Q1. Magasthenes visited the court of
(a) Ashoka
(b) Harsha
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Vikramaditya
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (c) Chandragupta Maurya
Explanation: Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, visited the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra during the 4th century BCE. His account, Indica, provides valuable insights into Mauryan administration, society, and culture.
Q2. Earliest Indian coins belonged to which period ?
(a) 5th century B.C.
(b) Ashoka’s reign
(c) 1st century A.D.
(d) 3rd century A.D.
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (a) 5th century B.C.
Explanation: The earliest Indian coins date back to the 5th century B.C., during the Mahajanapada period. These were punch-marked coins, made of silver and used for trade. They represent the beginning of monetary economy in ancient India.
Q3. What was the main feature of Maurya dynasty in India ?
(a) Education was widespread
(b) Terrorists were driven out of Sind and Punjab
(c) Removal of land tax for the first time
(d) Decentralisation of administration
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (d) Decentralisation of administration
Explanation: The Mauryan Empire, especially under Ashoka, implemented a decentralised administrative system with provincial governors and local officials. This structure allowed for efficient governance across a vast territory, balancing central authority with regional autonomy.
Q4. Which of the following was the main reason of the downfall of Mauryan empire?
(a) Weak successors of Ashoka who could not control the empire properly
(b) Religious policy of Ashoka
(c) Ashoka maintained friendly relations with his neighbours
(d) None of the above
(UPSC Prelims 1986)
Answer: (a) Weak successors of Ashoka who could not control the empire properly
Explanation: After Ashoka’s reign, the Mauryan Empire declined due to ineffective leadership by his successors, who failed to maintain administrative control and territorial unity, leading to its fragmentation.
5. Match List I with List II
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| (a) Roaper | (i) Informs about Mauryan Empire |
| (b) Kumarahar | (ii) Treaty of alliance between Bentinck and Ranjit Singh |
| (c) Aihole | (iii) Statue of Lord Bahubali |
| (d) Shravan Belgola | (iv) Sites of Chalukyan architecture |
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | i | ii | iii | iv |
| (b) | iv | ii | iii | i |
| (c) | ii | i | iv | iii |
| (d) | ii | iii | i | iv |
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Roaper is associated with the treaty of alliance between Lord William Bentinck and Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Kumarahar provides important archaeological evidence that informs us about the Mauryan Empire. Aihole is a prominent site of Chalukyan architecture. Shravan Belgola is famous for the statue of Lord Bahubali.
Therefore, the correct matching is A-(ii), B-(i), C-(iv), D-(iii).