The document provides information about the Mauryan Empire through a series of questions and statements. It discusses the literary sources that describe the Mauryas, key figures like Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka, and aspects of their administration and policies. Ashoka is highlighted for renouncing war after the Kalinga conflict and promoting Dhamma, a philosophy of non-violence, truthfulness, and respect for all forms of life. He established edicts and sent officials to spread these principles across the empire. The document examines Ashoka's reign and legacy in detail through multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and short and long answer questions.

1. THE FIRST EMPIRE – the MAURYAS
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
I. Tick the correct answer.
1) The literary sources for the Mauryan period include the Indika and the
a. rock edicts
b. Arthashastra
c. coins
d. pillar edicts
2) _______ defeated Seleucus Nicator, a general of the Greek king Alexander.
a. Bindusara
b. Chankaya
c. Chandragupta Maurya
d. Bimbisara
3) Under _________, the Mauryan Empire spread across the whole of the Indian
subcontinent, except for Kalinga and few kingdoms in the south.
a. Ajatashatru
b. Ashoka
c. Kautiya
d. Bindusara
4) Ashoka gave up the policy of conquest through war and began to follow a policy of
conquest through
a. negotiations
b. trade
c. dharma
d. sea routes
5) Most of the edicts were in _______ script.
a. Brahmi
b. Prakrit
c. Devanagiri
d. Kharoshti
6) The ________ was the head of the district.
a. Yukta
b. Rajuka
c. Senapati
d. Pradeshta
7) Land revenue was fixed between one-fourth and ________ of the produce.
a. one-half
b. one-third
c. one-sixth
d. one-eighth
II. Complete the following sentences.
1) The book Indika was written by _________.
2) ________ was conquered first by Chandragupta Maurya.

2. 3) Ashoka appointed officers called __________ to spread Buddhism.
4) Under Ashoka, the _________ was the supreme authority.
5) The first census was done during the reign ________.
III. Given below are some statements. Tick the ones that you think are Ashoka’s.
Cross out the ones that you think are not his.
1) Respect only your own religion.
2) Treat your servants and slaves harshly.
3) War is a problem in itself; it is not a solution to any problem.
4) Never give money to a poor man.
5) Others have as much equal right to live as you.
IV. Give short answers for the following.
1) What do the Indika and the Arthashatra tell us about the Mauryas?
2) When was the Kalinga War fought? Why did Ashoka attack Kalinga?
3) What was Dhamma?
4) What do you know about the central administration of the Mauryas?
5) Write an account on Bindusara.
V. Give long answers for the following.
1) Why was the Kalinga War a turning point in the life of Ashoka?
2) What were the welfare measures adopted by Ashoka?
3) Write the steps taken by Ashoka to spread Dhamma.
4) Write short notes on - Administration of Pataliputra, Sources of revenue.
VI. High Order Thinking.
1) It is said that Ashoka was the first king who spoke directly to his people. How did
he do this?
2) Why did you think the Mauryan kings employed spies?
VII. List the principles of Ashoka’s Dhamma.
ASHOKA’S DHAMMA
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