Ancient Indian History: Mauryan Empire

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Questions and Answers

What is unique about Asoka's inscriptions?

They were written on copper plates

They were written in Sanskrit

They were the first to be inscribed on stone surfaces (correct)

They were written in Greek

Where are the Mauryas mentioned besides inscriptions of Asoka?

Roman literature

Greek literature

Chinese literature

Later Buddhist, Jaina and Puranic literature, as well as in Sanskrit literary works (correct)

What was the primary purpose of Asoka's inscriptions?

To proclaim what he understood to be dhamma (correct)

To glorify his own achievements

To appoint new officials

To declare war on neighboring kingdoms

What was included in Asoka's understanding of dhamma?

Respect towards elders, generosity towards Brahmanas and those who renounced worldly life Signup and view all the answers

How many major political centres were there in the empire?

Five Signup and view all the answers

What was the capital of the empire?

Pataliputra Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following centres was not mentioned in Asokan inscriptions?

Varanasi Signup and view all the answers

What was the attitude towards slaves and servants according to Asoka's dhamma?

They were to be treated kindly Signup and view all the answers

How long did the Mauryan Empire last?

About 150 years Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the ways the Mauryan Empire used elephants?

For the army Signup and view all the answers

What did the Arthashastra lay down?

Minute details of administrative and military organisation Signup and view all the answers

What happened in the second century BCE in the subcontinent?

New chiefdoms and kingdoms emerged Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the Mauryan Empire's territorial control?

It did not encompass the entire subcontinent Signup and view all the answers

What was the importance of guards of elephant forests in the Mauryan Empire?

They were responsible for capturing elephants for the army Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of appointing special officers known as dhamma mahamatta?

To spread the message of dhamma Signup and view all the answers

What did the historians of the 19th and early 20th century find exciting about the Mauryan Empire?

The possibility of an empire in early India Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about the message on Asokan inscriptions?

It was different from that of most other rulers Signup and view all the answers

Why were the Mauryan Empire's archaeological finds considered spectacular?

Because they were typical of empires Signup and view all the answers

What did the historians of the 19th and early 20th century think about Asoka compared to later rulers?

Asoka was more powerful and more humble Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Mauryan Empire in the 19th century?

It was a major landmark in Indian history Signup and view all the answers

Why were officials appointed to supervise the occupational groups?

To ensure the connectedness of the occupational groups with land Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the dhamma mahamatta in the empire?

To spread the message of dhamma Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Mauryan Empire

The Mauryas are mentioned in later Buddhist, Jaina, and Puranic literature, as well as in Sanskrit literary works.
The inscriptions of Asoka (c. 272/268-231 BCE) on rocks and pillars are considered the most valuable sources of information about the Mauryan Empire.

Asoka's Inscriptions

Asoka was the first ruler to inscribe his messages to his subjects and officials on stone surfaces.
He used the inscriptions to proclaim what he understood to be dhamma, which included:
- Respect towards elders
- Generosity towards Brahmanas and those who renounced worldly life
- Treating slaves and servants kindly
- Respect for religions and traditions other than one's own

Administering the Empire

The empire had five major political centers: the capital Pataliputra and the provincial centers of Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali, and Suvarnagiri.
These centers are mentioned in Asokan inscriptions.

Importance of the Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan Empire lasted for about 150 years, which is not a very long time in the vast span of the history of the subcontinent.
The empire did not encompass the entire subcontinent, and control was not uniform within its frontiers.
By the second century BCE, new chiefdoms and kingdoms emerged in several parts of the subcontinent.

Capturing Elephants for the Army

The Arthashastra lays down minute details of administrative and military organization.
It provides instructions on how to capture elephants for the army, including:
- Guards of elephant forests
- Special officers, known as the dhamma mahamatta, to spread the message of dhamma

Officials and Occupational Groups

Officials were appointed to supervise occupational groups such as:
- Woodcutters
- Carpenters
- Blacksmiths
- Miners

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Description

This quiz covers the Mauryan Empire, its mentions in Buddhist, Jaina, and Puranic literature, and the significance of Asoka's inscriptions.