Mauryan Empire UPSC PYQ — Chandragupta, Ashoka & Arthashastra

Pradeshika, Rajuka and Yukta were important officers at which level?

1. AVillage level
2. BDistrict level
3. CProvincial level
4. DCentral level

Which pairs are correctly matched:
1. Asmaka – Godavari
2. Kamboja – Vipas
3. Avanti – Mahanadi
4. Kosala – Sarayu

1. AOnly one
2. BOnly two
3. COnly three
4. DAll four

According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which statements are correct:
1. A person could become a slave as a result of judicial punishment.
2. A female slave became free if she bore her master a son.
3. A son born to a female slave and fathered by her master got the status of the master's son.

1. A1 and 2 only
2. B2 and 3 only
3. C1 and 3 only
4. D1, 2 and 3

Assertion (A): According to Asoka's edicts social harmony among the people was more important than religious devotion.
Reason (R): He spread ideas of equity instead of promotion of religion.

1. ABoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. BBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
3. CA is true, but R is false
4. DA is false, but R is true

Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve foodgrains to be utilised during the crises in the country?

1. ASohagaura Copper-plate
2. BRummindei pillar-edict of Asoka
3. CPrayaga-Prasasti
4. DMehrauli Pillar inscription of Chandra

The Asokan major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts

1. AI and X
2. BI and XI
3. CII and XIII
4. DII and XIV

Which one of the following statements regarding Asokan stone pillars is incorrect?

1. AThese are highly polished
2. BThese are monolithic
3. CThe shaft of pillars is tapering in shape
4. DThese are parts of architectural structures

Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Asoka?

1. AKalsi
2. BRummindei
3. CSpecial Kalinga Edict
4. DMaski

Which one of the following texts of ancient India allows divorce to a wife deserted by her husband?

1. AKamasutra
2. BManavadharmashastra
3. CSukra Nitisara
4. DArthashastra

The name by which Asoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions is

1. AChakravarti
2. BDharmadeva
3. CDharmakirti
4. DPriyadarsi

Chanakya was also known as

1. ABhattasvamin
2. BRajasekhara
3. CVishnugupta
4. DVisakhadatta

In ancient India the territorial name Tosali referred to

1. AThe region between the rivers Jhelum and Chenab
2. BThe basin of the river Son
3. CThe delta of the river Cauvery
4. DThe area of the river Mahanadi

Consider the following pairs:
Site of Ashoka's major rock edicts : Location in the State of
1. Dhauli : Odisha
2. Erragudi : Andhra Pradesh
3. Jaugada : Madhya Pradesh
4. Kalsi : Karnataka
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. AOnly one pair
2. BOnly two pairs
3. COnly three pairs
4. DAll four pairs

Which one of the following rulers advised his subjects through an inscription thus: "Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely."

1. AAshoka
2. BSamudragupta
3. CHarshavardhana
4. DKrishnadeva Raya

Who among the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

1. AGeorg Bühler
2. BJames Prinsep
3. CMax Müller
4. DWilliam Jones

Assertion (A): Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire.
Reason (R): Kalinga controlled the land and sea routes to South India.

1. ABoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. BBoth A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
3. CA is true, but R is false
4. DA is false, but R is true