Class 6 History Chapter 7 Important Question Answers - From a Kingdom to an Empire

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What are the lions on Indian currency notes associated with?
Ans: The lions on Indian currency notes are associated with the Lion Capital, a famous Mauryan sculpture.

Q2: Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, and who supported him?
Ans: The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya, and he was supported by Chanakya or Kautilya.

Q3: Name some cities within the Mauryan Empire.
Ans: Some cities within the Mauryan Empire included Pataliputra, Taxila, and Ujjain.

Q4: Why did emperors need larger resources compared to kings?
Ans: Emperors needed larger resources because their territories were larger than kingdoms.

Q5: What was the language used for Ashoka's inscriptions?
Ans: Ashoka's inscriptions were in the Prakrit language and written in the Brahmi script.

Q6: What was the ancient name of coastal Orissa?
Ans: The ancient name of coastal Orissa was Kalinga.

Q7: What did Ashoka decide after witnessing the violence in the Kalinga war?
Ans: After witnessing the violence in the Kalinga war, Ashoka decided not to fight any more wars.

Q8: What was Ashoka's Dhamma focused on?
Ans: Ashoka's Dhamma was focused on promoting ethical conduct, non-violence, and addressing societal issues.

Q9: Who were the officials appointed by Ashoka to spread his message of Dhamma?
Ans: Ashoka appointed officials known as dhamma mahamatta to spread his message of Dhamma.

Q10: Besides India, to which countries did Ashoka send messengers to spread his ideas?
Ans: Ashoka sent messengers to spread his ideas about Dhamma to countries like Syria, Egypt, Greece, and Sri Lanka.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q11: Describe the significance of the Lion Capital in Indian history.
Ans: The Lion Capital is a famous Mauryan sculpture that symbolizes strength and heritage. It is associated with Ashoka and has been used on Indian currency notes. It represents the glory of the Mauryan Empire.

Q12: Explain the differences between empires and kingdoms based on the provided information.
Ans: Empires are larger than kingdoms and require more resources, including larger armies and officials for tax collection. Emperors have direct control over some areas and appoint governors in others. Kingdoms are smaller in size and have fewer administrative complexities.

Q13: How did Ashoka attempt to spread his message of Dhamma, and what were its main objectives?
Ans: Ashoka spread his message of Dhamma through inscriptions in Prakrit and the Brahmi script, as well as through messengers to other lands. The main objectives were to promote ethical conduct, non-violence, and address societal issues like animal sacrifice and ill-treatment of slaves.

Q14: Describe the impact of the Kalinga war on Ashoka and his rule.
Ans: The Kalinga war had a profound impact on Ashoka as he was horrified by the violence and bloodshed. It led him to adopt a policy of non-violence and refrain from further conquests, making him the only king in history to do so.

Q15: Explain the concept of tribute and how it differed from taxes.
Ans: Tribute was collected irregularly from people who gave various things, while taxes were collected regularly. Tribute was collected more or less willingly, and it could include goods or valuables given voluntarily.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q16: Discuss the role and significance of Ashoka the Great in Indian history, including his policies and the spread of his message.
Ans: Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers in Indian history. He ruled the Mauryan Empire and was known for his policies of non-violence, ethical conduct, and addressing societal issues. He spread his message through inscriptions and messengers to other countries, promoting Dhamma. His legacy has had a lasting impact on India and its cultural heritage.

Q17: Compare and contrast the governance and administration of the Mauryan Empire with that of modern states.
Ans: The governance of the Mauryan Empire involved the direct control of the emperor in some areas and the appointment of governors in others. Tax collection, protection by armies, and administration were key elements. In modern states, governance is more complex with democratic processes, centralized bureaucracies, and diverse policies. Both involve taxation and administration but differ in terms of scale and complexity.

Q18: Explain the reasons behind Ashoka's decision to give up conquests and adopt a policy of non-violence after the Kalinga war.
Ans: After witnessing the violence and bloodshed in the Kalinga war, Ashoka was deeply moved. He realized the human suffering caused by his conquests and decided to adopt a policy of non-violence and Dhamma to promote ethical conduct and address societal issues. This change in his outlook made him a unique ruler in history.

Q19: Describe the significance of the Brahmi script in the context of Ashoka's inscriptions and the development of Indian scripts.
Ans: The Brahmi script was used for Ashoka's inscriptions and played a crucial role in spreading his message of Dhamma. It is considered the ancestor of most modern Indian scripts, making it historically significant in the evolution of written languages in India.

Q20: What were some of the key societal issues that Ashoka's Dhamma aimed to address?
Ans: Ashoka's Dhamma aimed to address several societal issues, including the practice of animal sacrifice, ill-treatment of slaves and servants, and conflicts arising from different religious beliefs. His message promoted non-violence, ethical conduct, and social harmony as solutions to these issues.