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Ancient History > Mauryans > Flashcards

Mauryans Flashcards

1
Q

Literary sources of Mauryans

A
  1. Kautilya’s Arthashastra
  2. Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa
  3. Megasthenes’ Indica
  4. Puranas
  5. Jatakas
  6. Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa [Asoka spreading buddhism in ceylon]
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2
Q

when was political unity achieved for the 1st time in India

A

during mauryan period

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3
Q

Parts of Kautilya’s arthashastra

A

3 parts, deal with
1st- King and his council, govt dpts
2nd- civil and criminal law
3rd- diplomacy and war

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4
Q

what was Visakadatta’s Mudrarakshasa

A

Mudrarakshasa was written by Visakadatta.
A drama in Sanskrit written during the gupta period about how chandragupta overthrew nandas

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5
Q

what was mehasthenes indica

A

Megasthenes was the greek ambassador in the court of chandragupta maurya
He gives details about Mauryan administration, esp of pataliputra
+ military + social life

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6
Q

who discovered Asoka’s edicts

A

James Princep in 1837

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7
Q

Language in which asoka edicts are written

A

Pali
Prakrit
Karoshti

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8
Q

types of edicts

A
  1. Major rock edicts
  2. Minor rock edicts
  3. Minor pillar edicts
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9
Q

use of asokan pillars

A

Asoka’s dhamma and instructions given to officials

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10
Q

which edicts gives info about the kalinga war

A

13th rock edict

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11
Q

which edict gives the summary of his efforts to promote dhamma

A

7th pillar edict

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12
Q

founder of Mauryan empire

A

chandragupta maurya, assisted by Kautilya/ Chanakya/ Vishnugupta

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13
Q

who is selukas niketar

A

Alexander’s general in charge of NW India
He lost to chandragupta maurya and ceded the trans indus territories and gave his daughter for marriage to CM.
Megasthenes was sent by him as the greek ambassador

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14
Q

religion of CM

A

Jainism
he stepped down from the throne in favour of his son bindusara
went to sravana begola led by Bhadrabahu and starved himself to death

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15
Q

What did the greeks call bindusara

A

Amitragatha / slayer of enemies

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16
Q

Who confirms the expansion of mauryan empire under bindusara

A

Taranantha, a buddhist monk
Sangam Tamil literature

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17
Q

area under bindusara

A

MAP IT
from kashmir to mysore

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18
Q

Which ambassador did Bindusara receive

A

Deimachus from Syrian king Antiochus I

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19
Q

religion of bindusara

A

Ajivikas
Ajivikas’ central belief was that absolutely everything is predetermined by fate, or niyati, and hence human action has no consequence one way or the other.

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20
Q

Asoka’s initial role

A

governor of ujjain

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21
Q

how are Susima and Tissa associated to asoka

A

eldest brother that asoka killed [98 other bros as well] acc to dipavamsa and mahavamsa
Tissa was the toungest bro who was spared

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22
Q

Asokan empire area

A

MAP IT
Reached till afghanistan till mysore [never reached to the southern end of india]

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23
Q

when did asoka embrace buddhism

A

after his war at kalinga
He was moved to such guilt by the hardships caused to the defeated people by the war that he discarded armed conquests

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24
Q

under whose influence did asoka embraxce buddhism

A

Buddhist monk Upagupta

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25
Q

Describe Asokas conversion to buddhism

A

his conversion was gradual and not immediate

He first became a Sakya Upasaka [lay disciple]
Then he gave up hunting, visited Bodh Gaya
he appointed special officers called dhamma Mahamatras to speed up the progress of dhamma
He visited Lumbini garden and other buddhist holy places
He sent a mission to Sri lanka, under his son Mahendra and daughter Sangamitra who planted the branch of the original Bodhi tree
Asoka convened the 3rd buddhist council at patliputra

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26
Q

which were his bordering southern most kingdoms during Asoka’s reign

A

Chola’s., Pandyas and Satyaputras and Keralaputras

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27
Q

was Kashmir a part of the Mauryan empire, acc to whom

A

Yes, acc to Rajatarangini

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28
Q

was nepal a part of mauryan empire

A

yes

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29
Q

what was Asoka’s Dhamma

A

It was a way of life, a code of conduct and a set of principles to be followed by ppl at large. Ashoka’s Dhamma [Dharma in Sanskrit] was not a new religion. It was not a new form of political philosophy either.
These principles were clearly stated in his Edicts

These ten principles are:

1. To be liberal while avoiding egoism.
2. To uphold a high moral standard.
3.  To be willing to put one’s own pleasure aside for the sake of the subjects’ well-being.
4. To be truthful and uphold total integrity.
5. To be gentle and kind.
6. To live a humble life to inspire the subjects.
7. To be free of all forms of hatred.
8. To practise non-violence.
9. To develop patience.
10. Respect for the public’s viewpoint to create peace and concord.
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30
Q

Was dhamma equated to buddhist teachings

A

no
buddhism remained his personal belief

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31
Q

Why is asoka the greatest ever

A

termed greater than alexander and julius caesar
his dhamma appeals to humanity even today
known for his benevolent administration
policy of non aggression
looked at larger welfare of humanity

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32
Q

what happened to the Mauryan empire after Asoka’s death

A

led to a division of the mauryam empire into western and eastern

western was ruled by Kunala [asoka’s son]
eastern was ruled by Dasaratha [asoka’s grandson]

western part collapsed due to Bactrian invasion

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33
Q

western part collapsed due to

A

Bactrian invasion

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34
Q

last of Mauryan kings

A

briharatha, who was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga

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35
Q

describe the Mauryan administration, headings

use for any empire —- TEMPLATE

A
  1. Central govt
  2. Revenue dpt
  3. Army
  4. Dept of commerce and industry
  5. Judicial and Police dpt
  6. Census
  7. Provincial and local administration
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36
Q

central govt during mauryan empire

A

led to triumph of monarchy in india
Sytems like oligarchies and republics prevalent in pre mauryan era had collapsed

Kautilya- supported monarchical form of govt but did not stand for royal absolutism.

Kautilya advocated the king to take advice of his ministry. hence there was a council of ministers called Mantriparishad.

It consisted of purohita, Mahamantri, Senapati and Yuvaraj.

Civil servants called Amatyas to look after day to day administration. — a well organised civil service.

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37
Q

what were civil servants called during mauryan empire

A

Amatyas

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38
Q

what was chief of the revenue dept called

A

Samharta

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39
Q

what all was revenue collected for

A

land
irrigation
customs
shop tax
ferry tax
forests
mines
pastures
license fee

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40
Q

how much land revenue was collected by mauryans

A

1/6th of total produce

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41
Q

Army of Mauryans was headed by

A

Senapati

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42
Q

who mentioned the mauryan army in their book

A

greek author, Pliny

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43
Q

Mauryan army had consisted of what all parts

A

6 boards of 5 members here

Infantry
Cavalry
Elephants
Chariots
Navy
Transport and supply

these were headed by Adyakshas or superintendents

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44
Q

who ensured retail and wholesale prices and study supply of goods

A

officers of Adyakshas

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45
Q

role of Adyakshas

A

Adyakshas were officers in Revenue dpt

  1. control the retail and wholesale prices of goods and tried to ensure steady supply
  2. Controlled weights and measures
  3. Levied custom duties
  4. Regulated foreign trade
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46
Q

what was the chief justice of supreme court called

A

Dharmathikarim

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47
Q

kinds of courts during mauryan empire

A

both civil and criminal courts
supreme court under dharmathikarim
subordinate courts at both provincial capitals and districts under Amatyas

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48
Q

way of punishement under Mauryans

A

fines
imprisonment
mutilation
death
jail

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49
Q

what do edicts mention vis a vis Judiciary

A

presence of jails and jail officials
remission of sentences
role of dhamma mahamatras against unfair imprisonment

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50
Q

role of dhamma mahamatras wrt judiciary

A

took steps against unjust imprisonment

51
Q

what all was asked in census of mauryan empire

A

regularly held

  1. number of ppl
  2. caste
  3. occupation
  4. animals in house

to check movement of population both foreign and indigenous.

52
Q

the mauryan empire was divided into how many provinces

A

4

Taxila
Ujjain
Suvarnagiri
Kalinga

53
Q

who were the provincial governors

A

members of royal family

54
Q

district administration was under

A

Rajukas, functions similar to modern day collectors

55
Q

whom were rajukas assisted by

A

Yuktas, subordinate officials

56
Q

who headed village administration

A

Gramani for a village
Gopa who was in charge of 15 villages

57
Q

Arthashastra talks in depth about what wrt city administration

A

Nagarika or city superintendent

58
Q

what were monuments made of before Asoka

A

wood, hence they perished

59
Q

what material was used after asoka

A

stone

60
Q

only remaining stupa of asoka is at

A

sanchi

majority of them were destroyed during foreign invasions

61
Q

what animals were on Mauryan pillars

A

Lion
Elephant
Bull

62
Q

Sarnath pillar

A

4 lions
Adopted by indian govt with some modification as its state emblem

63
Q

sanch stupa was initially built with

A

bricks, but was later was enlarged at the time of asoka

64
Q

who presented caves to Ajivikas

A

by asoka, not bindusara

the interiors of walls are polished like mirrors
they acted as residences of monks

65
Q

caves at barabar are where

A

near bodh gaya

66
Q

who made caves at barabar hills

A

Mauryas

67
Q

what led to decline of mauryas

A
  1. Weak successors of asoka
  2. Inadequate political and economic institutions to sustain such a vast empire
  3. Asoka’s pro buddhist policies antagonised buddhists who brought a revolution led by pushyamitra sunga
  4. Non violence as a policy reduced the fighting spirit of his army
  5. partition of his empire
  6. administrative abuses after asoka’s reign
68
Q

What religions come under shraman tradition

A

Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivikas
These are religious movements parallel to vedic movements

69
Q

what is the shraman tradition

A

Tapasvi/ Yogi, who are seekers and ascetics [lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals]

70
Q

why did jainism and buddhism become popular

A

opposed the varna and jati system

71
Q

what kind of religions and worships exixted during the mauryan period

A

hindus, buddists, jains, ajivikas
worship of Yakshas and mother goddess was prevalent during that time, so multiple forms of worships existed.
Though, Buddhism became most popular.

72
Q

describe the popularity of Yaksha worship

A

very popular before and after the advent of buddhism and it was also assimilated in Buddhism and Jainism

73
Q

Did stupas and Viharas exist prior to buddhism as well

A

yes
they got assimilated inn buddhism

74
Q

art and architecture found during mauryans

A

stupas
viharas
chaityas
stone pillars
rock cut caves
monumental figure scupltures

75
Q

where did Mauryan pillars take inspiration from

A

it was prevalent in Achaemian empire as well

76
Q

difference between mauryan and achaemenian pillars

A

Mauryan, rock cut, thus displaying the carvers skills, Achaemenian were constructed in pieces by a mason, no carving skills as such

Mauryan were independently erected on ground while achaemenian were built on top of buildings

77
Q

where were stone pillars majorly found

A

north india

78
Q

did stone pillars have inscriptions engraved on them

A

YES

79
Q

What all capital figures were atop pillars

A

bull
lion
elephant etc

80
Q

parts of mauryan pillars

A

top to bottom

capital figure
abascus
inverted lotus in bell shape [base]
shaft [the main lamba pillar type]

81
Q

what kind of abacuses were found in pillars

A

circular and square

82
Q

where have capital figures been found

A

In Bihar

Basra bakhira
Lauriya
Nandangarh
Rampurva

In Uttar Pradesh
Sankisa and Sarnath

83
Q

where is the famous lion pillar found

A

Sarnath

84
Q

lion pillar stands on what kind of abacus

A

circular

85
Q

animals found on the lion pillar

A

lions - 5 [4+1]
bull- 1
horse- 1
elephant 1

86
Q

animals found in indias national emblem in 2D`

A

3 lions
1 horse
1 bull

87
Q

what does the lion capital signify

A

symbolises dhammachakrapravartana - the first sermon given by Buddha at Sarnath

88
Q

what are Yakshas and yakshinis

A

male and female guard of lord kuber and his wealth.
they appear in hindu, jain and buddhist texts

not ajivikas since they’re atheists

89
Q

position of yaakshas and yakshinis

A

mostly standing
but also found in sitting position

90
Q

best position of yakshini is found at

A

Didarganj, patna
standing tall, half naked

91
Q

difference between teracotta and scupltures

A

difference in delineation of the body

92
Q

where is the rock cut elephant found

A

dhauli, odisha

93
Q

where are Lomas Rishi

A

Barabar hills, Gaya in bihar

94
Q

entrance of Lomas rishi cave is

A

chaitya arch

95
Q

significance of lomas rishi cave

A

donated by asoka to ajivika sect

96
Q

what is a stupa

A

a hemispherical structure containing relics [typically of buddhist monks or nuns] that is used as a place for meditation

97
Q

what is chaityas or chaityagriha

A

place of worship

98
Q

what is a vihara

A

residential quarters of monks

99
Q

are stupas also associated with brahmanical gods

A

yes

100
Q

over buddhas relics, where all have stupas been found

A

In Bihar

Rajagriha
Vaishali
Vethadipa
Pava

In nepal

Kapilavastu
Allakappa
Ramagrama

In UP
Kushinagar
Pippalvina

also in avanti and gandhara

101
Q

religions stupas, chaityas and viharas are associated with

A

jainism and buddhism

Yes, even jainism
but larger number belongs to buddhism

102
Q

parts of a stupa

A

top to bottom

chhatra
harnika
anda
pradakshina patha
medhi
torana
vedika

103
Q

examples of famous stupas

A

Bairat in Rajasthan
Sanchi

104
Q

who provided for building the stupas

A

royal patronage very lil
patrons range from lay devotees to gahapatis and kings
donations from guilds

105
Q

are names of artisans mentioned on stupas

A

very few such examples

Kanha from pitamkhora
Balaka at Konadane caves

106
Q

are categories of artisans mentioned on inscriptions

A

yes

107
Q

how is the shape of chaitya entrance

A

horse shoe shaped

108
Q

what kind of entrance does the lomas rishi cave have

A

chaitya arch

109
Q

who built the lion capital pillar

A

asoka

110
Q

what is dharmachakra
what does it signify

A

wheel having 8 spokes, representing the eightfold path

Wheel of the Law (dharmachakra), denoting the Buddha’s First Sermon in the forest at Sarnath, where he set Buddhist Law (dharma) in motion.

111
Q

what is on our national flag

A

modified version of dharmachakra called asoka chakra

112
Q

apart from sarnath where else has a lion capital been found

A

at sanchi but in a dilapilated condition

113
Q

what is a chauri

A

a fly-whisk [to shoo flies] on yakshinis right hand found at didarganj

114
Q

condition of yakshini at didarganj, patna

A

its left hand and nose is broken, otherwise good

115
Q

size of yakshini at didarganj

A

life sized

116
Q

how did patronisation take place for monuments in mauryan times

A

at times, only a specific portion of the monument is said to have been paronised by a particular patron

117
Q

how was buddhism depicted initially

A

symbolically via footprints, chakra, lotus and stupas

118
Q

how was buddhism depicted later

A

by historisation of life events of buddha, this became a part of buddhist tradition

Jataka stories were depicted on the railings of torans of stupas

events of birth, renunciation, enlightenment, dhammachakrapravartana, mahaparinibbana

119
Q

what are jataka stories

A

stories associated with buddhists previous life

120
Q

what is dhammachakrapravartana

A

Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath

121
Q

what is mahaparinibbana

A

liberation from the cycle of birth

122
Q

Name the frequent Jataka stories

A

Chhadanta
Vidurpundita
Ruru
Sibi
Vessantara
Shama

123
Q

what is Bharut famous for

A

Bharhut is famous for the ruins of a Buddhist stupa

Ancient History (8 decks)

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