Maurya Empire (Part-II)

21. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranya Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Kanganahalli
(b) Sanchi
(c) Shahbazgarhi
(d) Sohgaura

Correct Answer: (a) Kanganahalli

Solution:Kanganahalli Buddha stupa is located on the bank of Bhima river in Kalaburagi district of Karnataka. There is a stone portrait of Ashoka along with his Queen below which 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) has been written.

22. Which one of the following edicts mentioned the personal name of Ashoka ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997]

(a) Kalsi
(b) Rummindei
(c) Special Kalinga Edict
(d) Maski

Correct Answer: (d) Maski

Solution:Ashokan history is mainly known by his inscriptions. More than 40 edicts of Ashok are acquired/procured. The personal name of Ashoka is mentioned in Gujarra, Maski, Nettur and Udagolam edicts.

23. In which of the following inscriptions the nae of 'Ashoka' has been mentioned ? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2007]

(a) Bhabru Edict
(b) Rock Edict XIII
(c) Rummindei Pillar Inscription
(d) Minor Rock Edict of Maski

Correct Answer: (d) Minor Rock Edict of Maski

24. Which one of the following inscriptions contains the name of Ashoka ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Gujarra
(b) Ahraura
(c) Brahmagiri
(d) Sarnath

Correct Answer: (a) Gujarra

25. The Rummindei Pillar of Ashoka was put up to mark - [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]

(a) Birth of Buddha
(b) Enlightenment of Buddha
(c) First Sermon of Buddha
(d) Demise of Buddha

Correct Answer: (a) Birth of Buddha

Solution:Ashoka visited Lumbini after the 20ᵗʰ year of his coronation. To mark the birthplace of Buddha, the pillar at Rummindei was erected along with some sacred stone structure. He condoned the Bali tax of Lumbini as it was the birthplace of Buddha and reduced the rate of land revenue from 1/6 to 1/8.

26. The Gujarra minor rock edict, in which the name of Ashoka is mentioned, is located in [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2008]

(a) Mirzapur
(b) Datia district of Madhya Pradesh
(c) Jaipur district of Rajasthan
(d) Champaran district of Bihar

Correct Answer: (b) Datia district of Madhya Pradesh

Solution:The name of Ashoka is mentioned in Gujarra minor rock edict, located in Datia district, madhya Pradesh. It was laid at the main road through Ujjain to Bharuch.

27. The only pillar on which Ashoka declares himself as the emperor of Magadha - [39ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1994]

(a) Minor pillar of Maski
(b) Rummindei pillar
(c) Queen pillar
(d) Bhabru pillar

Correct Answer: (d) Bhabru pillar

Solution:Bhabru (Bairat) inscription proves Ashoka as Buddhist. In the same inscription, he referred to himself as 'Piyadasi Raja' Magadha, i.e. the king of Magadha.

28. Kalsi is famous for - [U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2008]

(a) Buddhist Chaityas
(b) Persian Coins
(c) Rock edicts of Ashoka
(d) Temples of Gupta period

Correct Answer: (c) Rock edicts of Ashoka

Solution:Kalsi is located in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. It is famous for Ashokan rock edict.

29. Where in Uttarakhand, was a copy of Emperor Ashok's Rock Edicts discovered ? [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2007]

(a) Nainital
(b) Pauri
(c) Tehri
(d) Kalsi

Correct Answer: (d) Kalsi