Indian History and World History (Part-5)

Mauryan Period.

Total Questions: 47

21. Who among the following first deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837? [S.S.C. Online M.T.S. (T-I) 26.10.2021 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (a) James Prinsep
Solution:James Prinsep deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837 AD. He first uttered the Brahmi script with letters engraved on stone plates (inscriptions).

22. Which script was used in Ashoka's inscriptions? [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 2.09.2016 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (a) Brahmi
Solution:Most of the inscriptions of Ashoka were written in the Prakrit language and Brahmi script;

only two inscriptions - Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra script were in Kharoshthi rather than Brahmi.

A fractal inscription written in Aramaic script are from Taxila, bilingual Greek and Syrian language inscription written in Greek and Aramaic scripts from a place called Sharekuna and Ashokaโ€™s inscription written in

Aramaic script from a place called Langhama have been found.

23. Ashokan Minor Rock Edicts are found in different parts of India. Which of the following is NOT a find spot of Ashokan Minor Rock Edicts in Karnataka? [S.S.C. Online CGL (T-I) 21.04.2022 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (c) Rupnath
Solution:The Rupnath inscription is situated near the Kaimur hills in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh,

while the Maski inscription can be found in the Raichur district of Karnataka.

The Gavimath inscription is located in the Koppal district of Karnataka,

and the Brahmagiri inscription is situated in Chitradurga district, also in Karnataka.

These inscriptions are known as the Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka, and they are the earliest part of Ashoka's edicts, predating his Major Rock Edicts. They represent the first known edicts in the Indian language of Emperor Ashoka, inscribed in the Brahmi script.

The Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription, which is written in Greek and Aramaic, is the first known inscription of Ashoka.

24. Which dynasty came and ruled the Magadha kingdom immediately after the Maurya dynasty? [C.P.O. S.I. 5.06.2016 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (b) Sunga
Solution:The last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha was killed by Pushyamitra Sunga in 184 BC who founded the Sunga dynasty.

list of major ancient Indian empires along with their time period and significance:

Empire / DynastyTime Period (Approx.)Capital(s)Significance
Indus Valley Civilization3300 BCE โ€“ 1300 BCEHarappa, Mohenjo-daroFirst urban civilization in India; advanced town planning, trade, and drainage
Vedic Period (Aryans)1500 BCE โ€“ 600 BCEVarious JanapadasRise of Vedic culture, Sanskrit texts like Rigveda; formation of Mahajanapadas
Mahajanapadas600 BCE โ€“ 300 BCEMultiple capitals16 large kingdoms/republics; rise of Buddhism and Jainism
Maurya Empire321 BCE โ€“ 185 BCEPataliputraFirst pan-India empire; Chandragupta, Ashoka; promoted Buddhism
Shunga Dynasty185 BCE โ€“ 73 BCEPataliputraPost-Mauryan power; revival of Brahmanical traditions
Kanva Dynasty73 BCE โ€“ 28 BCEPataliputraShort-lived rule after Shungas
Satavahana Dynasty1st century BCE โ€“ 3rd century CEPratishthana (Paithan)Prominent in Deccan; promoted trade and Buddhism
Kushan Empire1st century โ€“ 3rd century CEPurushapura (Peshawar)Controlled NW India; King Kanishka promoted Buddhism and trade with Central Asia
Gupta Empire320 CE โ€“ 550 CEPataliputraGolden Age of India; advances in science, math, art, literature
Vakataka Dynasty250 CE โ€“ 500 CEVatsagulma / NandivardhanaAllied with Guptas; patrons of Ajanta caves
Harshavardhana Empire606 CE โ€“ 647 CEKannaujUnified much of North India post-Guptas; supported Buddhism and Nalanda
Pallava Dynasty275 CE โ€“ 897 CEKanchipuramStrong in South India; patrons of art and architecture (Mahabalipuram)
Chalukya Dynasty543 CE โ€“ 753 CEBadamiProminent in Deccan; built cave temples of Badami and Aihole

25. Who was the last ruler of Maurya dynasty? [S.S.C. Online Stenographer 13.09.2017 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (b) Brihadratha
Solution:The last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha was killed by Pushyamitra Sunga in 184 BC who founded the Sunga dynasty.

list of major ancient Indian empires along with their time period and significance:

Empire / DynastyTime Period (Approx.)Capital(s)Significance
Indus Valley Civilization3300 BCE โ€“ 1300 BCEHarappa, Mohenjo-daroFirst urban civilization in India; advanced town planning, trade, and drainage
Vedic Period (Aryans)1500 BCE โ€“ 600 BCEVarious JanapadasRise of Vedic culture, Sanskrit texts like Rigveda; formation of Mahajanapadas
Mahajanapadas600 BCE โ€“ 300 BCEMultiple capitals16 large kingdoms/republics; rise of Buddhism and Jainism
Maurya Empire321 BCE โ€“ 185 BCEPataliputraFirst pan-India empire; Chandragupta, Ashoka; promoted Buddhism
Shunga Dynasty185 BCE โ€“ 73 BCEPataliputraPost-Mauryan power; revival of Brahmanical traditions
Kanva Dynasty73 BCE โ€“ 28 BCEPataliputraShort-lived rule after Shungas
Satavahana Dynasty1st century BCE โ€“ 3rd century CEPratishthana (Paithan)Prominent in Deccan; promoted trade and Buddhism
Kushan Empire1st century โ€“ 3rd century CEPurushapura (Peshawar)Controlled NW India; King Kanishka promoted Buddhism and trade with Central Asia
Gupta Empire320 CE โ€“ 550 CEPataliputraGolden Age of India; advances in science, math, art, literature
Vakataka Dynasty250 CE โ€“ 500 CEVatsagulma / NandivardhanaAllied with Guptas; patrons of Ajanta caves
Harshavardhana Empire606 CE โ€“ 647 CEKannaujUnified much of North India post-Guptas; supported Buddhism and Nalanda
Pallava Dynasty275 CE โ€“ 897 CEKanchipuramStrong in South India; patrons of art and architecture (Mahabalipuram)
Chalukya Dynasty543 CE โ€“ 753 CEBadamiProminent in Deccan; built cave temples of Badami and Aihole

26. Which of the following rulers did NOT belong to the Mauryan Dynasty? [S.S.C. Online M.T.S. (T-I) 14.10.2021 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (d) Bimbisara
Solution:The real founder of Magadha empire was Bimbisara (544-492 BC). He belonged to the Haryanka dynasty. The rest of rulers belonged to the Maurya dynasty.

Main rulers of the Haryanka Dynasty, which ruled Magadha during ancient Indian history:

RulerReign Period (Approx.)Key Highlights
Bimbisarac. 544 BCE โ€“ 492 BCEFounder of the Haryanka dynasty; strong ruler of Magadha; contemporary of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira; expanded empire through marriage alliances
Ajatashatruc. 492 BCE โ€“ 460 BCESon of Bimbisara; imprisoned and killed his father to take the throne; fought wars with Licchavis and Kosala; supported Buddhism
Udayin (Udayabhadra)c. 460 BCE โ€“ 444 BCESon of Ajatashatru; founded Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) as the new capital of Magadha
Anuruddhac. 444 BCE โ€“ ?Descendant of Udayin; little known; continued dynasty's rule
Munda?Weak ruler; dynasty's power declined
NagadashakaLast Haryanka rulerOverthrown by his minister Shishunaga, ending the Haryanka dynasty

The Haryanka Dynasty was succeeded by the Shishunaga Dynasty.

27. The capital of the Mauryan Kingdom was located at ______. [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 4.09.2016 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (a) Pataliputra
Solution:Chandragupta Maurya founded Maurya Empire after defeating the last Nanda ruler Dhanananda with the help of his Guru Chanakya.

Pataliputra (modern Patna) was the capital of Chandragupta (Mauryan Empire), of which the Greek ambassador Megasthenes has given a detailed account.

28. Which was the capital of Maurya Empire? [S.S.C. Online Constable GD 15.02.2019 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (d) Pataliputra
Solution:Chandragupta Maurya founded Maurya Empire after defeating the last Nanda ruler Dhanananda with the help of his Guru Chanakya.

Pataliputra (modern Patna) was the capital of Chandragupta (Mauryan Empire), of which the Greek ambassador Megasthenes has given a detailed account.

29. Kalinga War was fought in the year ______. [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 20.01.2017 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (b) 261 BC
Solution:The first significant event of Ashokaโ€™s reign was the Kalinga War and Ashokaโ€™s victory in the war. The thirteenth inscription of Ashoka mentions the context of this war.

This happened 8 years after Ashoka sat on throne, i.e. happened in 261 BC. In this inscription, he has expressed grief and remorse over the suffering caused by the Kalinga war.

30. Emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhism after the : [S.S.C. Online M.T.S. (T-I) 13.10.2021 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (b) Kalinga War
Solution:Ashoka adopted Buddhism after observing the brutality of the Kalinga War. The Kalinga war was the most famous war fought between the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great and the State of Kalinga.