Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on “The Mauryan Empire under Ashoka: A Turning Point in Indian History”

1. Who was Ashoka’s father?

• A) Chandragupta Maurya
• B) Bindusara
• C) Bimbisara
• D) Ajatashatru
  Answer: B) Bindusara

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2. The battle of Kalinga, which changed Ashoka’s life, was fought in which year?

• A) 261 BCE
• B) 250 BCE
• C) 305 BCE
• D) 324 BCE
  Answer: A) 261 BCE

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3. What was Ashoka’s official title that was often used in his inscriptions?

• A) Devanampriya
• B) Chakravartin
• C) Maharaja
• D) Samrat
  Answer: A) Devanampriya

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4. Which script was primarily used in Ashoka’s inscriptions?

• A) Sanskrit
• B) Prakrit
• C) Brahmi
• D) Kharosthi
  Answer: C) Brahmi

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5. What was the main outcome of Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism?

• A) Expansion of military conquests
• B) Spread of Dhamma and non-violence
• C) Increase in taxes
• D) Focus on foreign relations
  Answer: B) Spread of Dhamma and non-violence

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6. Where is the famous Ashokan edict that mentions the Kalinga War located?

• A) Girnar
• B) Dhauli
• C) Sanchi
• D) Delhi
  Answer: B) Dhauli

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7. Ashoka convened the Third Buddhist Council in which city?

• A) Pataliputra
• B) Sarnath
• C) Ujjain
• D) Rajgir
  Answer: A) Pataliputra

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8. The doctrine of Dhamma promoted by Ashoka focused on:

• A) Ritual sacrifices
• B) Non-violence, tolerance, and welfare
• C) Military expansion
• D) Trade and commerce
  Answer: B) Non-violence, tolerance, and welfare

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9. Who was the first European to decipher the Brahmi script used in Ashoka’s edicts?

• A) Max Müller
• B) William Jones
• C) James Prinsep
• D) Alexander Cunningham
  Answer: C) James Prinsep

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10. Which religion did Ashoka actively promote after the Kalinga War?

• A) Jainism
• B) Hinduism
• C) Buddhism
• D) Zoroastrianism
  Answer: C) Buddhism

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11. What symbol associated with Ashoka has been adopted as the national emblem of India?

• A) The Lotus
• B) The Ashoka Chakra
• C) The Lion Capital
• D) The Trident
  Answer: C) The Lion Capital

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12. Which of the following was NOT a policy promoted by Ashoka after his conversion to Buddhism?

• A) Religious tolerance
• B) Violence as a tool of governance
• C) Welfare of animals
• D) Promotion of Dhamma
  Answer: B) Violence as a tool of governance

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13. Which pillar edict describes Ashoka’s efforts to promote social and moral welfare?

• A) Sarnath Pillar
• B) Girnar Pillar
• C) Rummindei Pillar
• D) Delhi-Topra Pillar
  Answer: A) Sarnath Pillar

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14. The spread of Buddhism beyond India during Ashoka’s reign was largely through:

• A) Religious conquests
• B) Missionaries sent to various regions
• C) Trade routes
• D) Naval expeditions
  Answer: B) Missionaries sent to various regions

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15. Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma emphasized:

• A) Worship of a single deity
• B) Equality between all religions
• C) Economic reforms
• D) Building more temples
  Answer: B) Equality between all religions

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16. Ashoka’s inscriptions can be found in how many modern-day countries?

• A) 3
• B) 5
• C) 10
• D) 7
  Answer: D) 7

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17. Ashoka is believed to have sent his son Mahendra to which region to spread Buddhism?

• A) Central Asia
• B) Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
• C) China
• D) Burma (Myanmar)
  Answer: B) Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

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18. Which of the following is considered Ashoka’s most significant legacy?

• A) His military conquests
• B) His contribution to Indian architecture
• C) The spread of Buddhism
• D) The creation of a strong navy
  Answer: C) The spread of Buddhism

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19. Which Ashokan edict refers to the practice of non-violence towards all living beings?

• A) Major Rock Edict I
• B) Major Rock Edict XIII
• C) Minor Rock Edict II
• D) Pillar Edict V
  Answer: A) Major Rock Edict I

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20. Ashoka’s principle of Dhamma was influenced by which of the following?

• A) Jainism
• B) Vedic religion
• C) Confucianism
• D) Buddhism
  Answer: D) Buddhism

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21. Which Mauryan ruler was Ashoka’s grandfather?

• A) Bindusara
• B) Bimbisara
• C) Chandragupta Maurya
• D) Dhana Nanda
  Answer: C) Chandragupta Maurya

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22. Which rock edict provides information on Ashoka’s remorse after the Kalinga war?

• A) Major Rock Edict X
• B) Major Rock Edict XIII
• C) Minor Rock Edict V
• D) Minor Rock Edict II
  Answer: B) Major Rock Edict XIII

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23. After the Kalinga War, Ashoka adopted a policy of:

• A) Aggressive expansion
• B) Dhamma Vijaya (Conquest by Dhamma)
• C) Complete withdrawal from politics
• D) Strengthening military power
  Answer: B) Dhamma Vijaya (Conquest by Dhamma)

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24. The Ashokan inscriptions were primarily meant for:

• A) Kings of other empires
• B) Religious figures
• C) Common people
• D) Military commanders
  Answer: C) Common people

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25. Which of the following Ashokan edicts explicitly advocates religious tolerance?

• A) Pillar Edict VII
• B) Major Rock Edict XII
• C) Major Rock Edict III
• D) Minor Rock Edict II
  Answer: B) Major Rock Edict XII

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26. Which ancient text mentions Ashoka’s efforts to spread Buddhism?

• A) Rig Veda
• B) Dipavamsa
• C) Arthashastra
• D) Ramayana
  Answer: B) Dipavamsa

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27. Ashoka’s empire extended into modern-day:

• A) Iran
• B) Greece
• C) Afghanistan
• D) Tibet
  Answer: C) Afghanistan

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28. Ashoka’s role in the spread of Buddhism to Southeast Asia is documented in which country’s historical records?

• A) Myanmar
• B) Cambodia
• C) Sri Lanka
• D) Thailand
  Answer: C) Sri Lanka

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29. The Ashoka Chakra, now part of the Indian national flag, symbolizes:

• A) Truth and Justice
• B) Conquest and Empire
• C) Peace and Progress
• D) Strength and Unity
  Answer: C) Peace and Progress

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30. The Mauryan Empire reached its largest territorial extent under which ruler?

• A) Chandragupta Maurya
• B) Bindusara
• C) Ashoka
• D) Brihadratha
  Answer: C) Ashoka