UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims): The Mauryan Empire | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q.1. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? [2019-I]
(a) Kanganahalli
(b) Sanchi
(c) Shahbazgarhi
(d) Sohgaura

Correct Answer is Option (a)
1993: A team of archeologists surveyed Sann ai, Karnataka. The most dramatic evidence came from Kanagahalli. The discoveries at the site included a broken relief sculpture showing a king and queen flanked by female attendants. An inscription in Brahmi's letter read "Ranyo Ashoka" (King Ashoka).

Q.2. The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following? [2006]
(a) Mahapadma Nanda
(b) Chandragupta Maurya 
(c) Ashoka
(d) Samudragupta

Correct Answer is Option (d)
It was written by Samudragupta's court poet Harissa.

Q.3. Consider the following statements: [2003] 

1. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga.
2. The last Sunga king, Devabhuti was assassinated by his Brahmana Minister Vasudeva Kanva who usurped the throne. 
3. The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed by the Andhras. 

Which of these statements is/are correct? 
(a) 1 and 2 
(b) Only 2 
(c) Only 3 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer is Option (d)
All statements are correct. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga in 185 BC. The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty, Susharma was deposed by the Andhras and Satavahana dynasty came into being.

Q.4. The given map relates to [1998]
(a) Kanishka at the time of his death.
(b) Samudragupta after the close of his South Indian campaign.
(c) Ashoka towards the close of his reign.
(d) Empire of Thaneswar on the eve of Harsha's accession.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The given map is related to the reign of Ashoka towards the end of his rule. Ashoka (304–232 BC), popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled over the Indian subcontinent from 269 BC to 232 BC. His empire stretched from present-day Pakistan, Afghanistan in the west, to present-day Bangladesh and the Indian state of Assam in the east, and as far south as northern Kerala and Andhra.

Q.5. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?   [1998] 

1. Lothal: Ancient dockyard 
2. Sarnath: First Sermon of Buddha 
3. Rajgir : Lion capital of Ashoka 
4. Nalanda: Great seat of Buddhist learning 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 1 and 2

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Lion Capital of Ashoka is in Saranath (not Rajgir).

Q.6. Assertion (A): According to Ashoka's edicts social harmony among the people was more important than religious devotion.
Reason (R): He spread ideas of equity instead of the promotion of religion. [1998]
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both  A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false 
(d) A is false but R is true

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Ashoka’s edicts put stress on social harmony among the people by spreading ideas of equity instead of promotion of religion.

Q.7. The Ashoka major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts:   [1998]
(a) I and X
(b) I and XI
(c) II and XIII
(d) II and XIV

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The ll and Xlll rock edicts mention the southern kingdoms of  Chola, Pandya, Satyaputra, Keralaputra and Tambapanni.

Q.8. Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Ashoka? [1997] 
(a) Kalsi
(b) Rummindei
(c) Special Kalinga Edict
(d) Maski

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Maski, Gurjara, Netter, and Udegolam inscriptions mention the personal name of Ashoka.

Q.9. Which one of the following statements regarding Ashoka stone pillars is incorrect?  [1997]
(a) These are highly polished
(b) These are monolithic
(c) The shaft of pillars is tapering in shape
(d) These are parts of architectural structures

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Ashoka stone pillars were meant to spread his Dhamma (not the part of architectural structure.)

Q.10. The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to his inscriptions is: [1995]
(a) Chakravarti
(b) Dharmadeva
(c) Dharmakirti
(d) Priyadarsi

Correct Answer is Option (d)
In the year 1915 near a village called Maski in Raichur District of Karnataka, a rock inscription was discovered on a hill. In this inscription for the first time the name of Ashoka was found with titles like Devanampriya and Priyadarshi. It was then certain that Devanampriya Priyadarshi was no other than Ashoka.