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Chapter 8 India During Mauryan Period

1A. Choose the correct alternative and write the complete sentences.

Question 1.
The first well-known king of the Haryank dynasty is _____________
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bimbisara
(c) Ajatashatru
(d) Mahapadma
Answer:
(b) Bimbisara

Question 2.
The Nanda dynasty was established by _____________
(a) Dhanananda
(b) Shishunaga
(c) Mahapadma Nanda
(d) Emperor Ashoka
Answer:
(c) Mahapadma Nanda

Question 3.
The great drama in Sankrit literature, Swapnavasavadatta, was written by _____________
(a) Kautilya
(b) Bharat
(c) Kalidasa
(d) Bhasa
Answer:
(d) Bhasa

1B. Find the incorrect pair from set B and write the correct ones.

Question 1.

Answer:
(b) Greek ambassador who visited India during the period of Chandragupta Maurya – Megasthenes

2. Choose the correct reason and complete the sentence.

Question 1.
Emperor Ashoka erected many pillars.
Reason _____________
(a) Spread of art
(b) Spread of ‘Dhamma’
(c) Growth of trade
(d) For recognition of his work
Answer:
(a) Spread of art

3. Explain the following Statements with reasons.

Question 1.
Ashoka’s victory at Kalinga proved to be a turning point in history as well as the life of Ashoka.
Answer:

• There was a great loss of human life in this (Kalinga)war. Ashoka became victorious.
• The destruction caused due to the Kalinga war brought about a great change in the mind of Ashoka.
• His mind got diverted towards the non-violent, peaceful Buddhist religion.
• The desire of Digvijaya was replaced by Dharma Vijaya (Dhamma Vijaya).
• His career proved to be important because of the religious ideals propagated by him and the creation of a mechanism to until it in people’s life.

Question 2.
The war between Chandragupta and the Greek King Seleucus was very important.
Answer:

• Chandragupta Maurya defeated the Nandas and established the Mauryan dynasty.
• In the text of Mahavamsa, Chandragupta is referred to as ‘the emperor of Jambudvipa i.e. emperor of Bharatvarsh’.
• The Mauryas created a huge empire by conquering the big and small states in the northwest, north, and southern regions.
• As a consequence, the boundaries of the Mauryan Empire extended to the Hindukush in the northwest.
• The Mauryan Empire extended from Hindukush to the Bay of Bengal in the east and Gujarat in the west, as well as the Himalayas in the north to the Krishna river in the south.
• Thus, the war between Chandragupta and the Greek King Seleucus was very important.

Question 3.
The Mauryan administration acquired a definite form.
Answer:

• Chandragupta Maurya was a valiant king and an efficient administrator.
• He set up a defined mechanism of state administration which suited the economic conditions and the needs of the Maurya empire.
• The Mauryan emperors created a unified empire.
• At the same time, they devised a decentralized administrative system for the efficient functioning of the empire.

4. State your opinion.

Question 1.
Chandragupta Maurya is the first Chakravarti emperor in the history of India.
Answer:

• The concept of ‘Chakravarti’ occurs in the literature on ancient Indian polity.
• The sovereign ruler whose chariot could roll in all four directions without any obstruction was known as Chakravarti.
• It was expected that his rule should be ethical and for the welfare of the state.
• During his tenure, the wheel of ‘Ruta’ remains intact. His rule is on an extended territory.
• Thus, Chandragupta Maurya was the first Chakravarti Emperor.

Question 2.
The rock edicts of Ashoka are an important source of history.
Answer:

• The rock edicts and pillar inscriptions are found in many places in the regions of Afghanistan, Nepal, and India.
• These rock edicts and pillar inscriptions give information about the boundaries of the Mauryan empire.
• Ashoka’s effects to spreads Buddhist ideals and the written evidence of the spread of Buddhism and Indian culture in distant countries through the Buddhist monks sent by Ashoka occurs in these inscriptions.
• Thus, the rock edicts of Ashoka are an important source of history.

Question 3.
Various trade guilds developed during the Mauryan period.
Answer:

• During the Mauryan period, there was an increase in revenue due to a well-organized taxation system.
• Several industries and professions flourished during this period.
• As a result of this these professions were organised into trade guilds, for e.g., there were guilds of carpenters, weavers, farmers, etc.
• Thus, Various trade guilds developed during the Mauryan period.

5. Observe the map/picture on page 58 of your textbook and answer the questions based on it.

Question 1.
Regions included in Ashoka’s Empire.
Answer:
Regions of Afghanistan, Nepal, and India are included in Ashoka’s Empire.

Question 2.
Locations of Ashoka’s rock and pillar edicts.
Answer:
Ashoka’s rock edicts are found in locations such as Mansehra, Taxila, Kalsi, Toshali, Maski, Kupaga, Brahmagiri, Siddhapur, Sopara, Girnar, Kasi, Rupnath, Bairat.
Ashoka’s pillar edicts are found in locations such as Topra, Meerut, Nigliva, Rummindei, Lauruja Nandangarh, Saurya, Araraj, Ramparva, Sanchi, Sannati.

Activity

Collect information about the stupas during the period of Ashoka.
Answer:
In the Mauryan Period, mainly in the period of Ashoka numerous stupas were built and scattered all over the country. The stupas of solid domes were constructed of brick or stone of different sizes. The Ashoka stupas were constructed to celebrate the achievements of the Gautam Buddha. It is said that 84,000 stupas were built all over the country. One example of a stupa constructed by Ashoka is that of Sanchi Stupa.