Maharashtra Board Class 11 History Chapter 8 India During Mauryan Period Solutions

1A. Choose the Correct Alternative and Write the Complete Sentences.

 

Question 1. The first well-known king of the Haryank dynasty is _____________
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bimbisara
(c) Ajatashatru
Answer: (b) Bimbisara
In simple words: King Bimbisara was the first major ruler of the Haryanka dynasty, and he helped make the Magadha empire very powerful.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that Bimbisara founded the Haryanka dynasty, while Ajatashatru was his successor. Do not confuse them with the Mauryan rulers.

 

Question 2. The Nanda dynasty was established by _____________
(a) Dhanananda
(b) Shishunaga
(c) Mahapadma Nanda
(d) Emperor Ashoka
Answer: (c) Mahapadma Nanda
In simple words: Mahapadma Nanda was the powerful ruler who started the Nanda dynasty by overthrowing the previous Shishunaga dynasty.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that Mahapadma Nanda was the founder, while Dhanananda was the last ruler of this dynasty who was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya.

 

Question 3. The great drama in Sanskrit literature, Swapnavasavadatta, was written by _____________
(a) Kautilya
(b) Bharat
(c) Kalidasa
(d) Bhasa
Answer: (d) Bhasa
In simple words: Swapnavasavadatta is a famous ancient Sanskrit play written by the great playwright Bhasa.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate the book names directly with their authors in a quick-revision list to easily score full marks on literature questions.

 

1B. Find the Incorrect Pair from Set B and Write the Correct Ones.

 

Question 1.

Set 'A'	Set 'B'
(a) Built the foundation of the Magadha Empire	Bimbisara
(b) Brought an end to Nanda rule	Chandragupta Maurya
(c) Chinese traveller who visited India during the period of Chandragupta Maurya	Megasthenes

Answer:
Incorrect Pair: (c) Chinese traveller who visited India during the period of Chandragupta Maurya - Megasthenes
Correct Pair: Greek ambassador who visited India during the period of Chandragupta Maurya - Megasthenes
In simple words: Megasthenes was actually a Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus Nicator, not a Chinese traveller.

🎯 Exam Tip: When correcting pairs, clearly state both the incorrect pair and the corrected version to ensure you get full marks.

Choose the Correct Reason and Complete the Sentence

 

Question 1. Emperor Ashoka erected many pillars. Reason _____________
(a) Spread of art
(b) Spread of ‘Dhamma’
(c) Growth of trade
(d) For recognition of his work
Answer: (a) Spread of art
In simple words: Emperor Ashoka set up many stone pillars mainly to help spread beautiful art and messages across his kingdom.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering reason-based multiple-choice questions, read all options carefully to identify the one that directly completes the statement according to your textbook.

Explain the Following Statements with Reasons

 

Question 1. Ashoka’s victory at Kalinga proved to be a turning point in history as well as the life of Ashoka.
Answer:
• There was a great loss of human life in this (Kalinga) war. Ashoka became victorious.
• The destruction caused due to the Kalinga war brought about a great change in the mind of Ashoka.
• His mind got diverted towards the non-violent, peaceful Buddhist religion.
• The desire of Digvijaya was replaced by Dharma Vijaya (Dhamma Vijaya).
• His career proved to be important because of the religious ideals propagated by him and the creation of a mechanism to until it in people’s life. This profound transformation marked the beginning of a new era of peace and welfare in his empire.
In simple words: The terrible suffering and loss of life in the Kalinga war deeply saddened Emperor Ashoka. He decided to give up violence, embraced Buddhism, and dedicated the rest of his life to spreading peace and Dhamma.

🎯 Exam Tip: To score full marks, list the key changes in Ashoka's mindset step-by-step, highlighting his shift from war (Digvijaya) to peace (Dharma Vijaya).

 

Question 2. The war between Chandragupta and the Greek King Seleucus was very important.

Question 3. The Mauryan administration acquired a definite form.
Answer: Chandragupta Maurya was a valiant king and an efficient administrator. He set up a defined mechanism of state administration which suited the economic conditions and the needs of the Maurya empire. The Mauryan emperors created a unified empire. At the same time, they devised a decentralized administrative system for the efficient functioning of the empire. This systematic approach ensured peace and prosperity throughout the vast kingdom.
In simple words: Chandragupta Maurya set up a very organized system of government that fit the needs of his huge empire. This helped run the kingdom smoothly and kept it united.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention both the centralized and decentralized aspects of the Mauryan administration to show a complete understanding of their governance system.

 

4. State Your Opinion.

 

Question 1. Chandragupta Maurya is the first Chakravarti emperor in the history of India.
Answer: The concept of ‘Chakravarti’ occurs in the literature on ancient Indian polity. The sovereign ruler whose chariot could roll in all four directions without any obstruction was known as Chakravarti. His vast conquests established a single, supreme rule over a major part of the Indian subcontinent.
In simple words: A 'Chakravarti' is a supreme ruler whose power extends in all directions without any opposition. Chandragupta Maurya achieved this by uniting most of India under his single rule.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define the term 'Chakravarti' first before explaining how it applies to Chandragupta Maurya's historical achievements.

 

Question 2. The rock edicts of Ashoka are an important source of history.
Answer:
• The rock edicts and pillar inscriptions are found in many places in the regions of Afghanistan, Nepal, and India.
• These rock edicts and pillar inscriptions give information about the boundaries of the Mauryan empire.
• Ashoka’s effects to spreads Buddhist ideals and the written evidence of the spread of Buddhism and Indian culture in distant countries through the Buddhist monks sent by Ashoka occurs in these inscriptions. This historical evidence helps us map the global reach of ancient Indian thought.
• Thus, the rock edicts of Ashoka are an important source of history.
In simple words: Ashoka carved his messages and laws on rocks and pillars across his empire. These carvings help us understand where his empire stretched and how he spread Buddhism to other countries.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention specific regions like Afghanistan, Nepal, and India to show a precise geographical understanding of Ashoka's empire.

 

Question 3. Various trade guilds developed during the Mauryan period.
Answer:
• During the Mauryan period, there was an increase in revenue due to a well organized taxation system.
• Several industries and professions flourished during this period.
• As a result of this these professions were organised into trade guilds, for e.g., there were guilds of carpenters, weavers, farmers, etc. These guilds helped regulate work standards and protect the interests of the craftsmen.
• Thus, Various trade guilds developed during the Mauryan period.
In simple words: As business and different jobs grew during the Mauryan rule, workers of the same profession (like weavers or carpenters) formed groups called guilds to work together and manage their trade.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always give examples of guilds, such as carpenters and weavers, to make your answer complete and score full marks.

 

Observe the Map/Picture on Page 58 of Your Textbook and Answer the Questions Based on It

 

Question 1. Regions included in Ashoka’s Empire.
Answer: Regions of Afghanistan, Nepal, and India are included in Ashoka’s Empire. These territories represent the vast geographical reach of the Maurya dynasty at its peak.
In simple words: Ashoka's empire was very large. It covered almost the entire Indian subcontinent, including modern-day Afghanistan and Nepal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention all three major regions—Afghanistan, Nepal, and India—to secure full marks.

 

Question 2. Locations of Ashoka’s rock and pillar edicts.
Answer: Ashoka’s rock edicts are found in locations such as Mansehra, Taxila, Kalsi, Toshali, Maski, Kupaga, Brahmagiri, Siddhapur, Sopara, Girnar, Kasi, Rupnath, Bairat. Ashoka’s pillar edicts are found in locations such as Topra, Meerut, Nigliva, Rummindei, Lauruja Nandangarh, Saurya, Araraj, Ramparva, Sanchi, Sannati. These inscriptions were placed along major trade routes to spread his message of Dhamma.
In simple words: Ashoka wrote his messages on rocks and tall stone pillars. These were set up in many different towns and villages across his empire so everyone could read them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Group your answer clearly into 'rock edicts' and 'pillar edicts' to make it easy for the examiner to read.

Activity

 

Question. Collect information about the stupas during the period of Ashoka.
Answer: In the Mauryan Period, mainly in the period of Ashoka numerous stupas were built and scattered all over the country. The stupas of solid domes were constructed of brick or stone of different sizes. The Ashoka stupas were constructed to celebrate the achievements of the Gautam Buddha. It is said that 84,000 stupas were built all over the country. One example of a stupa constructed by Ashoka is that of Sanchi Stupa. This architectural legacy highlights the rich cultural and religious history of ancient India.
In simple words: During Emperor Ashoka's rule, thousands of dome-shaped stone or brick monuments called stupas were built across India to honor Gautama Buddha, with the Sanchi Stupa being a famous example.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing about Ashokan stupas, always mention the Sanchi Stupa as a key example and note that they were built to honor Gautama Buddha.