Mauryan Age MCQ Questions (Ancient Indian History)

• Ashoka's dhamma Policy
  • Ashoka made an example of himself for others by strictly following the principles of dhamma.
  • The Dhamma propagated by Ashoka was a system of morals consistent with the tenets of most of the sects of the time.
  • He went to all the places associated with the life of Gautama Buddha.
  • He ordered the construction of a large number of Buddhist monasteries.
  • He dispatched Buddhist scholars to distant parts of the world to propagate the philosophy of Buddhism.
  • His son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra went to Sri Lanka to spread the message of dhamma.
  • Ashoka also appointed special officers known as Dhammamahamatras to spread and enforce the principles of Buddhism throughout the empire.
  • He got principles of dhamma engraved in Prakrit on rocks, pillars, and caves so that the masses could read and practice them.
  • He organized the third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra to discuss the ways and means of propagating Buddhism.
  • Ashoka established the idea of paternal kinship.
  • He regarded all his subjects as his children and believed it the king's duty to look after the welfare of the subjects.
  • Through his edicts, he said everybody should serve parents, revere teachers, and practice ahimsa and truthfulness.
  • He asked everyone to avoid animal slaughter and sacrifice.
  • He expounded humane treatment of animals, servants, and prisoners.
  • He advocated tolerance towards all religions.
  • He sought conquest through Dhamma and not war.
  • Most of his edicts are written in Pali and Prakrit in Brahmi script.
  • Some are written in the Kharoshti and Aramaic scripts also.
  • There are some edicts written in Greek as well.
  • The language depends on the location of the pillar.

• Kalinga War
  • Ashoka is considered one of the greatest rulers of Indian history who ruled between 273BC to 232BC.
  • The Kalinga war was fought in 261BC which was the turning event of his life.
  • The war caused large-scale destruction where 1,00,000 soldiers and civilians were killed.
  • After the war, Ashoka renounced violence and embraced Ahimsa, the teaching of Buddha.
  • He implemented the principles of Ahimsa in his empire and spread Buddhism.
  • He banned violent sports activity and hunting.
  • He tried to maintain friendly relations with neighbours and avoided war.
  • Inspired by buddha he advocated the principles of Dhamma which promoted the morality of the empire.
  • Thus, it is cleared that after the Kalinga War, Ashoka adopted the Policy of Ahimsa.

• Battle of the Hydaspes
  • Battle of Hydaspes was fought in the year 326 BC.
  • It was fought between Alexander The Great and King Porus.
  • It was fought on the Banks of River Jhelum.
  • Alexander defeated Porus in the battle but restored him his Kingdom.
  • Alexander stayed in India for 19 months.
• Battle of the Tarain​
  • The First Battle of Tarain was fought between The Ghurids (Muzz-Ad-din Mohammad Ghori) against The Chahamanas on 13th November 1191.
  • The Ghurids (Muzz-Ad-din Mohammad Ghori) were represented by Mu'izz-Ad-Din Mohammad Ghori's Army and The Chahamanana was represented by Prithviraj Chauhan.
  • The First Battle of Tarain was fought at Tarain presently (Taraori, Haryana).
  • The Ghurids king (Mu'izz-Ad-Din Mohammad Ghori) and his Army captured the Tabarhindah Fort (Presently Bathinda), which was presumably under The Chahamana's control.
  • In 1191, Prithviraj Chauhan marched against The Ghurids (Ghori's) Army when he got the news of the Invasion of The Ghurids Army he moved with his Infantry, Cavalry force, and an Elephant Force.
• Magadha - Anga war
  • Magadha came into prominence under his leadership.
  • He had a rivalry With Avanti king Pradyota, but later became friends.
  • Bimbsara even sent his royal physician Jivaka to Ujjain, when Pradyota had jaundice.
  • The most notable conquest by Bimbisara was that of Anga.

The answer is Mudra Rakshasa.

• The Mudrarakshasa is a Sanskrit-language play by Vishakhadatta that narrates the ascent of king Chandragupta Maurya to power in India.
• Though it was written during Gupta Period, it describes how Chandragupta Maurya get Chanakya's assistance to overthrow the Nandas.
• It also gives an excellent account of the prevailing socio-economic conditions.

Literary Sources for Mauryan History:

• Mauryan Emperor Ashoka is the person whose name was also 'Devanampiya Piyadassi'.
  • "Devanampiya" means "Beloved of the Gods". It is often used by Ashoka in conjunction with the title Priyadasi, which means "He who regards others with kindness".
• Ashoka was the last major emperor of the Mauryan dynasty of India.
  • He ruled the Mauryan dynasty from 268 BC to 232 BC.
  • Following his successful conquest of the Kalinga country on the east coast, Ashoka renounced armed conquest.
  • He adopted a policy that he called “conquest by dharma” (i.e., by principles of right life).
  • His nature was full of sincerity. Ashoka conquered the Kalinga country (modern Orissa state) in the eighth year of his reign. It was at this time that he came in touch with Buddhism and adopted it.
  • He built a number of stupas and monasteries and erected pillars on which he ordered inscribed his understanding of religious doctrines.

• Emperor Ashoka sent Buddhist missions to various places to spread the principles of Dhamma (Buddhist teachings).
• His son, Mahendra (also referred to as Mahinda), and daughter, Sanghamitra, were sent to Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka).
• They played a key role in establishing Theravada Buddhism as the major religion in the region.
• Sanghamitra is known for carrying a sapling of the sacred Bodhi Tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment, to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
• The tree that grew from the sapling is known as the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and is one of the most sacred relics of Buddhists in Sri Lanka.
• As a result of their efforts, Buddhism grew strong roots in Sri Lanka and continues to be the majority religion there today.

• Ashoka:
  • Ashoka, the third emperor of the Mauryan dynasty, ruled almost the entire Indian subcontinent from 268 to 232 BCE.
  • He is notably remembered for his conversion to Buddhism following the Kalinga War in 262-261 BCE. The war resulted in a vast loss of life and suffering, which deeply impacted him and led to his embrace of Buddhism.
  • Post-conversion, Ashoka became known for his principles of non-violence (ahimsa), love, truth, tolerance, and vegetarianism, which he called "Dhamma" or "Dharma".
  • He attempted to spread these principles throughout his empire, as well as neighbouring states, via envoys and inscriptions on pillars known as the "Edicts of Ashoka".
  • Ashoka is credited for significant efforts in spreading Buddhism beyond the Indian subcontinent. His son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra were sent on a Buddhist mission to Ceylon (current Sri Lanka).
  • He also built and supported numerous stupas (Buddhist monuments), sponsored the Buddhist council, and played a pivotal role in ordaining monks and nuns.
  • Ashoka's emblem of the "Lion Capital" atop the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India, is adopted as the National Emblem of India.

The answer is Ashoka.

• The Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally built in the 3rd century BCE by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is believed to house the ashes of the Buddha.
• Sarnath Pillar was also constructed by Ashoka.

• The famous Great Stupa is located at Sanchi in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh.
• It is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the country and the largest stupa at the site.
• The simple structure was damaged at some point during the 2nd century BCE. It was later repaired and enlarged and elements were added, it reached its final form in the 1st century BCE.
• The Great Stupa and Sanchi's other Buddhist monuments were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.

Chandragupta Maurya (321 BCE - 297 BCE):

• Founder of the Maurya Dynasty and is credited with the setting up of the first (nearly) pan-Indian empire.
• Known as Sandrakottos to the Greeks and Androkottus by Aerian and Plutark.
• William Jones was the 1st scholar who recognized Sandrokottos as Chandragupta Maurya.
• Kautilya mentored Chandragupta and prepared him for a takeover of Magadha.
• Set up a vast centralized empire (details of whose functioning, society, military, and economy are well preserved in Kautilya's Arthashastra).
• Defeated the invading army of the Eastern part of Alexander's empire Seleucus (305 BCE).​
• Megasthenese was a Greek ambassador sent to the court of Chandragupta Maurya.
• Chandragupta in his later years accepted Jainism.
  • Accompanied Bhadrabahu to Karnataka and later died by following the ritual of sallekhana, i.e., fasting till death.

Bindusara (297 BCE - 273 BCE):

• 2^nd Mauryan Emperor of India and he was the son of Chandragupta Maurya.
• Known as Amitrochates to the Greeks. In Jain texts, he was known as Simhasena.
• Antiochus sent Deimachus as an ambassador to Bindusara's court.
• Chanakya also remained the chief advisor of Bindusara.
• Bindusara was an able monarch who was successful in consolidating the empire established by his father.
• Bindusara patronized the Ajivikas.

Ashoka the Great (268 BCE - 232 BCE):

• 3^rd king of the Mauryan Empire.
• He was known for:
  • Renunciation of war after the Kalinga war.
  • Development of the concept of Dhamma (pious social conduct, welfare of humanity).
  • Promotion of Buddhism.
  • Effective reign of a nearly pan-Indian political entity.
• Under Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire stretched from modern-day Iran through almost the entirety of the Indian subcontinent.
• Ashoka initially rules this vast empire through the political treatise's precepts known as the Arthashastra.
• In his inscriptions, he was called Devanampriya or Devanapiyadasi.​
• Most of the inscriptions were written in the Prakrit language in the Brahmi script except only two which were in the Kharoshti script.
• In 1837, James Prinsep become the 1^st scholar who deciphered Ashoka's inscription.

Brihadratha:

• Last Mauryan ruler.
• Assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga and established his own Sunga dynasty.

• The Samaharta was one of the most important executive officials in the Mauryan administration.
• His primary responsibility was to oversee the collection of taxes from all types of sources.
• Most of the superintendents, or adhayakshas, who were responsible for running various economic departments, functioned under his orders.
• He played a crucial role in the revenue system of the Mauryan empire.

Arthashastra:

• It was written by Kautilya (Chanakya).
• It summarises the political thoughts of Chandragupta Maurya's chief minister Kautilya.
• The book contains detailed information about specific topics that are relevant for rulers who wish to run an effective government. Hence statement a is not correct.
• Kautilya's Arthshastra contains 15 adhikaranas or books.
  • The first five deal with ‘tantra' i.e. internal administration of the state.
  • The next eight deal with ‘avapa' or its relations with neighbouring states.
  • The last two are miscellaneous in character.
• ​It deals with problems of administration as well as laws of property and crime. Hence, Statement c is correct.
• It argues the case for a fully-centralised government for the empire.
• It also mentions female bodyguards and spies that Mauryan rulers maintained. These female bodyguards were skilled in archery. Hence, statement d is correct.
• The Arthashastra states that a man could be a slave either by birth, by voluntarily selling himself, by being captured in war, or as a result of judicial punishment. Hence statement b is incorrect.
• Slavery was a recognized institution and the legal relationship between master and slave was clearly defined e.g. if a female slave bore her master a son,
  • She was legally free, and
  • the son was entitled to the legal status of the master's son.
• When a female slave gives birth to a child of her master, both the child and its mother shall be considered free at once. If the mother is to be in bondage for sustenance, her brother and sister will be set free.
• Selling or pawning the life of a male or female slave once freed shall be punished with a fine of 12 panas, except those who enslave themselves.

• Ashoka:-
  • ​Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor who ruled the Maurya dynasty from approximately 268 to 232 BCE.
  • He is considered one of the most significant and impactful rulers in Indian history.
  • Ashoka is particularly renowned for his transformation from a fierce and expansionist ruler to a promoter of Buddhism and a proponent of moral and ethical governance.
  • Ashoka's early reign was marked by military conquests and expansion of the Maurya Empire across a large part of the Indian subcontinent.
  • However, after the Kalinga War in 261 BCE, which resulted in massive loss of life and suffering, Ashoka experienced a profound change of heart.
  • He renounced violence and sought a path of moral and ethical conduct.

• Chandragupta Maurya:-
  • Chandragupta Maurya established Mauryan emipre in the Magadha Kingdom.
  • Kautilya was the mentor of Chandragupta Maurya.
  • In his later years, Chandragupta Maurya became a Jain Monk.
  • He defeated Dhana Nanda, the last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty.
• Bindusara:-
  • He was the second Mauryan emperor of India.
  • He was the son of the dynasty's founder Chandragupta and he was the father of the most famous ruler Ashoka.
  • Bindusara was known as “Amitro Chates” to the Greeks.
  • Bindusara was interested in Ajivika Sect. of Jains.

Satakarni I

• He was the third Satavahana lord.
• He was the principal Satavahana ruler to grow his realm through military victories.
• He vanquished Kalinga after the passing of Kharavela. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
• He likewise pushed back the Sungas in Pataliputra.
• He likewise managed over Madhya Pradesh.
• After adding the Godavari Valley, he expected the title of 'Master of Dakshinapatha'.
• His sovereign was Nayanika who composed the Naneghat engraving which depicts the lord as Dakshinapathapati.
• He performed Ashvamedha and resuscitated Vedic Brahmanism in the Deccan.

Hala

• He arranged the Gatha Saptashati. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
• It is known as Gaha Sattasai in Prakrit, it is an assortment of sonnets with generally love as the subject.
• Around forty of the sonnets are ascribed to Hala himself.
• Hala's pastor Gunadhya formed Brihatkatha.

Gautamiputra Satakarni

• He is viewed as the best lord of the Satavahana tradition. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
• He vanquished the Greeks, Pahlavas (Indo-Parthians), and the Sakas.
• His realm ran from Krishna in the south to Malwa and Saurashtra in the north and from Berar in the east to the Konkan in the west.
• He vanquished Nahapana, a significant lord of the Western Satraps.
• He is likewise called Ekabrahmana.
• His mother was Gautami Balasri and subsequently, his name was Gautamiputra (child of Gautami).
• He was prevailing by his child Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi or Pulamavi II.

• The Sanskrit play Mudrarakshas (The Signet Ring of Rakshasa) by Vishakhadatta vividly portrays the decline of the Nanda dynasty and the rise of Chandragupta Maurya, with the guidance of the political strategist Chanakya (also known as Kautilya).
• The play is set in the 4th century BCE, during the reign of the last Nanda king, Dhana Nanda.
• Dhana Nanda is a corrupt and tyrannical ruler, and his reign is marked by lawlessness and oppression.
• The play opens with Chanakya, a former minister to the Nandas, plotting to overthrow Dhana Nanda and install Chandragupta, a young prince, as the new king.
• Chanakya recruits a group of mercenaries, including the play's namesake, Mudrarakshas, to help him in his plan.
• Mudrarakshas is a skilled assassin and spy, and he is instrumental in carrying out Chanakya's schemes.
• With the help of Chanakya and his allies, Chandragupta is able to defeat Dhana Nanda and establish the Mauryan Empire.
• The play ends with Chandragupta being crowned king, and Chanakya being appointed his chief advisor.
• Mudrarakshas is a complex and fascinating play that provides a glimpse into the political intrigue and power struggles of ancient India.
• It is also a story of revenge and redemption, as Chanakya and Chandragupta seek to avenge the death of Chanakya's mentor and Chandragupta's father.
• The play is considered to be one of the greatest Sanskrit plays ever written, and it has been translated into many languages.
• It is still performed today, and it continues to be a popular source of inspiration for writers and filmmakers.

Correct Answer 2400

• Somewhat before the time of the Mauryan empire, about 2400 years ago, emperors in China began building the Great Wall.
• It was meant to protect the northern frontier of the empire from pastoral people.
• Additions to the wall were made over a period of 2000 years because the frontiers of the empire kept shifting.
• The wall is about 21,196 km long and is made of stone and brick, with a road along the top.
• Several thousand people worked to build the wall.
• There are watch towers all along, at distances of about 100-200 m.

• The Maurya dynasty (321–185 BC) was a powerful dynasty in ancient India.
• The Maurya dynasty ruled India for 137 years.
• The credit for its establishment is given to Chandragupta Maurya and his minister Chanakya (Kautilya).
• This empire started from the plains of the Ganges river (today's Bihar and Bengal) in the state of Magadha in the east.
• Its capital was Pataliputra (near present-day Patna city).
• Chandragupta Maurya established this empire in 321 BC and rapidly expanded his empire towards the west.
• The Mauryan Empire grew and thrived during the Iron Age.
• He took advantage of the differences between several small regional kingdoms that had arisen after Alexander's invasion.
• By 316 BC, the Maurya dynasty had occupied the whole of North Western India.
• The Maurya dynasty expanded on a large scale in the reign of the Chakravarti emperor Ashoka.
• Due to Emperor Ashoka, the Maurya Empire became the greatest and most powerful and became famous all over the world.

• The correct answer to the question is Ashoka.:
• Ashoka was the third ruler of the Mauryan dynasty who conquered Kalinga in 261 BCE.
• The Kalinga war was a turning point in Ashoka's life as it made him realize the futility of war and violence and he embraced Buddhism.
• Bindusara was Ashoka's father who expanded the Mauryan empire to the Deccan region and the south.
• Brihadratha was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty who was assassinated by his own commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga.
• Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan dynasty who conquered the Nanda empire and established his rule in northern India.

• The Mauryan dynasty was one of the most powerful dynasties in ancient India that ruled from 322 BCE to 185 BCE.
• Chandragupta Maurya was a contemporary of Alexander the Great and defeated the Greek general Seleucus Nicator .
• Bindusara was known for his diplomatic skills and maintained friendly relations with the Hellenistic kingdoms.
• Brihadratha's assassination marked the end of the Mauryan dynasty and the beginning of the Shunga dynasty.

• Bindusara is known as “The Son of a Great Father and the Father of a Great Son” because he was the son of a great father Chandragupta Maurya and the father of a great son Ashoka, the Great.
• He ruled the Mauryan dynasty from 298 BC to 273 BC.
• Bindusara brought sixteen states under the Mauryan Empire and thus conquered almost the entire Indian peninsula.
• The Mauryas were a dynasty, more than 2300 years ago, with three important rulers — Chandragupta, his son Bindusara, and Bindusara's son, Ashoka.
• Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers known to history and on his instructions, inscriptions were carved on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces.
• Most of Ashoka's inscriptions were in Prakrit and were written in the Brahmi script.

• Indraprastha
  • According to the Ashokan Inscriptions, the city that was not listed as a provincial center in the Mauryan Empire (the empire during Ashoka's reign, not the earlier Magadha Empire) is Indraprastha.
  • Indraprastha is an ancient city believed to be located where the present-day city of Delhi.
  • It's frequently mentioned in ancient Indian literature, particularly the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India.
  • According to the Mahabharata, Indraprastha was the capital of the Pandavas, who were the heroes of this epic.
  • It was said to be a magnificent, prosperous city constructed for them by the divine architect Vishwakarma at the command of Lord Krishna.

In the Maski Inscription of Ashoka his name 'Ashoka' has been mentioned.

• In the Maski Inscription, the name "Ashoka" is mentioned.
• The Maski Inscription is one of the earliest known inscriptions of Ashoka, discovered in Maski, Karnataka, India.
• It is a rock edict written in the Brahmi script and Prakrit language.
• The Maski Inscription refers to the emperor as "Devanampriya Ashoka" or "Beloved of the Gods Ashoka."
• This inscription, along with others, provides insights into Ashoka's policies, his conversion to Buddhism, and his efforts to promote Dhamma (righteousness) throughout his empire.

• The Maski Inscription serves as an important historical and archaeological artefact that helps us understand the reign and legacy of Ashoka the Great.

• The Bhabra Rock Edict and Ahraura Inscription were another rock edict of Ashoka, but it does not mention his name. Instead, it refers to the ruler as "Devanampriya" or "Beloved of the Gods".
• The Nettur Inscription and the Rupnath Inscription are both minor rock edicts of Ashoka, and they do not mention his name either.

• Mauryan Emperor Ashoka is the person whose name was also 'Devanampiya Piyadassi'.
  • "Devanampiya" means "Beloved of the Gods". It is often used by Ashoka in conjunction with the title Priyadasi, which means "He who regards others with kindness".
• Ashoka was the last major emperor of the Mauryan dynasty of India.
  • He ruled the Mauryan dynasty from 268 BC to 232 BC.
  • Following his successful conquest of the Kalinga country on the east coast, Ashoka renounced armed conquest.
  • He adopted a policy that he called “conquest by dharma” (i.e., by principles of right life).
  • His nature was full of sincerity. Ashoka conquered the Kalinga country (modern Orissa state) in the eighth year of his reign. It was at this time that he came in touch with Buddhism and adopted it.
  • He built a number of stupas and monasteries and erected pillars on which he ordered inscribed his understanding of religious doctrines.

• Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta
  • ​He was the founder of the Maurya Dynasty.
  • In 305 BC, he marched against Seleucus Nikator (Alexander's general controlling NW India) and defeated him.
  • Chandragupta embraced Jainism towards the end of his life & stepped down from the throne in favour of his son Bindusara.
• Gautam Buddha
  • ​He was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini, Nepal, in 563 BCE.
  • ​​At the age of 29, Gautama left home and rejected his life of riches and embraced a lifestyle of asceticism or extreme self-discipline.
  • After 49 consecutive days of meditation, Gautam attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya, Bihar.​
  • Buddhist teachings that are the foundation of the Theravada Buddhist philosophy.
• Lord Mahavir
  • ​He was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism.
  • He was born in 540 BC near Vaishali in Kundagrama (Bihar).
  • He propagated the religion after which Jainism came into prominence in the 6th century B.C.

• Bindusara was son of Chandragupta Maurya and Durdhara.
• He inherited a vast empire from his father Chandragupta Maurya which included Northern, Central and Eastern parts of India along with parts of Afghanistan and Baluchistan.
• He was born in 320 BC and ruled from 298 BC to 272 BC.
• He is also known as Amitraghata (amitra-enemy, ghata-slayer) in Sanskrit Literature.
• Strabo has named him Amitrochates or Allitrochades which are greek version of the name Amitraghata.
• He had two sons Sumana & Ashoka. Ashoka later succeded him, after his death.
• Chanakya worked as Prime Minister of Bindusara too.
• He brought sixteen states under the Mauryan Empire and thus conquered almost the entire Indian peninsula.
• That is why he is called the “conqueror of Land between the two seas”, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
• Bindusara didn't conquer Dravidian kingdoms of the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras as they were friendly to him.
• Kalinga was the only kingdom in India that didn't form the part of Bindusara's empire. It was later conquered by his son Ashoka.

The Mauryan Empire was divided into four provinces with the imperial capital at Pataliputra.

• From Ashokan edicts, the name of the four provincial capitals are
  • Tosali (in the east),
  • Ujjain (in the west),
  • Suvarnagiri (in the south), and
  • Taxila (in the north)

• Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, which was one of the largest empires in ancient India.
• He defeated the Nanda dynasty and established his own empire in 322 BCE.
• Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by his son Bindusara and later by his grandson Ashoka, who is known for his conversion to Buddhism and his efforts towards promoting peace and non-violence.

• Samudragupta was a ruler of the Gupta Empire, which came after the Mauryan Empire.
  • He is known for his military conquests and is often referred to as the "Napoleon of India".
• Ashoka was not the founder of the Mauryan Empire but was a significant ruler who expanded the empire and is known for his policies of non-violence and religious tolerance.
• Chandragupta II was a ruler of the Gupta Empire which came after the Mauryan Empire.
  • He is known for his military campaigns and patronage of the arts.

• Takshashila was an early Buddhist centre of learning.
• Takshashila is described in some detail later in Jātaka tales, around the 5th century AD.
• It became a noted centre of learning at least several centuries before Christ and continued to
  attract students until the destruction of the city in the 5th century AD.
• Takshashila is perhaps best known because of its association with Chanakya.
  • The famous treatise Arthashastra (Sanskrit for the knowledge of Economics) by Chanakya, is said to have been composed in Takshashila itself.
• Chanakya was an Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor.

• Nalanda University:
  • It is Formed By Emperor Kumar Gupta In The Fifth Century A.D.
  • Dharmapala revived Nalanda University.
  • The Leading Centre of Teaching of Mahayana Buddhism.
  • At The End Of the 12th Century, Invader Bakhityar Khilji Demolished The Monastery, Killed The Monks, And Burned The Valuable Library.
• Vaishali: ​​
  • Vaishali was the capital of Vajji Mahajanapada.
  • The kingdom was situated in Bihar to the north of the river Ganga.
  • It covered the districts of Vaishali and Muzaffarpur in Bihar.
• Ujjain:
  • Ujjain was known as 'Avantika' in ancient times.
  • Ujjayini was the capital of the Avanti kingdom.
  • Ujjain was the seat of the emperor Ashoka during the 2nd century BCE.
  • Ujjain is one of the sites of the famous Hindu festival Kumbh Mela.
  • The famous ancient writer Kalidasa was born in Ujjain

• The first inscriptions date from the first century BCE.
• It is when they conquered Kanvas and established their rule in regions of central India.
• The first Satavahana rulers appeared in Maharashtra, not Andhra Pradesh. Hence, option 1 is incorrect.
• They established their authority in the upper Godavari valley.
• The Sakas, who had established in upper Deccan and western India, was Satavahana's main rivals.
• Gautamiputra Satakarni restored the Satavahana family's riches.
• He destroyed numerous Kshatriya lords and vanquished the Sakas.
• The capital was established at Paithan or Pratisthan.
• It was on the banks of the Godavari River in the Aurangabad district.

• Many temples and monasteries were carved out of solid rock during the Satavahana period.
• The temple, known as the chaitya, and the monastery, known as the vihara.
• The chaitya was a vast hall with many columns.
• The vihara was a central hall approached through a doorway from the front verandah.
• Karle in western Deccan has the most well-known chaitya. Hence, option 2 is incorrect.
• The viharas, or monasteries, were excavated for monks to live in during the wet season. Hence, option 4 is incorrect.
• The inscription of Nahapana and Gautamiputra, from the 1^st-2^nd CE, can be found in the three viharas of Nasik.
• The most important of these monuments are Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.

• The Satavahanas were an ancient Indian dynasty in the Deccan region.
• Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana Dynasty.
• Satavahana's official language was Prakrit and its script was Brahmi.
• They patronised Prakrit more than Sanskrit.
• The golden age for Prakrit was the reign of King Hala of Satavahanas.
• The inscriptions of Satavahanas are mostly in Prakrit.

• The Satvahanas were not matriarchal or matrilineal yet they used matronyms like Gautamiputra and Vaishishthiputra.
• They are known for starting the practice of giving royal grants of land to Brahmans and Buddhist monks.
• Some of the great rulers of the dynasty areGautamiputra Satakarni, Vashishthiputra Pulumayi, Yajna Sri Satakarni.
• They assumed the title of Dakshinapatha Pati.

• Ruler Gautamiputra Satkarni belonged to the Satavahana dynasty.

• He is regarded as the best king of this dynasty.
• The fortune of this dynasty was restored under his reign.
• He was the only Brahma who defeated Shaka and other Kshatriya rulers also.
• His kingdom stretched from Krishna in the south to Malwa in the north and from Konkani in the west to Berar in the East.
• He was given the title of Rajaraja and Maharaja.
• He had a very big heart who donated land to the Buddhist monks.

• Charaka (1st-2nd centuries C.E.)
  • He is usually known as the father of Indian medicine.
  • He was one of the principal contributors to Ayurveda, a system of medicine and lifestyle developed in Ancient India.
  • He lived during the reign of Kanishka, the king of the Kushan dynasty that ruled over the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, and possibly areas of Central Asia north of the Kashmir region.

• Kushan dynasty (1st Century AD-3rd Century AD):
  • Kujula Kadphises was the first Yuezhi chief to lay the foundation of the Kushana dynasty in India.
  • The second king was Vema Kadphises who issued gold coins.
  • The most famous Kushan ruler was Kanishka (78 AD-101AD)
  • Kanishka was also known as ‘Second Ashoka’.
  • He started the Saka era in 78 AD.
  • The Kushans controlled the famous silk route.
  • The 4th Buddhist council was held in Kundalvana, Kashmir during his reign.

• After the decline of the Kushana Empire Patliputra came under the hands of Scythians.
• Patliputra was ruled by Murundas, Scythian Governor.
• Scythians
  • Between the middle of the 2nd century BCE and the 4th century CE, a group of nomadic Iranian peoples with Scythian ancestry moved from Central Asia southward into modern-day Pakistan and North Western India.
  • The Yuga Purana literature relates a Scythian assault of Pataliputra sometime in the first century BC when Saketa had been controlled by seven mighty monarchs following the retreat of the Yavanas.
  • According to the Yuga Purana, the Saka monarch massacred one-fourth of the people before being killed by Shata, the king of the Kalinga, and a party of Sabalas.
• Kanvas
  • From 75 BCE to 30 BCE, the Kanva Dynasty, also known as Kanvayana, governed.
  • The Kanva Dynasty was started in 75 BC by Vasudeva Kanva.
  • In several areas of eastern and central India, Kanva ended the Shunga Dynasty.
  • The Kanva Dynasty governed Pataliputra, Magadha in Eastern India, the former seat of the Shunga Empire, according to the Puranic literature.
  • The Kanvas were Brahmins who identified as Rishi Kanva's offspring.
• Shungas
  • The Shunga Empire was a Magadha-based ancient Indian dynasty that ruled over parts of the central and eastern Indian subcontinent from roughly 174 to 75 BCE.
  • Pushyamitra Shunga established the empire, with Patliputra serving as the initial capital before moving to Vidisha later on.
  • One of India's greatest rulers, Shunga fought and ultimately drove out foreign invaders, particularly the Greeks who had remained in India after Alexander's military assault had failed.
• Hunas
  • The Huna was an uncommon race from Central Asia that migrated to India.
  • India was initially invaded by Hunas during the rule of Kumar Gupta.
  • Despite their ability to infiltrate India, they were unable to succeed there during the reign of the Kumargupta and Skandagupta dynasties.
  • India was under Hunas rule for only thirty years. In North India, the Hunas established their dominance.

• The invasion in ancient India was first done by the Greeks and then by Sakas and then Kushanas.
• The Greek conquests of India took place in the years before the Common Era, and a rich trade flourished between India and Greece, especially in silk, spices, and gold.
• The Greeks invaded India several times, starting with the conquest of Alexander the Great between the years 327 to 326 B.C.E.
• The Indo-Greek rule lasted from about 180 BC till about 55 BC.
• The Sakas were alternatively known as Indo-Scythians, invaded northwest India in the first century BC onwards.
• The Kushan Empire fragmented into semi-independent kingdoms in the 3rd century AD, which fell to the Sasanians invading from the west, establishing the Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom in the areas of Sogdiana, Bactria and Gandhara.
• In the 4th century, the Guptas, an Indian dynasty also pressed from the east.

• The Kanva dynasty had a Brahmanic origin.
• The dynasty was named after the gotra of the ruler Kanva.
• Vasudeva Kanva founded the Kanva dynasty.
• It is believed that Vasudeva Kanva killed the Shunga ruler Devabhuti and established his own empire in 72 BCE.
• He ruled for a short period and was succeeded by Bhumimitra.
• The empire was extended into parts of eastern India and central India.
• The Kanva dynasty had claimed Vidisa as their capital.

The major rulers during that phase were:

• Vasudeva Kanva
• Bhumimitra
• Narayana
• Susarman
• Bhumimitra ruled for a period of 14 years and his son Narayana ruled for 12 years.
• The Satvahana dynasty defeated the Kanva dynasty and established their empire.
• The last Kanva king Susarman was killed by the Satavahana (Andhra) king.

• Vima Kadphises, the second Kushan emperor, was the first to introduce gold coins on a significant scale in India.
• He ruled from around 100 to 127 CE and his gold coins were based on the Roman denarius.
• They were of high quality and widely circulated throughout his empire, which stretched from Central Asia to the northwestern Indian subcontinent.
• The Kushans were a nomadic people who originated in Central Asia.
• They migrated into the Indian subcontinent in the 1st century CE and established a large empire that lasted for several centuries.
• They were known for their trade and commerce, and their gold coins played an important role in this.
• The coins were used to facilitate trade within the empire and with other parts of the world, such as the Roman Empire.
• They also helped to promote the Kushan empire and its culture.
• Vima Kadphises' gold coins were not the first gold coins to be minted in India, but they were the first to be issued on a large scale.
• This had a significant impact on the Indian economy and helped to stimulate trade and commerce.

• The coins also helped to spread the Kushan empire's influence and culture throughout the Indian subcontinent.

• Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva.
• Vasudeva was an Amatya of Devabhuti, the last ruler of the Sunga dynasty.
• He murdered Devabhuti and founded the Kavnvas dynasty.
• He ruled for a short period and was succeeded by Bhumimitra.
• The empire was extended into parts of eastern India and central India. The capital of the Kanva dynasty was Vidisa.
• There were four rulers of the Kanva dynasty. They are as follows:-

1. Vasudeva Kanva
2. Bhumimitra
3. Narayana
4. Susarman

• Susarman was the last ruler of the Kanva dynasty.
• Satvahana dynasty defeated and killed Susarman and established their empire.

• The greatest Saka ruler of India was Nahapana.
• He was a great conqueror who ruled over a large territory in western India from his capital at Paithan (modern Paithan in Maharashtra).
• He was also a scholar and was well-versed in grammar, polity, logic, music, and other subjects.
• He is said to have taken a vow not to kill men except in battle.
• Nahapana was the founder of the Western Kshatrapa dynasty, which ruled over western India from the 1st to the 4th centuries CE.
• He was a powerful ruler who extended his territory to include Gujarat, Rajasthan, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
• He was also a patron of the arts and sciences, and his reign saw a flowering of culture in western India.
• Nahapana was a complex and contradictory figure.
• He was a ruler who was loved by his subjects but also feared by his enemies.
• Nahapana's reign came to an end in the early 3rd century CE, when he was defeated by the Satavahanas, another powerful dynasty that ruled over central India.
• However, his legacy continues to be felt in Western India, where he is remembered as one of the greatest rulers of the region.

Pushyamitra-Shunga dynasty.

• The Shunga dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Shunga.
• He was the commander-in-chief of the last Maurya emperor, Brihadratha Maurya.

• Vima Kadphises was a Kushan emperor.
• Vasudeva was the founder of the Kanva dynasty.
• Srigupta was the founder of the Gupta dynasty.
• Pulakesin I was the ruler of the Chalukya dynasty.

correct answer is Shunga.

• Pushyamitra Shunga, the commander of Brihadratha, killed the last Mauryan emperor and established the Shunga dynasty.
• The Shunga dynasty ruled over a significant part of the Indian subcontinent, with its capital at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
• The Shunga rulers were known for their patronage of Brahmanism, marking a shift from the Buddhist leanings of the preceding Mauryan dynasty.
• He performed Vedic sacrifices such as Ashvamedha, Rajasuya and Vajapeya.
• Pushyamitra Sunga patronised the Sanskrit grammarian Patanjali.
• Last Sunga king was Devabhuti.

• The Chedi dynasty was founded by Vindhya Shakti.
• The Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva .
  • It is believed that Vasudeva Kanva killed the Shunga ruler Devabhuti and established his own empire in 72 BCE.
  • Kanva dynasty had a ruling phase from 72 BCE to 28 BCE.
• The Satavahana dynasty was founded by Simuka.
  • ​​The Satavahana rule is believed to have started around the third century BC, in 235 BC and lasted until the second century AD.
  • Pratishthana (Paithan) and Amaravati were its capitals.
  • major rulers of the Satvahana dynasty were – Satakarni, Hala, Gautamiputra Satakarni.

• In the 4th century, the Greek ruler Alexander fought with the Iranians to establish their supremacy over the world.
• Alexander conquered Iran, Iraq & Asia minor also.
• After his Kabul conquest, he invaded India through Khyber Pass as he was attracted by India's wealth,
• Alexander's invasion (326-325 BC) became a great success. He added to his empire a part of the North-western frontier of India.
• However, his success was soon lost to the Magadha rulers.
• Effects of the Greek Invasion:
  • The Greek invasion paved the way for the expansion of the Mauryan empire in North-west India as the petty local states were destroyed by the Greeks.
  • Chandragupta Maurya also acquired knowledge about the working of Alexander's military tactics which helped him in destroying the power of the Nandas. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
  • The invasion opened up various routes between India and Greece by land and sea.
    • It led to the coming up of guilds in India facilitating trade because money also got introduced after the invasion.
    • Invasion paved the way for Greek merchants and craftsmen to trade with India and increase the trade facilities.
    • Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Many Greek scholars came to India and wrote about Indians which had dated records of Alexander's campaign.
    • The writings enable us to establish the Indian chronology of events and essential geographical accounts of India.
    • These historical creations provide us with valuable information about the socio-economic conditions of that time.
    • Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  • Greek Art influenced the architecture of the period as the Ashokan pillars have been influenced by the same.
  • Alexander’s invasion resulted in the political unification of north India under the Mauryas and the system of small independent states came to an end.

• The Sunga dynasty was established by PushyamitraSunga.
• Pushyamitra Sunga was a Brahmin.
• Pushyamitra Sunga was the commander in chief of the Last Mauryan king, Brihadratha.
• He assassinated Brihadratha in 184 BC.
• Pushyamitra destroyed many of the Ashokan Stupas and Inscriptions.
• Agnimitra was the son of Pushyamitra.
• Bhagabhadra was the son of Agnimitra and Devabhuti was the son of Bhagabhadra.

• Important rulers of the Sunga Dynasty

• Important Dynasty and their founders

• The correct answer is Rudradaman.
• The Shaka rulers were a group of nomadic people who migrated from Central Asia to various parts of India from the 2nd century BCE to the 4th century CE.
• Rudradaman was a Shaka ruler who ruled over the western Indian region of Malwa and parts of Gujarat from around AD 130 to 150.
• He was known for his military campaigns against other regional powers like the Satavahanas and the Yaudheyas.
• Rudradaman is also famous for his rock inscriptions, particularly the Junagadh inscription in Gujarat, which gives us valuable information about his reign and the political situation of his time.
• The other options in the question are also related to Indian history but are not Shaka rulers.
• Bindusara was a Mauryan emperor who ruled in the 3rd century BCE, Panduka was a Kushan king who ruled in the 1st century CE, and Chashtana was a Parthian king who ruled in the 2nd century CE.

• The Shaka rulers were also known as the Scythians in ancient literature.
  • They were mainly concentrated in western and central India, and their reigns overlapped with those of other regional powers like the Satavahanas, the Kushans, and the Guptas.
• Bindusara was the son of the famous Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya and ruled over a vast empire that included much of modern-day India.
  • He was known for his diplomatic skills and his patronage of Buddhism.
• Panduka was a Kushan king who ruled parts of northern India, Central Asia, and China.
  • He was a patron of Buddhism, and his reign saw the spread of Gandhara art, which combined Indian and Greek artistic styles.
• Chashtana also known as Caṣṭana, was a prominent ruler of the Saka Western Satraps in northwestern India during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. His reign, spanning from approximately 78 to 130 CE, marked a significant period of expansion and stability for the dynasty.

The Sunga Dynasty

• It came into power after the decline of the Mauryan Empire in around 185 BCE. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
• The Sunga Dynasty ruled East India from 185 BCE to 73 BCE.
• This dynasty succeeded the Mauryas in the Magadha region.
• The major reasons for the decline of the Mauryan Empire were the death of Ashoka, Foreign invasions in the North West, and Regional powers such as Kalinga becoming independent.
• Its Empire included territories from the river Ganga up to the Narmada Valley, Vidisha, and parts of Northern India. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• Initially, the capital of the empire was Patliputra but later it was shifted to Vidisha. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
• Sunga belonged to the Brahmin family of the Bharadvaja clan.
• They held the viceroyship of the Ujjain region during Mauryan rule.
• Pushyamitra Sunga was the Founder of the Sunga Dynasty.
• He was a Brahmin andArmy chief under Brihadratha, the last Mauryan King.

• The Kushan dynasty's Kanishka, who ruled from 127 to 150 CE, brought the empire to its height.
• His achievements in the military, politics, and religion have earned him widespread acclaim.
• An empire that included Central Asia, the Gandhara, the Gangetic plain, and Pataliputra was ruled by Kanishka, a lineal descendant of Kujula Kadphises, who founded the Kushan empire.
• Puruapura, also known as Peshawar in Gandhara, and Mathura, or another significant capital, served as the two main capitals of his realm.
• Kanishka coins were found in Tripuri.

• Chola dynasty:
  • The Chola dynasty, a Tamil thalassocracy state in southern India, was one of the longest-reigning in historical times.
  • The earliest datable references to the Chola are found in inscriptions from the third century BCE when Ashoka ruled the Mauryan Empire.
• Nanda dynasty:
  • ​In the fourth and perhaps fifth centuries BCE, the Nanda dynasty ruled over the northern region of the Indian subcontinent.
  • The Nandas established a more centralised government by building on the achievements of their predecessors, the Haryanka and Shaishunaga.
• Satavahana dynasty:
  • ​A historic Indian dynasty with its headquarters in the Deccan, the Satavahanas are also known as the Andhras in the Puranas.
  • The majority of the modern-day states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra made up the Satavahana monarchy.

• The Kushan dynasty was administered from two capitals - Purushapura (Peshawar), and Mathura in northern India.
• In the 1st century CE, Kujula Kadphises (Kadphises - 1) founded the Kushan dynasty.
• The Kushans are considered to be one of the five branches of the Yuezhi tribe that lived in the Chinese frontier of Central Asia.
• Kanishka (127-151 AD) is considered the greatest ruler of the Kushan dynasty. He was the son of Vima Kadphises.
  • He captured Patliputra and took away the Buddhist monk Asvaghosha with him to Peshawar.
  • Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana in Kashmir.
  • The Gandhara School of Art flourished under him.

• Gautamiputra Satakarni ruled the Satavahana Empire in what is now India's Deccan region.
• He was referred to as the most powerful and significant ruler of the Satavahana Dynasty. He reigned from 106 AD to 130 AD.
• He was the 23rd Satavahana ruler.
• Gautamiputra Satakarni's information is derived from his coinage, Satavahana inscriptions, and royal genealogies found in several Puranas. The best-known of these is his mother Gautami Balashri's Nashik Prashasti (eulogy) inscription, which praises him for numerous military victories.
• The Satavahana kingdom mainly comprised the present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. At different times, their rule extended to parts of modern Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka. The dynasty had different capital cities at different times, including Pratishthana (Paithan) and Amaravati (Dharanikota).
• Simuka (60 BC - 37 BC) was the founder of the Satavahana Dynasty (60 BC - 225 AD).​

• Chera Dynasty
  • ​The Chera dynasty was one of the most important dynasties in Kerala's early history, as well as areas of Tamil Nadu in southern India.
  • The founder of the Chera dynasty was Uthiyan Cheralathan also called Udiyangeral.
  • The greatest of Chera kings, however, was Senguttuvan or Red Chera. It is said that he invaded the north and even crossed the Ganges.
  • He was also the founder of the Pattini cult related to the worship of the Goddess of chastity - Kannagi.
  • The capital of Cheras was Vanjji.
• Rashtrakuta Dynasty
  • Between the sixth and tenth centuries, the Rashtrakuta dynasty ruled over extensive parts of the Indian subcontinent. A 7th-century copper plate grant detailing their rule from Manapura, a city in Central or West India, is the first known Rashtrakuta inscription.
  • The Rashtrakutas dynasty was founded by Dantivarman or Dantidurga (735–756).
  • Amoghavarsha I (also known as Amoghavarsha Nrupathunga I) was a Rashtrakuta monarch who reigned from 814 to 878 CE. He was the greatest king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty and one of India's great rulers. His 64-year reign is one of the most precisely dated monarchical reigns ever recorded.
  • Krishna III, also known as Kannara in Kannada, was the last great warrior and able emperor of the Rashtrakuta dynasty of Manyakheta (r. 939 – 967 C.E.). He was a savvy administrator as well as a skilled military campaigner.
  • Taila II, a feudatory of Krisha III who claimed genealogy from the early Chalukyas of Vatapi, overthrew the Rashtrakuta kingdom in 973 CE.
• Chola Dynasty
  • The Chola kingdom known as Cholamandalam was situated to the northeast of the Pandya Kingdom between the Pennar and Vellar rivers.
  • The Chola kingdom corresponded to the modern Tanjore and Tiruchirappalli districts.
  • The earliest known Chola king was Elara who conquered Srilanka and ruled over it for nearly 50 years.Their greatest king was Karikala (man with charred leg) who founded Puhar (Kaveripatnam) and constructed a 160km embankment along the Kaveri river with the help of 12,000 Srilankan slaves.
  • Rajaraja I (reigned 985–1014) was an able administrator, protected Vengi (the Godavari districts) and occupied the Gangavadi territory (in present-day Karnataka state), annihilating the western Gangas.
  • His son Rajendracola Deva I (reigned 1014–44) outdid Rajaraja’s achievements. He placed a son on the throne at Madurai, completed the conquest of Sri Lanka, overran the Deccan (c. 1021), and in 1023 sent an expedition to the north that penetrated to the Ganges (Ganga) River and brought Ganges water to the new capital, Gangaikondacolapuram.