A.A.O, 1990]
38. The most commonly used coin during the Mauryan period was –
Ans: Karshapana.
39. Name the great Hindu king who combined in himself the qualities of Samudra Gupta and Ashoka?
Ans: Harshavardhana.
40. Who was a great ruler of Kalinga in ancient times?
Ans: Kharavela. [I.F.S, 1993]
41. Maurya empire declined after Ashoka mainly because of –
Ans: Weak successors of Ashoka.
42. Chandragupta Maurya’s empire extended in the northwest up to –
Ans: Hindukush. [U.D.C., 1995]
43. The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions is –
Ans: Priyadarsi. [I.A.S, 1995]
44. Before ascending the Maurya throne, Ashoka served as a victory of –
Ans: Taxila.
45. In early ancient India, the largest urban centre was –
Ans: Pataliputra.
46. The most important kingdom in Deccan and central India after the Mauryas was the –
Ans: Satavahanas.
47. The Great Royal Road mentioned by Megasthenes ran from –
Ans: Indus to Pataliputra.
48. Who is considered the first national ruler of India?
Ans: Chandragupta Maurya.
49. In which century did Ashoka reign?
Ans: Third century B.C. [Railways, 1991]
50. Ashoka’s claim of greatness chiefly lay in the –
Ans: Promotion of welfare of his people. [Transmission Executives’ Exam, 1992]
51. Ashoka’s invasion of Kalinga resulted in –
Ans: The development of peace and non-violence as state policy. [C.D.S, 1991]
52. Who earned the title of a “Liberator”?
Ans: Chandragupta Maurya.
53. Which edict explains the duties of Dharmamahamatras?
Ans: The Minor Rock Edicts.
54. The monk whom Chandragupta Maurya accompanied to south India was –
Ans: Bhadrabahu.
55. Ashoka the Great died in –
Ans: 232 B.C. [C.B.I, 1989]
56. Chandragupta Maurya spent his last days at –
Ans: Sravanabelagola. [U.D.C, 1989]
57. The Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya was –
Ans: Megasthenes.
58. During the Mauryan period, the administration of Pataliputra was in the hands of how many boards?
Ans: 6 boards.
59. In Ashoka’s administration, “Rajukas” looked after –
Ans: Administration of Justice. [C.D.S, 1992]
60. The Maurya dynasty was overthrown by –
Ans: Pushyamitra Sunga.