50+ Most Important History Questions

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

50+ Most Important History Questions www.gradeup.co 1 www.gradeup.co 50+ Most Important Ancient History A. Daimabad Questions PDF B. Harappa C. Kalibanga 1.Which of following mauryan empire king D. Surkotada was killed by pushyamitra shunga, his own Ans. D commander in chief? Sol. In the Indus Valley Civilization the A. Brihadratha remains of Horse bones have been found B. Dasarath from Surkotada site. The site at C. Samprati Surkotada is located 160 km north-east of D. Devavarman Bhuj, in the district of Kutch, Gujarat. Ans. A 4.Which Shaka ruler repaired the Sol. Sudarshan lake in the semi-arid zone of Kathiawar? • Brihadratha was the last mauryan ruler A. Rudradaman who was killed by his own army B. Maues commander, pushyamitra shunga, who C. Nahapana started shunga dynasty. D. Ushavadeva • Dasarath- the mauryan ruler who took Ans. A command after ashoka Sol. • The most famous Shaka ruler in India was • Samprati- son of dasaratha. Ruled from Rudradaman (AD 130-150). 224 BC – 215 BC • He repaired the Sudarshan lake in the semi-arid zone of Kathiawar. • Devavarman – mauryan empire ruler • He issued the first-ever longest who ruled from 202 BC to 195 BC. inscription in chaste Sanskrit at Junagarh. 5.In which state is the archaeological site 2.Which Veda is known as ‘Book of Chants’? of Surkotada situated? A. Yajurveda A. Karnataka B. Samaveda B. Gujarat C. Atharvaveda C. Rajasthan D. Rigveda D. Haryana Ans. B Ans. B Sol. Sol. • Sama Veda is known as ‘Book of ● Surkotada is an archaeological site. Chants’. ● It is located in Rapar Taluka of Kutch • This Veda is the musical form of the district, Gujarat. verses of the Rigveda. ● It belongs to the Indus Valley Civilization. • This Veda is considered to be the core of musicology. 6.The Nalanda University was founded by • The hymns of Sama Veda were meant to ________ . be sung at the time of some sacrifice by the A. Harsha Vardhana Udgatri priests. B. Kumara Gupta-I C. Samudra Gupta 3.At which Indus Valley Site, the remains D. Chandra Gupta of Horse bones have been found? 2 www.gradeup.co Ans. B • A Society divided into Varnas and Indra Sol. and Agni lost their importance and • The Nalanda University was founded by Prajapati became the supreme deity. Gupta emperor Kumaragupta I. • It was patronized by various rulers 9.Which river is most pious river according including King Harshavardhana of to Rig Veda? Kannauj (7th century CE) and the Pala A. Ganga rulers (8th – 12th century CE) as well as B. Saraswati various scholars. C. Sindhu D. Yamuna 7._________ is an ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery. Ans. B A. Arthashashtra Sol. B. Raghuvamsha • According to the Rig Veda, the most pious C. Sushruta Samhita river is Saraswati and the most mentioned D. Abhijnanashakuntal river is Sindhu. • Rigvedic Name of the river 'Saraswati' is Ans. C known as Sarsuti (Modern Name) in the Sol. Rajasthan region. * “The Sushruta Samhita” is an ancient • Rig Veda is the only source of knowledge Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery. for the Rig Vedic / Early Vedic Period . * Sushruta was an ancient Indian • Rig Veda mentions 40 rivers. physician. • The Nadisukta hymn of the Rig Veda * He is known as the main author of the mentions 21 rivers which include the "Sushruta Samhita". Ganges in the east and the Kubha (Kabul) * The Sushruta Samhita is one of the most in the west. important surviving ancient treatises on medicine and is considered a foundational 10.Udayin founded which city on the text of Ayurveda. confluence of river Ganga and Son? A. Kashi 8.Which Vedic period is known as Painted B. Mathura Grey Ware (PWG)? C. Pataliputra A. Later Vedic Age D. Varanasi B. Rig Vedic Age C. Yajur Vedic Age Ans. C D. Atharva Vedic Age Sol. • Udayin laid the foundation of the city Ans. A of Pataliputra at the confluence of two Sol. rivers, the Son and the Ganges. • Later Vedic period is known as Painted • He is also known as Udayabhadra. Grey Ware (PWG) phase and its history is • He was a king of Magadha in ancient based on the later Vedic tax’s which were India. compiled after Rig Veda. During this period • According to the Buddhist and Jain Aryans spread in the regions of upper accounts, he was the son and successor of Ganga, Yamuna and Sadanira (Gandak)rice the Haryanka king Ajatashatru. and wheat became a chief crop in the period. 11.On the bank of which river, Mahavira got enlightenment? A. Rijupalika 3 www.gradeup.co B. Saraswati C. Krishna Ans. B D. Ravi Sol. • Vajji or Vrajhi was one of the 16 Ans. A Mahajanapadas of ancient India. Sol. • It originated by joining several small • At the age of 42, Mahavira attained states. Kaivalya under a Sal tree on the bank of • Its capital was Vaishali. river Rijupalika. • It was located on the north of River Ganga in Bihar. • Lord Mahavira was the twenty-fourth and last Jain Tirthankara according to the Jain 14.The Gupta emperor who defeated the philosophy. 'Hunas' was ? A. Samudragupta • A Tirthankara is an enlightened soul who B. Chandragupta II is born as a human being and attains C. Skandagupta perfection through intense meditation. D. Ramgupta • For a Jain, Lord Mahavira is no less than Ans. C God and his philosophy is like the Bible. Sol. To know more about this : Click here • The Gupta emperor, Skandagupta had defeated the 'Hunas'. 12.Which king inscribed the Hathigumpha • Skandagupta was the last powerful king (Elephant Cave) inscription in Udayagiri of the Gupta Empire. Hills, Odisha? • He assumed the title of Vikramaditya, A. Galaveya Devraj and Sakapan. B. Sobhanaraja C. Kharavela 15.Which among the following metal was D. Vaduka not found in Harappan civilization? A. Gold Ans. C B. Copper Sol. C. Silver ● The Hathigumpha Inscription("Elephant D. Iron Cave" inscription) was inscribed by Kharavela. Ans. D ● The Hathigumpha is located in Sol. Bhubaneswar, Odisha. ● Kharavela was the then Emperor of • Iron was not found in Harappan Kalinga. civilization. ● The Hathigumpha Inscription is the main source of information about Kalinga ruler • Since it was a bronze age civilization, it Kharavela. had made many metallurgical advances in copper and bronze, but not in Iron. 13.Vajji Mahajanpada is located in___________. • Iron was not known to Indus valley A. Madhya Pradesh civilization. The first evidence of Iron is B. Bihar found about 1000 BC from Ataranjikhera in C. Maharashtra Etah district. D. West Bengal 4 www.gradeup.co Sol. 16.Who is considered the founder of the • The Battle of Hydaspes was fought in 326 Gupta Empire? BC by Alexander against King Porus. A. Sri Gupta • After defeat, porous was captured and B. Chandra Gupta II bought in front of Alexender and he asked C. Chandra Gupta I porous how he should treat him and porous D. Samudra Gupta replies that he be treated like how Alexander himself would expect to be Ans. A treated. Sol. • Porous was an extraordinary brave Indian • The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian king who ruled in the region between empire, founded by Maharaja Sri Gupta Hydaspes and Acesines. (240-280 AD), which existed at its zenith from approximately 320 to 550 CE and 19.The people of the Indus valley covered much of the Indian Subcontinent. civilization worshipped __________. • Chandragupta-I (c. 319-335 AD) was the A. Vishnu son of Ghatotkacha and is considered to be B. Pashupati the real founder of the Gupta Empire. He C. Indra was the most powerful monarch and D. Brahma assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja. Ans. B 17.Who was the main female God Sol. worshipped by Indus people? • The Pashupati Seal is the name of a A. Mother Goddess steatite seal that was discovered at the B. Durga Mohenjo-Daro archaeological site of the C. Laxmi Indus Valley Civilization. D. Vaishnavi • The seal was uncovered in 1928-29. • Pashupati is an incarnation of the Hindu Ans. A god Shiva. Sol. The people of the Indus Valley worshipped 20.In which university Chinese traveler Goddess Mother and also worshipped Hieun Tsang spend his some years ? animals and trees. A. Takshshila University • But there is a complete lack of remains of B. Nalanda University temples in the Indus Civilization. C. Kashi • A terracotta figure where a plant is shown D. Mathura growing out of the embryo of a woman represents Mother Goddess or Goddess of Ans. B Earth. Sol. • Hieun Tsang was the Chinese traveller who spent his some years in 18.The Battle of_____ was fought in 326 Nalanda University . BC by Alexander, the Great against King • He also wrote a book which contained lots Porus of information about Harshavardhana. A. Hydaspes • It is believed that after Hieun Tsang's B. Tarain visit, Harshavardhana sent a mission to C. Panipat China , which established the first D. Plassey diplomatic relations between China and India . Ans. A 5 www.gradeup.co 21.Fa-hien visited India during the reign of * Chenab was known as Asikini in the Vedic A. Chandragupta II period. B. Samudragupta * Beas was known as Vipasa in the Vedic C. Ramagupta period. D. Kumaragupta * Sutlej was known as Sutudri in the Vedic period. Ans. A Sol. 24.Menander and Nagasena's conversation • Fa-hien visit to India occurred during the were recorded in the book ________. reign of Chandragupta II. A. Arthashastra • He is also renowned for his pilgrimage to B. Milindapanho Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha C. Si-Yu-Ki (modern Nepal). Faxian claimed that D. None of these demons and dragons were the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka.
Recommended publications
  • The Emergence of the Mahajanapadas
    The Emergence of the Mahajanapadas Sanjay Sharma Introduction In the post-Vedic period, the centre of activity shifted from the upper Ganga valley or madhyadesha to middle and lower Ganga valleys known in the contemporary Buddhist texts as majjhimadesha. Painted grey ware pottery gave way to a richer and shinier northern black polished ware which signified new trends in commercial activities and rising levels of prosperity. Imprtant features of the period between c. 600 and 321 BC include, inter-alia, rise of ‘heterodox belief systems’ resulting in an intellectual revolution, expansion of trade and commerce leading to the emergence of urban life mainly in the region of Ganga valley and evolution of vast territorial states called the mahajanapadas from the smaller ones of the later Vedic period which, as we have seen, were known as the janapadas. Increased surplus production resulted in the expansion of trading activities on one hand and an increase in the amount of taxes for the ruler on the other. The latter helped in the evolution of large territorial states and increased commercial activity facilitated the growth of cities and towns along with the evolution of money economy. The ruling and the priestly elites cornered most of the agricultural surplus produced by the vaishyas and the shudras (as labourers). The varna system became more consolidated and perpetual. It was in this background that the two great belief systems, Jainism and Buddhism, emerged. They posed serious challenge to the Brahmanical socio-religious philosophy. These belief systems had a primary aim to liberate the lower classes from the fetters of orthodox Brahmanism.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the Early Vedic Age in Ancient India
    Journal of Arts and Culture ISSN: 0976-9862 & E-ISSN: 0976-9870, Volume 3, Issue 3, 2012, pp.-129-132. Available online at http://www.bioinfo.in/contents.php?id=53. A STUDY OF THE EARLY VEDIC AGE IN ANCIENT INDIA FASALE M.K.* Department of Histroy, Abasaheb Kakade Arts College, Bodhegaon, Shevgaon- 414 502, MS, India *Corresponding Author: Email- [email protected] Received: December 04, 2012; Accepted: December 20, 2012 Abstract- The Vedic period (or Vedic age) was a period in history during which the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, were composed. The time span of the period is uncertain. Philological and linguistic evidence indicates that the Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas, was com- posed roughly between 1700 and 1100 BCE, also referred to as the early Vedic period. The end of the period is commonly estimated to have occurred about 500 BCE, and 150 BCE has been suggested as a terminus ante quem for all Vedic Sanskrit literature. Transmission of texts in the Vedic period was by oral tradition alone, and a literary tradition set in only in post-Vedic times. Despite the difficulties in dating the period, the Vedas can safely be assumed to be several thousands of years old. The associated culture, sometimes referred to as Vedic civilization, was probably centred early on in the northern and northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent, but has now spread and constitutes the basis of contemporary Indian culture. After the end of the Vedic period, the Mahajanapadas period in turn gave way to the Maurya Empire (from ca.
    [Show full text]
  • {Download PDF} the Formation of the Colonial State in India 1St Edition
    THE FORMATION OF THE COLONIAL STATE IN INDIA 1ST EDITION PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Tony Cleaver | 9781134494293 | | | | | The Formation of the Colonial State in India 1st edition PDF Book Additionally, several Indian Princely States provided large donations to support the Allied campaign during the War. Under the charter, the Supreme Court, moreover, had the authority to exercise all types of jurisdiction in the region of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, with the only caveat that in situations where the disputed amount was in excess of Rs. During this age India's economy expanded, relative peace was maintained and arts were patronized. Routledge Handbook of Gender in South Asia. British Raj. Two four anna stamps issued in Description Contents Reviews Preview "Colonial and Postcolonial Geographies of India offers a good introduction to and basis for rethinking the ways in which academics theorize and teach the geographies of peoples, places, and regions. Circumscription theory Legal anthropology Left—right paradigm State formation Political economy in anthropology Network Analysis and Ethnographic Problems. With the constituting of the Ceded and Conquered Provinces in , the jurisdiction would extend as far west as Delhi. Contracts were awarded in to the East Indian Railway Company to construct a mile railway from Howrah -Calcutta to Raniganj ; to the Great Indian Peninsular Railway Company for a service from Bombay to Kalyan , thirty miles away; and to the Madras Railway Company for a line from Madras city to Arkonam , a distance of some thirty nine miles. The interdisciplinary work throws new light on pressing contemporary issues as well as on issues during the colonial period.
    [Show full text]
  • Unit-3 Vedic Society 3.0 Objectives
    Unit-3 Vedic Society Index 3.0 Objectives 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Presentation of Subject Matter 3.2.1 Section I: Original Home of Vedic Aryans, Vedic Literature 3.2.2 Section II: Early Vedic period 3.2.3 Section III: Later Vedic period 3.2.4 Section IV: Position of Women 3.3 Summary 3.4. Terms to Remember 3.5 Answers to check your progress 3.6 Exercise 3.7 Reference for Further Study 3.0 Objectives From this unit, we can understand, G The Vedic people and debates regarding their original home G Two parts of Vedic period and reasons behind periodization G Life in Early Vedic Period G Life in Later Vedic Period G Position of Women in Vedic Period 71 3.1 Introduction In Unit -2, we studied India's development from Prehistory to Protohistory, We studied that India went through the processes of first Urbanization in Harappan period. However, mostly due to the environmental reasons, the affluent Harappan civilization and its architectural prosperity faced a gradual decline. After the decline of Harappan civilization, we find references of a certain kind of culture in the area of Saptasindhu region. Who were those and what was their culture is the matter of this Unit. 3.2 Presentation of Subject Matter 3.2.1 Section I: The Aryans and their Original Home a. Who were the Aryans? Near about 1500 BC, we find a new culture in the Saptasindhu region, which was of nomadic nature. They were pastoralists who used to speak a different language, i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sweep of History
    STUDENT’S World History & Geography 1 1 1 Essentials of World History to 1500 Ver. 3.1.10 – Rev. 2/1/2011 WHG1 The following pages describe significant people, places, events, and concepts in the story of humankind. This information forms the core of our study; it will be fleshed-out by classroom discussions, audio-visual mat erials, readings, writings, and other act ivit ies. This knowledge will help you understand how the world works and how humans behave. It will help you understand many of the books, news reports, films, articles, and events you will encounter throughout the rest of your life. The Student’s Friend World History & Geography 1 Essentials of world history to 1500 History What is history? History is the story of human experience. Why study history? History shows us how the world works and how humans behave. History helps us make judgments about current and future events. History affects our lives every day. History is a fascinating story of human treachery and achievement. Geography What is geography? Geography is the study of interaction between humans and the environment. Why study geography? Geography is a major factor affecting human development. Humans are a major factor affecting our natural environment. Geography affects our lives every day. Geography helps us better understand the peoples of the world. CONTENTS: Overview of history Page 1 Some basic concepts Page 2 Unit 1 - Origins of the Earth and Humans Page 3 Unit 2 - Civilization Arises in Mesopotamia & Egypt Page 5 Unit 3 - Civilization Spreads East to India & China Page 9 Unit 4 - Civilization Spreads West to Greece & Rome Page 13 Unit 5 - Early Middle Ages: 500 to 1000 AD Page 17 Unit 6 - Late Middle Ages: 1000 to 1500 AD Page 21 Copyright © 1998-2011 Michael G.
    [Show full text]
  • 5. from Janapadas to Empire
    MODULE - 1 Ancient India 5 Notes FROM JANAPADAS TO EMPIRE In the last chapter we studied how later Vedic people started agriculture in the Ganga basin and settled down in permanent villages. In this chapter, we will discuss how increased agricultural activity and settled life led to the rise of sixteen Mahajanapadas (large territorial states) in north India in sixth century BC. We will also examine the factors, which enabled Magadh one of these states to defeat all others to rise to the status of an empire later under the Mauryas. The Mauryan period was one of great economic and cultural progress. However, the Mauryan Empire collapsed within fifty years of the death of Ashoka. We will analyse the factors responsible for this decline. This period (6th century BC) is also known for the rise of many new religions like Buddhism and Jainism. We will be looking at the factors responsible for the emer- gence of these religions and also inform you about their main doctrines. OBJECTIVES After studying this lesson, you will be able to explain the material and social factors (e.g. growth of agriculture and new social classes), which became the basis for the rise of Mahajanapada and the new religions in the sixth century BC; analyse the doctrine, patronage, spread and impact of Buddhism and Jainism; trace the growth of Indian polity from smaller states to empires and list the six- teen Mahajanapadas; examine the role of Ashoka in the consolidation of the empire through his policy of Dhamma; recognise the main features– administration, economy, society and art under the Mauryas and Identify the causes of the decline of the Mauryan empire.
    [Show full text]
  • Devaluating the Nandas -A Big Loss to the History of India
    IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 21, Issue 9, Ver. 8 (Sep. 2016) PP 17-20 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org Devaluating The Nandas -A Big Loss To The History Of India SANJAY CHAUDHARI Department Of History,Culture And Archaeology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, India Abstract: Indian historians could be blamed for having hostile attitude towards the Nandas. Though Nandas established the first ever empire, covering almost area of present India, they were never recognized for the same. Almost Indian historians neglected their acheivements and have tried to reduce the span of their rule. The Nandas have been referred by distant people of ancient Iran and the classical writers of the Greece. Their strength has been narrated by the scholars who accompanied Alexander in India. Interesting to state that no evidences are available which could confirm the war, that took place between the last Nanda and Chandragupta. Even though the historians narrated the event stating it as a revolution by the people which ousted the last Nanda king. There are few Sanskrit chronicles which connected Chandragupta to Nanda King. These chronicles have stated that Chandragupta was the legitimate son of the last Nanda king. But Indian historians tried their best to present Buddhist evidences which state Chandragupta a resident of Pippalvana and related to Nandas any way. To devaluate the Nandas has created a big historical loss to our ancient history. The whole period from Indus valley civilization to the establishment of sixteen Mahajanapadas is still in the dark.
    [Show full text]
  • The Decline of Buddhism in India
    The Decline of Buddhism in India It is almost impossible to provide a continuous account of the near disappearance of Buddhism from the plains of India. This is primarily so because of the dearth of archaeological material and the stunning silence of the indigenous literature on this subject. Interestingly, the subject itself has remained one of the most neglected topics in the history of India. In this book apart from the history of the decline of Buddhism in India, various issues relating to this decline have been critically examined. Following this methodology, an attempt has been made at a region-wise survey of the decline in Sind, Kashmir, northwestern India, central India, the Deccan, western India, Bengal, Orissa, and Assam, followed by a detailed analysis of the different hypotheses that propose to explain this decline. This is followed by author’s proposed model of decline of Buddhism in India. K.T.S. Sarao is currently Professor and Head of the Department of Buddhist Studies at the University of Delhi. He holds doctoral degrees from the universities of Delhi and Cambridge and an honorary doctorate from the P.S.R. Buddhist University, Phnom Penh. The Decline of Buddhism in India A Fresh Perspective K.T.S. Sarao Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-215-1241-1 First published 2012 © 2012, Sarao, K.T.S. All rights reserved including those of translation into other languages. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mauryan Empire - History Study Materials
    The Mauryan Empire - History Study Materials THE MAURYAN EMPIRE (321-289 BC) In 322 BC, Chandragupta Maurya, the ruler of Seleucus, Alexander's successor in Persia, he Magadha, began to assert its authority over the undeiwent a treaty liberating the empire bam Greco- neighbouring kingdoms. Chandragupta (320-300 BC), Persian authority. It also assured him a respectful was the builder of the first Indian imperial power, the place in later Greek ond Roman histories. He used Mauryan Empire. He had his capital at Pataliputru, the administrative system established by the Nandas near Patna, in Bihar. fa his full advantage, and established dose and friendly relations with Babylon and the lands farther CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA (320-300 west. He was acknowledged as a brilliant general BC) having an army of well over half a million soldiers. Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the He was also a brilliant king, who united India, Mauryan Empire. He founded the dynasty by restricting himself in not going beyond the overthrowing the Nandas around 320 BC. There is no subcontinent. Pata'ipufra become a cosmopolitan clear account available about his early life. He was city of such a large proportion that Chandragupta born in Pataliputra, but was raised in the forest in the had to create a special section of municipal officials company of herdsmen and hunters. It was Chanakya to look after its welfare, and special courts were who spotted him and he was struck by his personality. established to meet its judicial needs. Chanakya trained and transformed him into one of the most powerful rulers of that era.
    [Show full text]
  • Component-I (A) – Personal Details
    Component-I (A) – Personal details: Component-I (B) – Description of module: Subject Name Indian Culture Paper Name Outlines of Indian History Module Name/Title Mahajanapadas- Rise of Magadha – Nandas – Invasion of Alexander Module Id I C/ OIH/ 08 Pre requisites Early History of India Objectives To study the Political institutions of Ancient India from earliest to 3rd Century BCE. Mahajanapadas , Rise of Magadha under the Haryanka, Sisunaga Dynasties, Nanda Dynasty, Persian Invasions, Alexander’s Invasion of India and its Effects Keywords Janapadas, Magadha, Haryanka, Sisunaga, Nanda, Alexander E-text (Quadrant-I) 1. Sources Political and cultural history of the period from C 600 to 300 BCE is known for the first time by a possibility of comparing evidence from different kinds of literary sources. Buddhist and Jaina texts form an authentic source of the political history of ancient India. The first four books of Sutta pitaka -- the Digha, Majjhima, Samyutta and Anguttara nikayas -- and the entire Vinaya pitaka were composed between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE. The Sutta nipata also belongs to this period. The Jaina texts Bhagavati sutra and Parisisthaparvan represent the tradition that can be used as historical source material for this period. The Puranas also provide useful information on dynastic history. A comparison of Buddhist, Puranic and Jaina texts on the details of dynastic history reveals more disagreement. This may be due to the fact that they were compiled at different times. Apart from indigenous literary sources, there are number of Greek and Latin narratives of Alexander’s military achievements. They describe the political situation prevailing in northwest on the eve of Alexander’s invasion.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIT 22 DISINTEGRATION of the EMPIRE Structure
    UNIT 22 DISINTEGRATION OF THE EMPIRE Structure 22.0 Objectives " , 22.1 Introduction 22.2 Successors of Asoka 22.3 Other Political Factors for Disintegration 22.4 Asoka and His Problems 22.5 Economic Problems 22.6 Growth of Local Polities 22.6.1 Major Kingdoms 22.6.2 Local Kingdoms 22.7 Let Us Sum Up 22.8 Key Words 22.9 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises 22.0 OBJECTIVES After reading this Unit you should be able to explain: 8 to what extent Asoka's successors are held responsible for the disintegration of the empire, 8 how various other political factors are viewed as contributing to the weakening of the empire, 8 how Asoka's policies in general are considered responsible for the decline of the empire, 8 the economic problems that the Mauryan empire believed to have faced, and 8 the emergence of local polities in both north and south India following the decline of the Mauryan rule. 22.1 INTRODUCTION -2 Mauryan rule was the first experiment in imperial government in India. Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara and Asoka were successful in establishing the imperial authority of the Mauryas over a large number of Janpadas or Kingdoms, and they yere able to introduce a new concept in the governance of a large territory. However, the imperial authority of the Mauryas began to weaken with aedeath of Asoka (232 B.C.) and finally collapsed in 180 B.C. What brought the disintegration of the Mauryan empire is a very complicated question and it cannot be explained by any single factor.
    [Show full text]
  • Magadha-Empire
    Rise & Growth of Magadha Empire [Ancient Indian History Notes for UPSC] The Magadha Empire encompasses the rule of three dynasties over time - Haryanka Dynasty, Shishunaga Dynasty, and Nanda Dynasty. The timeline of the Magadha Empire is estimated to be from 684 BCE to 320 BCE. Read about the topic, 'Rise and Growth of the Magadha Empire,' in this article; which is important for the IAS Exam (Prelims - Ancient History and Mains - GS I & Optional). Rise of Magadha Notes for UPSC Exam The four Mahajanapadas - Magadha, Kosala, Avanti and Vatsa were vying for supremacy from the 6th century BCE to the 4th century BCE. Finally, Magadha emerged victorious and was able to gain sovereignty. It became the most powerful state in ancient India. Magadha is situated in modern Bihar. Jarasandha, who was a descendant of Brihadratha, founded the empire in Magadha. Both are talked about in the Mahabharata. Read about the 16 Mahajanapadas in the linked article. Magadha Empire - Haryanka Dynasty The first important and powerful dynasty in Magadha was the Haryanka dynasty. Bimbisara (558 BC – 491 BC) • Son of Bhattiya. • According to Buddhist chronicles, Bimbisara ruled for 52 years (544 BCE - 492 BCE). • Contemporary and follower of the Buddha. Was also said to be an admirer of Mahavira, who was also his contemporary. • Had his capital at Girivraja/Rajagriha (Rajgir). o It was surrounded by 5 hills, the openings of which were closed by stone walls on all sides. This made Rajagriha impregnable. • Also known as Sreniya. • Was the first king to have a standing army. Magadha came into prominence under his leadership.
    [Show full text]