Alexander the Great Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire?

  • Bimbisara
  • Porus
  • Chandragupta Maurya (correct)
  • Asoka

Which emperor is known for spreading his Dhamma (teachings/philosophy)?

  • Cyrus
  • Bimbisara
  • Asoka (correct)
  • Xerxes

What were the salient features of the Mauryan administration?

  • Centralized bureaucracy (correct)
  • Feudal system
  • Decentralized governance
  • Anarchic ruling

Which ruler annexed some portions of the Gangetic valley before departing?

<p>Chandragupta Maurya (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What caused the decline of the Mauryan Empire?

<p>Internal rebellions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ruler is associated with the art and architecture of the Mauryas?

<p>Asoka (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who initiated a popular movement against the Nanda rule?

<p>Chandragupta Maurya (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region did Cyrus the Great capture during his expedition into India?

<p>Gandhara (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who conquered the Indus valley in 518 B.C. and annexed Punjab and Sindh?

<p>Darius I (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ruler utilized Indian infantry and cavalry to strengthen his position?

<p>Xerxes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which invasion did Darius I send a naval expedition under Skylas to explore the Indus?

<p>Cyrus' invasion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the text primarily discuss?

<p>The details of Mauryan administration (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which language were Asoka's inscriptions written in?

<p>Pali (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did Asoka play in spreading Buddhism according to the Ceylonese Chronicles?

<p>Promoting Buddhism in Sri Lanka (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many Major Rock Edicts are attributed to Asoka?

<p>Fourteen (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where were the Kalinga Edicts found?

<p>In the newly conquered territory (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the Pillar Edict VII mainly focus on?

<p>Asoka's efforts to promote Dhamma (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Founder of the Mauryan Empire

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire, laying the foundation for a powerful and influential dynasty.

Emperor known for spreading Dhamma

Asoka, a renowned Mauryan emperor, is known for spreading his philosophy "Dhamma", emphasizing peace, non-violence, and ethical conduct.

Mauryan Administration Features

The Mauryan administration was characterized by a strong central authority and a highly organized bureaucracy with specialized departments for various tasks.

Ruler who annexed Gangetic Valley

Chandragupta Maurya annexed portions of the Gangetic Valley before embarking on his grand conquests.

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Decline of Mauryan Empire

Internal rebellions and weakening of central control contributed to the decline and downfall of the Mauryan Empire.

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Ruler associated with Mauryan art and architecture

Asoka, known for his patronage of art and architecture, is credited with the development of the Mauryan art style.

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Who initiated a movement against the Nanda rule?

Chandragupta Maurya initiated a popular movement against the Nanda rule, leading to their downfall and ultimately paving the way for the Mauryan Empire.

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Region captured by Cyrus the Great

During his expedition into India, Cyrus the Great captured the region of Gandhara, expanding his Persian Empire eastward.

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Conqueror of the Indus Valley

Darius I, the Persian ruler, conquered the Indus Valley in 518 B.C., adding Punjab and Sindh to his empire.

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Ruler who utilized Indian troops

Xerxes, a Persian ruler after Darius, utilized Indian infantry and cavalry to strengthen his military forces.

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Naval Expedition during Cyrus' invasion

Darius I sent a naval expedition under Skylas to explore the Indus during Cyrus' invasion, showing his interest in the region.

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Focus of the Text

The text primarily discusses the details of Mauryan administration, its structure, features, and how it functioned.

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Language of Asoka's Inscriptions

Asoka's inscriptions, a significant source of information about his reign, were written in the Pali language, a language closely related to Sanskrit.

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Asoka's role in spreading Buddhism

According to the Ceylonese Chronicles, Asoka actively promoted Buddhism in Sri Lanka, spreading its teachings and encouraging its adoption.

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Number of Major Rock Edicts

Fourteen Major Rock Edicts are attributed to Asoka, these edicts contain his messages about Dhamma, morality, and governance.

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Location of Kalinga Edicts

The Kalinga Edicts, located in the newly conquered territory, reflect Asoka's reflections on war and his commitment to peace and non-violence.

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Pillar Edict VII - Focus

Pillar Edict VII focuses on Asoka's efforts to promote Dhamma, aiming to create a just and ethical society through his teachings.

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Study Notes

Persian and Greek Invasions

  • Cyrus, the first Greek conqueror to enter India, captured the Gandhara region and all Indian tribes west of the Indus river submitted to him, paying tribute.
  • Darius I conquered the Indus valley in 518 B.C., annexing the Punjab and Sindh, which became the 20th Satrapy of his empire.
  • Xerxes utilized his Indian province to strengthen his position, deploying Indian infantry and cavalry to Greece to fight his opponents.

Alexander's Invasion

  • Alexander defeated Ambhi of Taxila, but not with the help of Porus.
  • The battle of Hydaspes was not fought on the Karri plain.
  • Alexander did not annex some portions of the Gangetic valley before his departure.

The Mauryan Empire

  • The foundation of the Mauryan Empire opened a new era in Indian history.
  • The oppressive tax collection by Dhana Nanda led to a popular movement against the Nanda rule, initiated by Chandragupta Maurya and Kautilya.
  • The general prosperity of the country brought enormous revenue to the royal treasury.

Study of the Mauryas

  • Sources for the study of the Mauryas include the works of Megasthenes, the Puranas, and Buddhist literature such as Jatakas.
  • The Ceylonese Chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa provide information on Asoka's role in spreading Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
  • Archaeological sources include Edicts of Asoka, which were first deciphered by James Princep in 1837.

Edicts of Asoka

  • The inscriptions of Asoka are written in Pali language and in some places Prakrit was used.
  • The Brahmi script was employed for writing, with Karoshti script used in northwestern India.
  • There are fourteen Major Rock Edicts, two Kalinga Edicts, and minor Rock and Pillar Edicts, which deal with Asoka's Dhamma and instructions to his officials.

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Description

Test your knowledge about Alexander the Great and his conquests by determining whether statements are true or false, and writing short notes on specific points. Topics covered include Xerxes, the battle of Hydaspes, annexation of Gangetic valley, and more.

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