Mauryan & Gupta — Set 3
Indian History · मौर्य और गुप्त · Questions 21–30 of 100
Who was the last ruler of the Mauryan Dynasty?
Correct Answer: C. Brihadratha
• **Brihadratha** = last Mauryan ruler; killed in **185 BCE** by his general **Pushyamitra Sunga** during a military parade. • His assassination ended **~137 years** of Mauryan rule (321 BCE–185 BCE); Pushyamitra founded the **Sunga dynasty**. • Brihadratha was a weak ruler — the empire had fragmented by his time; powerful generals had virtual control. • 💡 Dasharatha = Ashoka's grandson (donated Barabar Caves); Kunala = Ashoka's son (blinded); Devavarman = minor Mauryan — Brihadratha = last Mauryan.
The gold coins issued during the Gupta period were known as:
Correct Answer: A. Dinara
• **Dinara** = Gupta-period **gold coins**; name derived from Roman **Denarius** — shows India-Rome trade links. • Gupta gold coins are among the **finest in ancient world** — show kings playing veena, riding horses, performing Ashvamedha. • **Samudragupta's Dinara** shows him playing a lyre/veena — evidence of his musical talent from Prayag Prasasti. • 💡 Pana = Mauryan copper coin; Nishka = Vedic gold ornament/coin; Rupaka = Gupta silver coin — gold Gupta coin = Dinara.
Which Chinese traveler visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II?
Correct Answer: D. Fa-Hien
• **Fa-Hien** = Chinese Buddhist pilgrim; visited India **399–414 CE** during **Chandragupta II's** reign. • Came to **collect Buddhist scriptures**; wrote *Fo-Kuo-Ki* (Record of Buddhist Kingdoms) — describes a peaceful and prosperous India. • He noted **no death penalty, no meat eating, no alcohol** in the Gangetic heartland — shows high Gupta civic standards. • 💡 I-Tsing = visited Nalanda under Harsha era; Sung Yun = Hunas/Mihirakula era; Hiuen Tsang = Harsha's court — Fa-Hien = Chandragupta II.
The 'Bhabru Edict' is significant because it proves Ashoka's faith in:
Correct Answer: D. Buddhism
• **Bhabru Edict** = Ashoka's personal declaration of faith in **Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha** (the Three Jewels). • Lists **7 specific Buddhist texts** Ashoka recommended for study — unique among all his edicts for naming scriptures. • Found at **Bairat (Rajasthan)**; originally discovered as a stone tablet, now in Kolkata Museum. • 💡 Jainism = Ashoka gave Barabar Caves to Ajivikas (not Jains); Vaishnavism = Gupta-era; Ajivika = rival sect — Bhabru Edict = Buddhism proof.
Who composed the 'Panchatantra', a collection of fables?
Correct Answer: C. Vishnu Sharma
• **Vishnu Sharma** = author of **Panchatantra** — five books of fables teaching **niti (statecraft/wisdom)** to princes. • Written around **3rd century BCE**; translated into **50+ languages** including Arabic (*Kalila wa Dimna*) and Persian. • Panchatantra = 5 books: **Mitra Bhedha, Mitra Labha, Kakolukiyam, Labdha Pranasham, Aparikshitakaraka**. • 💡 Gunadhya = Brihat Katha; Somadeva = Kathasaritsagara; Narayana Pandit = Hitopadesha — Panchatantra fables = Vishnu Sharma.
In Mauryan administration, 'Gudhapurusha' referred to:
Correct Answer: A. Spies and Detectives
• **Gudhapurusha** = secret agents/spies in **Mauryan administration**; literally 'hidden men'. • Arthashastra classifies spies: **Sanstha** (stationary, 5 types) and **Sanchara** (wandering, 4 types) — monitored officials and public. • Spy disguises included **ascetics, students, merchants, poisoners** — a sophisticated intelligence network across the empire. • 💡 Purohita = royal priest; Senapati = army general; Gramika = village headman — Gudhapurusha = spies and detectives only.
Which Gupta king assumed the title 'Vikramaditya'?
Correct Answer: A. Chandragupta II
• **Chandragupta II** = assumed title **'Vikramaditya'** after defeating **Western Shakas** of Ujjain (~388 CE). • Also called **'Sakari'** (enemy of Shakas); issued **silver coins** after conquering Shaka territories of western India. • His court had **Navratnas**: Kalidasa, Varahamihira, Dhanvantari, Amara Simha, Fa-Hien also visited during his reign. • 💡 Kumaragupta = Mahendraditya title; Samudragupta = Kaviraja title; Chandragupta I = Maharajadhiraja title — Vikramaditya = Chandragupta II.
The 'Rumminidei Pillar Inscription' of Ashoka is located in:
Correct Answer: B. Lumbini
• **Rumminidei Pillar Inscription** = located at **Lumbini, Nepal** — archaeological proof of **Buddha's birthplace**. • Ashoka visited in his **20th regnal year**; reduced village's land tax (**Bali**) from **1/6 to 1/8** of produce. • Also exempted from **Bhaga** (king's share) — uniquely records Ashoka's personal pilgrimage to a sacred site. • 💡 Sarnath = first sermon site; Vaishali = second Buddhist council; Sanchi = stupa, no birthplace pillar — Lumbini birthplace = Rumminidei.
Which scholar deciphered the Brahmi script of Ashokan edicts in 1837?
Correct Answer: C. James Prinsep
• **James Prinsep** = British scholar; deciphered **Brahmi script** in **1837** using bilingual coins (Brahmi + Greek). • His breakthrough allowed reading of **Ashokan edicts** for the first time — 'Piyadassi' = Ashoka discovered. • Prinsep also deciphered **Kharosthi** script and worked as Assay Master at the Calcutta Mint. • 💡 John Marshall = excavated Mohenjo-daro; Alexander Cunningham = ASI founder; William Jones = founded Asiatic Society — Brahmi decipherment = James Prinsep.
The silver coins of the Gupta period were primarily known as:
Correct Answer: D. Rupaka
• **Rupaka** = Gupta **silver coins**; introduced after Chandragupta II conquered **Western Shakas** of western India. • Rupaka facilitated local trade in Shaka territories; **16 Rupakas = 1 gold Dinara** (Gupta monetary ratio). • Rupaka is linguistically ancestor of modern **'Rupee'** — one of India's longest-surviving monetary terms. • 💡 Karshapana = Mauryan silver punch-marked coin; Kakini = smallest Mauryan copper coin; Suvarna = gold weight unit — Gupta silver coin = Rupaka.