#1. Which one of the following statements about Chandragupta II is not correct ?

Kalidas and Amarsingh were famous scholars in his court

He expanded his empire both through matrimonial alliances and conquests

He married a Naga princess, named Kubera Naga

He married his daughter Prabhawati to an Ahom prince

#2. Ashvaghosha, who has written the marvelous work “Buddhacharita” was a court poet of which among the following kings?

Ashoka

Kanishka

Samudragupta

Ajatshatru

#3. Which of the following language not used in Ashoka’s Edicts?

Prakrit

Greek

Aramaic

Sanskrit

#4. Which of the following dynasties had a role in the construction and maintenance of the Sanchi Stupa?

Mauryas

Sungas

Kanvas

Satavahanas

#5. From which of the following months did the Mauryan fiscal year use to begin?

Phalgun (March)

Asadha (July)

Jyestha (June)

Pausa-Magha (January-February)

#6. The most striking example of the architectural closeness between Achaemenid Iran and Mauryan India was:

The stone elephant at Dhauli

The lion-capital at Sarnath

The royal palace at Pataliputra

Terracotta objects found at various Mauryan sites

#7. The reign of the Kushana monarch Kanishka was a turning point in the history of Buddhism, because:

It witnessed the rise of Mahayanism

Buddhism was introduced in China and Central Asia in his time

Both (a) and (b)

The images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas began to be carved out during this period

#8. At which among the following places, Chandragupta Maurya spent his last days ?

Nalanda

Ujjain

Shravana Belgola

Kashi

#9. Which of the following is known as the Turning of the Wheel of Law (Dharma- Chakrapravartana)?

The first sermon preached by the Buddha at the Deer Park at Sarnath

The practice of setting the wheell in motion everyday in the morning in the sanghas

The extinction of karma leading to the achievement of nirvana

The continuous existence of human beings like the wheel of causes and effects

#10. Kumara Gupta I was succeded by

Chandra gupta II

Budha gupta

Samundra gupta

Skanda gupta

#11. For the first time in Indian History, the description of the State Administration was found for which among the following periods?

Gupta Period

Maurya Period

Shunga Period

Saatvahana Period

#12. What was the function of Samaharta in Mauryan Administration?

To Collect Revenue

To Work as a Judge

Leadership of Army

Delivering Justice

#13. Which of the following is not one of the common points of significance of both Rajagriha and Vaishali?

Both places are associated with the miracles preformed by the Buddha

At both places one of the Buddhist councils was held

At both places a stupa was built with the mortal remains of the Buddha enshrined in them

Both places were important centres of Buddhist art

#14. Which among the following was the first investigated pillar of Ashkoa?

Delhi Meerut Pillar

Barabar cave

Dhauli

Sarnath

#15. Which of the following metals were mostly used for minting coins during the Mauryan period?

Bronze and gold

Gold and lead

Silver and copper

Lead and silver

#16. Pushyamitra Shunga, who was originally a Senapati of the Mauryan empire and assassinated the last Mauryan Emperor Brihadrath in 185 BC was a ____.

Brahaman

Kshatriya

Vaishya

Shudra

#17. There is only one edict, in which Ashoka refers himself as King of Magadha (Laja Magadhe.) Identify the edict from the following:

Minor Rock Edict of Maski

The Queens Edict

Bhabhru Edict

Dhauli Pillar Inscription

#18. Ceylon became a stronghold of which among the following branches of Buddhism?

Mahayan

Hinayan

Mahendra

Theravada

#19. Who among the following kings was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Buddha ?

Ajatshatru

Nandivardhana

Bimbisara

Ashoka

#20. The governor under Chandragupta Maurya who constructed the Sudarshana Lake is?

Parnadatta

Tusaspa

Pushagupta

Chakrapalita

#21. The followers of which of the following sects worshipped the Ashoka Tree as God and carried in their hands a bunch of peacock feathers?

Shakta

Pashupata

Ajivika

Digambar Jain

#22. The majority of the Buddhist vases in India are found in Western Maharashtra because:

The Sahyadri mountain in western Maharashtra with its hard trap was best suited for rock-cut architecture

There was a long-standing tradition in this region of royal patronage to rock-cut architecture

The caves in this region provided a safe sanctuary away from foreign invaders

Many of the royal dynasties of Western India were patrons of Buddhism

#23. The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following?

Mahapadma Nanda

Chandragupta Maurya

Ashoka

Samudragupta

#24. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the given rulers of ancient India?

Ashoka—Kanishka—Milinda

Milinda—Ashoka—Kanishka

Ashoka—Milinda—Kanishka

Milinda—Kanishka—Ashoka

#25. After the Kalinga war, Ashoka

restored all the kingdoms he had conquered

abandoned the policy of physical conquests in favour of cultural conquests.

renounced his kingdom and became a sadhu

followed the policy of physical occupation more rigorously

#26. Which of the following was not a state monopoly during the Mauryan period?

Mines and forests

Pearl and fisheries

Ferries and bridges

Slaughter houses and gambling houses

#27. One of the following Mauryan provinces, which had a foreign (Yavana-Greek) Governor, was:

Southern province — Suvarngiri

Eastern province — Tosali

Western province — Ujjain

Saurashtra — Junagarh

#28. Which of the following was not one of the checks on the powers of the Mauryan kings?

Customs of the land

Guilds

Brahmins

Mantri-parishad

#29. Ring wells are identified for the first time in?

Later Vedic age

Pre-mauryan age

Mauryan period

Post-Mauryan

#30. Which of the following books serves as a source for the Mauryan period?

Historica

Indica

Suttapitaka

Jain Purvas

#31. Who of the following officers were charged with superintendence of women?

Dhamma-mahamattas

Ithijhakha-mahamattas

Anta-mahamattas

Antahpur-adhyakshas

#32. Who patronized the third Buddhist council held at Pataliputra?

Kanishka

Ashoka

Kalasoka

Ajatashatru

#33. The Mauryan state had monopoly over which of the following sectors?

Mining and Metallurgy

Coins and currency

Armaments and ship building

All the above

#34. Which of the following would be the most accurate description of the Mauryan monarchy under Ashoka?

Enlightened despotism

Centralised autocracy

Paternal despotism

Guided democracy

#35. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?

Jatakas – Mauryan chronology and genealogy

Puranas – Ashoka’s efforts to spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka

Dipavamsa – Socio-economic conditions of the Mauryan period

Digha nikaya – Influence of Buddhist ideas on Mauryan polity

#36. The most informative source about Mauryan administration is?

Indica

Arthashastra

Ashokan Inscriptions

Buddhist Chronicles

#37. Which of the following public health measures was not punishable under the Mauryan public health laws?

Throwing dirt, mud or dead bodies on public thoroughfares

Polluting the water tanks or sources of water

Taking the dead bodies for cremation or burial along paths not meant for the purpose

Treating patients and selling herbs and drugs without securing registration

#38. Which of the following statements about the officers designated as mahamattas in Mauryan adminstration is correct?

These officers were charged with the responsibility of propagating Buddhism

They were appointed as viceroys of various provinces

The term was used for any senior official irrespective of the duties assigned to him

It is a Prakrit expression for the Sanskrit word amatya

#39. Four major provinces of the Mauryan empire were the Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern provinces, each under the vice-royalty of a prince or a member of the royal family. Which of the following provincial capitals of the Mauryan empire was the capital of the Northern province?

Suvarnagiri

Tosali

Ujjain

Taxila

#40. Which of the following statements about the Mauryan kings is not correct?

They had extensive powers encompassing administrative, judicial, and legislative functions

They laid claim to divinity

Appointments to the most important offices were made by the ruler himself

The kings often laid down codes of regulation for the guidance of their officers and the people

#41. The lowest order in the social scale of Mauryan society was not a slave but the outcaste. Which of the following statements about the outcastes is not correct?

Their caste names referred directly to their profession or work

They accepted the position of social ostracism

They lived together with their families outside the towns

They were not allowed to perform any rituals

#42. Who of the following was not one of the later Mauryas who succeeded Ashoka?

Dasharatha

Samprati

Shalishuka

Shubhagasena

#43. Which of the following supposed causes of decline and disintegration of the Mauryan Empire is the least likely?

Succession of weak kings after Ashoka and the partition of the empire after Ashoka

Military inactivity on account of Ashoka’s pacifist policies

Brahmanical revolt against the pro-Buddhist policy of Ashoka

Absence of national consciousness and representatitive institutions

#44. Which of the following was not one of the reasons for gradual weakening of the Mauryan finances?

Need for vast revenues to maintain a huge but inactive army

Need for finances to maintain a very large bureaucracy

Unfavourable balance of trade with foreign countries

The strain on the exchequer of Ashoka’s charitable public works

#45. The officer of the Central Government, who was in-charge of collection of revenue, was:

Adhyaksha or Superintendent of Departments

Sannidhata or High Treasurer

Samaharta or Collector General

Karmika or Clerk

#46. Pushyamitra Sunga, who killed the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and founded the Sunga dynasty, was a:

Prime Minister of the Mauryas

General of the Mauryas

Both (a) and (b) above

Feudatory ruler

#47. Which of the following was a measure adopted by the later Mauryas to meet the needs of a depleted treasury?

Increase in taxes

Imposition of new taxes

debasement of currency

Increase of exports

#48. Which of the following statements about the Mauryan Council of Ministers (mantri-parishad) is not correct?

The members of the council were personally selected by the king

The number of members of the council was fixed and it consisted of three councillors and a Chief Minister

It was specially consulted in times of emergency

It may have acted as a political check on the king

#49. Which of the following states of India did not form part of the Mauryan empire?

Kerala

Tamil Nadu

Both (a) and (b) above

Kashmir

#50. How long did the entire Mauryan dynasty last according to the Puranas?

218 years

137 years

85 years

182 years

#51. On what basis is it held that on the east the province of Vanga (part of modern Bengal) formed part of the Mauryan empire?

Discovery of Ashokan edicts in this part of Bengal

Tamralipti, the principal port of the area, was one of the most important maritime centres during the Mauryan period

Megasthenes’ Indica mentions Chandragupta’s conquest of the region

Buddhist traditions associate Ashoka with propagation of Buddhism in Bengal

#52. Which of the following was not one of Hellenic kings to whom diplomatic missions were sent by Ashoka?

Xerxes of Macedonia

Antiochus II Theos of Syria

Ptolemy II Philadelphos of Egypt

Antigonus Gonatas of Macedonia

#53. The Mauryan king who issued the Nagarjuni Hill Cave Inscriptions and assumed the royal title of Devanampriya was:The Mauryan king who issued the Nagarjuni Hill Cave Inscriptions and assumed the royal title of Devanampriya was:

Ashoka

Dasharatha

Bindusara

Brihadratha

#54. Towards health care, the most important measures taken by Ashoka was/were:

He opened dispensaries for the treatment of both human beings and animals

He got the herbs and plants, needed for medical purposes, cultivated

Both (a) and (b) above

He made arrangements for safe drinking water in the whole of his empire

#55. The major contribution of the Third Buddhist Council convened by Ashoka was:

It purged the Buddhist sangha of its dissenters

At this conference kathavatthu was compiled by its President Moggaliputta Tissa

It decided to dispatch Buddhist missions to various parts of India and foreign countries

All the above

#56. Who of the following was the last of the Mauryas, assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra, the founder of the Shunga dynasty?

Samprati

Devavarman

Shatadhanvan

Brihadratha

#57. In which of the following Major Rock Edicts does Ashoka introduce the institution of dhamma-mahamatta for the first time?

Rock Edict II

Rock Edict III

Rock Edict IV

Rock Edict V

#58. Who of the following dedicated the caves in Nagarjuni Hills to the Ajivikas?

Kunala

Dasharatha

Samprati

Indrapalit

#59. According to which of the following sources is Ashoka said to have built the city of Srinagar?

Buddhist tradition

Jain tradition

Tibetan tradition

Kalhana’s Rajatarangini

#60. Which of the following statements about the conversion of Ashoka to Buddhism is generally believed to be correct?

It took place as a dramatic event soon after the Kalinga War

Ashoka was never converted to Buddhism; he only borrowed some if its ideas to propound his doctrine of dhamma

His conversion to Buddhism was a gradual process

He became a convert to Buddhism under the influence of Upagupta

#61. Which of the following was not one of the reasons why the conquest of Kalinga was of strategic and economic importance to the Mauryan empire?

It stood in the way of the southern routes from the Ganges valley

It was also a powerful maritime state and, therefore a convenient source of income

Its rich and fertile land could contribute to the economic prosperity of the empire

It provided congiguity to the Mauryan territories of Andhra and Bengal

#62. Which of the following was not the result of the Kalinga War?

The number of casualties of combatants and non- combatants is stated to have been around four lakhs

The cruel consequences of war revolutionized the personality and public policies of Ashoka

He wages no wars after the Kalinga War

The strength of the Mauryan army was curtailed

#63. According to which of the following sources, did Ashoka in his old age abdicate the throne in favour of his grandson Samprati?

Ashokavadana

Divyavadana

Mahavamsa

Gargi-Samhita

#64. Which of the following is not one of the sources for determining the geographical extent of the Mauryan empire during the reign of Ashoka?

The distribution of his rock and pillar edicts

The contents of his inscriptions

The literary and religious traditions

Numismatic evidence

#65. Which of the following was the contribution of the Mauryas to the Tamil culture?

Brahmi script

Art of engraving stone inscriptions

Prakrit language

The art of stone-cutting and sculpture

#66. Which one among the following statements about Ashokan edicts is correct?

The Pillar edicts were located in all parts of the empire

The edicts give details of his personal concerns but are silent on events of the empire

The subject of inscribed matter on Rock edicts differs completely with that of the Pillar edicts

The Greek or Aramaic edicts are versions or translations of the texts used in other edicts

#67. Which of the following statements about the Mauryan relations with Sri Lanka is not correct?

The coming of Mahendra and Sanghmitra to Sri Lanka was the First official contact between the two countries

The king of Sri Lanka, Tissa, adopted the title of Devanampirya and appears to have modelled himself on Ashoka

There were frequent exchanges of gifts and envoys

Tisas the Sinhalese king, accepted Buddhism and appears to have made it the state religion

#68. Which of the following was not one of the reasons for the failure of dhamma?

Ashoka’s excessive enthusiasm produced a reaction against it

It failed to provide a solution to the problems which it set out to solve

It was too vague a solution, because the problems lay at the very roots of the system

It was too idealistic a concept, which could not break the social and sectarian barriers

#69. Rock Edict XIII (also known as Separate Rock Edict, because it is not found elsewhere) is regarded as one of the most important documents of Ashokan history, because:

It expresses his regret and remorse at the suffering caused by the Kalinga War

It expresses a new idea of conquest that of dhamma- vijaya instead of victory by war and violence

It is the longest of the fourteen major Rock Edicts and is recorded in a tone of recapitulation

All the above

#70. Which edict of Ashoka contains the famous pronouncement: “at all times, whether I am eating, or I am in the women’s apartments, or in my inner apartments, or at the cattleshed, or in my carriage, or in my gardens—wherever I may be—my mahamatta should keep me in touch with public business”?

Rock Edict II

Rock Edict IV

Rock Edict VI

Rock Edict VIII

#71. In spite of his conversion to Buddhism and the concept of dhamma-vijaya, Ashoka was not a total pacifist. Which of the following does not confirm this view?

He felt sorry for the suffering caused by Kalinga War, but did not give up the conquered territory

After the conquest of Kalinga, Ashoka consolidated his southern conquests

In dealing with the troublesome forest tribes he clearly recognized the possibility of the use of force

He did not abolish capital punishment and granted only a brief reprieve to the condemned prisoners

#72. Which of the following was not one of the contributions of Ashoka to India polity and culture?

Political and cultural unification of the country

Religious toleration and promotion of communal harmony

A non-agressive foreign policy based on equality between the big and small states

Reform in criminal justice and revolutionary changes in the social system

#73. What was the subject of Rock Edict I issued by Ashoka?

Prohibition of animal sacrifice and festive meetings (samaja)

Measures of social welfare undertaken for the benefit of the people

Liberality to Brahmins and Sramanas

Visit to Bodh-Gaya

#74. The dhamma mahamattas (dharma mahamatras) appointed by Ashoka were entrusted with the job of:

Checking the abuses in the administration of justice

The moral uplift of the people through propagation of dhamma

Management of the welfare activities of the state

All the above

#75. Which of the following edicts/inscriptions does not belong to the category directed to the sangha?

Kandahar Inscription

Bhabra Edict

Schism Edict

Nigalisagar Inscription

#76. Ashoka himself considered his policy of dhamma as:

The essence of original Buddhism as preached by the Buddha

A way of life which was both practical and convenient as well as highly moral

The ideal of virtuous life based on moral teachings of various thinkers

The essence of all religions or the common religion of mankind

#77. In social matters Ashoka’s most revolutionary concept was:

Proper behavior to slaves, servants, elders etc.

His opposition to wasteful social rituals and ceremonies at marriages, births, journeys etc.

His opposition to social entertainments, such as the samajas

All the above

#78. One of the strongest arguments in support of the view that Ashoka’s dhamma was not a religious policy but a secular concept is the:

Appointment of dhamma-mahamattas

Emphasis laid by him on respect for the elders

Stress laid on the importance of the family

Stress on the maintenance of concord with all sects

#79. To promote communal harmony Ashoka asked the people:

To attend to the essential elements of their religions rather than the non-essential ones

Not to glorify their own sect and be little another’s sect

To maintain concord (samvaya) with all creeds

All the above

#80. List-I List-II

3 4 1 2

4 3 2 1

2 1 4 3

1 2 3 4

#81. The edicts of Ashoka which reveal his inner sorrow on account of war and violence are:

Dhauli and Jaugada

Shahbazgarhi and Sopara

Maski and Bhabra

Mansehra and Girnar

#82. Which of the following is not one of the broad categories into which the edicts issued by Ashoka can be divided?

Public pronouncements meant for his subjects

Personal epistles directed to the Sangha

Pronouncement explaining the philosophy of Buddhism and its relevance in day-to day life

Edicts issued for the propagation of dhamma

#83. List-I List-II

1 2 3 4

2 1 4 3

3 4 2 1

4 3 1 2

#84. Information in respect of which of the following cannot be obtained from the edicts and inscriptions of Ashoka?

The sectarian and communal conflict of the period

Working of the inner mind of Ashoka

Administrative reforms introduced by Ashoka

The social, religious and economic life of the people of his time

#85. Which of the following steps was not taken by Ashoka to promote and patronise Buddhism?

He erected a commemorative pillar at the place where the Buddha was said to have been born

Lumbini was made free of religious cess and revenue was reduced to only one-eighth share (of the produce)

He got thousands of dissenter monks expelled from the Ashokarama monastery

He tooka a great deal of personal interest in the welfare of the monks and the nuns

#86. List-I List-II

1 4 2 3

2 1 3 4

3 2 4 1

4 3 1 2

#87. The following questions consist of two statements, Statement I and Statement II. You are to examine these two statements carefully and select the answers to these questions using the codes given below Codes

Both the statements are true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

Both the statements are true, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I

Statement I is true, but Statement II is false

Statement I is false, but Statement II is true

#88. The family member of Ashoka mentioned in his edicts, is:

His second wife Karuvaki

His son Tivara

His wife Asandhamitra

His daughter Sanghamitra

#89. Consider the following statements

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

#90. Which one is the correct chronological order in which the given rulers ruled over Magadha?

1, 2 and 3

3 only

2, 3 and 4

4 only

#91. Which among the following materials were used for minting coins during the rule of the Mauryas?

Gold and Silver

Silver and Copper

Copper and Bronze

Gold and Copper

#92. Who among the following performed Asvamedha sacrifice?

1 only

1 and 2

1, 2 and 3

1, 2, 3 and 4

#93. List-I List-II

1 3 4 2

2 3 4 1

4 3 2 1

3 4 2 1

#94. Which of the following administrative measures was not undertaken by Ashoka?

The monarch started the practice of royal tours and instituted quinquennial circuits of officers

He issued a code of conduct to his officials

He tried to save people from miscarriage of justice

Release of the convicts on the mercy petition moved by his ministers

#95. What were the impacts of Kautilya’s Arthashastra in Mauryan empire ?

1 only

2 only

3 only

All of them

#96. The Dhamma propagated by Ashoka was

the tenets of Buddhism

a mixture of the philosophies of Ajivikas and Charvakas

a system of morals consistent with the tenets of most of the sects of the time

the religious policy of the state

#97. What is the most significant difference in the message of the pillar Edicts as compared to the Rock Edicts?

The main stress in the Pillar Edicts is on social welfare measure

There is a hint of fanaticism about dhamma and of megalomania in the Pillar Edicts

The Pillar Edicts are mainly devoted to the moral aspects of dhamma and Ashoka’s attachment to Buddhism

Rock Edicts are addressed to common people and Pillar Edicts to the Buddhist order

#98. In which of the following respect do the Ashokan epigraphs not help us to draw historical inferences?

In delineating the boundary of the Mauryan empire

In inferring Ashoka’s relations with his border countries

In inferring the impact of Kalinga War on the non- combatants

In deriving conclusions regarding his relations with the members of his family

#99. Which one among the following statements is not correct?

Gandhara School of Arts owed its origin to the Indo- Greek rulers but the real patrons of the school were the Kushans, especially Kanishka

Rich carving, elaborate ornamentations and complex symbolism were not the main features of the Gandhara sculpture

The Graeco-Roman architectural impact modified the structure of the Buddhist Stupas

The artists of the Amravati School of Arts mainly used white marble

#100. Which of the following contains the pronouncement: “All men are my children”?

Rock Edict V

Pillar Edict VI

Separate Rock Edict I

Separate Rock Edict II

#101. Who of the following was a contemporary of Alexander, the Great?

Bimbisara

Chandragupta Maurya

Ashoka

Pushyamitra Sunga

#102. With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:

1 only

2 and 3 only

3 only

1, 2 and 3

#103. In which of the following edicts/inscriptions does Ashoka express his faith in the Buddhist creed?

Schism Edict

Bhabru Edict

Kandahar Inscription

Rummindei Inscription

#104. Consider the following with reference to the disintegration and decline of the Mauryan Empire:

1, 2 and 4

2 and 4

1 and 3

1, 2, 3 and 4

#105. The head of a district (Ahara), the principal coordinator of the revenue and the officer incharge of general and military functions in his jurisdiction during Mauryan empire was known as

Krori

Rajuka

Foujdar

Chirastadar

#106. Consider the following statements regarding Ashoka’s Dhamma is not correct ?

1 and 4

2 and 3

2 and 4

None of these

#107. Ashokan inscriptions of Mansehra and Shahbazgadhi are written in

Prakrit language, Kharoshthi script

Prakrit language, Brahmi script

Prakrit-Aramaic language, Brahmi script

Aramaic language, Kharoshthi script

#108. The Kushana kings assured title of Devaputra Kushana Kanishka’s predecessors also were assuming titles like Sarvaloka Isvara Mahisvara. This shows that Kushana Kings–

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

#109. The first Indian ruler to be shown in images as wearing a dress akin to trousers is

Chandragupta

Ashoka

Kanishka

Samudragupta

#110. Which of the following statements is not true with reference to the production of commercial goods in the post Mauryan period?

1 only

2 only

2 and 3

3 and 4

#111. The only inscribed stone portrait of Emperor Ashoka has been found at

Sanchi

Amaravati

Kanaganahalli

Ajanta

#112. Arrange the following dynasties in chronological order in terms of their arrival in India

1, 2, 3 and 4

1, 3, 4 and 2

2, 1, 3 and 4

2, 3, 1 and 4

#113. Which one of the following dynasties was associated with Gandhara School of Art ?

Chalukyas

Guptas

Kushanas

Mauryas

#114. List-I List-II

A – 3, B – 4, C – 1, D – 2

A – 2, B – 4, C – 3, D – 1

A – 4, B – 1, C – 2, D – 3

A – 1, B – 3, C – 4, D – 2

#115. List-I List-II

1 2 3 4

2 1 4 3

3 4 2 1

3 4 1 2

#116. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the given rulers of ancient India?

Ashoka—Kanishka—Milinda

Milinda—Ashoka—Kanishka

Ashoka—Milinda—Kanishka

Milinda—Kanishka—Ashoka

#117. The highly polished monolithic Ashokan Pillars were carved out of single pieces of a buff-coloured sandstone, usually mined from the quarries of

Chunar near Mirzapur

Lauriya in Nandangarh

Sarnath near Varanasi

Udayagiri near Bhubaneshwar

#118. In which of the following edicts did Ashoka order that “whosoever monk or nun breaks up the Sangha, after being clothed in white garments, shall take up abode in a place other than a monastery”?

Sarnath Edict

Kausambi Edict

Sanchi Edict

The Queen’s Edict

#119. Which one of the following chronological orders of the given dynasties of India is correct ?

Maurya-Nanda-Kanva-Sunga

Nanda-Maurya-Sunga-Kanva

Nanda-Maurya-Kanva-Sunga

Maurya-Nanda-Sunga-Kanva

The Mauryan Empire MCQ Questions and Answers

Results

#1. Which one of the following statements about Chandragupta II is not correct ?

#2. Ashvaghosha, who has written the marvelous work “Buddhacharita” was a court poet of which among the following kings?

#3. Which of the following language not used in Ashoka’s Edicts?

#4. Which of the following dynasties had a role in the construction and maintenance of the Sanchi Stupa?

#5. From which of the following months did the Mauryan fiscal year use to begin?

#6. The most striking example of the architectural closeness between Achaemenid Iran and Mauryan India was:

#7. The reign of the Kushana monarch Kanishka was a turning point in the history of Buddhism, because:

#8. At which among the following places, Chandragupta Maurya spent his last days ?

#9. Which of the following is known as the Turning of the Wheel of Law (Dharma- Chakrapravartana)?

#10. Kumara Gupta I was succeded by

#11. For the first time in Indian History, the description of the State Administration was found for which among the following periods?

#12. What was the function of Samaharta in Mauryan Administration?

#13. Which of the following is not one of the common points of significance of both Rajagriha and Vaishali?

#14. Which among the following was the first investigated pillar of Ashkoa?

#15. Which of the following metals were mostly used for minting coins during the Mauryan period?

#16. Pushyamitra Shunga, who was originally a Senapati of the Mauryan empire and assassinated the last Mauryan Emperor Brihadrath in 185 BC was a ____.

#17. There is only one edict, in which Ashoka refers himself as King of Magadha (Laja Magadhe.) Identify the edict from the following:

#18. Ceylon became a stronghold of which among the following branches of Buddhism?

#19. Who among the following kings was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Buddha ?

#20. The governor under Chandragupta Maurya who constructed the Sudarshana Lake is?

#21. The followers of which of the following sects worshipped the Ashoka Tree as God and carried in their hands a bunch of peacock feathers?

#22. The majority of the Buddhist vases in India are found in Western Maharashtra because:

#23. The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following?

#24. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the given rulers of ancient India?

#25. After the Kalinga war, Ashoka

#26. Which of the following was not a state monopoly during the Mauryan period?

#27. One of the following Mauryan provinces, which had a foreign (Yavana-Greek) Governor, was:

#28. Which of the following was not one of the checks on the powers of the Mauryan kings?

#29. Ring wells are identified for the first time in?

#30. Which of the following books serves as a source for the Mauryan period?

#31. Who of the following officers were charged with superintendence of women?

#32. Who patronized the third Buddhist council held at Pataliputra?

#33. The Mauryan state had monopoly over which of the following sectors?

#34. Which of the following would be the most accurate description of the Mauryan monarchy under Ashoka?

#35. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?

#36. The most informative source about Mauryan administration is?

#37. Which of the following public health measures was not punishable under the Mauryan public health laws?

#38. Which of the following statements about the officers designated as mahamattas in Mauryan adminstration is correct?

#39. Four major provinces of the Mauryan empire were the Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern provinces, each under the vice-royalty of a prince or a member of the royal family. Which of the following provincial capitals of the Mauryan empire was the capital of the Northern province?

#40. Which of the following statements about the Mauryan kings is not correct?

#41. The lowest order in the social scale of Mauryan society was not a slave but the outcaste. Which of the following statements about the outcastes is not correct?

#42. Who of the following was not one of the later Mauryas who succeeded Ashoka?

#43. Which of the following supposed causes of decline and disintegration of the Mauryan Empire is the least likely?

#44. Which of the following was not one of the reasons for gradual weakening of the Mauryan finances?

#45. The officer of the Central Government, who was in-charge of collection of revenue, was:

#46. Pushyamitra Sunga, who killed the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and founded the Sunga dynasty, was a:

#47. Which of the following was a measure adopted by the later Mauryas to meet the needs of a depleted treasury?

#48. Which of the following statements about the Mauryan Council of Ministers (mantri-parishad) is not correct?

#49. Which of the following states of India did not form part of the Mauryan empire?

#50. How long did the entire Mauryan dynasty last according to the Puranas?

#51. On what basis is it held that on the east the province of Vanga (part of modern Bengal) formed part of the Mauryan empire?

#52. Which of the following was not one of Hellenic kings to whom diplomatic missions were sent by Ashoka?

#53. The Mauryan king who issued the Nagarjuni Hill Cave Inscriptions and assumed the royal title of Devanampriya was:The Mauryan king who issued the Nagarjuni Hill Cave Inscriptions and assumed the royal title of Devanampriya was:

#54. Towards health care, the most important measures taken by Ashoka was/were:

#55. The major contribution of the Third Buddhist Council convened by Ashoka was:

#56. Who of the following was the last of the Mauryas, assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra, the founder of the Shunga dynasty?

#57. In which of the following Major Rock Edicts does Ashoka introduce the institution of dhamma-mahamatta for the first time?

#58. Who of the following dedicated the caves in Nagarjuni Hills to the Ajivikas?

#59. According to which of the following sources is Ashoka said to have built the city of Srinagar?

#60. Which of the following statements about the conversion of Ashoka to Buddhism is generally believed to be correct?

#61. Which of the following was not one of the reasons why the conquest of Kalinga was of strategic and economic importance to the Mauryan empire?

#62. Which of the following was not the result of the Kalinga War?

#63. According to which of the following sources, did Ashoka in his old age abdicate the throne in favour of his grandson Samprati?

#64. Which of the following is not one of the sources for determining the geographical extent of the Mauryan empire during the reign of Ashoka?

#65. Which of the following was the contribution of the Mauryas to the Tamil culture?

#66. Which one among the following statements about Ashokan edicts is correct?

#67. Which of the following statements about the Mauryan relations with Sri Lanka is not correct?

#68. Which of the following was not one of the reasons for the failure of dhamma?

#69. Rock Edict XIII (also known as Separate Rock Edict, because it is not found elsewhere) is regarded as one of the most important documents of Ashokan history, because:

#71. In spite of his conversion to Buddhism and the concept of dhamma-vijaya, Ashoka was not a total pacifist. Which of the following does not confirm this view?

#72. Which of the following was not one of the contributions of Ashoka to India polity and culture?

#73. What was the subject of Rock Edict I issued by Ashoka?

#74. The dhamma mahamattas (dharma mahamatras) appointed by Ashoka were entrusted with the job of:

#75. Which of the following edicts/inscriptions does not belong to the category directed to the sangha?

#76. Ashoka himself considered his policy of dhamma as:

#77. In social matters Ashoka’s most revolutionary concept was:

#78. One of the strongest arguments in support of the view that Ashoka’s dhamma was not a religious policy but a secular concept is the:

#79. To promote communal harmony Ashoka asked the people: