Explanation: Rajagriha. Magadha Empire was ruled by following dynasties: Haryanka Dynasty (Bimbisara), Shishunaga Dynasty (Shishunaga), and Nanda Dynasty (Mahapadma Nanda). Alexander invaded North-Western India in 326 BC during the reign of Dhana Nanda (last emperor of Nanda).

Explanation: 1/6th. Rulers of mahajanapadas in ancient India collected a tax called ‘Bhaga’ from the Farmers in their region.

Explanation: Only I. Mahapadma Nanda established the Nanda dynasty in Eastern Magadha. He established Pataliputra (Patna, Bihar) as his kingdom’s capital. He is called the “first historical emperor of India.”.

Explanation: Bimbisara was the first ruler of Magadha from the Haryanka dynasty. Ajatashatru (492 to 460 BCE or early 4th century BCE) was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha in East India. He was the son of King Bimbisara and was a contemporary of both Mahavira (Nigantha Nataputta) and Gautama Buddha.

Explanation: Dhana Nanda (died 321 BCE) was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty. He was the youngest of the eight brothers of the dynasty’s founder Ugrasena. The Nanda dynasty ended with him in about 321 BCE when Chandragupta Maurya led the foundation of the Mauryan Dynasty.

Explanation: Mahavamsa – It was written by Mahanama in Pali language. Literary Sources of Mauryan Period: “Arthashastra” (Kautilya), “Indica” (Megasthenes). Buddhist Literature (Jatakas, Digha Nikaya and Sumangalavilasi) , Jain Literature (Hemchandra’s Jaina Parishishta describes Chandragupta’s life including his embrace of Jainism) etc .

Explanation: Brihadratha. He was killed by Pushyamitra Shunga who founded the Shunga Dynasty. Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 321 B.C by defeating Dhanananda of Nanda dynasty. Their capital was Patliputra. List of Mauryan Empire Rulers – Chandragupta, Bindusara, Ashoka, Dasharatha, Samprati, Shalishuka, Devavarman, Shatadhanvan, Brihadratha.

Explanation: Ashoka – He was the third Mauryan emperor. Ashoka’s 13th Rock Edict describes the Kalinga war. He patronised the third Buddhist council in Pataliputra presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa. Chandragupta Maurya was a follower of Jainism. Bindusara was a follower of Ajivika religion.

Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya: His Greek name was Sandrocottos. He was the founder of the Mauryan Empire. He occupied patliputra (Magadh Empire) in 322 B.C by defeating Dhanananda of Nanda Empire. During his tenure Megasthenese (Greek Historian) visited India. He used to follow Jainism. He was succeeded by Bindusara (Son of Chandragupta). Ashoka was the son and the successor of Bindusara. Dashratha was the Grandson of Ashoka.

Explanation: Ashoka. Other Famous Stupas in India – Mahabodhi Stupa, Bodh Gaya (Bihar); Shanti Stupa, Leh (Ladakh); Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh); Amaravati Stupa (Andhra Pradesh); Dro-dul Chorten Stupa (Sikkim).

Explanation: Tax assessment. Officers during the Mauryan administration: Shulkadhyaksha (Officer-in-charge of royal income), Koshadhyaksha (Treasury officer), Lakshanadhyaksha (Coin minting), Rajjukas (Land measurer), Yukta (Subordinate revenue officer), Sannidata (Treasury head), Panyadhyaksha (Office of commerce department).

Explanation: Ceylon. They were appointed to carry out the duties of a Buddhist missionary. Ashoka the Great (268-232 BCE) was the third Mauryan emperor who embraced Buddhism and promoted the concept of dhamma (righteousness).

Explanation: Seleucus I Nicator (founded the Seleucid Empire) was a Macedonian Greek general, officer and successor of Alexander the Great. Chandragupta Maurya – Became a Jain monk and committed Sallekhana (Practice of fasting till death) at Shravanabelagola.

Explanation: Seleucus Nicator. Megasthenes: He wrote the book “Indica”. After Alexander’s death his empire was divided between four of his generals: Cassander, Ptolemy, Antigonus, and Seleucus.

Explanation: Vishnugupta (Kautilya). Chandragupta Maurya – Founder of Maurya dynasty (321-185 BCE). The Nanda dynasty (343 BCE to 321 BCE) – founded by Mahapadma Nanda. Magadha was ruled by the Haryanka dynasty, the Shishunaga dynasty, the Nanda dynasty, the Mauryan dynasty, the Shunga dynasty and the Kanva dynasty. Samudragupta – Known as the “Indian Napoleon”.

Explanation: 8 years. Ashoka fought the Kalinga War in 261 BC. King Ashoka (268 – 232 BC) was the third king of the Mauryan Empire best known for his renunciation of war, and development of the concept of dhamma (pious social conduct).

Explanation: 7 . They were Brahmins (upper class), Philosophers, Farmers, Herders, Artisans, Military, Overseers, Councillors and Assessors. Other Foreign travelers and their books: Al -biruni (Kitab-ul-hind), Ibn Battuta (Rihla).

Explanation: Ashwadhyaksha. Officers in Mauryan Empire: Mantrin (Chief Minister), Senapati (Commander-in -Chief), Yuvraj (Crown prince), Shulkadhyaksha (Officer in-charge of royal income), Prashasti (Prison head), Koshadhyaksha (Treasury officer), Vyabharika (Chief Judge), Dandapala (Head of Police), Annapala (Head of food grains department), Pradeshika (District administrator), Hastyadhyaksha (Chief Commander of Elephant Corps), Rathadhyaksha (Chief Commander of Chariot Corps) and Nayaka (City security officer).

Explanation: Sarnath Lion Capital – Erected by Ashoka (Around 250 BCE) in commemoration of Dhammachakra pravartana or the first sermon of Buddha. The Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath is the Indian National Emblem. The inscription Satyamev Jayate is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.

Explanation: Arthashastra – It focused primarily on principles and practice of statecraft, Written in the Sanskrit language by Kautilya (Chanakya /Vishnugupta), who was the Prime Minister under Chandragupta Maurya’s reign. Brihat Samhita (Written by Varahamira) – It is an exhaustive study on architecture, temples, planetary motions, eclipses, timekeeping, astrology and mathematics. Nitisara (Written by Kamandaki) – Ancient Indian treatise on politics and statecraft. Shulba Sutra – It provides geometry relevant to the fire-altar building and is part of the Srauta rite.

Explanation: Ajivika – It was founded by Goshala Maskariputra. It is based on the philosophy that the affairs of the entire universe were ordered by a cosmic force called Niyati that determined all events, including an individual’s fate. The seven caves were created by Mauryan time for the Ajivika Sect. Barabar Caves – Karna Chaupar, Sudama Cave, Lomas Rishi Cave, Vishwamitra (Visva Zopri) Cave. Nagaragunja Caves – Gopi Cave, Bahayak Cave and Vedantika Cave.

Explanation: Indraprastha. James Prinsep – First person to decipher Ashoka’s edicts. These Ashoka’s inscriptions are the first tangible evidence of Buddhism.

Explanation: Five. Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka: Rock Edict I – prohibits animal slaughter. Rock Edict II – describes Chola, Pandyas, Satyapur and Keralaputra Kingdom of South India. Rock Edict IV – Impact of Dhamma on society. Rock Edict VIII – Describes Asoka’s first Dhamma Yatra to Bodhgaya and Bodhi Tree. Rock Edict XIII: Asoka’s victory over Kalinga. The victory of Asoka’s Dhamma over Greek Kings, Antiochus, Ptolemy, Antigonus, Magas, Alexander and Cholas, and Pandyas. This is the Largest Edict. It mentions Kamboj, Nabhaks, Bhoja, and Andhra.

Explanation: Bindusara. He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya and was the second Mauryan emperor of India whose reign from 297 – 273 BCE . He was also known as Amitrochates (in Greek) or Amitraghata (in Sanskrit) meaning Slayer of all enemies.

Explanation: Brahmagiri. The Maurya Empire: Founder – Chandragupta Maurya, Capital – Pataliputra (modern Patna). Three important rulers of the Mauryan Empire – Chandragupta, his son Bindusara, and Bindusara’s son, Ashoka. Important animals on capital of Ashoka: Sarnath Pillar (Varanasi) – Four Lions, Sanchi Pillar (Madhya Pradesh) – Four lions, but it is broken, Rampurva Pillar (Bihar) – Single Bull, Sankissa Pillar (Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh) – Single Elephant, Lauriya Nandangarh Pillar (West Champaran Bihar) – Single Lion.

Explanation: Sanchi. It is a famous Buddhist site with several stupas and monasteries. Language used in Ashoka’s inscriptions – Prakrit. Major inscriptions found at Allahabad, Kandahar, Kalinga, Sannati, Rummindei, Girnar, Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra. Ashoka’s name is only used in four of these locations: Maski, Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Gujjara (Madhya Pradesh) and Nettur (Andhra Pradesh).

Explanation: To spread the dharma of policies. Pillars are inscribed with edicts by the 3rd Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great (c. 268 to 232 BCE). There are seven pillar edicts. The Seventh Pillar Edict mentions Dhamma Mahamattas and it is the longest pillar almost of all.

Explanation: Barabar and Nagarjuni caves – Located in Jehanabad district of Bihar, Constructed by Emperor Ashoka for the benefit of Ajivika ascetics. They were cut from a single solid granite block.

Explanation: 2400 . Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered construction of the Great Wall around 221 B.C. It was meant to protect the northern frontier of the empire from pastoral people.

Explanation: Shunga. Shunga Dynasty Founder – Pushyamitra Sunga. Ruled – From 185 BCE to 73 BCE. Last Ruler – Devabhuti. Kanva Dynasty Founder – Vasudeva Kanva. Ruled – From 73 BCE to 28 BCE. Last Ruler – Susarma. Satavahana Dynasty Founder – Simuka . Famous Ruler – Gautamiputra Satakarni.

Explanation: Dhamma Mahamatta. Tirthas: The highest category of officials in the administration. There were 18 Tirthas. Amatyas: High ranking officials almost like present-day secretaries. The important officials in the revenue department are Sannidhata: Chief treasury, Samaharta: collector general of revenue. Yuktas: Subordinate officers responsible for the Empire’s revenue. Rajjukas: Officers in charge of land measurement and boundary-fixing.

Explanation: Both I and II. Ashoka’s inscription was written in Brahmi Script. Brahmi Script was deciphered by James Prinsep.

Explanation: Bimbisara is considered the main founder of the Haryanka dynasty. He had his capital at Girivraja/Rajagriha (Rajgir). He was a contemporary and a follower of the Buddha. He was the first king to have a standing army.

Explanation: Ashoka (Mauryan Emperor). His inscriptions were carved on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces. James Prinsep, was the first person to decipher Ashoka’s edicts. These Ashoka’s inscriptions are the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. There are 14 major rock edicts, 15 minor rock edicts, and 7 pillar inscriptions.

Explanation: Suvarṇa Bhoomi (Indian Subcontinent), appears in many ancient Indian literary sources and Buddhist texts such as the Mahavamsa, Jataka tales, the Milinda Panha, and the Ramayana. The famous book on India: Megasthenes- ‘Indica’, Fahein- ‘Fo – kwo – ki’, Hiuen Tsang- ‘Si-yu-ki’, Al-Biruni- ‘Kitab-ul-Hind’, and Ibn Batuta- ‘The Rihla’.

Explanation: Alexander (Sikandar) and Porus fought in the Battle of Hydaspes. It was fought in the year 326 BC. It took place on the banks of the Jhelum River in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation: Rupnath. Minor rock edicts of Ashoka – Kandahar (Afghanistan), Lampaka (Afghanistan), Bahapur (Delhi), Bairat (Rajasthan), Bhabru (Rajasthan), Gujarra (Madhya Pradesh), Rupnath (Madhya Pradesh), Panguraria (Madhya Pradesh), Sasaram (Bihar), Barabar Caves (Bihar), Rajula-Mandagiri, Andhra Pradesh, Suvarna Giri (Andhra Pradesh), Brahmagiri (Karnataka), JatinaRameshwara, Karnataka, Siddapur (Karnataka), Maski (Karnataka), Nittur (Karnataka), Udegolam (Karnataka), Palkigundu and Gavimath (Karnataka).

Explanation: Mauryan Empire. It literally means ‘removal of the thorns’ and was used in reference to criminal justice in ancient India. Kautilya also mentioned the cases that are subject to kantaka shodhana in his book Arthashastra.

Explanation: Alexander Cunningham published a set of Ashokan inscriptions in the year 1877. He was the founder of the Archaeological Survey of India. In 1851, he explored the Buddhist monuments of Central India. He had conducted excavations at Sarnath, Sankasya and Sanchi.

Explanation: James Prinsep was the first scholar to decipher the Ashokan edicts. Most of the dialects of Ashokan edicts were written in Prakrit language using Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the father of Indian Archaeology.

Explanation: Magadha. The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in South Asia based in Magadha, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE. King Porus used elephants against Alexander in the battle of hydaspes.

Explanation: Forest kingdom. Their early reference is found in the Mauryan period. During the age of Mahajanpadas, Jharkhand state was a part of Magadha and Anga. In the Mauryan period, this region was ruled by a number of states, which were collectively known as the Atavika (forest) states.

Explanation: Muvendavelan was a prominent military officer for a king of the Chola Throne. Vajapeya was a Soma Yajna. Rajasuya (Imperial Sacrifice or the king’s inauguration sacrifice) is a Srauta ritual of the Vedic religion. It is a consecration of a king. Ashvamedha is a horse sacrifice ritual followed by the Śrauta tradition of Vedic religion.

Explanation: Harisena. Samudragupta is the successor of Chandragupta I. He also assumed the titles of Kaviraj and Vikramanka.

Explanation: Gupta. Bagh Caves are located in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh). These are a group of nine rock-cut monuments. These caves were founded by the Buddhist monk Dataka. Caves in India – Undavalli caves (Andhra Pradesh), Barabar Caves (Bihar), Badami Cave Temples (Karnataka), Udaygiri Caves (Madhya Pradesh), Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves (Maharashtra).

Explanation: Chandra Gupta II. Vakataka dynasty : Founded by Vindhyashakti in 250 CE. Ajanta caves (numbers ⅩⅥ, ⅩⅦ, ⅩⅨ) are the best examples of Vakataka excellence in the field of painting. Shree Gupta (240 to 280 CE) was founder of the Gupta dynasty. Chandra Gupta I (319 to 335 CE) assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja. Samudra Gupta (“Napolean of India” title given by VA Smith, 335 to 375 CE) – He was given the title of Kaviraj.

Explanation: Gupta. Practice of Sati has been found in the Eran Pillar Inscription of Bhanugupta, Madhya Pradesh. Sati Movement : Raja Ram Mohan Roy described ‘Sati’ as ‘murder’ according to every shastra. By his efforts, Bengal Sati Regulation Act was passed to criminalize the practice of Sati in 1829.

Explanation: Allahabad pillar inscription composed in Sanskrit by Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta.

Explanation: Chandragupta I (320 – 335 CE). Sri Gupta (late 3rd century CE) – Founded the Gupta dynasty. Skandagupta (455-467 CE) – Considered the last of the great Gupta Emperors.

Explanation: Chandragupta II (380 – 415 CE). He was the third ruler of the Gupta Dynasty, Son of Samudragupta. He defeated the Sakas to annex Gujarat and Saurashtra and made Ujjain his second capital. First Gupta ruler to issue Silver coins known as ‘Rupaka’.