Maurya Dynasty MCQ: Chandragupta Maurya, Chanakya & the Arthashastra

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.First Indian Empire was established by:

   • A.Kanishka
   • B.Harsh
   • C.Chandra Gupta Maurya✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Samundragupta

   Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya is considered as one of the greatest emperors of India. He was the first emperor who brought together the small fragmented kingdoms of the country and combined them into a single large empire.

2. Q2.The first Empire was established by which ruler in India?

   • A.Chandragupta Maurya✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Ashoka
   • C.Kanishka
   • D.Chandragupta II Vikramaditya

   Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya established the first empire in India. He expanded his empire to the edge of what is now known as Iran. He was the one who first unified India politically.

3. Q3.Which among the following is India's oldest dynasty?

   • A.Gupta
   • B.Maurya✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Vardhana
   • D.Kushana

   Explanation: Among the above options, Mauryan dynasty is India's oldest dynasty because its ruled from 321 B.C. to 184 BC. It was established by Chandragupta Maurya.

4. Q4.Chandragupta Maurya figures prominently in the book of:

   • A.Bhasa
   • B.Sudraka
   • C.Vishakhadatta✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Ashvaghosha

   Explanation: Mudrarakshasa authored by Vishakhadatta provides various information about the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. In this drama, Chandragupta is described as the son of Nandraja.

5. Q5.Who recognized Sandrokottos as Chandra Gupta Maurya?

   • A.William Jones✓ Correct Answer
   • B.V. Smith
   • C.R. K. Mukherjee
   • D.D. R. Bhandarkar

   Explanation: William Jones was the first scholar who recognised Sandrokottos as Chandra Gupta Maurya. Aerian and Plutarch also described him as Androkottus.

6. Q6.Who of the following mentions about the meeting of Sandrokottos (Chandragupta Maurya) with Alexander, the Great?

   • A.Pliny
   • B.Justin✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Strabo
   • D.Megasthenese

   Explanation: Justin, a Greek writer, described the meeting of Sandrokottos and Alexander the Great.

7. Q7.Who was called as 'Sandrocottos' by Justin, the Greek Writer?

   • A.Chandragupta Maurya✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Chandragupta I
   • C.Chandragupta II
   • D.Samudragupta

   Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya was called as 'Sandrocottos' by Justin. William Jones was the first scholar who recognized Sandrokottos as Chandra Gupta Maurya.

8. Q8.Kautilya was prime minister of:

   • A.Chandragupta Vikramaditya
   • B.Ashoka
   • C.Chandragupta Maurya✓ Correct Answer
   • D.King Janak

   Explanation: Kautilya served as prime minister, advisor and chief priest when Chandragupta Maurya had the responsibility of united Indian empire as emperor.

9. Q9.By which name was Chanakya known in his childhood?

   • A.Ajaya
   • B.Chanakya
   • C.Vishnugupta✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Deogupta

   Explanation: Sage Chanak gave his son the name Chanakya. Arthashastra identifies its author by the name of Kautilya, except for one verse that refers to him by the name of Vishnugupta.

10. Q10.Another name of Chanakya was:

    • A.Bhattswami
    • B.Vishnugupta✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Rajshekhar
    • D.Vishakhdatta

    Explanation: Another name of Chanakya was Vishnugupta. He was well known as 'Vishnugupta' and 'Chanakya'.

11. Q11.The Arthashastra of Kautilya is a:

    • A.Play about Chandragupta Maurya
    • B.Biography
    • C.History of Chandragupta Maurya
    • D.Book on Principles of Government✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Arthashastra by Kautilya is the treatise on polity during the Mauryan monarch/kingdom. It gives a detailed description about the then administration and agrarian system.

12. Q12.Kautilya's Arthashastra is a book on:

    • A.economic relations
    • B.principles and practice of statecraft✓ Correct Answer
    • C.foreign policy
    • D.wealth accumulation

    Explanation: Kautilya's Arthashastra is a book on principles and practice of statecraft. The Saptang theory of the state was firstly introduced in it.

13. Q13.Which one of the following is the seventh part of the State according to Saptang Theory of State?

    • A.Janapada
    • B.Durga
    • C.Mitra✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kosha

    Explanation: According to Saptang Theory of State, Mitra (Ally) is the seventh part of the state; Ally is like the ear of the state.

14. Q14.Kautilya's Arthashastra deals with the aspects of:

    • A.Economic life
    • B.Political policies✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Religious life
    • D.Social life

    Explanation: Arthashastra renders a wide range of information about Mauryan dynasty. This is the unique saga of political policies.

15. Q15.Which of the following can be compared to 'Prince' of Machiavelli?

    • A.Kalidasa's 'Malvikagnimitram'
    • B.Kautilya's 'Arthashastra'✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vatsyayana's 'Kamasutra'
    • D.Thiruvalluvar's 'Thirukkural'

    Explanation: Arthashastra is the unique book of political science which is compared with 'Prince' of Machiavelli, the great Italian thinker.

16. Q16.Deimachus came to India during the reign of:

    • A.Chandragupta Maurya
    • B.Bindusara✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ashoka
    • D.Kanishka

    Explanation: According to Strabo, Syrian king Antiochus-Soter sent his ambassador Deimachus to the court of Bindusara. He replaced Megasthenes.

17. Q17.Chandragupta's palace situated at Pataliputra is mainly made up of:

    • A.Bricks
    • B.Stones
    • C.Woods✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Clays

    Explanation: The archaeological remains of the Mauryan period have been discovered in Bulandibagh and Kumrahar near Patna. It is known that the palace of Chandragupta Maurya was made of woods.

18. Q18.The remains of which ancient city have been found at the Kumrahar site?

    • A.Vaishali
    • B.Pataliputra✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Kapilavastu
    • D.Shravasti

    Explanation: The remains of the ancient city of Pataliputra have been found at the Kumrahar site near Patna. The excavation was carried out by D.B. Spooner.

19. Q19.Bulandibagh was ancient site of:

    • A.Kapilavastu
    • B.Pataliputra✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vaishali
    • D.Varanasi

    Explanation: Bulandibagh was an ancient site of Pataliputra. The remains of the city wall from Bulandibagh have been found during the excavation.

20. Q20.Who amongst the following Mauryan rulers did conquer the Deccan?

    • A.Ashoka
    • B.Chandragupta✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Bindusara
    • D.Kunala

    Explanation: The founder of the Mauryan dynasty, Chandragupta Maurya conquered the Deccan plateau. Jain and Tamil sources inscriptions found at various sites of southern India proved this.