Empire MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Empire - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - Dhana Nanda

Key Points

• Dhana Nanda
  • In 326 B.C., when Alexander the Great invaded India, the Nanda Dynasty was ruling the Magadha region.
  • Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty, known for his vast wealth and centralized administration.
  • He was unpopular among his subjects due to his oppressive tax policies and amassed immense treasure, which later became a reason for his downfall.
  • His rule coincided with Alexander's invasion, but Alexander did not directly engage with Magadha as his campaign ended near the Beas River in Punjab.

Additional Information

• Nanda Dynasty
  • The Nanda Dynasty was established by Mahapadma Nanda, who is considered the first ruler of the dynasty.
  • It was known for its large standing army, which included approximately 200,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, 2,000 war chariots, and 3,000 war elephants as per Greek accounts.
• Alexander's Invasion
  • Alexander invaded India in 326 B.C. and fought the famous Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum) against King Porus.
  • He halted his campaign at the Beas River due to the resistance from his army, which refused to march further east because of the looming threat of larger Indian armies such as that of Magadha.
• Chandragupta Maurya
  • Chandragupta Maurya overthrew Dhana Nanda with the help of his mentor, Chanakya, and founded the Maurya Empire around 321 B.C..
  • This marked the end of the Nanda Dynasty and the rise of one of India's greatest empires.

The correct answer is - (4) A, C, D and E Only

Key Points

• Asoka’s inscriptions mention dhamma.
  • Asoka's edicts and inscriptions are one of the primary sources of information about his dhamma policy.
  • The inscriptions explain his ideas about dhamma, which include moral and ethical guidelines for personal and social behavior.
• Good conduct and social responsibilities were part of dhamma.
  • Asoka emphasized the importance of good conduct, including respect for elders, generosity towards the needy, and kindness to all living beings.
  • He encouraged social responsibilities like helping the poor and sick, and maintaining harmony and peace in society.
• An important aspect of Asoka’s dhamma was the generation of mutual respect and concord.
  • Asoka promoted mutual respect among different communities and sects, advocating for tolerance and understanding.
  • He believed that by fostering concord, social harmony could be maintained and conflicts avoided.
• Asoka proclaimed himself as teacher of "dhamma".
  • Asoka saw himself as a moral guide and teacher, spreading the principles of dhamma to his subjects.
  • He took active steps to teach and propagate these principles through his edicts and by sending emissaries.

Additional Information

• The theme of ahimsa is an important aspect of Asoka’s dhamma.
  • Ahimsa, or non-violence, was a central concept in Asoka's dhamma. He promoted non-violence towards all living beings.
  • This included abstention from animal sacrifice, hunting, and violent behavior.
• Dhamma as a moral code
  • Dhamma was more a moral code than a religious doctrine. It was aimed at promoting ethical conduct and social welfare.
  • Asoka’s dhamma was meant to transcend religious boundaries and apply universally to all his subjects.

The correct answer is - Ajatshatru

Key Points

• Ajatshatru
  • Ajatshatru was a prominent king of the Haryanka dynasty in Magadha (modern-day Bihar, India).
  • He ruled from approximately 492 BCE to 460 BCE.
  • Ajatshatru is credited with the creation of several innovative weapons, including the Mahashilakantaka (a large catapult) and the Rathmoosal (a chariot equipped with a mace).
  • These weapons played a crucial role in his military campaigns and significantly enhanced his combat capabilities.
  • Ajatshatru used these weapons in his wars against neighboring states, including the Licchavis of Vaishali.

Additional Information

• Mahapadmanand
  • He was the founder of the Nanda dynasty in Magadha, which succeeded the Haryanka dynasty.
  • Mahapadmanand is known for expanding the Nanda Empire and accumulating vast wealth.
  • He is not specifically credited with the creation of the mentioned weapons.
• Shishunag
  • He was the founder of the Shishunaga dynasty in Magadha, which preceded the Haryanka dynasty.
  • Shishunag is known for his administrative skills and the consolidation of the Magadha kingdom.
  • There are no records of him inventing or using the mentioned weapons.
• Chanda Pradyota
  • He was the king of Avanti, a kingdom in ancient India.
  • Chanda Pradyota is known for his conflicts with neighboring states and his ambition to expand his kingdom.
  • He is not associated with the invention of the specific weapons mentioned.

The correct answer is - Gurjara

Key Points

• Gurjara
  • The Gurjara inscription is notable for being one of the few inscriptions that explicitly mentions the personal name of Ashoka as "Ashoka".
  • This inscription is a significant historical artifact that provides insight into the reign and personal identity of Emperor Ashoka.
  • Emperor Ashoka, one of India's greatest rulers, is known for his propagation of Buddhism and his efforts towards spreading peace and non-violence after the Kalinga War.
  • The Gurjara inscription helps historians and scholars verify the personal details of Ashoka, adding to the authenticity of historical records.

Additional Information

• Pangudaria
  • Pangudaria is another site with inscriptions related to Ashoka, but it does not mention his personal name explicitly as "Ashoka".
• Sanchi
  • Sanchi is famous for its stupas and inscriptions, but it is more known for its association with Buddhist monuments and teachings rather than explicitly mentioning the personal name of Ashoka.
• Rupnath
  • Rupnath contains inscriptions that reflect Ashoka's edicts and his dedication to Buddhism, but it does not specifically mention his personal name "Ashoka".

The correct answer is: 'Shulk'

Confusion PointsUdaka refers to water or irrigation-related activities and is not mentioned as a tax in Mauryan administrative records

Key Points

• Bhag
  • This was a land-related tax during the Mauryan period.
  • Bhag referred to a share of agricultural produce, typically one-sixth or one-fourth of the total yield, collected by the state.
  • It was a significant source of revenue for the Mauryan administration.
• Bali
  • This was a land-related tax imposed during the Mauryan period.
  • Initially a voluntary offering to the king or state, Bali later became a mandatory tax on land revenue.
• Udaka
  • Though not directly a tax, Udaka referred to water or irrigation-related resources managed by the state.
  • Efficient irrigation systems were developed under the Mauryan rule to enhance agricultural output.
• Shulk
  • This was not a land-related tax but a tax on trade and transportation.
  • Shulk acted as a toll or customs duty levied on goods transported or traded, contributing to state revenue from commercial activities.
  • It was distinct from agricultural taxes and focused on regulating and benefiting from trade networks within and beyond the empire.

Additional Information

• Taxation in the Mauryan Empire:
  • The Mauryan empire had an efficient tax system designed to sustain its vast administrative, military, and public works operations.
  • Land revenue, including taxes like Bhag and Bali, formed the backbone of the revenue system.
• Shulk and Trade:
  • Shulk was part of the commercial tax system and was collected at various trade routes, markets, and ports.
  • This taxation method ensured control over trade activities and generated income from merchants and traders.

The correct answer is Rupnath.

Key Points

• Rupnath inscription is near Kaimur hills, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• Maski inscription is in the Raichur district, Karnataka.
• Gavimath is in Koppal district, Karnataka.
• Brahmagiri inscription is in Chitradurga district, Karnataka.
• Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka:
  • These rock inscriptions are from the earliest part of the Edicts of Ashoka.
  • They predate Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts.
  • These are the first edicts in the Indian language of Emperor Ashoka, written in the Brahmi script.
  •  The Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription, in Greek and in Aramaic, is the first known inscription of Ashoka.​

Important Points

• The Rock Edicts were the first tangible evidence of, how Buddhism spread. 
• These edicts were deciphered by the British archaeologist and historian James Prinsep.
• They were kept in public places and along trade routes so that the maximum number of people would read them.
• There are 33 inscriptions classified into the following categories:
  • Major rock edicts
  • Minor rock edicts
  • Separate rock edicts
  • Major pillar edicts 
  • Minor pillar edicts

Additional Information

• Ashoka
  • Son of Bindusara and a Mauryan ruler.
  • ​He was one of the greatest rulers known in the history of India.
  • He has his inscriptions were carved on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces to connect with people.
  • The Kalinga War in 261 B.C changed his heart and he started following Buddhism.
  • Dhamma is a set of edicts that formed a policy of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

The correct answer is Bhabru.

• The Babu- Bairut rock edict contains about the conversion of Ashoka to Buddhism.
• It is located in the state of Rajasthan.
• There are 14 major rock edicts of King Ashoka and Babu-Bairut's rock edict is not part of it.

Key Points

• The 14 major rock-edicts of Ashoka and its contents:

Additional Information

• Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers known to history and on his instructions, inscriptions were carved on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces.
• The Kalinga War was a war fought between the Mauryan Empire (Ashoka) and the state of Kalinga in 261 B.C.
• Dhamma is a set of edicts that formed a policy of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

• As the Mauryan empire was so large, different parts were ruled differently. The area around Pataliputra was under the direct control of the emperor.
• This meant that officials were appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, craftspersons and traders, who lived in villages and towns in the area.
• Officials also punished those who disobeyed the ruler’s orders. Many of these officials were given salaries. Messengers went to and fro and spies kept a watch on the officials. And of course, the emperor supervised them all, with the help of members of the royal family, and senior ministers.
• There were other areas or provinces. Each of these was ruled from a provincial capital such as Taxila or Ujjain. Although there was some amount of control from Pataliputra, and royal princes were often sent as governors, local customs and rules were probably followed. Besides, there were vast areas between these centres.
• Here the Mauryas tried to control roads and rivers, which were important for transport, and to collect whatever resources were available as tax and tribute.
• For example, the Arthashastra tells us that the north-west was important for blankets, and south India for its gold and precious stones. It is possible that these resources were collected as tribute.

Maurya Empire-

• The Maurya Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya. He reigned from 321-297 BCE.
• Bindusara was the second emperor of the Mauryan Empire.
• He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya. He reigned from 297-273 BCE
• Ashoka, the most famous ruler was the son of Bindusara. He succeeded his father, Bindusara.
• He reigned from 273-232 BCE.
• Brihadratha was the last ruler of the Maurya dynasty.
• He reigned from 187-180 BCE. He was killed by Pushyamitra Shunga who then established the Shunga dynasty.

The correct answer is Ashoka.

Key Points

• Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers known to history and on his instructions, inscriptions were carved on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces.
• The Kalinga War was a war fought between the Mauryan Empire (Ashoka) and the state of Kalinga in 261 B.C.
• Dhamma is a set of edicts that formed a policy of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

Additional Information

The Correct Answer is Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath.

Key Points

• The Lion Capital of Ashoka is a sculpture depicting four Asiatic lions standing side by side on an elaborate base surrounded by other animals.
  • In 1950, a graphic depiction of it was adopted as India's official emblem.
• Emperor Ashoka, during his reign over the Maurya Empire, originally installed it on top of the Ashoka pillar at the important Buddhist site of Sarnath in about 250 BCE.
• The Lion Capital is now housed in the Sarnath Museum in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, but the wall, also known as the Asoka Column, is still standing.

Additional Information 

• It is more elaborate than the other somewhat similar surviving capitals of Ashoka's pillars bearing the Edicts of Ashoka that were installed throughout India, most of which feature single animals at the top; one other weakened group of four lions survives, at Sanchi.
• The capital was often a separate piece from the column, cut out of a single block of polished sandstone. It depicts four Asiatic Lions standing side by side.
• They are mounted on an abacus with a frieze depicting an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull, and a lion in high relief, separated by spoked chariot wheels.
• The capital was once crowned by a 'Wheel of Dharma' with 24 spokes, fragments of which were discovered on the site. 

Chandragupta Maurya

• The Maurya Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
• He had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power westward across central and western India in order to take advantage of the disruptions of local powers in the wake of the withdrawal by Alexander the Great‘s armies.
• In 305 BCE, Seleucus I tried to reconquer the northwestern parts of India in order to claim them for the growing Seleucid Empire.
• Seleucus lost the Seleucid-Mauryan War, and the two rulers reconciled with a peace treaty.
• The Greeks offered a Macedonian princess for marriage to Chandragupta, and several territories, including the satrapies of Paropamisade (modern-day Kamboja and Gandhara), Arachosia (modern-day Kandahar), and Gedrosia (modern-day Balochistan).
• In return, Chandragupta sent 500 war elephants, a military asset that would play a decisive role in Seleucus’ victory against western Hellenistic kings at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BCE.
• In addition to this treaty, Seleucus dispatched two Greek ambassadors, Megasthenes and, later, Deimakos, to the Mauryan court at Pataliputra.
• According to the Jain accounts dated to 800 years after his death, Chandragupta abdicated his throne and became a Jain monk, traveled away from his empire to South India, and committed sallekhana or fasting to death. 
• Chandragupta Maurya ruled from 322 BCE until his voluntary retirement and abdication, in favor of his son, Bindusara, in 298 BCE.

Magadha was a region and one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, 'Great Kingdoms' of the Second Urbanization (600–200 BCE) in what is now south Bihar (before expansion) at the eastern Ganges Plain.

• Magadha played an important role in the development of Jainism and Buddhism. Important Points

1. Magadha became the most important mahajanapada in about two hundred years. Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through Magadha.
2. This was important for transport, and water supplies making the land fertile.
3. Parts of Magadha were forested. Elephants, which lived in the forest, could be captured and trained for the army. Forests also provided wood for building houses, carts, and chariots.
4. Besides, there were iron ore mines in the region that could be tapped to make strong tools and weapons.

Hence, Magadha becomes the most powerful mahajanpada in 200 years because it has Various rivers and forest areas. It has also the Iron ore mines.

The correct answer is Dharmashoka.

Key Points

•  Ashokan Pillar of Sarnath
  • It was carved out of a single block of polished sandstone.
  • It bears one of the edicts of Ashoka, which reads, “No one shall cause division in the order of monks.”
  • The pillar also records the visit of Ashoka to Sarnath. The year of his visit is said to be around mid 3rd century BC.
  • It consists of a canopy representing an inverted bell-shaped lotus flower.
  • His name appears as Dharmashoka in the inscription.
  • Currently, the pillar remains where it was originally sunk into the ground, but the capital is now on display at the Sarnath Museum.
  • The top of the column - the capital - has three parts.
    • First, a base of a lotus flower, the most ubiquitous symbol of Buddhism.
    • Second, a drum on which chakra and four animals are carved representing the four cardinal directions: a horse (west), an ox (east), an elephant (south), and a lion (north). 
    • Third, four lions stand atop the drum, each facing in the four cardinal directions. 

The correct answer is both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).Key Points

• Assertion (A) is true because there is historical evidence to suggest that Ajatashatru murdered his father, Bimbisara, in order to become the ruler of Magadha.
• Reason (R) is also true because it provides a motive for Ajatashatru's actions.
• If Ajatashatru was impatient to become the ruler of Magadha, then he would have had a strong incentive to murder his father, who was the current ruler.
• In addition, Reason (R) provides a logical explanation for Assertion (A).
• If Ajatashatru was impatient to become the ruler of Magadha, then he would have also been motivated to annex Kosala, which was a neighbouring kingdom.

• By annexing Kosala, Ajatashatru would have increased the size and power of his kingdom, which would have made him even more secure in his position as ruler.

​Therefore, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

The correct answer is Seleucus Nicator.Key Points

• Seleucus Nicator surrendered his territories to Chandragupta Maurya in around 305 BCE, which included parts of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• This was a significant achievement for Chandragupta Maurya as it expanded his empire and gave him access to important trade routes.
• Menander, also known as Milinda, was a Greek king who ruled over parts of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan in the 2nd century BCE.
  • While he did have interactions with the Mauryan Empire, he did not surrender his territories to Chandragupta Maurya.
• Demosthenes was an Athenian statesman and orator who lived in the 4th century BCE.
  • He had no connection to the Mauryan Empire or India.
• Gondophernes was a Parthian ruler, who ruled over parts of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan in the 1st century CE, several centuries after Chandragupta Maurya.
  • He also had no connection to the Mauryan Empire.

Additional Information

• Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, one of the largest empires in ancient India.
• He ruled from around 321 to 298 BCE and was succeeded by his son, Bindusara, and grandson, Ashoka.
• The Mauryan Empire was known for its centralized administration, including a sophisticated bureaucracy and a system of spies.
• It also had a strong military, with elephants as a key component.
• Seleucus Nicator was a Macedonian general who served under Alexander the Great.
• After Alexander's death, he became the ruler of the Seleucid Empire, which included parts of present-day Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
• Seleucus Nicator and Chandragupta Maurya are said to have formed an alliance, with Seleucus giving his daughter in marriage to Chandragupta in exchange for territories in India.
• However, some historians question the veracity of this account.