UPSC - Assertion Reason Questions - Mauryan Kings
The Mauryan Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya, was one of the most powerful and well-organized empires in ancient India. These Assertion-Reason questions focus on key aspects of Mauryan rulers, their administrative policies, military conquests, religious affiliations, and the empire’s socio-political framework. Designed for UPSC aspirants, these questions test analytical thinking and the ability to correlate historical events with their causes and impacts.
Assertion Reason Statements
A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion
B) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion
C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false
D) The reason is true, but the assertion is false
1. Assertion (A): The fall of the Nanda dynasty was pivotal for the establishment of the Mauryan Empire. Reason (R): Dhana Nanda’s oppressive taxation policies created widespread discontent among his subjects.
2. Assertion (A): Chandragupta Maurya ascended to power due to his royal lineage. Reason (R): Chandragupta’s rise was facilitated by Kautilya’s strategic guidance and Alexander’s withdrawal from India.
3. Assertion (A): The Treaty of 305 BCE between Chandragupta Maurya and Seleucus Nicator was a result of Mauryan military superiority. Reason (R): Chandragupta gifted 500 war elephants to Seleucus as part of the treaty.
4. Assertion (A): Chandragupta Maurya abdicated the throne to pursue a spiritual life. Reason (R): Chandragupta adopted Jainism under the guidance of Bhadrabahu and practiced Sallekhana at Shravanabelagola.
5. Assertion (A): Bindusara expanded the Mauryan Empire to include all of South India. Reason (R): Bindusara’s conquests stopped at the southern tip of the Deccan Plateau.
6. Assertion (A): Bindusara followed Buddhism during his reign. Reason (R): Bindusara was a patron of the Ajivika sect, which believed in predestination.
7. Assertion (A): The Kalinga War led to the expansion of the Mauryan Empire. Reason (R): Ashoka’s victory in Kalinga caused him to renounce violence and adopt Dhamma.
8. Assertion (A): Ashoka’s inscriptions were primarily written in Sanskrit. Reason (R): The Mauryan Empire aimed to communicate effectively with the masses.
9. Assertion (A): Ashoka’s Dhamma was a sectarian philosophy aimed at promoting Buddhism. Reason (R): Ashoka’s Dhamma emphasized tolerance, non-violence, and ethical conduct.
10. Assertion (A): The Mauryan Empire maintained strong diplomatic relations with the Hellenistic world. Reason (R): Greek ambassadors like Megasthenes and Deimachus were stationed at the Mauryan court.
11. Assertion (A): Ashoka organized the 3rd Buddhist Council at Sarnath. Reason (R): Moggaliputta Tissa presided over the council to resolve doctrinal disputes within Buddhism.
12. Assertion (A): Chandragupta Maurya married a daughter of Seleucus Nicator as a gesture of alliance. Reason (R): The treaty between Chandragupta and Seleucus strengthened Indo-Greek relations.
13. Assertion (A): Bindusara’s title Amitraghata means “Beloved of the Gods.” Reason (R): Bindusara subdued several enemies during his reign, consolidating the empire.
14. Assertion (A): The Mauryan Empire began to fragment during the reign of Dasharatha. Reason (R): Dasharatha continued the religious policies of Ashoka but lacked his administrative capabilities.
15. Assertion (A): The Mauryan Empire achieved its greatest territorial expansion under Ashoka. Reason (R): Ashoka’s military campaigns extended the empire to the southernmost regions of the Indian subcontinent.
16. Assertion (A): The Mauryan Empire collapsed immediately after Ashoka’s death. Reason (R): Weak successors and external invasions contributed to the decline of the Mauryan dynasty.
17. Assertion (A): Megasthenes’ Indica provides an exhaustive account of Mauryan society. Reason (R): Megasthenes served as a Greek ambassador at Chandragupta Maurya’s court.
18. Assertion (A): Shalishuka is praised for his administrative skills in the Yuga Purana. Reason (R): The Yuga Purana describes Shalishuka as an unrighteous and quarrelsome ruler.
19. Assertion (A): Samprati was instrumental in the propagation of Buddhism. Reason (R): Samprati supported Jainism, ensuring its spread in the southern regions of India.
20. Assertion (A): The Mauryan administration was based on centralized governance. Reason (R): The empire relied on a well-structured bureaucracy and an espionage system.
Solution
A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
D) A is false, but R is true.
A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
D) A is false, but R is true.
D) A is false, but R is true.
B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
D) A is false, but R is true.
D) A is false, but R is true.
A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
D) A is false, but R is true.
A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
D) A is false, but R is true.
A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
C) A is true, but R is false.
D) A is false, but R is true.
A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
D) A is false, but R is true.
D) A is false, but R is true.
A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation
Dhana Nanda’s heavy taxation to amass wealth alienated the populace, creating fertile ground for Chandragupta Maurya to gain support and overthrow the Nandas.
Chandragupta’s rise was not due to royal lineage but strategic alliances, particularly with Kautilya and Alexander’s weakened influence in the region.
The Mauryan military’s dominance led to the treaty, wherein Seleucus ceded territory in exchange for elephants to strengthen his army.
Chandragupta relinquished power to follow Jain ascetic practices, culminating in his voluntary fast unto death at Shravanabelagola.
Bindusara’s campaigns extended the empire southward, but his conquests did not include the far southern regions beyond the Deccan.
Bindusara was associated with the Ajivika sect, not Buddhism, and his patronage reflected their deterministic philosophy.
While the Kalinga War expanded the Mauryan territory, Ashoka’s renunciation of violence post-war reflects a moral transformation, not a territorial cause.
Ashoka’s inscriptions were largely in Prakrit and local scripts to connect with the common people, enhancing communication.
Ashoka’s Dhamma was non-sectarian, advocating universal moral values and social harmony rather than solely promoting Buddhism.
Mauryan diplomacy extended to Greek states, with ambassadors playing a pivotal role in cultural and political exchanges.
The 3rd Buddhist Council was convened by Ashoka at Pataliputra, not Sarnath, under Moggaliputta Tissa’s leadership to address schisms.
The matrimonial alliance solidified ties between the Mauryan and Hellenistic realms, fostering mutual respect and cooperation.
Bindusara’s title "Amitraghata" translates to "Slayer of Enemies," signifying his military achievements in consolidating the Mauryan Empire.
Dasharatha adhered to Ashoka’s religious ideals but failed to maintain strong administrative control, leading to the empire’s disintegration.
Ashoka’s rule marked the zenith of the Mauryan Empire, but his southern campaigns were limited and did not reach the extreme south.
The empire persisted for a few decades after Ashoka, but internal weaknesses and external threats accelerated its decline.
Megasthenes’ observations as an ambassador provide valuable, though not comprehensive, insights into Mauryan society and governance.
Shalishuka’s governance is criticized in the Yuga Purana, reflecting his reputation as a divisive and ineffective ruler.
Samprati’s contributions were towards Jainism rather than Buddhism, emphasizing his role in spreading Jain teachings in southern India.
Centralized governance in the Mauryan Empire was achieved through an intricate bureaucratic structure and an effective espionage network.