CHAPTER 14
The Mauryan Administration Question and Answers |ICSE Class 6
Answer the following questions:
Point Format: Here are the answers as per the ICSE Grade 6 syllabus for the chapter “The Mauryan Empire Administration.”
Question 1: How many committees were set up for the administration of Pataliputra? Name any three departments that were managed by these committees.
Ans:
- The administration of Pataliputra was managed by six committees.
- Each committee had different responsibilities to ensure smooth governance.
- Three important departments managed by these committees were:
- Trade and Commerce Department – Regulated markets and controlled trade activities.
- Public Welfare Department – Took care of sanitation, health, and public buildings.
- Military Department – Managed soldiers, war elephants, and weapons.
Question 2: Mention two important features of each of the following:
Ans:
🔹 Stupas:
- Stupas were dome-shaped Buddhist structures built to house sacred relics.
- The most famous stupa built during this period was the Sanchi Stupa, commissioned by Ashoka.
🔹 Monolithic Pillars:
- These were single stone pillars erected by Ashoka to spread messages about Dhamma.
- They had inscriptions in Prakrit and were decorated with finely carved animal figures.
🔹 Lion Capital:
- The Lion Capital at Sarnath, built by Ashoka, is now India’s national emblem.
- It features four lions standing back to back, symbolizing power, courage, and unity.
Question 3: Mention three important occupations of the people during the Mauryan period.
Ans:
- Agriculture – The majority of people were farmers and cultivated rice, wheat, and millets.
- Trade and Craftsmanship – Many were engaged in weaving, pottery, metalwork, and jewelry making.
- Soldiering and Governance – People worked as soldiers, officials, and administrators in the Mauryan army and government.
Question 4: State three important reasons for the decline of the Mauryan Empire.
Ans:
- Weak Successors: After Ashoka’s death, his successors were weak and inefficient, leading to instability.
- Large Empire, Difficult to Control: The empire was too vast, making administration difficult and governance ineffective.
- Foreign Invasions: The empire faced invasions from Greek and Central Asian rulers, leading to its downfall.
Paragraph Format :Here are the answers in paragraph format as per the ICSE Grade 6 syllabus for the chapter “The Mauryan Empire Administration.”
Give a look on the essay on Holika Dahan
Question 1: How many committees were set up for the administration of Pataliputra? Name any three departments that were managed by these committees.
Ans: The administration of Pataliputra, the capital of the Mauryan Empire, was highly organized and efficient. To manage the city, the government set up six committees, each responsible for different aspects of governance. These committees played a crucial role in maintaining law and order, ensuring public welfare, and regulating trade. Among the important departments managed by these committees were the Trade and Commerce Department, which controlled markets and trade activities, the Public Welfare Department, which looked after sanitation, health, and infrastructure, and the Military Department, which managed the army, including soldiers, war elephants, and weapons.
Question 2: Mention two important features of each of the following:
Ans: The stupas were dome-shaped structures built as Buddhist religious monuments to house sacred relics of the Buddha and his followers. One of the most famous stupas from this period is the Sanchi Stupa, commissioned by Ashoka, which remains an important site of Buddhist heritage today. The monolithic pillars were single-stone pillars erected by Ashoka across his empire, often inscribed with Dhamma messages in Prakrit. These pillars were beautifully carved, with many topped by animal figures, showcasing Mauryan craftsmanship. One of the most well-known is the Lion Capital, which is now India’s national emblem. It features four lions standing back to back, symbolizing power, courage, and unity. The capital sits atop a circular base with carvings of a bull, elephant, lion, and horse, representing different directions and the spread of Buddhism.
Question 3: Mention three important occupations of the people during the Mauryan period.
Ans: During the Mauryan period, agriculture was the primary occupation of the people. Farmers cultivated crops such as rice, wheat, barley, and millets, and irrigation systems were developed to improve productivity. Alongside agriculture, trade and craftsmanship were flourishing occupations. Skilled artisans worked in weaving, pottery, metalwork, and jewelry making, while traders carried goods like textiles, spices, and precious stones to far-off places, including foreign lands. Another important occupation was soldiering and governance. Many people worked in the Mauryan army as soldiers, protecting the vast empire, while others served as officials and administrators, ensuring smooth governance.
Question 4: State three important reasons for the decline of the Mauryan Empire.
Ans: The decline of the Mauryan Empire began after the death of Emperor Ashoka. One major reason was the rule of weak successors, who lacked the ability to maintain the vast empire and control rebellious provinces. The Mauryan Empire was too large to manage effectively, and without a strong central authority, local governors and rulers began asserting independence. Additionally, the empire faced foreign invasions, particularly from Greek and Central Asian rulers, which further weakened its control over territories. These factors combined led to the eventual downfall of the Mauryan Empire, marking the end of one of India’s greatest dynasties.
