Maurya Empire Archives

11. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Asho

In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?

Kanganahalli

Sanchi

Shahbazgarhi

Sohgaura

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UPSC IAS – 2019

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The relief sculpture inscription mentioning ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ along with a stone portrait of Ashoka is found at Kanganahalli.

Kanganahalli is an archaeological site in Karnataka, India, known for the discovery of the Mahastupa which contains numerous sculpture panels. One significant panel depicts a king with the inscription “Ranyo Ashoka” (King Ashoka), which is widely accepted as a portrait of Emperor Ashoka. This is one of the very few sites where a label is associated with a portrait of Ashoka.
Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh) has famous Buddhist stupas and pillars associated with Ashoka, but does not contain a portrait labelled ‘Ranyo Ashoka’.
Shahbazgarhi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) is known for a major rock edict of Ashoka, written in the Kharosthi script, but it does not feature a stone portrait of Ashoka with this specific inscription.
Sohgaura (Uttar Pradesh) is known for a Mauryan copper plate inscription related to famine relief, not a portrait of Ashoka.

The discovery at Kanganahalli was significant because it provided a confirmed visual representation of Ashoka, complementing the textual and epigraphic evidence about his reign and patronage of Buddhism.

12. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor

Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

Georg Bühler

James Prinsep

Max Müller

William Jones

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UPSC IAS – 2016

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Emperor Ashoka’s edicts were inscribed on pillars and rocks throughout his empire in various scripts, primarily Brahmi and Kharosthi.

The first person to successfully decipher the ancient Brahmi script, which allowed for the reading and understanding of Ashoka’s edicts, was James Prinsep. Prinsep, an English scholar and antiquary, made this breakthrough in the 1830s while working as an assay master at the Calcutta Mint.

His decipherment of Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts was a monumental achievement that unlocked vast amounts of information about ancient Indian history, particularly the Mauryan period under Ashoka. Other scholars listed contributed significantly to Indology but were not the first to decipher Ashoka’s edicts.

13. In Kautilya’s Arthashashtra, the con- querer king is expected to est

In Kautilya’s *Arthashashtra*, the con- querer king is expected to establish, in the conquered territories, a social order based on the

*varna* system only

*dharma, varna* and *ashrama* systems

*dharma* only

*varna* and *ashrama* systems

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UPSC CAPF – 2024

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Kautilya’s *Arthashastra* is a treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy. When discussing the administration of conquered territories (referred to as *labdha*), Kautilya advises the conqueror king to establish a stable and acceptable social order. This order is based on respecting and reinforcing the established social norms, customs (*dharma*), and the traditional hierarchical structures of *varna* and *ashrama* prevalent in ancient Indian society.

Kautilya’s approach was pragmatic, emphasizing the need for stability and integration in conquered regions by aligning with existing social institutions like *dharma*, *varna*, and *ashrama* systems.

Kautilya advised the king to conciliate the local population by adopting their customs, language, and religious practices, while simultaneously introducing administrative measures to strengthen central authority and ensure economic prosperity. The goal was to make the transition smooth and prevent future rebellions by integrating the new territory into the empire through respect for its social fabric, underpinned by *dharma*, *varna*, and *ashrama* as the foundational principles of social organization.

14. Which one of the following animals does not come under the category of

Which one of the following animals does not come under the category of four noble animals (Maha-Ajaneya Pasu) carved on the round drum (Anda-Phalaka) of the lion capital at Sarnath ?

Deer

Lion

Bull

Horse

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UPSC CAPF – 2023

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The drum (Anda-Phalaka) of the Sarnath Lion Capital features carvings of four animals alternating with Dharmachakra (wheels). These animals are the Elephant, Bull, Horse, and Lion. These four are often considered the “four noble animals” represented on the pillar, symbolizing different directions or aspects.

The Deer is a highly significant animal in Buddhist iconography, particularly associated with Sarnath (Deer Park, where Buddha gave his first sermon). However, the Deer is not depicted on the drum of the Sarnath Lion Capital; it is the Elephant, Bull, Horse, and Lion that are carved there.

The Lion Capital was erected by Emperor Ashoka. The four lions surmounting the capital face the four cardinal directions. The animals on the abacus below the lions are the Elephant, Bull, Horse, and Lion. The drum below the abacus features these four animals in relief separated by wheels.

15. Which one of the following political centers finds a mention in Ashoka

Which one of the following political centers finds a mention in Ashokan inscriptions?

Indraprastha

Kaushambi

Suvarnagiri

Kandahar

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UPSC CAPF – 2023

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The question asks which one of the listed political centers finds a mention in Ashokan inscriptions. Ashokan inscriptions are found in various locations across his vast empire, often at significant cities or administrative centers.

A) Indraprastha: While an ancient city located near modern Delhi, there is no strong direct evidence placing it as a major administrative center explicitly mentioned as such in the widely known corpus of Ashokan inscriptions. Pillars found near Delhi might have been moved or erected in the general region rather than specifically within the city of Indraprastha as a capital.

B) Kaushambi: Ashokan pillar inscriptions, including the Queen’s Edict, have been found at Kaushambi (near modern Prayagraj). The edicts found here are addressed to the Mahamatras (officials) of Kaushambi, indicating it was a significant administrative center.

C) Suvarnagiri: Suvarnagiri was a major provincial capital in the southern part of the Mauryan Empire. It is explicitly mentioned in the Minor Rock Edict I as the seat from which instructions were issued to the Mahamatras of Isila (another town). This clearly identifies Suvarnagiri as a key political/administrative center.

D) Kandahar: Ashokan inscriptions, including bilingual inscriptions (Greek and Aramaic) and portions of Major Rock Edicts, are located at Kandahar in Afghanistan. This indicates Kandahar was a significant city and administrative center in the western part of the empire where Ashoka’s policies were promulgated.

Given that Kaushambi, Suvarnagiri, and Kandahar were all significant centers mentioned in Ashokan inscriptions, there might be an intended best fit among the options. Suvarnagiri is consistently listed as one of the four main provincial capitals of the Mauryan Empire (along with Taxila, Ujjayini, and Tosali), making its mention as a political center very prominent in administrative contexts within the edicts.

The Mauryan Empire under Ashoka was divided into provinces, each governed by a viceroy or high official, often headquartered in major cities. The four main provincial capitals besides the imperial capital Pataliputra were Taxila (North-West), Ujjayini (West), Tosali (East), and Suvarnagiri (South). Kandahar was also a crucial city in the frontier region with unique inscriptions reflecting the empire’s diverse population. Kaushambi was another important city with a pillar bearing edicts. However, Suvarnagiri’s explicit mention in Minor Rock Edict I as an administrative seat makes it a definitive example of a political center mentioned in the inscriptions.

16. Which one of the following activities was not a part of the daily time

Which one of the following activities was not a part of the daily time-table for a King as prescribed in Arthashastra ?

Receive reports on defense

Visit the town incognito

Receive revenue in cash

Consult his Council of Ministers

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UPSC CAPF – 2023

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Kautilya’s Arthashastra provides a detailed daily timetable for the king, outlining specific periods for administrative, judicial, financial, and personal activities. While surveillance and intelligence gathering are crucial aspects of Kautilya’s statecraft, the specific activity of the king visiting the town *incognito* is not listed as a fixed part of his daily schedule or a primary duty of the king himself in the detailed timetable provided. This type of activity would typically be assigned to spies or agents.

The Arthashastra outlines a highly structured day and night for the king, emphasizing efficiency and attention to various aspects of governance, including receiving counsel, managing revenue, attending to state business, and judicial duties. The timetable is focused on official administrative functions and ensuring the king is accessible and informed.

The daily routine described in Arthashastra includes: hearing reports on defence and revenue, receiving citizens, consulting ministers, supervising accounts, discussing confidential matters with spies, attending to urgent matters, and personal activities. Receiving revenue in cash (or reports thereof) and consulting the council of ministers are explicitly mentioned or implied as scheduled activities. Receiving reports on defense is also a critical scheduled activity. Visiting the town incognito is more of an investigative or intelligence-gathering technique rather than a routine daily administrative task for the king himself.

17. Ashokan inscriptions in Afghanistan are written in which one of the fo

Ashokan inscriptions in Afghanistan are written in which one of the following scripts?

Brahmi

Sharada

Kharoshthi

Greek-Aramaic

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UPSC CAPF – 2022

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The correct answer is D) Greek-Aramaic.

Ashokan inscriptions found in Afghanistan are notably different from those found in other parts of India. Due to the presence of Hellenistic and Achaemenid influences in the region, Ashoka’s edicts in Afghanistan are often found in Greek and Aramaic scripts and languages, sometimes in bilingual or even trilingual formats (though Brahmi is generally absent).

The most famous example is the Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription, which is written in Greek and Aramaic. Other inscriptions in Afghanistan, like the Laghman inscriptions, are in Aramaic. While Kharoshthi script was used for Ashokan inscriptions in the wider North-Western region (parts of modern Pakistan), the use of Greek and Aramaic is particularly characteristic of inscriptions found within modern Afghanistan, reflecting the linguistic landscape of the region at that time. Brahmi was the primary script used for Ashokan inscriptions throughout most of the rest of the Indian subcontinent. Sharada script developed much later.

18. The Mauryan capital of Pataliputra has been associated with the archae

The Mauryan capital of Pataliputra has been associated with the archaeological remains of

Bulandibagh and Rajagriha

Kumrahar and Mocharim

Kumrahar and Bulandibagh

Kumrahar and Jalalgarh

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UPSC CAPF – 2021

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Major archaeological excavations at Pataliputra (modern Patna) have uncovered remains associated with the Mauryan period at sites like Kumrahar and Bulandibagh. Kumrahar is famous for the remains of the Mauryan eighty-pillared hall, believed to be part of the royal palace or audience hall. Bulandibagh yielded impressive wooden palisades that formed part of the city’s fortifications described by Greek sources like Megasthenes, as well as the “Pataliputra capital.”

– Pataliputra was founded by Ajatashatru and became the capital of the Magadha kingdom under the Nandas and later the Mauryas.
– Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, described the grandeur of Pataliputra and its wooden fortifications in his work Indica.
– Archaeological findings at Kumrahar and Bulandibagh corroborate some of these descriptions and provide valuable insights into Mauryan architecture and urban planning.

– Rajagriha (Rajgir) was an earlier capital of Magadha before Pataliputra.
– Mocharim and Jalalgarh are not prominent archaeological sites associated with Mauryan Pataliputra.
– Other sites near Pataliputra, like Agam Kuan, are also associated with the ancient city’s history, though Kumrahar and Bulandibagh are the most significant for Mauryan structures.

19. Consider the following statements: Statement I: James Prinsep, an o

Consider the following statements:

Statement I: James Prinsep, an officer in the mint of the East India Company, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts which were used in the earliest inscriptions and coins
Statement II: James Prinsep found that most of the scripts mentioned a king referred to as Piyadassi – meaning ‘pleasant to behold’

Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I

Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Statement I is false but Statement II is true

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UPSC CAPF – 2014

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Both statements are individually true, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.

– Statement I is true. James Prinsep (1799-1840), a scholar and officer in the mint of the East India Company in Calcutta, is credited with deciphering the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in the 1830s. These scripts were used in ancient Indian inscriptions, most notably the rock and pillar edicts of Emperor Ashoka.
– Statement II is true. While deciphering these inscriptions, Prinsep found that many of them referred to a ruler using titles like ‘Devanampiya’ (beloved of the gods) and ‘Piyadassi’ (pleasant to behold). It was later confirmed that this ‘Piyadassi’ was Emperor Ashoka Maurya.
– Statement I describes the historical achievement of deciphering the scripts. Statement II describes a significant discovery made *as a result* of that deciphering process. Statement II does not explain *how* Prinsep deciphered the scripts or *why* he was able to do it; it merely states one of the key findings from the deciphered texts. Therefore, Statement II is not the explanation for Statement I.

– Prinsep’s decipherment was crucial for understanding the history of the Mauryan Empire and the reign of Ashoka, as these inscriptions provided direct insights into his policies, administration, and spread of Buddhism.
– The decipherment relied on comparing bilingual inscriptions and coins where available, using known scripts (like Greek on some coins) as keys.

20. Which one among the following inscriptions was installed in the easter

Which one among the following inscriptions was installed in the easternmost part of Ashoka’s territory?

Barabar hill cave inscription

Dhauli major rock edicts

Sahasram minor rock edicts

Lauriya Araraj pillar edicts

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UPSC CAPF – 2013

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The correct answer is B. The Dhauli major rock edicts are located in Odisha (near Bhubaneswar), which was part of the ancient kingdom of Kalinga. Ashoka conquered Kalinga in a bloody war, and subsequently issued the Dhauli edicts, including the special Kalinga Edicts, which are located in the eastern part of his vast empire.

– Ashoka’s inscriptions are spread across modern-day India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
– Barabar hill caves (Bihar), Sahasram (Bihar), and Lauriya Araraj (Bihar) are located in the region of Magadha and its vicinity.
– Odisha is located to the east of Bihar. The conquest of Kalinga was a pivotal event in Ashoka’s life, leading to his adoption of Dhamma.
– Dhauli was the site of a major rock edict. Another major rock edict site in Kalinga is Jaugada, also in Odisha.

The special Kalinga Edicts found at Dhauli and Jaugada replaced Edicts 11, 12, and 13 from the standard set of 14 Major Rock Edicts, reflecting Ashoka’s specific message of reconciliation and welfare for the newly conquered Kalinga people. These sites are indeed among the easternmost locations of Ashoka’s major rock inscriptions within the core empire.