Mauryan Empire Quiz

The Mauryan Empire was the first all-India empire in ancient India, established by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE.

Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, was a renowned advisor to kings on administration. He wrote "Arthashastra", a treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy.

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Dynasty. He expanded his empire from Hindu Kush in the north-west to Bengal in the east.

Megasthenes, a Greek ethnographer, served as an ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya's court. He wrote "Indika", a valuable historical account of the Mauryan Empire.

Bindusar, the son of Chandragupta Maurya, extended Mauryan control to Mysore in the south. His reign saw the empire expand to cover almost the entire subcontinent.

A Sanskrit word meaning righteousness, religious faith, and a moral way of life. Ashoka adopted this philosophy as a ruler, emphasizing compassion and ethical conduct.

The period after Ashoka's conquest of Kalinga, where he renounced violence and embraced non-violence. It is known as "Dharma Ashoka" because he focused heavily on spreading Dhamma.

A ruler known for spreading his Dhamma philosophy through various means, including edicts, missionaries, and welfare projects. He is considered one of the greatest rulers in ancient India.

The war Ashoka waged against Kalinga, which resulted in immense suffering and ultimately pushed him to abandon war and adopt Dhamma.

Special officers appointed by Ashoka to spread and uphold Dhamma in the empire. They worked to promote ethical conduct and ensure people followed Ashoka's principles.

The Mauryan Empire was the first unified empire in India, with a strong and organized government.

Hemispherical brick structures housing Buddha relics, topped with a parasol-like symbol of high rank. These structures have gateways with carvings depicting scenes from Buddha's life.

The king was the ultimate authority, but he had a council of ministers (Mantriparishad) to help with governing. These ministers had expertise in areas like finance, security, and industry.

Early rock-cut caves, located in Bihar, are some of the oldest surviving rock-cut structures. The Sudama and Lomas Rishi caves are notable examples.

The empire was divided into five big provinces, with villages being the smallest unit of administration. Each village had officers like Gramikas and Ayuktas to manage local affairs.

These pillars, often inscribed with Ashoka's edicts, are skillfully crafted. The Lion Capital, at Sarnath, is a particularly famous example, now the national emblem of India.

Emperors after Ashoka were less capable and efficient leaders.

The Mauryan army was very powerful, using soldiers, cavalry, elephants, chariots, and even a navy. This was possible because they had lots of resources.

Controlling such a large empire became increasingly difficult.

The Mauryans took taxes from farmers and also earned money from trade. They got income from resources and selling things, and even had royal land that produced income.

The Mauryan government cared about farmers and invested in irrigation projects. They even built a big dam to ensure water supply for farming, as mentioned in the Arthashastra.

Provincial viceroys, taking advantage of the weak central authority, declared independence.

The Mauryan's traded with many countries, including Greece, Egypt, and Sri Lanka. They did business both within India and abroad.

The large army and its maintenance placed a strain on the treasury.

After Emperor Ashoka's death in 232 BCE, the Mauryan empire endured for approximately half a century, facing several internal challenges and eventually declining.

The Mauryans introduced punch-marked coins for the first to make buying and selling things easier.