Mauryan & Gupta — Set 8

Correct Answer: A. Chandragupta Maurya

• **Chandragupta Maurya** = abdicated throne (~298 BCE); traveled to **Shravanabelagola, Karnataka** with Jain monk **Bhadrabahu**. • Performed **Sallekhana** (Santhara) — Jain ritual of voluntary fasting to death; shows his conversion to **Jainism** at end of life. • He was initially guided by Chanakya (Hindu political thought) but embraced Jainism after abdication — religious transformation. • 💡 Bindusara = no such tradition; Samprati = Mauryan, was a Jain (Ashoka's grandson); Ashoka = Buddhism — Sallekhana at Shravanabelagola = Chandragupta Maurya.

Correct Answer: C. Banabhatta

• **Banabhatta** = court poet of **King Harsha (Harshavardhana)**; wrote **Harshacharita** — first major Sanskrit biography. • Also wrote **Kadambari** — considered the world's **first novel** in Sanskrit; a romance/adventure narrative. • Banabhatta is post-Gupta but his style continues the **classical Sanskrit literary tradition** of the Gupta Golden Age. • 💡 Kalidasa = Gupta era (Chandragupta II); Harisena = Prayag Prasasti (Samudragupta's poet); Ravikirti = Aihole Inscription (Chalukya) — Harshacharita = Banabhatta.

Correct Answer: D. Commerce and Trade

• **Panyadhyaksha** = superintendent of **commerce and trade** in Mauryan administration. • Controlled **market prices, weights and measures**, and regulated sale of both state and private goods. • State collected **10% tax (Kara)** on traded goods — Panyadhyaksha enforced this; also checked **quality of goods**. • 💡 Infantry = Senapati; Ships = Navadhyaksha; Passports/Foreigners = Antapal — commerce and trade superintendent = Panyadhyaksha.

Correct Answer: A. Allahabad Pillar (Prayag Prasasti)

• **Prayag Prasasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription)** = composed by **Harisena** (Samudragupta's court poet); details Gupta genealogy. • Lists **Gupta dynasty from Sri Gupta → Ghatotkacha → Chandragupta I → Samudragupta** — primary source for Gupta lineage. • Also records **Samudragupta's military campaigns** — 21 kings defeated in south + 9 frontier states submitting tribute. • 💡 Mehrauli Pillar = 'Chandra' inscription (Chandragupta II); Aihole = Chalukya; Sanchi = Buddhist stupa inscriptions — Gupta genealogy inscription = Prayag Prasasti.

Correct Answer: D. Mauryan

• **Sannidhata** (Treasurer/Storekeeper) + **Samaharta** (Revenue Collector) = paired economic officials in **Mauryan Empire**. • **Samaharta** assessed and collected revenues from provinces; **Sannidhata** managed the state treasury and storehouses. • Together they controlled **state finances** — the Arthashastra devotes extensive chapters to both roles. • 💡 Gupta = Sandhivigrahika, Vishayapati; Kushan = different administrative system; Satavahana = Mahabhoja, Mahasenapati — Sannidhata + Samaharta paired = Mauryan Empire.

Correct Answer: A. Harshacharita

• **Harshacharita** = written by **Banabhatta** (court poet of Harsha); first full historical biography in Sanskrit literature. • Depicts **Harsha's rise to power**, court politics, and campaigns — invaluable source for 7th-century India. • Banabhatta also wrote **Kadambari** — considered the world's first novel in Sanskrit; continues the Gupta literary tradition. • 💡 Buddhacharita = Asvaghosha (Kanishka era); Ramacharita = about Rama (epic); Vikramankadevacharita = Bilhana (Chalukya) — first Sanskrit biography = Harshacharita.

Correct Answer: D. Province (Bhukti)

• **Uparika** = governor of a **Bhukti (province)** in Gupta administration; directly appointed by the king. • Each Bhukti divided into **Vishayas (districts)** headed by **Vishayapati** — appointed by Uparika. • Gupta hierarchy: **Uparika** (province) → **Vishayapati** (district) → **Gramika** (village head) — well-layered administration. • 💡 Nagara = city unit; Vishaya = district (not province); Grama = village — Uparika was provincial head (Bhukti), not district.

Correct Answer: A. A moral code of conduct

• **Ashoka's Dhamma** = a **moral code of conduct** (not a new religion or purely Buddhism); emphasized universal ethics. • Core principles: **non-violence (ahimsa), tolerance, respect for elders**, truth, and compassion toward all living beings. • Propagated through **Rock Edicts, Pillar Edicts, and Dhamma Mahamattas** (special officers) across the empire. • 💡 New religion = wrong (Dhamma was non-sectarian); Political philosophy only = wrong (had spiritual dimension); Hardcore Buddhism = wrong (never imposed Buddhism) — Dhamma = moral code.

Correct Answer: D. Sanskrit

• **Junagadh Inscription** of **Rudradaman I** (~150 CE) = first long inscription in **chaste classical Sanskrit**. • Before this, official inscriptions used **Prakrit** (as in Ashokan edicts); Rudradaman's Sanskrit marked a linguistic shift. • Same rock has **3 inscriptions**: Ashoka (Prakrit), Rudradaman I (Sanskrit), Skandagupta (Sanskrit) — rare multi-dynasty record. • 💡 Tamil = South Indian Sangam; Greek = Kandahar edicts; Prakrit = Ashokan edicts (not Rudradaman) — first long Sanskrit inscription = Junagadh/Rudradaman.

Correct Answer: A. Chandragupta II

• **Mehrauli Iron Pillar** = inscription mentions **'Chandra'** — widely identified as **Chandragupta II** (Vikramaditya). • Records his victories across **Vanga (Bengal)** and the **seven mouths of Indus (Sindhu)** in western campaigns. • Located in the **Qutb Minar complex, Delhi**; 1,600+ years old with no significant rust — Gupta metallurgical marvel. • 💡 Skandagupta = Bhitari Pillar; Samudragupta = Prayag Prasasti (Allahabad Pillar); Kumaragupta = Nalanda founder — Mehrauli Iron Pillar = Chandragupta II.