Mauryan & Gupta — Set 9

Correct Answer: A. Kautilya (Chanakya)

• **Kautilya** (also called **Chanakya** or Vishnugupta) = author of the **Arthashastra** — treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy. • Covers **governance, espionage, taxation, diplomacy, and law**; divided into 15 books (Adhikaranas) and 6,000 verses. • He was **Prime Minister and mentor** of Chandragupta Maurya — mastermind behind the Nanda overthrow and Mauryan Empire's founding. • 💡 Megasthenes = wrote Indica (Greek); Ashoka = wrote edicts; Visakhadatta = Mudrarakshasa (drama) — Arthashastra author = Kautilya/Chanakya.

Correct Answer: C. Kalinga War

• **Kalinga War** (~261 BCE) = fought by Ashoka against Kalinga (modern Odisha); **150,000 deported, 100,000+ killed**. • The massive destruction filled Ashoka with **grief and remorse** — described in his **Rock Edict XIII** (most personal edict). • This led him to embrace **Buddhism** and the path of **Dhamma** — renouncing Digvijay (conquest by war) for Dhammavijay. • 💡 Magadha War = no such named war; Taxila Revolt = Ashoka's early viceroyship; Avanti War = pre-Ashoka — Kalinga War = the transformative event for Ashoka.

Correct Answer: A. Chandragupta Maurya

• **Chandragupta Maurya** = founded the **Mauryan Empire** (~321 BCE) by overthrowing the **Nanda dynasty** of Magadha. • Guided by **Chanakya (Kautilya)** — political mastermind who strategized the Nanda defeat; established Pataliputra as capital. • Created the **first pan-Indian empire** — extended from Hindukush (NW) to Bay of Bengal (E) and Deccan (S). • 💡 Bindusara = Chandragupta's son (expanded South); Bimbisara = Haryanka king (pre-Maurya); Ashoka = Chandragupta's grandson — Mauryan Empire founder = Chandragupta Maurya.

Correct Answer: D. Samudragupta

• **Samudragupta** = called **'Napoleon of India'** by historian **V.A. Smith** based on accounts in the Prayag Prasasti. • Conquered **21 kings** in North India (defeated and re-instated) + **12 southern rulers** (tribute-paying vassals). • Also called **'Kaviraja'** (King of Poets) — played veena and composed verses; combined military and artistic genius. • 💡 Chandragupta II = Vikramaditya title; Kanishka = Kushan ruler; Ashoka = Dhamma (non-violent) — 'Napoleon of India' = Samudragupta.

Correct Answer: A. Gupta

• **Gupta Period** (4th–6th century CE) = called the **'Golden Age'** of ancient India — peak of art, science, literature, and architecture. • Achievements: **Aryabhatta** (zero, pi), **Kalidasa** (Shakuntalam), **Varahamihira** (astronomy), **Nalanda** (university), **Nagara temples** (stone architecture). • Peace from unified empire allowed **trade, culture, and intellectual thought** to flourish simultaneously. • 💡 Mauryan = administrative/political peak (not cultural Golden Age); Kushan = Gandhara art; Vedic = early composition period — Golden Age = Gupta.

Correct Answer: D. Kalidasa

• **Abhijnana Shakuntalam** = written by **Kalidasa** (Gupta period, Chandragupta II's court); considered his masterpiece. • Story of **King Dushyanta** falling in love with **Shakuntala** (daughter of Vishwamitra and Menaka); separation and reunion. • First Indian work translated into European languages — **William Jones** (1789 CE); **Goethe** praised it lavishly. • 💡 Bhasa = Svapnavasavadatta; Tulsidas = Ramcharitmanas (Hindi); Harisena = Prayag Prasasti (poet, not playwright) — Abhijnana Shakuntalam = Kalidasa.

Correct Answer: C. Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang)

• **Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang)** = Chinese Buddhist pilgrim; wrote **'Si-Yu-Ki'** (Records of Western Regions) after visiting India. • Visited India **629–645 CE** during reign of **King Harsha (Harshavardhana)**; studied at **Nalanda University** for years. • Described Nalanda's glory, Harsha's administration, and the decline of Buddhism in parts of India — invaluable primary source. • 💡 Megasthenes = wrote Indica (Mauryan era); I-Tsing = visited Nalanda (post-Harsha); Fa-Hien = visited Chandragupta II — Si-Yu-Ki = Hiuen Tsang.

Correct Answer: A. Ashoka's Lion Capital at Sarnath

• **National Emblem of India** = adapted from **Ashoka's Lion Capital at Sarnath**; adopted on **26 January 1950** (Republic Day). • Features **four lions** back-to-back on a circular abacus with a **Dharma Chakra** (wheel) flanked by bull, horse, lion, and elephant. • Motto **'Satyameva Jayate'** (Truth alone triumphs) = taken from the **Mundaka Upanishad** — inscribed below the emblem. • 💡 Sanchi Stupa = Buddhist monument; Bull Capital (Rampurva) = single animal capital; Konark Wheel = Sun Temple — National Emblem = Sarnath Lion Capital.

Correct Answer: D. Chandragupta II

• **Chandragupta II** = first Gupta ruler to issue **silver coins (Rupaka)** after defeating the **Western Satraps (Shakas)**. • Silver coins were modeled on **Shaka coinage** style for local acceptance in newly conquered western territories. • Guptas primarily issued **gold Dinara** coins — silver Rupaka was introduced specifically for western trade regions. • 💡 Samudragupta = Ashvamedha gold coins; Kumaragupta = Peacock coins; Chandragupta I = Licchavi joint gold coins — first Gupta silver coins = Chandragupta II.

Correct Answer: D. Chandragupta Maurya

• **Chandragupta Maurya** = embraced **Jainism** in his later life; abdicated the throne (~298 BCE) in favor of son Bindusara. • Traveled south to **Shravanabelagola (Karnataka)** with Jain monk **Bhadrabahu**; practiced Jain fasting rituals. • Performed **Sallekhana (Santhara)** — Jain ritual of voluntary fasting to death; died at Shravanabelagola. • 💡 Ashoka = embraced Buddhism (not Jainism); Bindusara = son, no Jainism connection; Dasharatha = Ashoka's grandson — Jainism (Sallekhana) = Chandragupta Maurya.