Mauryan Rulers MCQ Quiz in मल्याळम - Objective Question with Answer for Mauryan Rulers - സൗജന്യ PDF ഡൗൺലോഡ് ചെയ്യുക

The correct answer is Megasthenes.

Key Points

• Megasthenes was an ancient Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus I Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya.
• He served as an envoy in the Mauryan capital, Pataliputra, during Chandragupta Maurya's reign in the 4th century BCE.
• Megasthenes authored the book “Indica”, which provides detailed accounts of India’s geography, culture, and administration during the Mauryan period.
• His writings are considered one of the earliest and most significant accounts of ancient India by a foreign traveler.
• Although the original text of “Indica” is lost, fragments of it survive through the works of later historians such as Arrian, Diodorus, and Strabo.

Additional Information

• Chandragupta Maurya:
  • He was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, ruling from 321 BCE to 297 BCE.
  • Chandragupta unified most of the Indian subcontinent under one administration, creating one of the largest empires in Indian history.
  • He was guided by his chief advisor and mentor, Chanakya (Kautilya), who wrote the Arthashastra, a treatise on statecraft and economics.
• Seleucus I Nicator:
  • He was a general under Alexander the Great and later became the ruler of the Seleucid Empire in West Asia.
  • Seleucus signed a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya, ceding territories like Afghanistan and Baluchistan to the Mauryan Empire.
  • This treaty strengthened diplomatic relations and led to the exchange of envoys like Megasthenes.
• Indica by Megasthenes:
  • It provides valuable insights into the Mauryan administration, society, economy, and geography.
  • Megasthenes described the Mauryan capital, Pataliputra, as a magnificent city with impressive fortifications and urban planning.
  • The text also highlights the caste system, religious practices, and the wealth of natural resources in ancient India.
• Other Greek Visitors to India:
  • Dionysius: An ambassador sent by Ptolemy II Philadelphus to the Mauryan court.
  • Heliodorus: A Greek ambassador from the Indo-Greek Kingdom, who later became a follower of Vaishnavism and erected the Heliodorus Pillar in Madhya Pradesh.

The Correct answer is Pushyamitra Shunga.

Key Points

• Pushyamitra Shunga was the founder of the Shunga Dynasty, which replaced the Maurya Dynasty.
• The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha Maurya, was assassinated by Pushyamitra Shunga during a military parade.
• Pushyamitra Shunga was the commander-in-chief of the Mauryan army under Brihadratha.
• The assassination marked the end of the Mauryan Empire, which had been in decline since the death of Emperor Ashoka.
• Pushyamitra Shunga later ascended the throne and became the first ruler of the Shunga Dynasty, establishing his reign in 185 BCE.
• The Shunga Dynasty is known for its promotion of Brahmanical culture and opposition to the spread of Buddhism.
• Pushyamitra Shunga is also remembered for his military campaigns, including his defense against the Indo-Greek invasions.

 Additional Information

• Vishnugupta Candraditya
  • Vishnugupta is sometimes referred to as a ruler of the Gupta Dynasty rather than the Maurya Empire.
  • He is mistakenly attributed as the last ruler of Maurya in some interpretations but lacks concrete evidence to support the claim.
  • The Gupta Dynasty existed centuries after the Mauryan Empire, known for its contribution to Indian culture and science during its "Golden Age."
• Ashoka
  • Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers of the Maurya Empire, known for his role in spreading Buddhism.
  • He reigned during the 3rd century BCE and is remembered for his edicts and efforts to promote non-violence.
  • Ashoka's death marked the beginning of the decline of the Maurya Empire, but he was not the last ruler.
• Avanti Varman
  • Avanti Varman was a ruler of the Utpala Dynasty in Kashmir, not connected to the Mauryan Empire.
  • He is known for his contributions to irrigation and agriculture, particularly the construction of the Vitasta Canal.
  • Avanti Varman's rule occurred much later than the Mauryan period.

Key Points

• The Junagarh inscription of King Rudradaman is an important epigraphical record.
• It provides information about Chandragupta Maurya's reign.
• The inscription mentions the construction of a dam during Chandragupta's period.
• It also highlights the administrative and engineering skills prevalent in his era.

Important Points

• Epigraphical evidence is crucial for understanding historical events and reigns.
• The Junagarh inscription provides valuable insights into the Maurya Empire.
• Such inscriptions help historians piece together the administrative and societal structures of ancient times.

Additional Information

• Mandsaur inscription of King Kumaragupta: This inscription belongs to the Gupta period and provides details about the reign of King Kumaragupta.
• Eran inscription of King Bhanugupta: This inscription provides information about the Gupta ruler Bhanugupta, highlighting his military achievements.
• Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela: This inscription is associated with the Kalinga king Kharavela and describes his conquests and achievements.

The Correct answer is 33.

Key Points

• The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions engraved on pillars, boulders, and cave walls, created during the reign of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (c. 268–232 BCE).
• These inscriptions are found across the Indian subcontinent, including regions in modern-day India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• The edicts are written in several languages, including Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic, and are inscribed in various scripts, such as the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts.
• The main purpose of these edicts was to propagate Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma (a code of moral and ethical conduct).
• The edicts can be classified into several categories: Pillar Edicts, Major Rock Edicts, and Minor Rock Edicts.
• They highlight Ashoka’s efforts to promote Buddhism, his dedication to the welfare of his people, and his emphasis on nonviolence, tolerance, and compassion.
• The most famous of these inscriptions is the Kalinga Edict, which reflects Ashoka’s remorse after the destructive Kalinga War and his subsequent commitment to nonviolence.
• The inscriptions are an important source for understanding the history, administration, and cultural practices of the Mauryan Empire.

 Additional Information

• Importance of the Edicts
  • The edicts provide insights into the administrative policies of the Mauryan Empire and Ashoka’s role as a ruler.
  • They emphasize principles such as religious tolerance, social welfare, and moral responsibility.
  • The inscriptions also demonstrate Ashoka’s adoption of Buddhism and his efforts to spread its teachings across his empire and beyond.
• Key Features of the Edicts
  • The inscriptions are unique for their use of multiple languages and scripts, reflecting the diversity of the Mauryan Empire.
  • They serve as some of the earliest examples of written records in Indian history, contributing significantly to the study of epigraphy and linguistics.
  • They are widely regarded as a testament to Ashoka’s progressive and humanitarian approach to governance.

The Correct answer is Prakrit and Brahmi.

Key Points

• Ashoka's edicts were primarily written in the Prakrit language, which was the common language spoken by the masses during his time.
• The script used in most of the edicts was Brahmi, which is one of the earliest scripts used in the Indian subcontinent.
• The use of Prakrit and Brahmi reflects Ashoka's effort to communicate his messages of Dhamma (moral law and nonviolence) to the majority of the population in a language they could understand.
• The inscriptions were carved on pillars, rocks, and caves, strategically located across the empire to ensure maximum reach.
• Some of the edicts were also written in Kharoshti script and other regional languages, depending on the geographical location.
• The messages in the edicts emphasized ethical conduct, religious tolerance, and the welfare of all beings, showcasing Ashoka's commitment to peace and governance.
• The Brahmi script later evolved into several scripts, including Devanagari, which is used in modern languages like Hindi and Sanskrit.
• The use of Prakrit and Brahmi in Ashoka's edicts marked a significant step in making royal decrees accessible to the common people.

 Additional Information

•  Sanskrit and Devanagari
  • Sanskrit was a language primarily used for religious and scholarly purposes during ancient times and later became central to Hindu scriptures and texts.
  • The Devanagari script emerged much later and is widely used for modern Indian languages like Hindi, Marathi, and Sanskrit.
  • Sanskrit and Devanagari were not used in Ashoka's edicts as they were not intended for scholarly or religious elites but for the common people.
•  Pali and Kharoshti
  • Pali was used in Buddhist texts, including the Tripitaka, and was closely related to Prakrit.
  • Kharoshti script was used in certain regions of Ashoka's empire, particularly in the northwest areas like present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  • Although some of Ashoka's edicts were written in Kharoshti, it was not the primary script or language used across the empire.
•  Greek and Latin
  • Greek was used in Ashoka's edicts located in the far-western regions of his empire, like Kandahar, as a result of cultural interaction with the Hellenistic world.
  • Latin was never used in Ashoka's edicts; it was a language of the Roman Empire, which had no direct connection to Mauryan India.

The correct answer is Chandragupta Maurya.

Key Points

• Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire in 322 BCE after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty.
• He was guided by his chief advisor, Chanakya (Kautilya), who authored the famous political treatise, Arthashastra.
• The Mauryan Empire was the first major centralized empire in ancient India, with its capital at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
• Chandragupta Maurya expanded his empire by defeating Seleucus I Nicator, a general of Alexander the Great, in 305 BCE, and established a treaty through matrimonial alliances.
• He later abdicated the throne and embraced Jainism, spending his final years in Karnataka at Shravanabelagola.

Additional Information

• Mauryan Empire:
  • The Mauryan Empire (322 BCE–185 BCE) is considered one of the largest and most powerful empires in Indian history.
  • It was known for its efficient administration, military prowess, and trade network.
• Chanakya (Kautilya):
  • A key figure in the establishment of the Mauryan Empire, Chanakya was a scholar of economics and political science.
  • He authored the Arthashastra, a comprehensive guide on governance, economics, and military strategy.
• Seleucus I Nicator:
  • A successor of Alexander the Great, Seleucus attempted to reclaim territories in India but was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya.
  • As part of the peace treaty, Chandragupta gifted Seleucus 500 war elephants, which played a significant role in Seleucus’ subsequent campaigns.
• Shravanabelagola:
  • A historical Jain pilgrimage site in Karnataka where Chandragupta Maurya is believed to have spent his final years as a Jain ascetic.
  • The site houses the famous monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali (Gommateshwara).

The correct answer is Pataliputra.

Key Points

• The capital city of the Mauryan Empire during its peak under Ashoka's rule was Pataliputra.
• Pataliputra was strategically located at the confluence of the Ganges and Son rivers.
• It served as the political, economic, and military center of the Mauryan Empire.
• Pataliputra was known for its grand architecture, including palaces, fortifications, and public buildings.
• Under Ashoka, Pataliputra became a significant center of Buddhist learning and culture.

Additional Information

• Formation of Pataliputra:
  • Pataliputra was originally a small fort built by the Magadha ruler Ajatashatru in the 5th century BCE.
  • It was later expanded and became the capital of the Magadha kingdom under the Nanda dynasty.
• Mauryan Empire:
  • The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE and became the largest empire in ancient India.
  • It was known for its centralized administration and the establishment of a bureaucratic system.
• Ashoka the Great:
  • Ashoka, one of the greatest rulers of the Mauryan Empire, reigned from 268 to 232 BCE.
  • He is known for his propagation of Buddhism and the spread of the Dhamma.
• Architectural Significance:
  • Pataliputra was famous for its wooden palaces and fortifications.
  • The city had a sophisticated drainage and water supply system.
• Buddhist Influence:
  • Under Ashoka, Pataliputra became a major center of Buddhist learning and culture.
  • Many Buddhist councils, including the Third Buddhist Council, were held in Pataliputra.