Maurya Empire (Part -I)

11. Kautilya's Arthashastra is a book on -: [63ʳᵈ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

(a) economic relations
(b) principles and practice of statecraft
(c) foreign policy
(d) wealth accumulation
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Solution:Arthashastra by Kautilya is the treatise on polity during the Mauryan monarch/Kingdom. The Saptang theory of the state was introduced in it, which includes the seven elements of the states, these are - The King (Swami), Minister (Amatya), Territory (Janpada), Fort (Durg), Treasury (Kosa), Army (Danda) and Allies (Mitra). Arthashastra gives its detailed description about the then administration and agrarian system.

12. The Arthashastra of Kautilya is a [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

(a) Play about Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Biography
(c) History of Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Book on Principles of Government

Correct Answer: (d) Book on Principles of Government

Solution:Arthashastra by Kautilya is the treatise on polity during the Mauryan monarch/Kingdom. The Saptang theory of the state was introduced in it, which includes the seven elements of the states, these are - The King (Swami), Minister (Amatya), Territory (Janpada), Fort (Durg), Treasury (Kosa), Army (Danda) and Allies (Mitra). Arthashastra gives its detailed description about the then administration and agrarian system.

13. Which one of the following is the seventh part of the State according to Saptang Theory of State ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Re-Exam) (Pre) 2015]

(a) Janapada
(b) Durga
(c) Mitra
(d) Kosha

Correct Answer: (c) Mitra

Solution:According to Saptang Theory of State, Mitra (Ally) is the seventh part of the state ; Ally is like the ear of the state. Allies of King assist him in peace and war. In this context, Kautilya differentiates between idealistic and fake allies. Natural is better than artificial. Any King, whose friend is gredy, prurient and coward, ruin is inevitable.

14. Kautilya's Arthashastra deals with the aspects of - [45ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]

(a) Economic life
(b) Political policies
(c) Religious life
(d) Social life

Correct Answer: (b) Political policies

Solution:Arthashastra renders a wide range of information about Mauryan dynasty. This is the unique saga of political policies. Arthashastra explores issues of social welfare, the collective ethics that hold a society together, advising the king that in times and in areas devasted by famine, epidemic such acts of nature or by war, he should initiate public projects such as creating irrigation waterways and building forts around major stratagic holdings and towns and exempt taxes on those affected.

15. According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ? [U.P.S.C. (pre) 2022]

1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by er master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master's son.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Solution:As per Dasa-Kalpa chapter of Arthashastra, a person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment. Also if a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally set free, however this son will not have any legal status of the master's son.

16. Which of the following can be compared to 'Prince' of Machiavelli ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994]

(a) Kalidasa's 'Malvikagnimitram'
(b) Kautilya's 'Arthashastra'
(c) Vatsyayana's 'Kamasutra'
(d) Thiruvalluvar's 'Thirukkural'

Correct Answer: (b) Kautilya's 'Arthashastra'

Solution:Arthashastra is the unique book of political science which is compared with "The Prince" (il princepe) of Machiavelli, the great Italian thinker.

17. Deimachus came to India during the reign of - [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bindusara
(c) Ashoka
(d) Kanishka

Correct Answer: (b) Bindusara

Solution:According to Strabo, Syrian king Antiochus I - Soter sent his ambassador Deimachus to the court of Bindusara.. He replaced Megasthenes.

18. Ashoka won the Avanti Mahajapad and merged in the Mauryan empire during Bindusara ruled. What text does it refer to ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

(a) Samant Pasadika of Buddha Ghosh
(b) Arthashastra of Kautilya
(c) Ashtadhyayi of Panini
(d) Mahabhashya of Patanjali

Correct Answer: (a) Samant Pasadika of Buddha Ghosh

Solution:Ashoka won the Avanti Mahajanpad and merged it in the Mauryan empire during Bindusara rule. This is mentioned in the Samant Pasadika written by Buddha Ghosh.

19. Chandragupta's palace situated at Pataliputra is mainly made up of - [41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Bricks
(b) Stones
(c) Woods
(d) Clays

Correct Answer: (c) Woods

Solution:The archaeological remains of the Mauryan period have been discovered in Bulandibagh and Kumrahar near Patna (Ancient Pataliputra). It is known that the palace of Chandragupta Maurya was made of woods. The excavation was carried out by D.B Spooner. The remains of the Patliputra city wall from Bulandibagh and the remains of palace from Kumhrar have been found during the excavation.

20. The remains of which ancient city have been found at the Kumrahar site ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

(a) Vaishali
(b) Pataliputra
(c) Kapilavastu
(d) Shravasti

Correct Answer: (b) Pataliputra