What significant change did Ashoka the Great undergo after his early conquests?

He became more focused on kindness and non-violence, feeling remorse for the suffering caused by his military victories.

The famous lions on Indian currency are inspired by Ashoka's achievements. Where are they originally from?

They are skillfully carved from stone and placed on a massive pillar in Sarnath.

Fill in the blank: Ashoka ruled the empire founded by his grandfather, ___________ Maurya.

Chandragupta

True or False: The Arthashastra was written by Ashoka himself.

False. It was written by Chanakya, also known as Kautilya.

Riddle: I was the wise man who guided a great king, my thoughts on governance are still revered today. Who am I?

Chanakya or Kautilya

What was the capital city of Ashoka's empire?

Pataliputra.

Fill in the blank: Ashoka's empire included important cities like Pataliputra, ___________, and Ujjain.

Taxila

Which ruler is known for his inscriptions on pillars and rock surfaces that promoted moral and ethical governance?

Ashoka the Great.

How did Ashoka's approach to leadership differ from his predecessors?

Unlike his predecessors who focused on military conquest, Ashoka emphasized compassion, welfare, and moral governance.

Pataliputra was a significant center for ___ and ___ in the Mauryan Empire.

Trade and intellectual discussion

Ujjain served as a crucial link between the ___ and the ___.

North and south

Fill in the blank: The common people in the Mauryan Empire predominantly spoke ___.

Prakrit

Riddle: I am a place where ideas and goods meet, connecting east and west; in my halls, scholars gather and traders invest. What am I?

Taxila

What types of languages were spoken in the Mauryan Empire, and how did they differ?

Common people spoke Prakrit while the elite used Sanskrit in courts.

Fill in the blank: The Mauryan Empire included areas with villages of farmers and herders, along with forests where people gathered forest produce and ___.

Hunted animals

Riddle: I am the language of the courts, grand and refined; while the common folk speak a simpler kind. What language am I?

Sanskrit

What are two key challenges faced by emperors compared to kings?

Emperors require more resources due to larger territories and need larger armies for protection.

Fill in the blank: Ashoka's empire was characterized by a mix of cultures from the ___ to the ___ regions.

Fertile plains of the Ganges to the mountains in the northwest

What was the role of trusted advisors like Chanakya in Ashoka's rule?

They supported Ashoka by managing inner circle affairs, maintaining order, and ensuring effective governance.

Riddle: I am collected from people willingly or not, not on a regular basis, but when possible. What am I?

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