14 Questions
Which city was the capital of the Mauryan Empire?
Pataliputra
What was the significance of Taxila and Ujjain in the Mauryan Empire?
Taxila was a gateway to the northwest, including Central Asia, while Ujjain was on the route from north to south India.
Who were the three important rulers of the Mauryan dynasty?
Chandragupta, Bindusara, Ashoka
What activities took place in the forests of central India during the Mauryan Empire?
People gathered forest produce and hunted animals for food
What type of people likely lived in the cities of the Mauryan Empire?
Merchants, officials, and crafts persons
Where were the lions carved that are seen on Indian notes and coins?
They were carved in stone at Sarnath.
Who founded the empire that Ashoka ruled?
Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka's grandfather, founded the empire more than 2300 years ago.
What book contained many of Chanakya's ideas?
The Arthashastra contained many of Chanakya's ideas.
What are the countries where Ashokan inscriptions have been found?
Ashokan inscriptions have been found in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
What was the purpose of collecting tribute in the Mauryan Empire?
Tribute was collected as and when it was possible from people who gave a variety of things, more or less willingly.
Who was Megasthenes and what did he observe at the court of Chandragupta?
Megasthenes was an ambassador sent by the Greek ruler Seleucus Nicator. He observed grand royal processions, the emperor being carried in a golden palanquin, and armed women surrounding the king.
Describe the emperor's appearance during public occasions as mentioned by Megasthenes.
The emperor appeared in grand royal processions, carried in a golden palanquin, guarded by elephants decorated in gold and silver, with armed women surrounding him.
What were the forested regions expected to provide to Mauryan officials?
Forested regions were expected to provide elephants, timber, honey, and wax to Mauryan officials.
How did the emperor ensure his safety as described by Megasthenes?
The emperor ensured his safety by being surrounded by armed women, having special servants taste his food before he ate, and never sleeping in the same bedroom for two nights.
Study Notes
Empires and Kingdoms
- Empires are larger than kingdoms and require more resources to be protected by big armies.
- Emperors need a larger number of officials to collect taxes and govern the empire.
Ruling the Empire
- The area around the capital city (Pataliputra) was under the direct control of the emperor.
- Officials were appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, crafts persons, and traders in villages and towns.
- Officials punished those who disobeyed the ruler's orders.
- Many officials were given salaries.
- Messengers and spies monitored the officials and reported back to the emperor.
- The emperor supervised officials with the help of royal family members and senior ministers.
Provincial Rule
- Provinces were ruled from provincial capitals (e.g. Taxila or Ujjain).
- Although there was some control from Pataliputra, local customs and rules were followed.
- Royal princes were often sent as governors to provinces.
- The Mauryas tried to control roads and rivers for transport and collect resources as tax and tribute.
Imperial Administration
- The empire was governed through a network of officials, messengers, and spies.
- The emperor maintained control over the empire through a system of direct control, provincial governance, and surveillance.
Test your knowledge on the chapter about Ashoka, the emperor who renounced war. Answer questions based on Roshan's experience with rupees and her curiosity about the lions on the notes.
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