Maurya Empire (Part-III)

41. In which of the following inscription mentioned Chandragupta and Ashoka both ? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

(a) Nasik inscription of Gautami putra Shatkarni.
(b) Junagarh inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman
(c) Girnar inscription of Ashoka
(d) Junagarh inscription of Skandgupta.

Correct Answer: (b) Junagarh inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman

Solution:Few centuries before the Christian era, the Mauryan emperors, Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka focussed on the water resource management in Girnar region. The Governor of Chandragupta Maurya's Western Province Pushyagupt built Sudarshan Lake and The Governor of Emperor Ashok, Tushasp took out canals from the lake. The Junagarh inscription of Shaka ruler Rudradaman describes the works of both Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka. 2 century A.D., the lake was repaired by the Governor of Rudradaman Suvisakh. According to the question, he did this work after the Christian era. Thus he is not included in the answer, so the correct answer for the question is Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka.

42. In which of the following inscriptions, Ashoka's edicts are also found ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

(a) Janagarh Inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman
(b) Nashik Prashasti regarding Gautamiputra Satakarni
(c) Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharvavela
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (a) Janagarh Inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman

Solution:Ashoka's edicts are also found on Junagarh Inscription of Mahakshtrapa Rudradaman. It also includes the edicts of Gupta ruler Skandagupta. There was an inscription with fourteen edicts of Ashoka on a larger boulder within 2 km of Uparkot fort. The edicts also narrate the story of Sudarshan Lake which was repaired by Rudradaman-I.

43. Which one of the following is not true about the Barabar hill caves ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

(a) There are in all four caves on the Barabar hill
(b) Inscriptions of Ashoka are found on the walls of three caves.
(c) These inscriptions inform us about the dedication of these caves to the Ajivakas
(d) These inscriptions date back to 6ᵗʰ century BC.

Correct Answer: (d) These inscriptions date back to 6ᵗʰ century BC.

Solution:Barabar caves are situated in Jahanabad district of Bihar. These caves were hewed out from rocks for monks to live in. There are four caves on the Barabar hill out of which inscriptions of Ashoka are found on the walls of three caves. These caves were used by ascetics from the Ajivaka sect (founded by Makkhali Gosala). These rock-cut caves are related to the Mauryan period (321-184 BC).

44. Among Mauryan idols, the idol inscribed with the name Manibhadra (Yaksha) was found from which place ? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) Jhing-ka-Nagra
(b) Noh village
(c) Besnagar
(d) Parkham

Correct Answer: (d) Parkham

Solution:Among Mauryan idols, the idol inscribed with the name Manibhadra (Yaksha) was found from Parkham, which is a place in the vicinity of Mathura. The statue which is an important artefact of the art of Mathura, is now visible in the Mathura museum. The statue is associated with Yaksha deity Manibhadra, who was a popular deity in ancient Indian.

45. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004]

List-I	List-II
1. Lothal	Ancient Dockyard
2. Sarnath	First Sermon of Buddha
3. Rajgir	Lion Capital of Ashoka
4. Nalanda	Great Seat of Buddhist Learning

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Code :

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 1 and 2

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4

Solution:Lothal-Ancient Dockyard, Sarnath First Sermon of Buddha, Nalanda Great seat of Buddhist learning, all these are correct but Rajgir-Lion capital of Ashoka is not correct.

46. The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on : [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2002]

(a) A conflict between Gods and Demons of ancient Hindu lore
(b) A romantic story of an Aryan prince and a tribal woman
(c) The story of the power struggle between two Aryan
(d) The court intriues at the time of Chandragupta maurya

Correct Answer: (d) The court intriues at the time of Chandragupta maurya

Solution:According to Dr. K. P. Jayaswal, Visakhadatta and Chandragupta were contemporary. His play "Mudrarakshasa' describes the actions of Chandragupta Maurya. He described the presence of 'Durabhisandhi' in the court of Chandragupta Maurya.