Maurya Empire

1. Consider the following statements about the historical evidence of ins

Consider the following statements about the historical evidence of inscriptions in India :

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  • 1. The oldest deciphered inscriptions are in Brahmi and Kharoshthi.
  • 2. The earliest inscriptions in the Tamil language are copper plate grants.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Statement 1 is correct, but statement 2 is incorrect.
Inscriptions are a crucial source for reconstructing ancient Indian history.
The oldest widely deciphered inscriptions in India are the edicts of Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE), which are primarily in the Brahmi script, with some also found in Kharoshthi (especially in the northwest), Greek, and Aramaic. The earliest known inscriptions in the Tamil language are rock inscriptions (often in caves) in Tamil Brahmi script, predating extensive use of copper plates for inscriptions, which became more common in later periods for land grants.

2. Tosali is known in Indian History as the name of :

Tosali is known in Indian History as the name of :

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the Jain brother of the Buddhist Upali.
a provincial centre in Mauryan Empire.
wife of Mahapadma Nanda.
a sacred river in Andhra Pradesh.
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Tosali is known in Indian History as a provincial centre in the Mauryan Empire.
Tosali was the capital of the Kalinga province during the Mauryan Empire.
After conquering Kalinga, Emperor Ashoka established Tosali as one of the major administrative headquarters of his vast empire. His famous rock edicts, specifically the Kalinga Edicts (Dhauli and Jaugada), are found near Tosali, emphasizing benevolent administration towards the newly conquered people. The exact location is believed to be near modern-day Dhauli in Odisha.

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3. Which of the following statements about the Ashokan pillars is/are not

Which of the following statements about the Ashokan pillars is/are not correct ?

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  • The 14th century Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi makes reference to the Ashokan pillars.
  • The writer Shams Siraj Afif gives an account of the Ashokan pillars known as Delhi-Topra and Delhi-Meerut.
  • There are instances of the Ashokan pillars or their fragments being worshipped as Shiv Lingas.
  • The Ashokan pillars were produced in gold, iron and bronze.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
2, 3 and 4 only
4 only
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The correct option is D) 4 only.
The question asks for statements that are *not* correct.
Statement 1 is correct. Medieval texts, including accounts from the Sultanate period like the Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, do indeed mention Ashokan pillars, particularly in the context of Firuz Shah Tughlaq’s efforts to relocate them.
Statement 2 is correct. Shams Siraj Afif, the author whose work is included in the Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, provides accounts of Firuz Shah Tughlaq moving two Ashokan pillars from Topra and Meerut to Delhi. These are historically known as the Delhi-Topra and Delhi-Meerut pillars.
Statement 3 is correct. There are historical and anecdotal accounts of ancient pillars or their fragments being found in various locations and, over time, being incorporated into local religious practices, sometimes identified with or worshipped as Shiv Lingas.
Statement 4 is incorrect. Ashokan pillars were characteristically monolithic structures carved from polished sandstone, typically sourced from quarries like Chunar. They were not made of gold, iron, or bronze.
The material used for Ashokan pillars (sandstone) and their construction technique (monolithic) are key features distinguishing them. The polished surface finish is another hallmark.

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4. Which of the following statements about Kautilya’s Arthashastra is/are

Which of the following statements about Kautilya’s Arthashastra is/are correct ?

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  • It is the first Indian text to describe a State.
  • It does not contain any reference to the Mauryas.
  • It is a theoretical text.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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The correct option is D) 1, 2 and 3.
Statement 1 is correct. Kautilya’s Arthashastra is considered the first comprehensive treatise in ancient India specifically dedicated to statecraft, administration, and political economy, providing a detailed description of the structure and functions of a state.
Statement 2 is correct. A notable feature of the Arthashastra text is the absence of any direct mention of the Mauryan dynasty or Chandragupta Maurya, despite the traditional association of Kautilya (Chanakya) with Chandragupta. This fact is significant for scholarly debates about the text’s precise date.
Statement 3 is correct. While practical and prescriptive, the Arthashastra is fundamentally a theoretical text in the sense that it lays down principles, models, and strategies for the ideal functioning of a state, based on Kautilya’s systematic analysis of governance.
The Arthashastra covers a wide range of topics including the duties of the king, council of ministers, diplomacy, war, law, economics, and internal administration. It provides a detailed blueprint for an efficient and powerful state apparatus.

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5. In which one of the following edicts is the name ‘Ashoka’ inscribed ?

In which one of the following edicts is the name ‘Ashoka’ inscribed ?

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Shahbazgarhi major rock edict
Minor rock edict - I at Maski
Dhauli major rock edict
Kandahar pillar edict
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The correct answer is B.
In most of his edicts, Emperor Ashoka referred to himself by titles like ‘Devanampiya Piyadassi’ (Beloved of the Gods, of pleasant appearance).
His personal name ‘Ashoka’ is explicitly mentioned in only a few edicts.
The Minor Rock Edict I found at Maski (in Karnataka) is one of the edicts where the name ‘Ashoka’ is clearly inscribed along with the title ‘Devanampiya Piyadassi’.
Other edicts mentioning ‘Ashoka’ include Gurjara, Udegolam, and Nittur.
The discovery of the Maski edict was crucial in confirming the identity of Devanampiya Piyadassi with the historical King Ashoka.

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6. Which of the following statements about Aramaic language is/are correc

Which of the following statements about Aramaic language is/are correct?

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  • 1. Aramaic is a language related to Hebrew and Arabic.
  • 2. Aramaic language has been used in Ashokan inscriptions.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is C, meaning both statements are correct.
– Statement 1 is correct because Aramaic is a Semitic language, belonging to the same language family as Hebrew and Arabic. They share common linguistic roots and features.
– Statement 2 is correct because some Ashokan inscriptions, particularly those found in the northwestern parts of the Mauryan Empire (like in Kandahar, Afghanistan), were written in Aramaic, or were bilingual using Aramaic alongside Greek or Prakrit. This indicates the presence and official use of Aramaic in certain regions of his empire.
Aramaic was a widely spoken language in the ancient Near East and served as a lingua franca in various empires, including the Persian Empire, which preceded the Mauryan Empire in some northwestern regions. Its presence in Ashokan inscriptions reflects the diverse linguistic and cultural landscape of the Mauryan Empire.

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7. Who among the following Hellenic Kings is not mentioned in the records

Who among the following Hellenic Kings is not mentioned in the records of King Ashoka?

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Antiochus of Syria
Ptolemy II of Egypt
Antigonus of Macedonia
Alexander of Bactria
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Ashoka’s Rock Edict 13 mentions his contact with several contemporary Hellenistic kings, indicating his efforts to spread Dhamma. The kings explicitly named in the edict are:
1. Antiochus (Antiochus II Theos of Syria)
2. Ptolemy (Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt)
3. Antigonus (Antigonus Gonatas of Macedon)
4. Magas (Magas of Cyrene)
5. Alexander (usually identified as Alexander of Epirus or Corinth)
Comparing this list with the options, Antiochus of Syria, Ptolemy II of Egypt, and Antigonus of Macedonia are all mentioned. Alexander of Bactria, although ruling in a Hellenistic kingdom bordering the Mauryan Empire around that time (founded by Diodotus I who seceded from the Seleucid Empire), is *not* among the rulers specifically listed by Ashoka in this context.
– Ashoka’s Rock Edict 13 provides valuable information about his foreign relations and the extent of his Dhamma policy.
– The edict indicates diplomatic and missionary contacts beyond the borders of the Mauryan Empire into the Hellenistic world.
– Alexander mentioned in the edicts is usually identified as Alexander of Epirus or Corinth, not the founder of the Bactrian kingdom.
The Bactrian kingdom became independent around the mid-3rd century BCE under Diodotus I, making it contemporary with Ashoka’s later reign. However, Ashoka’s edicts name specific rulers, and Alexander of Bactria is not among them according to the known interpretations of the edicts.

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8. According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are corre

According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ?

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  • 1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
  • 2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
  • 3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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The correct option is A, as statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Statement 1 is correct. Kautilya’s Arthashastra describes various ways a person could become a slave (dasa), including as a result of judicial punishment (e.g., for certain crimes), voluntary self-sale, or being captured in war.
Statement 2 is correct. Arthashastra (Book III, Chapter XIII) explicitly states that if a female slave bore her master a son, both the mother and the child would gain emancipation (legally become free).
Statement 3 is incorrect. While the son born to a female slave and fathered by her master gained freedom along with his mother, he was not automatically entitled to the full legal status of a son born to the master’s free wife. Kautilya’s text deals with different types of sons and inheritance rules, and a son by a slave woman had a distinct status, though he was not a slave.
Kautilya’s Arthashastra provides detailed regulations regarding slavery, including conditions for becoming a slave, the rights and duties of slaves, and provisions for manumission. It reflects a complex system with protections not always found in other historical slave systems.

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9. Consider the following pairs: Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts

Consider the following pairs:

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Site of Ashoka’s major rock edictsLocation in the State of
1. Dhauli— Odisha
2. Erragudi— Andhra Pradesh
3. Jaugada— Madhya Pradesh
4. Kalsi— Karnataka

How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

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Only one pair
Only two pairs
Only three pairs
All four pairs
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The correct answer is B) Only two pairs.
1. Dhauli: Located near Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This is a site of a major rock edict of Ashoka. Correct.
2. Erragudi (Yerragudi): Located in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. This is a site of a major rock edict of Ashoka. Correct.
3. Jaugada: Located in Ganjam district, Odisha. This is a site of a major rock edict of Ashoka, not Madhya Pradesh. Incorrect.
4. Kalsi: Located in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. This is a site of a major rock edict of Ashoka, not Karnataka. Incorrect.
The other major rock edict sites include Girnar (Gujarat), Kalsi (Uttarakhand), Manshera (Pakistan), Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan), Sopara (Maharashtra), Erragudi (Andhra Pradesh), Dhauli (Odisha), and Jaugada (Odisha). Minor rock edicts and pillar edicts are found at various other locations.

10. Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscr

Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription ?
“Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”

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Ashoka
Samudragupta
Harshavardhana
Krishnadeva Raya
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The correct answer is A) Ashoka.
The inscription quoted is characteristic of the edicts of Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE). Ashoka, after his conversion to Buddhism, promoted the principle of Dhamma, which included tolerance and respect for all religious sects (Samavaya).
The quote explicitly warns against sectarianism – praising one’s own sect excessively and blaming others – stating that such behavior actually harms one’s own sect. This message promoting inter-religious harmony and restraint is a recurring theme in Ashoka’s edicts, particularly Major Rock Edict XII.
Samudragupta (Gupta dynasty) was known for his military conquests and religious tolerance, but this specific ethical instruction about inter-sectarian behaviour is uniquely characteristic of Ashoka’s Dhamma policy expressed through his inscriptions. Harshavardhana (Pushyabhuti dynasty) also patronized multiple religions, and Krishnadeva Raya (Vijayanagara Empire) was known for tolerance, but the phraseology strongly points to Ashoka.

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