Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which city was NOT mentioned in the Asokan inscriptions?
Which city was NOT mentioned in the Asokan inscriptions?
What do historians think about the administrative system of the empire?
What do historians think about the administrative system of the empire?
Which regions are mentioned as part of the empire in the inscriptions?
Which regions are mentioned as part of the empire in the inscriptions?
Where was administrative control likely to be strongest?
Where was administrative control likely to be strongest?
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Why were Taxila and Ujjayini chosen as provincial centres?
Why were Taxila and Ujjayini chosen as provincial centres?
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According to Brahmanical practice, what was the purpose of classifying people in terms of gotras?
According to Brahmanical practice, what was the purpose of classifying people in terms of gotras?
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What was the expectation for women regarding their gotra after marriage?
What was the expectation for women regarding their gotra after marriage?
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What do the names of men and women derived from gotra names indicate?
What do the names of men and women derived from gotra names indicate?
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Which ruling lineage's inscriptions provide information about family ties and marriages?
Which ruling lineage's inscriptions provide information about family ties and marriages?
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What was one of the important rules regarding gotras?
What was one of the important rules regarding gotras?
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Study Notes
Asokan Inscriptions
- Takshashila (Taxila) and Ujjayini were chosen as provincial centers possibly due to their strategic locations, facilitating administration and control.
- The administrative system of the empire is thought to have been decentralized, with provincial centers exercising significant autonomy.
Extent of the Empire
- The inscriptions mention the following regions as part of the empire: Takshashila (Taxila), Ujjayini, Kalinga, and Gandhara.
Strongholds of Administrative Control
- Administrative control was likely strongest in the regions closest to the imperial center, such as Pataliputra.
Brahmanical Practice: Gotras
- The purpose of classifying people in terms of gotras was to establish their lineage and ancestral origins.
- After marriage, women were expected to adopt their husband's gotra, indicating a shift in their family allegiance.
Gotras and Lineage
- The names of men and women derived from gotra names suggest a strong emphasis on lineage and family ties.
- The inscriptions of the Mayuran ruling lineage provide information about family ties and marriages.
Rules Regarding Gotras
- One important rule was that a person could not marry someone from the same gotra, emphasizing the need to maintain distinct family lines and avoid close-kin marriages.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the major political centres of the ancient Indian empire and their significance. Explore the inscriptions of Pataliputra, Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali, and Suvarnagiri, and discover the common message engraved in these historical sites. Learn about the empire's reach from present-day Pakistan to Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Uttarakhan.
