CHAPTER 13

The Mauryan Empire Question and Answer |ICSE Class 6

The Mauryan Administration was one of the most well-organized and efficient systems of governance in ancient India. Established during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya in the 4th century BCE and further strengthened under Emperor Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire had a highly centralized administration. It was guided by the principles laid out in the Arthashastra by Kautilya (Chanakya), which emphasized strong control, efficient bureaucracy, and economic management. The empire was divided into provinces, districts, and villages, each governed by appointed officials. A network of spies, tax collectors, and administrative officers ensured law, order, and smooth functioning of the state. The Mauryan Administration set a precedent for future Indian empires, showcasing a blend of discipline, welfare policies, and centralized authority.

Answer the following questions

Answers in Point Format: Here are the answers in paragraph format using both paragraphs and points, as per the ICSE Grade 6 syllabus for the chapter “The Mauryan Empire.”

Question 1: What happened to Alexander’s vast empire after his death?
Ans: After Alexander’s death in 323 BCE, his vast empire was divided among his generals since he had no strong successor. Seleucus I Nicator took control of the eastern part, including northwestern India. However, due to internal conflicts and wars among his successors, his empire weakened, and local rulers started gaining power. This led to the rise of new dynasties, including the Mauryan Empire in India under Chandragupta Maurya.

Question 2: Why was Seleucus compelled to sign a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya? Mention two important terms of this treaty.
Ans: Seleucus was forced to sign a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya after suffering defeats in battle. Chandragupta’s strong army made it impossible for Seleucus to continue fighting. To maintain peace, a treaty was signed, with the following terms:

• Seleucus gave up territories in Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and parts of Iran to Chandragupta.
• In exchange, Seleucus received 500 war elephants, which strengthened his army.

This treaty marked a significant expansion of the Mauryan Empire and helped establish friendly relations between India and the Greek world.

Question 3: What was the extent of Chandragupta’s empire?
Ans: Chandragupta Maurya’s empire covered a vast area of the Indian subcontinent. It extended from:

• Afghanistan and parts of Persia (Iran) in the northwest to Bengal in the east.
• The Deccan Plateau in the south, though he did not conquer the far southern regions.
• Gujarat and western India.
• The capital of his empire was Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).

Chandragupta’s conquests laid the foundation for the largest empire in Indian history under his grandson, Ashoka.

Question 4: What was the extent of Ashoka’s empire?
Ans: Under Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire reached its greatest extent. It covered:

• Northwest India, including present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• North and central India up to Bengal in the east.
• Western regions including Gujarat and parts of Iran.
• Southward expansion up to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

After the Kalinga War, Ashoka controlled almost the entire Indian subcontinent, except for parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Question 5: Why was the Kalinga War a turning point in Ashoka’s life?
Ans: The Kalinga War (261 BCE) was a major turning point in Ashoka’s life. Although he won the war, he was deeply affected by the large-scale destruction and suffering of the people.

• He saw thousands of people killed and many more injured, which made him realize the horrors of war.
• He decided to give up violence and follow Buddhism.
• From a conquering king, he transformed into a ruler who focused on peace, welfare, and non-violence.
• This change made Ashoka one of the greatest and most compassionate rulers in history.

Question 6: Mention any three principles of Dhamma.
Ans: Ashoka’s Dhamma was a set of moral and ethical guidelines to create harmony in society. Some important principles were:

• Non-violence (Ahimsa): Avoid harming or killing any living being.
• Respect for elders and kindness to all: Treat parents, teachers, and servants with care.
• Religious tolerance: Accept and respect all religions and beliefs.

Question 7: What did Ashoka do to spread Buddhism outside India?
Ans: Ashoka actively spread Buddhism beyond India by:

• Sending missionaries to Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Egypt, Greece, and Central Asia.
• His son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
• Building Buddhist monasteries and stupas in various regions.
• Promoting Buddhist teachings through rock and pillar edicts.

Question 8: Mention any three steps taken by Ashoka to propagate Dhamma in India.
Ans: Ashoka took several measures to spread Dhamma across India:

• Rock and pillar edicts: His teachings were inscribed on rocks and pillars so people could read them.
• Dhamma Mahamatras: Special officials were appointed to help people follow a moral and ethical life.
• Promotion of non-violence: Animal sacrifices were banned, and kindness towards all living beings was encouraged.

Question 9: What are edicts? Why were they inscribed in Prakrit?
Ans: Edicts are official messages engraved on rocks and pillars to spread Ashoka’s teachings about Dhamma, peace, and good governance.

• They were written in Prakrit, the common language of the people, so that everyone could understand them.
• Some edicts were also written in Greek and Aramaic to reach foreign audiences.

Question 10: What did Ashoka do for the welfare of his subjects?
Ans: Ashoka focused on improving the quality of life for his people. Some of his welfare measures included:

• Hospitals for humans and animals to provide medical care.
• Roads, wells, and rest houses for travelers and traders.
• Tree plantations along roads to provide shade and comfort.
• Free medical care for all citizens.
• Fair justice system to ensure peace and harmony in society.

Ashoka’s policies made him a just and compassionate ruler, remembered for his contributions to society.

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Answers in Paragraph Format: Here are the answers in paragraph format using both paragraphs and points, as per the ICSE Grade 6 syllabus for the chapter “The Mauryan Empire.”

Question 1: What happened to Alexander’s vast empire after his death?
Ans: After Alexander’s death in 323 BCE, his vast empire was divided among his generals, as he had no strong successor. The eastern part of his empire, which included northwestern India, came under the control of Seleucus I Nicator, one of his generals. However, Alexander’s empire soon began to weaken due to internal conflicts and wars among his successors, leading to the rise of local rulers in different regions.

Question 2: Why was Seleucus compelled to sign a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya? Mention two important terms of this treaty.
Ans: Seleucus was compelled to sign a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya because he was unable to defeat the Mauryan ruler in battle. Chandragupta’s powerful army forced Seleucus to negotiate peace instead of continuing the war. Two important terms of this treaty were:

1. Seleucus gave territories in present-day Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and parts of Iran to Chandragupta.
2. In exchange, Seleucus received 500 war elephants from Chandragupta, which strengthened his military.

Question 3: What was the extent of Chandragupta’s empire?
Ans: Chandragupta’s empire covered a vast area, stretching from Afghanistan and parts of Persia in the northwest to Bengal in the east. It extended southward up to the Deccan Plateau and included Gujarat in the west. His capital was Pataliputra (modern-day Patna), and he ruled almost the entire Indian subcontinent except for parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Question 4: What was the extent of Ashoka’s empire?
Ans: Ashoka’s empire was the largest in Indian history at that time. It extended from Afghanistan and the Himalayas in the north to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the south. It also included Bengal in the east and extended westward to parts of Iran and Baluchistan. After the Kalinga War, he ruled over almost the entire Indian subcontinent, except for the far southern regions.

Question 5: Why was the Kalinga War a turning point in Ashoka’s life?
The Kalinga War (261 BCE) was a major turning point in Ashoka’s life because of the immense bloodshed and destruction it caused. Although he won the war, he was deeply disturbed by the sight of thousands of dead and suffering people. Realizing the horrors of war, Ashoka decided to give up violence and follow Buddhism. He dedicated his life to peace, non-violence, and the welfare of his people, making him one of the greatest rulers in history.

Question 6: Mention any three principles of Dhamma.
Ashoka’s Dhamma was a set of moral and ethical principles aimed at promoting harmony. Three key principles of Dhamma were:

1. Non-violence (Ahimsa) – People should avoid killing or harming any living beings.
2. Respect for elders and kindness to all – Everyone, including family members and servants, should be treated with love and respect.
3. Religious tolerance – All religions should be respected, and people should live in peace despite their differences.

Question 7: What did Ashoka do to spread Buddhism outside India?
To spread Buddhism outside India, Ashoka sent missionaries to different parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Egypt, Greece, and Central Asia. His son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra were sent to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhist teachings. He also established Buddhist monasteries and stupas in various regions and promoted Buddhist values through rock and pillar edicts.

Question 8: Mention any three steps taken by Ashoka to propagate Dhamma in India.
Ans:

]Ashoka took several measures to spread Dhamma in India, including:

1. Engraving his teachings on rocks and pillars across his empire so people could easily read and follow them.
2. Appointing Dhamma Mahamatras, officials responsible for spreading Dhamma and helping people follow a moral life.
3. Encouraging kindness and non-violence by banning animal sacrifices and promoting respect for all living beings.

Question 9: What are edicts? Why were they inscribed in Prakrit?
Ans: Edicts were official inscriptions carved on rocks and pillars by Ashoka to spread his messages of Dhamma, peace, and good governance. These edicts were inscribed in Prakrit, the common language of the people, so that everyone, including the ordinary citizens, could understand them easily. Some edicts were also written in Greek and Aramaic for foreign audiences.

Question 10: What did Ashoka do for the welfare of his subjects?
Ans : Ashoka took several measures for the welfare of his people. He built hospitals for humans and animals, constructed roads, rest houses, and wells for travelers, and planted trees along roads for shade. He established free medical care and encouraged fair treatment of prisoners. Ashoka also worked to promote justice, religious tolerance, and social harmony, making him a unique and compassionate ruler in history.