The Rise of Empires – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
Social Science — Chapter 4: The Rise of Empires
40 MCQs with clear answers and concept-clearing explanations — NCERT-aligned for CBSE Class 7 revision.
Instructions
Attempt the MCQs. Click Show Answer & Explanation to reveal the correct option and a short explanation to clear the concept.
Basics of Empires
Questions on definitions, characteristics and administration of empires.
1. What is an empire?
Correct: C. An empire is a large political unit where one state controls several territories — this distinguishes it from smaller political units like kingdoms or villages.
2. Who typically ruled ancient empires?
Correct: C. Empires had an emperor or central authority which coordinated administration, military and taxation across territories.
3. Which is NOT typically a feature of imperial administration?
Correct: C. Empires rarely allowed complete political autonomy — instead they appointed governors or allied with local rulers to maintain control.
4. Why were strong armies important for empires?
Correct: B. Strong armies were used to defend borders, suppress rebellions and expand empires — essential for both security and control.
5. What was a primary economic reason for the formation of empires?
Correct: A. Empires sought control of fertile lands, mineral resources and trade routes as these provided wealth and revenue needed for administration and armies.
6. How did empires often manage cultural diversity?
Correct: B. Empires often accommodated local customs but introduced common administrative tools (like taxation, coinage) to integrate diverse regions.
7. What is meant by the ‘frontier’ of an empire?
Correct: C. Frontiers are border zones where the empire’s control wanes and interactions with neighbours are frequent.
8. Which of these was NOT a typical source of revenue for empires?
Correct: D. Social media did not exist in ancient times; typical revenue came from land, trade and tributes.
Trade and Routes
Questions on how roads, rivers and trade networks helped empires grow.
9. Which natural feature often served as an important trade route?
Correct: B. Rivers were natural highways that carried goods quickly and cheaply, important for ancient trade.
10. What is a caravan?
Correct: A. Caravans were groups of merchants with pack animals moving goods overland—essential for long-distance trade.
11. Which infrastructure improvement helped rulers communicate quickly across the empire?
Correct: A. Roads and messenger networks improved speed of communication and governance across vast territories.
12. Market towns were important because they:
Correct: A. Market towns concentrated buyers and sellers, fostering trade, craft production and economic activity.
13. Which is an example of cultural exchange through trade?
Correct: A. Trade introduced new ideas and artistic techniques—e.g., Greek influences in Gandhara art are tied to trade and contact.
14. Why did rulers protect trade routes?
Correct: A. Protecting trade reduced losses from robbery and ensured taxable commerce—important for state revenue.
15. What were caravanserais?
Correct: A. Caravanserais were inns or halting places where merchants rested, traded and resupplied on long journeys.
Magadha
Questions about Magadha’s geography, politics and economy.
16. In which part of India was Magadha located?
Correct: B. Magadha occupied the fertile eastern Gangetic plains—ideal for agriculture and settlement growth.
17. Which resource helped Magadha support a large population and army?
Correct: A. Fertile land produced surplus crops which supported population growth and military needs.
18. What was the important capital city of Magadha?
Correct: B. Pataliputra (near modern Patna) was a major political and administrative centre for Magadha.
19. How did Magadha expand its influence over neighbouring areas?
Correct: B. Magadha used organized military campaigns, strategic alliances and administration to bring neighbouring regions under control.
20. Controlling towns on rivers helped Magadha because:
Correct: B. Controlling river towns allowed rulers to collect taxes and regulate trade moving along waterways.
21. Which administrative measure helped Magadha govern its territories?
Correct: A. Governors or officials appointed by the central authority helped enforce policies, collect taxes and maintain order.
22. Magadha’s economic strength was based mainly on:
Correct: A. Fertile agriculture and control over trade towns produced surplus and revenue that sustained Magadha’s power.
Arrival of the Greeks
Questions on Alexander’s invasion and Indo-Greek cultural contacts.
23. When did Alexander the Great invade north-west India?
Correct: B. Alexander invaded north-west India in the late 4th century BCE (around 327–326 BCE) during his Asian campaign.
24. How did Greeks reach India?
Correct: B. Greeks moved eastward through Persia into Afghanistan and across the north-western passes to reach Indian territories.
25. What emerged in north-west India after Alexander’s departure?
Correct: A. Greek rulers and settlers established Indo-Greek states and influenced local culture, art and coinage.
26. Which area showed strong Greek influence in art?
Correct: A. Gandhara (north-west) shows Hellenistic influence in sculpture and iconography, famous for realistic human forms.
27. How did Greek contact affect local coinage?
Correct: B. Greek artistic styles introduced portraiture and inscriptions, influencing local coin design and monetary practices.
28. Did Greek contact contribute to religious exchanges in the region?
Correct: A. Contacts led to exchanges; some Greeks adopted or patronized Buddhism and other local faiths, aiding cultural diffusion.
29. One economic effect of Greek presence in northwest India was:
Correct: B. Greek contact connected the northwest to broader trade routes, boosting demand for textiles, spices and crafts.
The Maurya Empire
Questions on Chandragupta, Ashoka, administration and legacy of the Mauryas.
30. Who founded the Maurya Empire?
Correct: B. Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan state in the late 4th century BCE, laying the foundations for a vast empire.
31. What was the capital of the Maurya Empire?
Correct: A. Pataliputra served as the administrative and political capital under the Mauryas.
32. Which feature was characteristic of Mauryan administration?
Correct: A. The Mauryas established a centralized administration with officials and governors to manage provinces, taxes and law and order.
33. Why is Ashoka remembered in Indian history?
Correct: A. Ashoka embraced Buddhism and issued edicts promoting dhamma (moral conduct), welfare measures and religious tolerance.
34. What are Ashoka’s edicts?
Correct: A. Ashoka’s edicts are public inscriptions promoting dhamma, welfare and justice across the empire.
35. Which policy helped Mauryan trade?
Correct: A. The Mauryan state invested in roads and security which encouraged trade and increased economic integration.
36. How did the Mauryan state keep law and order?
Correct: A. A network of officials, intelligence and military forces helped respond to unrest and enforce policies.
37. Which of the following is a lasting legacy of the Maurya Empire?
Correct: A. The Mauryas demonstrated centralized governance and Ashoka’s patronage helped spread Buddhism, both lasting impacts on Indian history.
38. Which ancient writer wrote about Mauryan administration and Pataliputra?
Correct: A. Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, described Mauryan administration and Pataliputra in his accounts.
39. Which welfare activities are associated with Ashoka’s rule?
Correct: A. Ashoka’s edicts describe public welfare measures—hospitals, wells and shade trees for travelers—promoting general welfare.
40. After the Maurya Empire declined, what happened to many of its roads and trade networks?
Correct: A. Many roads and trade patterns established by empires remained in use and influenced commerce long after political change.