1.What is an empire?

An empire is a large political unit where one state controls several territories or peoples.

2.Who rules an empire?

An empire is usually ruled by an emperor or a central authority based in the core region.

3.What is a frontier?

A frontier is the border area between an empire’s core and neighboring regions where influence extends.

4.What does the term ‘core region’ mean?

The core region is the central area of an empire where the ruler’s power is strongest.

5.What is administration in an empire?

Administration refers to the system used by rulers to govern territories and collect taxes.

6.Why did people form empires?

People formed empires for security, control of trade, resources, and political prestige.

7.What is cultural assimilation?

Cultural assimilation is when diverse peoples adopt ideas, languages, or customs of the dominant power.

8.How did empires affect local rulers?

Local rulers often became subordinate allies or governors under the emperor’s control.

9.What role did armies play in empires?

Armies protected borders, expanded territory, and maintained order within the empire.

10.What is taxation in an empire?

Taxation is the collection of revenue by rulers to support administration and the army.

11.How does trade help an empire?

Trade brings wealth, resources and ideas, strengthening the empire’s economy.

12.What is a trade route?

A trade route is a path used by traders to carry goods between towns and regions.

13.Why were roads important for empires?

Roads allowed faster movement of armies, officials, and traders across the empire.

14.What kinds of goods were traded in ancient India?

Goods like grains, textiles, spices, metals, and crafts were commonly traded.

15.How did trade help cultural exchange?

Trade brought merchants who shared ideas, beliefs, and art between regions.

16.What role did rivers play in trade?

Rivers served as natural trade routes for carrying heavy goods quickly and cheaply.

17.What is the importance of market towns?

Market towns were centers where producers and buyers met to exchange goods and information.

18.How did trade bring revenue to rulers?

Rulers taxed trade and markets, earning revenue for administration and defence.

19.What is caravan trade?

Caravan trade used groups of pack animals and traders to move goods overland across long distances.

20.How didBetter routes affect empire stability?

Better routes improved communication and control, making the empire more stable and unified.

21.Where was Magadha located?

Magadha was in the eastern Gangetic plains, largely in present-day Bihar.

22.Why was Magadha important?

Magadha was rich in resources, well-located for trade and had strong rulers who expanded power.

23.Which river helped Magadha’s growth?

The Ganges and its tributaries aided agriculture, transport and trade for Magadha.

24.How did strong rulers help Magadha?

Strong rulers built armies, organized administration, and annexed neighbouring territories.

25.What role did forts play in Magadha?

Forts provided military defence and controlled important trade routes.

26.Name one early Magadha dynasty.

The Haryanka and later the Shishunaga dynasties were early rulers of Magadha.

27.How did agriculture support Magadha?

Fertile land produced surplus crops that supported a large population and the army.

28.How did Magadha control trade routes?

Magadha controlled key towns and river routes that linked northern and eastern India.

29.What was the capital of ancient Magadha?

Pataliputra (near modern Patna) became an important capital for Magadha rulers.

30.Who were Magadha’s neighbours?

Neighbours included kingdoms in the Gangetic plain and regions to the west and south.

31.When did Greeks reach north-west India?

Greeks arrived in north-west India after Alexander’s invasion in the 4th century BCE.

32.Who was Alexander the Great?

Alexander the Great was a Macedonian king who invaded parts of northwest India around 326 BCE.

33.How did Greeks reach India?

They reached India over land through Afghanistan and the north-western passes after conquering Persia.

34.Did Greeks stay in India long?

Some Greek rulers and settlers stayed and established kingdoms in the northwest for centuries.

35.What was one effect of Greek contact?

Greek contact led to exchange of art, ideas and some coins and administrative practices.

36.What is Indo-Greek culture?

Indo-Greek culture blended Greek and Indian elements in art, coinage and religion.

37.Did Greeks influence Indian coins?

Yes, Greek styles influenced Indian coin designs and the use of portraits and inscriptions.

38.How did locals react to Greeks?

Local reactions varied: some resisted while others traded or formed alliances with Greeks.

39.Which areas saw the most Greek influence?

The north-western regions like Gandhara and Punjab saw strong Greek influence.

40.What did Greek contacts bring to Indian art?

Greek contacts contributed realistic sculptural styles visible in Gandhara art.

41.Who founded the Maurya Empire?

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire in the 4th century BCE.

42.Who was the famous Maurya emperor after Chandragupta?

Ashoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, was a famous Mauryan emperor.

43.What was the capital of the Maurya Empire?

Pataliputra served as the Mauryan capital and administrative centre.

44.How did the Mauryas govern?

They used a strong central administration with appointed officials and spies to govern regions.

45.What was Ashoka known for?

Ashoka is known for embracing Buddhism and spreading moral rule after the Kalinga war.

46.What are Ashoka’s edicts?

Ashoka’s edicts are inscriptions on rocks and pillars promoting dhamma (moral law) and welfare.

47.How did the Mauryas support trade?

They built roads, encouraged markets and regulated trade to boost the economy.

48.What role did the Mauryan army play?

The army protected borders, maintained internal order, and enforced the empire’s authority.

49.How did administration help the Mauryas collect taxes?

Officials assessed land and trade to collect taxes efficiently for state needs.

50.Why is the Maurya Empire important in Indian history?

It united large parts of India, developed administration, and promoted religion and trade.