Unit 4 - Practice Quiz

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1 Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire?

A. Ashoka
B. Brihadratha
C. Bindusara
D. Chandragupta Maurya

2 Which Greek ambassador visited the court of Chandragupta Maurya and wrote the book 'Indica'?

A. Plutarch
B. Dionysius
C. Deimachus
D. Megasthenes

3 Which text is attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya) and serves as a primary source for Mauryan administration?

A. Indica
B. Arthashastra
C. Mahavamsa
D. Mudrarakshasa

4 In Greek sources, Bindusara is referred to as:

A. Devanampiya
B. Piyadassi
C. Sandrokottos
D. Amitrochates

5 The Kalinga War, a turning point in Ashoka’s life, is described in which Major Rock Edict?

A. Rock Edict V
B. Rock Edict I
C. Rock Edict X
D. Rock Edict XIII

6 What title did Ashoka generally use in his inscriptions?

A. Chakravartin
B. Devanampiya Piyadassi
C. Maharajadhiraja
D. Vikramaditya

7 Which script was predominantly used in Ashoka’s inscriptions found in the North-Western part of the empire?

A. Aramaic
B. Brahmi
C. Greek
D. Kharoshthi

8 The 'Saptanga Theory' of the state, detailing the seven limbs of administration, is found in which text?

A. Arthashastra
B. Indica
C. Rajatarangini
D. Divyavadana

9 Which Mauryan officer was responsible for the collection of revenue?

A. Antapala
B. Sannidhata
C. Samharta
D. Pradeshta

10 The term 'Dhamma' used by Ashoka is the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit word:

A. Karma
B. Dharma
C. Moksha
D. Dhyana

11 Which officer was specifically appointed by Ashoka to spread the message of Dhamma?

A. Rajukas
B. Dhamma Mahamattas
C. Yuktas
D. Pradeshikas

12 In the context of Mauryan art, what is the most striking feature of the Ashokan pillars?

A. Monolithic polished sandstone
B. Intricate marble carvings
C. Use of burnt bricks
D. Wooden structural support

13 The Lion Capital at Sarnath, adopted as India’s national emblem, originally supported:

A. A Bull
B. A statue of Buddha
C. A Dharma Chakra
D. A trident

14 According to the Arthashastra, who were the 'Gudhapurushas'?

A. Spies
B. Priests
C. Soldiers
D. Tax collectors

15 Which Mauryan ruler is said to have fasted to death at Shravanabelagola according to Jain tradition?

A. Ashoka
B. Dasharatha
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Bindusara

16 The Rummindei Pillar Inscription is significant because it:

A. Mentions the Kalinga War
B. Commemorates Ashoka's visit to Buddha's birthplace
C. Lists the animals protected by the king
D. Describes the city administration of Pataliputra

17 Who was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty?

A. Kunala
B. Samprati
C. Salisuka
D. Brihadratha

18 Which historian suggested that a 'Brahmanical reaction' against Ashoka's pro-Buddhist policies was a cause of the Mauryan decline?

A. H.P. Shastri
B. Romila Thapar
C. H.C. Raychaudhuri
D. D.D. Kosambi

19 The rock-cut caves at Barabar and Nagarjuni hills were primarily donated to which sect?

A. Shaivites
B. Ajivikas
C. Buddhists
D. Jains

20 The standard silver coin during the Mauryan period was known as:

A. Dinara
B. Nishka
C. Suvarna
D. Karshapana or Pana

21 Which Major Rock Edict mentions the replacement of 'Bherighosa' (sound of war drums) with 'Dhammaghosa' (sound of Dhamma)?

A. Rock Edict XI
B. Rock Edict IV
C. Rock Edict I
D. Rock Edict VI

22 According to Megasthenes, the administration of Pataliputra was conducted by:

A. Directly by the King
B. A single governor
C. Military generals
D. A council of 30 members divided into 6 committees

23 The 'Didarganj Yakshi' is a famous example of:

A. Gupta Sculpture
B. Mauryan Court Art
C. Mauryan Folk Art
D. Gandhara School of Art

24 What was the 'Sitadhyaksha' responsible for in the Mauryan administration?

A. Tolls and customs
B. Crown lands and agriculture
C. Royal mint
D. Trade and commerce

25 The Third Buddhist Council was convened at Pataliputra under the patronage of:

A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Bindusara
D. Kanishka

26 Which scholar argued that the 'economic crisis' was the primary cause of the decline of the Mauryan Empire?

A. H.C. Raychaudhuri
B. R.K. Mookerji
C. V.A. Smith
D. D.D. Kosambi

27 In the Mauryan judicial system, the 'Dharmasthiya' court dealt with:

A. Criminal cases
B. Civil disputes
C. Treason
D. Foreign affairs

28 Which Ashokan edict advocates for religious tolerance and respect for all sects?

A. Rock Edict XII
B. Rock Edict IX
C. Rock Edict II
D. Rock Edict VII

29 The drama 'Mudrarakshasa', which narrates the ascent of Chandragupta Maurya, was written by:

A. Harisena
B. Bhana
C. Vishakhadatta
D. Kalidasa

30 What was 'Vishti' in the Mauryan period?

A. A type of tax on water
B. A religious ritual
C. Forced labor
D. A gold coin

31 The Mauryan pillars were transported from the quarries of:

A. Taxila
B. Mathura
C. Chunar
D. Amravati

32 The 'Rajukas' in Ashoka's administration were equivalent to modern:

A. Ambassadors
B. District Collectors/Magistrates
C. Generals
D. Judges

33 Which of the following animals is NOT depicted on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital?

A. Horse
B. Deer
C. Elephant
D. Bull

34 Ashoka's contemporary Greek king 'Antiyoka' mentioned in the edicts has been identified as:

A. Antigonus Gonatas of Macedonia
B. Ptolemy II Philadelphus
C. Antiochus II Theos of Syria
D. Alexander the Great

35 The elaborate palace of Chandragupta Maurya at Pataliputra was primarily made of:

A. Wood
B. Burnt Brick
C. Stone
D. Marble

36 Who was the commander of the army in the Mauryan administration?

A. Senapati
B. Durgapala
C. Dandapal
D. Nayaka

37 The tax known as 'Udaka-bhaga' refers to:

A. Road cess
B. Sales tax
C. House tax
D. Irrigation tax

38 Which historian advocated the 'Pacific Policy' of Ashoka as the main cause for the military weakness and decline of the empire?

A. Romila Thapar
B. V.A. Smith
C. H.C. Raychaudhuri
D. R.C. Majumdar

39 The Ashokan pillar at Rampurva is distinct because it features a capital with a:

A. Lion
B. Horse
C. Bull
D. Elephant

40 According to the Arthashastra, what was the standard rate of 'Bhaga' (land revenue)?

A.
B.
C.
D.

41 Which province of the Mauryan empire had its capital at Taxila?

A. Prachya
B. Avantiratha
C. Dakshinapatha
D. Uttarapatha

42 The Lomas Rishi cave in the Barabar hills is famous for its:

A. Multiple stories
B. Statue of Ashoka
C. Chaitya arch entrance
D. Detailed frescoes

43 Ashoka's son who is said to have ruled Kashmir and established a Shiv temple there was:

A. Tivala
B. Jalauka
C. Kunala
D. Mahendra

44 What is the primary language of the Kandahar Edict of Ashoka?

A. Prakrit only
B. Tamil
C. Sanskrit
D. Greek and Aramaic

45 The term 'Bherighosa' refers to:

A. Sound of chanting monks
B. Sound of drums declaring war
C. Royal announcement of taxes
D. Sound of temple bells

46 Who was the 'Sannidhata' in the Mauryan administration?

A. Head of Spies
B. Chief Justice
C. Commander in Chief
D. Chief Treasurer

47 Which Buddhist text chronicles the history of the island of Sri Lanka and mentions Ashoka’s son Mahinda?

A. Mahavamsa
B. Anguttara Nikaya
C. Jataka
D. Milindapanho

48 Ashoka's Dhamma did NOT include which of the following?

A. Obedience to parents
B. Non-injury to animals
C. Worship of specific gods
D. Respect for Brahmans and Shramanas

49 The division of the Mauryan empire after Ashoka’s death is believed to have split into:

A. Eastern and Western parts
B. City-states
C. Three independent kingdoms
D. Northern and Southern parts

50 The monolithic pillars of the Mauryas are often compared to the art of which civilization due to the 'bell' capital shape?

A. Egyptian
B. Roman
C. Achaemenid (Persian)
D. Greek