RISE AND FALL OF THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

THE RISE AND DECLINE OF THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

Q1. Describe the condition before the establishment of the Mauryan Dynasty.

Ans. The condition of India before the establishment of the Mauryan Dynasty was:

-          Magadha was the most powerful kingdom.

-          Several smaller kingdoms were incorporated into the territory of Magadha.

-          In 326, Alexander turned his attention towards India. He was assisted by Ambhi, the Prince of Taxila, and he infiltrated further east into India. He crossed the Chenab and Ravi rivers and advanced upto Beas.

Q2. Who were the rulers of Magadha, during Alexander’s invasion?

Ans. The Nanda ruler, Dhana Nanda.

Q3. What was the famous oath of Chanakya?

Ans. Chanakya took the famous oath, “I will not tie my tuft of hair until I uproot the

whole Nanda dynasty and establish dharma in Magadha. Rulers like you have

spoiled Bharat. The tuft of hair which you arrogantly pull now will be like a

serpent which comes back to bite you.”

Q4. Who was Chanakya?

Ans. Kautiliya, more famously known as Chanakya, was a teacher at Taxila University.

Q5. Why did Chandragupta maurya abandon his throne?

Ans. (for his son, Bindusara

Q6. Write about the achievements of Chandragupta Maurya.

Ans. - conquered the whole of Northern India up to the river Indus

-          defeated Seleucus, the general of Alexander and

-          gained control over parts of present day Afghanistan.

Q7. Chandragupta Maurya was a follower of which religion?

Ans. Jainism.

Q8. What was the other name given to Bindusara and what does it mean?

Ans. He was also known as Amitrochates or the destroyer of enemies.

Q9. Discuss about the extent of Bindusara’s empire.

Ans. Bindusara extended the Mauryan Empire in peninsular India as far as Mysore, except Kalinga, on the east coast. He is said to have conquered ‘the land between the two seas’, presumably the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Q10. Why was Ashoka known as Chandaashoka?

Ans. Also known as ‘Chandaashoka’, which means “Ashoka, the Fierce”, as he was a very short tempered person.

Q11. Who was Ashoka’s father?

Ans. Bindusara.

Q12. Describe the Kalinga War.

Ans. Kalinga was one such territory which Bindusara too was not able to conquer. In the 12th year of his reign, Ashoka sent a letter to Kalingraj, the ruler of Kalinga, asking its submission. However, Kalingraj refused to submit. As a result, Ashoka led a huge army to Kalinga.The entire Kalinga was turned into a battle arena. About 1, 00,000 Kalingans lost their lives and 1, 50,000 were wounded. An equal number of Mauryan soldiers were also killed.

The Kalinga battleground turned blood red after the war.

Ashoka was so moved by the outcome of the war that he became a follower of Buddhism and made Buddhism his state religion.

Q13. Write the Principles of dhamma.

Ans. Ashoka in his various edicts has explained some of the basic principles of his dhamma.

-          Obedience to one’s mother and father, elders, teachers and other respectable people.

-          Proper treatment of ascetics, relatives, slaves, servants and dependants, the poor and miserable, friends, acquaintances and companions.

-          Abstinence from killing or injury of all living beings

-          Spending and accumulating little wealth

-          Truthfulness, morality and purity of heart

Q14. What were the measures taken by Ashoka for the welfare of the people?

Ans. Ashoka set very high principles for himself with regard to kingship.

 considered his subjects as his children

 appointed rajukas for delivering justice in the empire

 planted trees, dug wells, constructed canals, built rest houses on highways

and built hospitals for humans as well as animals

 carved rock and pillar edicts to establish direct communication with the

people. These inscriptions were written in Prakrit which was easily understood

by the people.

Q15. Who were dhammamahamatra?

Ans. The king appointed special officers known as dhammamahamatras, to teach the policies of dhamma to the people.

Q16. What were the various sources of Income in the Mauryan Kingdom?

• Ans. The various sources of income were:
• -          Land revenue was the main source of income.
• -          The farmer paid one– sixth of the total produce to the state.
• -          Chanakya mentions several types of taxes collected from the peasants, artisans and traders. Tax was also collected from mines, forests, and customs at the frontiers, tolls, ferry duties and fines.
• -          The official in charge for finances and revenue collection was known as Samaharta.
• -          The amount collected from the tax was spent on maintenance of the king, his ministers, army, salaries of other officials, religious purposes and on infrastructure.

Q17. Write briefly about the decline of the Mauryan empire.

-          Ans. The Mauryan Empire began to disintegrate after the death of Ashoka in 232 BCE.

-          Various factors contributed to the decline and fall of the Mauryan Empire.

-          The promotion of Buddhism had adversely affected the Brahmans. Hence,

the empire received a strong protest from the Brahmanical society.

-          The Mauryans used large amount of money on the maintenance of army.

-          This made a dent in the Mauryan treasury.

-          The successors of Ashoka were not capable enough to look after a huge

 empire. These were followed by a series of foreign invasions.

-          Bactrians were the first one to invade India in 206 BCE.

-          The Mauryan Empire was finally destroyed by PushyamitraShunga in 185 BCE. He was the General of last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha.