Maurya Dynasty MCQ: Megasthenes' Indica & Mauryan Foreign Relations

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

1. Q1.Which of the following inscriptions of Ashoka bans animal sacrifice on certain festive gathering, that probably included a ban on animal killing as well?

   • A.Rock Edict I
   • B.Pillar Edict V✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Rock Edict IX
   • D.Rock Edict XI

   Explanation: According to 5th Pillar edict, King Ashoka declared many animals inviolable. Although the first rock edict also mentions no living beings are to be slaughtered, the book marks Pillar Edict V as the most suitable answer for the specifics of the question.

2. Q2.Ptolemy Philadelphus who had diplomatic relation with Ashoka, was king of:

   • A.Cyron
   • B.Egypt✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Macedonia
   • D.Syria

   Explanation: Turmaya or Turamaya (Ptolemy II Philadelphus) was the ruler of Egypt. Ashoka's 13th inscription mentions him.

3. Q3.Turamaya, a contemporary of Ashoka was the ruler of –

   • A.Egypt✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Corinth
   • C.Macedonia
   • D.Syria

   Explanation: Turamaya (Ptolemy II Philadelphus) was the ruler of Egypt.

4. Q4.Rulers of which of the following dynasties had diplomatic relations with distant countries like Syria and Egypt?

   • A.Chola
   • B.Gupta
   • C.Maurya✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Pallavas

   Explanation: Mauryan rulers had diplomatic relations with distant countries. Ashoka's 13th edict mentions rulers of Syria, Egypt, Macedonia, Cyrene, and Epirus.

5. Q5.Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve food-grains to be utilised during the crisis in the country?

   • A.Sohgavra Copper-plate✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Rummindei Pillar-edict of Asoka
   • C.Prayaga-Prasasti
   • D.Mehrauli Pillar inscription of Chandra

   Explanation: The earliest known copper plate, known as Sohgaura, is a Mauryan record that mentions the earliest royal order to preserve food-grains to be utilized during famine.

6. Q6.Assertion (A): Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire. Reason (R): Kalinga controlled the land and sea routes to South India.

   • A.Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
   • C.(A) is true, but (R) is false.
   • D.(A) is false, but (R) is true.

   Explanation: The territory of Kalinga was like a bridge between north and south. It controlled the overseas trade and land routes. That is why it was necessary to invade Kalinga.

7. Q7.Assertion (A): The Mauryan kings did not bestow land-grants on religious basis. Reason (R): The peasants revolted against land grants.

   • A.Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
   • B.Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
   • C.(A) is true, but (R) is false.✓ Correct Answer
   • D.(A) is false, but (R) is true.

   Explanation: Mauryan emperors did not grant any land on religious basis. There is no description found about peasant revolt against land grants. Thus, Assertion (A) is right, while Reason (R) is wrong.

8. Q8.In which inscription, Kalinga victory is mentioned?

   • A.Maski Inscription
   • B.Rudradaman Inscription
   • C.Junagarh Inscription
   • D.Hathigumpha Inscription
   • E.None of the above/More than one of the above✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Kalinga Victory is mentioned in Ashoka's Rock Edict Number 13. None of the specific options (a-d) list Rock Edict 13, so option (e) is correct.

9. Q9.In the Mauryan period, tax evasion was punished with –

   • A.Death✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Confiscation of goods
   • C.Imprisonment
   • D.None of the above

   Explanation: According to Megasthenes' Indica, the 6th board was responsible for the collection of sales tax (one-tenth of earnings). The culprits who evaded this tax were punished with a death sentence.

10. Q10.Famous Greek ambassador Megasthenes came to the court of which emperor?

    • A.Ashoka
    • B.Harsha Vardhana
    • C.Chandragupta Maurya✓ Correct Answer
    • D.None of the above

    Explanation: Megasthenes was a Greek historian who came to India in the fourth century B.C. as a representative of Seleucus Nicator. He lived in the court of Chandragupta Maurya.

11. Q11.Megasthenes was the ambassador of -:

    • A.Seleucus✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Alexander
    • C.Darius
    • D.the Greeks
    • E.None of the above/ More than one of the above

    Explanation: Megasthenes was a Greek historian who came to India as a representative of Seleucus Nicator.

12. Q12.During whose rule did Megasthenes come to India?

    • A.Ashoka
    • B.Harshvardhan
    • C.Chandragupta Maurya✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kumargupta

    Explanation: Megasthenes came to India during the rule of Chandragupta Maurya.

13. Q13.In how many categories did Megasthenes divide the Indian Society?

    • A.Four
    • B.Five
    • C.Six
    • D.Seven✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Megasthenes divided Mauryan society into seven categories: Philosophers, Farmers, Herdsmen, Artisans, Military, Overseers, and Assessors.

14. Q14.Which of the following sources states that there was no slavery in ancient India?

    • A.Arthashastra
    • B.Mudrarakshasha
    • C.Megasthenes' Indica✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Vayupuran

    Explanation: Megasthenes' Indica mentions that there was no slavery in India. However, this observation is contradicted by other Indian sources.

15. Q15.The division of Mauryan ‘Society into seven classes' is particularly mentioned in:

    • A.Kautilya’s Arthashastra
    • B.Ashokan Edicts
    • C.The Puranas
    • D.Megasthenes' Indica✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The division of Mauryan society into seven classes is particularly mentioned in Megasthenes' Indica.

16. Q16.The description of the administration of Pataliputra is available in:

    • A.Divyanadan
    • B.Arthashastra
    • C.Indica✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Ashoka’s inscriptions

    Explanation: The description of the administration of Pataliputra is found in Megasthenes' 'Indica'. He mentioned six committees of five members each.

17. Q17.Which of the following statements is true regarding Pataliputra, the capital of the Magadha Kingdom?

    • A.Pataliputra was surrounded by the river Ganges in the East and by the river Champa in the North
    • B.Pataliputra was surrounded by the river Ganges in the North and by the river Sone in the West✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Pataliputra was surrounded by the Vindhya mountain in the South and by the river Ganges in the East
    • D.Pataliputra was surrounded by the Vindhya mountain the South and by the river Champa in the West

    Explanation: Pataliputra was surrounded by Ganges in the North & by river Sone in the west.

18. Q18.Which of the following sources gives a detailed account of city administration of the Mauryas?

    • A.Kautilya’s Arthashastra
    • B.Megasthenes' Indica✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Mudrarakashasa of Vishakha Datta
    • D.Inscription of Ashoka

    Explanation: Megasthenes' Indica gives a detailed account of the city administration of the Mauryas.

19. Q19.What is the name of Megasthenes’ book?

    • A.Economics
    • B.Rig Veda
    • C.Purana
    • D.Indica✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The name of Megasthenes' book is Indica.

20. Q20.‘Indica’ was originally written by –

    • A.Nearchus
    • B.Megasthenes✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Plutarch
    • D.Diodorus

    Explanation: Indica was originally written by Megasthenes.