Maurya Dynasty MCQ: Ashoka's Edicts, the Kalinga War & the Principle of Dhamma

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

1. Q1.The name by which Ashoka is referred to his inscriptions is:

   • A.Chakravarti
   • B.Dharmadeva
   • C.Dharmakirti
   • D.Priyadarshi✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The name by which Ashoka is referred on his inscription is 'Priyadarshi', 'Devanampiya Piyadasi' which means 'Beloved of the Gods'. He has also been stated as 'Ashok Vardhan' in Puranas.

2. Q2.Which of the kings has been mentioned as ‘Piyadassi’ and ‘Devanampriya’ in inscriptions?

   • A.Chandragupta Maurya
   • B.Ashoka✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Samudragupta
   • D.Harshavardhana

   Explanation: Ashoka has been mentioned as ‘Piyadassi’ and ‘Devanampriya’ in inscriptions.

3. Q3.Which one of the following statements regarding Ashokan stone pillars is incorrect?

   • A.These are highly polished
   • B.These are monolithic
   • C.The shaft of pillars is tapering in shape
   • D.These are parts of architectural structures✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Ashokan stone pillars are not part of architectural structures, but these are distinct sculptures. The other three statements are correct regarding Ashokan stone pillars.

4. Q4.Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Ashoka?

   • A.Kalsi
   • B.Rummindei
   • C.Special Kalinga Edict
   • D.Maski✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The personal name of Ashoka is mentioned in Gujarra, Maski, Nettur and Udgolam edicts.

5. Q5.In which of the following inscriptions the name of ‘Ashoka’ has been mentioned?

   • A.Bhabru Edict
   • B.Rock Edict XIII
   • C.Rummindei Pillar Inscription
   • D.Minor Rock Edict of Maski✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The name of Ashoka is mentioned in the Minor Rock Edict of Maski.

6. Q6.Which one of the following inscriptions contains the name of Ashoka?

   • A.Gujarra✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Ahraura
   • C.Brahmagiri
   • D.Sarnath

   Explanation: The name of Ashoka is mentioned in the Gujarra inscription.

7. Q7.The Rummindei Pillar of Ashoka was put up to mark:

   • A.Birth of Buddha✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Enlightenment of Buddha
   • C.First Sermon of Buddha
   • D.Demise of Buddha

   Explanation: Ashoka visited Lumbini in the 20th year of his coronation. To mark the birthplace of Buddha, the pillar at Rummindei was erected. He condoned the religious tax and reduced the land revenue rate.

8. Q8.Which of the following is not correctly matched?

   • A.Kumargupta I : Mandsore Inscription
   • B.Patika : Takshila Inscription
   • C.Prabhavatigupta : Udaigiri Cave Inscription✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Samudragupta : Erana Inscription

   Explanation: No inscription of Prabhavatigupta has been found from the Udaigiri caves. Rest options are correctly matched.

9. Q9.The Gujarra minor rock edict, in which the name of Ashoka is mentioned, is located in:

   • A.Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh
   • B.Datia district of Madhya Pradesh✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Jaipur district of Rajasthan
   • D.Champaran district of Bihar

   Explanation: The Gujarra minor rock edict is located in Datia district, Madhya Pradesh.

10. Q10.The only pillar on which Ashoka declares himself as the emperor of Magadha:

    • A.Minor pillar of Maski
    • B.Rummindei pillar
    • C.Queen pillar
    • D.Bhabru pillar✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Bhabru inscription proves Ashoka as Buddhist. In the same inscription, he referred to himself as ‘Piyadasi Raja’ Magadha, i.e. the king of Magadha.

11. Q11.Kalsi is famous for:

    • A.Buddhist Chaityas
    • B.Persian Coins
    • C.Rock edicts of Ashoka✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Temples of Gupta period

    Explanation: Kalsi is located in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. It is famous for Ashokan rock edict.

12. Q12.Where in Uttarakhand, was a copy of Emperor Ashok’s Rock Edicts discovered?

    • A.Nainital
    • B.Pauri
    • C.Tehri
    • D.Kalsi (Dehradun District)✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: A copy of Emperor Ashok’s Rock Edicts was discovered in Kalsi (Dehradun District).

13. Q13.In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?

    • A.Kanganahalli✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Sanchi
    • C.Shahbazgarhi
    • D.Sohgaura

    Explanation: Kanganahalli Buddha stupa is located in Gulbarga district of Karnataka. There is a stone portrait of Ashoka along with his Queen below which 'Ranya Ashoka' (King Ashoka) has been written.

14. Q14.Which Ashokan Rock Edict describes the victory and injuries of Kalinga war?

    • A.Rock edict I
    • B.Rock edict II
    • C.Rock edict XII
    • D.Rock edict XIII✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The 13th rock edict provides clear evidence of Kalinga war. It describes King Piyadasi (Ashoka) conquered Kalinga 8 years after his coronation.

15. Q15.The accounts of Kalinga War is known to us by the:

    • A.Rock Edict-XIII✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Rummindei Pillar Inscription
    • C.Accounts of Hiuen Tsang
    • D.Minor Rock Edict-I

    Explanation: The accounts of Kalinga War is known to us by the Rock Edict-XIII.

16. Q16.Which of the following Ashokan inscriptions is devoted to the principle of religious tolerance completely?

    • A.Rock edict XIII
    • B.Rock edict XII✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Pillar inscription VII
    • D.Bhabru minor rock edict

    Explanation: In the 12th major rock edict of Ashoka, there is the declaration of religious longanimity and growth of the essence of all communities.

17. Q17.Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? "Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely."

    • A.Ashoka✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Samudragupta
    • C.Harshavardhana
    • D.Krishnadeva Raya

    Explanation: Mentioned statement is found on his 12th major Rock Edict by which Ashoka has preached about religious harmony.

18. Q18.The central point in Ashoka's Dhamma is:

    • A.loyalty to the king
    • B.peace and non-violence
    • C.respect to elders
    • D.religious toleration
    • E.None of the above/More than one of the above✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Ashoka's Dhamma was primarily based on policy of peace, non-violence & religious toleration. In his 12th rock edict, religious longanimity is mentioned. Hence, more than one option is correct.

19. Q19.The Asokan major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts:

    • A.I and X
    • B.I and XI
    • C.II and XIII✓ Correct Answer
    • D.II and XIV

    Explanation: The rock edict second and thirteen of Ashoka tells us about the Sangam Kingdom of Chola, Pandya, Satiyaputta and Kerelaputta along with Tamraparni (Sri Lanka).

20. Q20.Which of the following South Kingdoms is not mentioned in the Ashokan inscriptions?

    • A.Chola
    • B.Pandya
    • C.Satiyaputta
    • D.Satavahana✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Satavahana is not mentioned in Ashokan inscriptions. Chola, Pandya, and Satiyaputta are mentioned.