Indian History and World History (Part-5)

Mauryan Period.

Total Questions: 47

1. Chandragupta Maurya was born in _______ [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 22.01.2017 (Shift-II)]

(a) 340 BC
(b) 563 BC
(c) 189 BC
(d) 99 BC

Correct Answer: (a) 340 BC

Solution:Chandragupta Maurya was born in 340 BC. He was the founder of the Maurya dynasty. He lived from 322 BC to 298 BC and ruled till Pataliputra was the capital of the Maurya Empire.

main rulers of the Mauryan Empire along with their reign periods and key highlights:

Ruler	Reign Period (Approx.)	Key Highlights
Chandragupta Maurya	321 BCE – 297 BCE	Founder of the Mauryan Empire; defeated the Nandas and Alexander’s successors; guided by Chanakya (Kautilya); later became a Jain monk
Bindusara	297 BCE – 273 BCE	Son of Chandragupta; expanded the empire further south; maintained diplomatic relations with foreign kingdoms
Ashoka the Great	273 BCE – 232 BCE	Most famous Mauryan ruler; after the Kalinga War, embraced Buddhism; spread Buddhism across Asia; erected edicts and pillars
Dasharatha Maurya	232 BCE – 224 BCE	Grandson of Ashoka; continued Ashoka’s policies, but the empire began weakening
Samprati	224 BCE – 215 BCE	Possibly a follower of Jainism; tried to hold the empire together
Salisuka	215 BCE – 202 BCE	Little known; ruled during decline of the empire
Devavarman	202 BCE – 195 BCE	Empire continued to weaken; regional powers began emerging
Satadhanvan	195 BCE – 187 BCE	Mauryan control was significantly reduced
Brihadratha Maurya	187 BCE	Last Mauryan ruler; killed by Pushyamitra Shunga, marking the end of the Mauryan Empire

2. Chandragupta led a revolt against the ______ and overthrew them. [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 18.08.2021 (Shift-I)]

(a) Kushanas
(b) Shishunagas
(c) Nandas
(d) Haryankas

Correct Answer: (c) Nandas

Solution:Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of his mentor and guide Chanakya, defeated the last Nanda ruler Dhanananda and established the Maurya dynasty. Pataliputra (modern Patna) was the capital of Chandragupta.

3. Who among the following kings founded the Maurya empire in ancient India? [S.S.C. Online C.H.S.L. (T-I) 19.04.2021 (Shift-III)]

(a) Chandragupta
(b) Dasaratha
(c) Bindusara
(d) Ashoka

Correct Answer: (a) Chandragupta

4. Who, with the help of Kautilya, overthrew Dhanananda, the last Nanda ruler, in 322 BC? [S.S.C. Online MTS (T-I) 07.07.2022 (Shift-III)]

(a) Ashoka
(b) Chandragupta Maurya
(c) Akbar
(d) Kalashoka

Correct Answer: (b) Chandragupta Maurya

Solution:Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of his mentor and guide Chanakya(Kautilaya), defeated the last Nanda ruler Dhanananda and established the Maurya dynasty. Pataliputra (modern Patna) was the capital of Chandragupta.

5. Chandragupta (322–298 BC) was the ruler of which dynasty? [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 25.01.2017 (Shift-III)]

(a) Maurya
(b) Mewar
(c) Mughal
(d) Peshwas

Correct Answer: (a) Maurya

Solution:Chandragupta (322-298 BC) belonged to the Maurya dynasty.

Chandragupta Maurya is counted among the great rulers of India. He was the first historical emperor of India, who established his rule over Greater India and extent of whose empire was larger than that of the British Empire. He was the first to unite India politically.

6. In the Seleucid Maurya war, Seleucus fought against which of the following Mauryan rulers? [S.S.C. Online CGL (T-I) 20.04.2022 (Shift-III)]

(a) Ashok
(b) Dasharath
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Samprati

Correct Answer: (c) Chandragupta Maurya

Solution:In the terrible Seleucid–Mauryan war on the north-west borders of India; mainly the Indus River Valley in the year 305-303 BC.

Seleucus and his Greek army could not withstand the destructive attack on them by the brave Indian fighters of the Mauryan Empire. The army of Chandragupta Maurya defeated the Greek invaders.

7. Chandragupta Maurya was an ardent follower of- [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 8.02.2017 (Shift-III)]

(a) Sikhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Buddhism
(d) Judaism

Correct Answer: (b) Jainism

Solution:Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Maurya dynasty. He was a follower of Jainism.

According to Jain texts, Chandragupta Maurya left the throne in favour of his son towards the end of his life and went to Shravanabelagola (Mysore) with the Jain monk Bhadrabahu.

In 298 BC, at Shravanabelagola (Mysore), he gave up his life by fasting according to the Jain method. It is called ‘Sallekhna’ in Jainism.

8. Where did Chandragupta Maurya spent his last days? [C.P.O. S.I. 5.06.2016 (Shift-II)]

(a) Kashi
(b) Pataliputra
(c) Ujjain
(d) Shravanabelagola

Correct Answer: (d) Shravanabelagola

Solution:Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Maurya dynasty. He was a follower of Jainism.

According to Jain texts, Chandragupta Maurya left the throne in favour of his son towards the end of his life and went to Shravanabelagola (Mysore) with the Jain monk Bhadrabahu.

In 298 BC, at Shravanabelagola (Mysore), he gave up his life by fasting according to the Jain method. It is called ‘Sallekhna’ in Jainism.

9. The ________ lake in Gujarat was an artificial reservoir built during the rule of the Mauryas. [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 4.03.2020 (Shift-I)]

(a) Pushkar
(b) Lonar
(c) Loktak
(d) Sudarshana

Correct Answer: (d) Sudarshana

Solution:Sudarshan Lake in Gujarat is an artificial reservoir which was built during the rule of the Mauryas.

This lake was constructed by Pushyagupta, the provincial ruler of Chandragupta Maurya. Ashoka's governor Tushaspa later built a canal to supply water from it.

Due to the unstable terrains, when the dam of this lake damaged due to heavy rains, its provincial ruler Suvishak got it repaired.

10. Whose son was Bindusara? [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 27.01.2017 (Shift-III)]

(a) Ashoka
(b) Akbar
(c) Chandragupta
(d) Shivaji

Correct Answer: (c) Chandragupta

Solution:Bindusara (298-273 BC) was the second Mauryan emperor of India. He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya and the father of Ashoka.