Maurya Empire (Part-II)

Total Questions: 45

1. The Stupa of Bharhut is a fine example of - [Raj. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (d) Shunga architecture
Solution:The Stupa of Bharhut is situated near Satna in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It was probably built around 150 B.C. in Sunga period. Stupa of Bharhut is a fine example of Shunga Architecture. This site represents the people's movement in sculptural art and architecture science of ancient India.

2. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below : [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

(Place)(Monuments/Ruins)
A. Kaushambi1. Dhamek Stupa
B. Kaushinagar2. Ghositarama Monastery
C. Sarnath3. Ranabhar Stupa
D. Shravasti4. Sahet-Mahet

Code :

ABCD
(a)2134
(b)4321
(c)2314
(d)4213

 

Correct Answer: (c)
Solution:The correctly matched list is as follows :
(Place)(Monuments/Ruins)
A. KaushambiGhositarama Monastery
B. KushinagarRanabhar Stupa
C. SarnathDhamek Stupa
D. ShravastiSahet-Mahet

3. In the course of pilgrimage, Emperor Ashoka visited the following places. Which route did he follow ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 1999]

Select the correct answer from the codes given below :
1. Gaya
2. Kapilavastu
3. Kushinagar
4. Lumbini
5. Sarnath
6. Shravasti
Code :

Correct Answer: (d) 4, 2, 1, 5, 3 and 6
Solution:After accepting the Buddhist religion, Ashoka stopped hunting and started pilgrimage trips. He went to Bodhgaya after 10 years of his coronation and Lumbini after 20 years.

Historian Vincent Arthur Smith has placed dhamma voyage (Dhamma yatra) in Ashoka with upgupta in his book 'Ashoka : the Buddhist Emperor of India' based on historical facts in the following order - Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti.

4. Language used in the inscription of Ashoka is ? [44ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]

Correct Answer: (b) Prakrit
Solution:Ashokan inscriptions describe the history of Ashoka properly. The inscription can be divided into three classes;
(1) Rock inscription / petrograph
(2) Column inscription
(3) Cave inscription.
Rock inscription is the group of 14 various inscriptions which were found at different places -
Shahbazgarhi, mansehra, Kalsi, Girnar, Dhauli, Jaugada, Yerraguddi and Sopara. Most of the inscritptions, Shahbajgarhi and Mansehra's are in Kharoshti script. One ruined inscription, written in Aramaic script, found from Taxila. Shar-i-Kuna (Kandhar Inscription) is in the bilingual (Greek-Aramaic script while one Aramaic script of Ashokan inscription was obtained from Laghman.

5. Which one of the following Ashokan inscription is in "Kharosthi" script ? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

Correct Answer: (c) Shahbazgarhi
Solution:Ashokan inscriptions describe the history of Ashoka properly. The inscription can be divided into three classes;
(1) Rock inscription / petrograph
(2) Column inscription
(3) Cave inscription.
Rock inscription is the group of 14 various inscriptions which were found at different places -
Shahbazgarhi, mansehra, Kalsi, Girnar, Dhauli, Jaugada, Yerraguddi and Sopara. Most of the inscritptions, Shahbajgarhi and Mansehra's are in Kharoshti script. One ruined inscription, written in Aramaic script, found from Taxila. Shar-i-Kuna (Kandhar Inscription) is in the bilingual (Greek-Aramaic script while one Aramaic script of Ashokan inscription was obtained from Laghman.

6. The earliest inscription on stone was in which language ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]

Correct Answer: (c) Prakrit
Solution:Ashokan inscriptions describe the history of Ashoka properly. The inscription can be divided into three classes;
(1) Rock inscription / petrograph
(2) Column inscription
(3) Cave inscription.
Rock inscription is the group of 14 various inscriptions which were found at different places -
Shahbazgarhi, mansehra, Kalsi, Girnar, Dhauli, Jaugada, Yerraguddi and Sopara. Most of the inscriptions, Shahbajgarhi and Mansehra's are in Kharoshti script. One ruined inscription, written in Aramaic script, found from Taxila. Shar-i-Kuna (Kandhar Inscription) is in the bilingual (Greek-Aramaic script while one Aramaic script of Ashokan inscription was obtained from Laghman.

7. The Brahmi script was first deciphered by letters inscribed on - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]

Correct Answer: (a) Stone tablets
Solution:The Brahmi script was first deciphered throught the letters inscribed on stone tablets. Sir James Prinsep was the first philologist who accomplished the task of deciphering the script of Ashokan inscription.

8. The first scholar who read Ashokan edicts was - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006, U.P.P.C.S. (GIC) 2010, U.P.S.C. (Pre) 1993]

Correct Answer: (c) James Prinsep
Solution:The Brahmi script was first deciphered throught the letters inscribed on stone tablets. Sir James Prinsep was the first philologist who accomplished the task of deciphering the script of Ashokan inscription.

9. Ashokan inscriptions were first deciphered by [U.P.P.C.S. (R.I.) 2014]

Correct Answer: (a) James Prinsep
Solution:The Brahmi script was first deciphered throught the letters inscribed on stone tablets. Sir James Prinsep was the first philologist who accomplished the task of deciphering the script of Ashokan inscription.

10. Who first deciphered the Brahmi script ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains), 48ᵗʰ to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (d) James Prinsep
Solution:The Brahmi script was first deciphered throught the letters inscribed on stone tablets. Sir James Prinsep was the first philologist who accomplished the task of deciphering the script of Ashokan inscription.