Worksheet Solutions: From a Kingdom to an Empire - Class 6 PDF Download

Q1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

(i) Which of these animals are seen in our National Emblem?
(a) Bulls
(b) Lions
(c) Goats
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b)

(ii) Who was king Bindusaar’s son?
(a) Ashoka
(b) Chandragupta
(C) Sidhartha
(d) Ramakrishna Paramahans
Ans: (a)

(iii) What was King Ashoka’s Religion after the Kalinga War?
(a) Muslim
(b) Jainism
(c) Zoroastrian
(d) Buddhism
Ans: (d)

Q2: Answer the following Questions.

(i) What is a Dynasty?
Ans: A dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family, who maintain their power across generations. They usually rule over a particular territory for a long period of time.

(ii) Name the countries where Ashokan inscriptions have been found. Which Indian states were outside the empire?
Ans: Ashokan inscriptions have been found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and throughout India. The southern Indian states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh were outside the empire.

(iii) How are Empires different from Kingdoms?
Ans: Empires are larger than kingdoms, often comprising several different peoples, cultures, and regions. While kingdoms are generally ruled by a single monarch, empires may have multiple rulers overseeing various territories.

(iv) What is a Tribute?
Ans: A tribute is a payment made by one ruler or country to another, either as a sign of submission or for protection. It can be in the form of goods, services, or even manpower.

(v) Who is Megasthenes? What did he say about Pataliputra (Modern Patna)?
Ans: Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador to the Mauryan court. He wrote extensively about the city of Pataliputra, describing it as a large, prosperous city with a well-organized administration.

(vi) Why do you think the King Chandragupta had special servants to taste the food he ate?
Ans: King Chandragupta had special servants to taste his food to protect himself from potential poisoning. This was a common practice among rulers to ensure their safety.

(vii) In what ways was Pataliputra different from Mohenjodaro?
Ans: Pataliputra was a well-planned city with a large number of buildings and a systematic administration. In contrast, Mohenjodaro was an ancient city with simpler structures and a less complex administrative system.

(viii) Describe Ashoka’s inscription describing the Kalinga war. How did the Kalinga War bring about a change in Ashoka’s attitude towards war?
Ans: Ashoka’s inscription describes the Kalinga war as a violent and bloody conflict, which caused him deep remorse. This led to his conversion to Buddhism and his commitment to non-violence.

(ix) What was Ashoka’s dhamma?
Ans: Ashoka's dhamma was a set of ethical guidelines aimed at promoting social harmony. It emphasized respect for all religions, obedience to parents, generosity towards Brahmins and monks, and non-violence.

(x) Write about The Rampurwa bull.
Ans: The Rampurwa bull is a large, polished sandstone sculpture found in Rampurwa, Bihar. It was likely part of a pillar erected by Ashoka, signifying his rule and the spread of Buddhism.

(xi) Identify the parts of Ashoka’s message to his subjects that you think are relevant today.
Ans: Parts of Ashoka's message that are relevant today include the principles of non-violence, respect for all religions, obedience to parents, and generosity towards the needy.

(xii) Make a list of the occupations of the people who lived within the Mauryan empire.
Ans: The occupations of the people within the Mauryan empire included farming, cattle rearing, weaving, pottery, carpentry, metalworking, and various types of trade.

(xiii) What were the means adopted by Ashoka to spread the message of dhamma?
Ans: Ashoka used inscriptions on pillars and rocks, dispatch of royal officers, and personal tours to spread the message of dhamma.

(xiv) What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma?
Ans: Ashoka introduced dhamma to promote social harmony, moral conduct, and peace. He aimed to solve problems of social conflict, moral degradation, and violence.

(xv) Why do you think slaves and servants were ill-treated? Do you think the orders of the emperor would have improved their condition? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Slaves and servants were ill-treated due to social inequality and lack of respect for their rights. The emperor's orders might have improved their condition to some extent, but deeply ingrained social attitudes are hard to change.

(xvi) The Mauryan Empire collapsed about 2200 years ago. In its place (and elsewhere) rose several new kingdoms. Which were these kingdoms?
Ans: After the collapse of the Mauryan Empire, several new kingdoms arose, including the Sunga, Satavahana, Kushana, and Gupta kingdoms.

(xvii) Explain the term Brahmi Script.
Ans: The Brahmi script is one of the oldest writing systems used in India. It was used for inscriptions during the Mauryan period and is the ancestor of many modern Indian scripts.

(xviii) Name the things that are given as tribute by the people living in the forested areas.
Ans: The people living in forested areas gave tribute in the form of elephants, timber, honey, wax, resin, and medicinal plants.

(xix) How was Ashoka known as a unique ruler?
Ans: Ashoka was a unique ruler because of his commitment to non-violence and social welfare. After the Kalinga war, he embraced Buddhism and spread his message of dhamma throughout his empire.