Maharashtra Board Class 11 History Chapter 9 Post Mauryan India Solutions

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

Question 1. The last emperor of the Mauryan dynasty was ______________
(a) Ajatshatru
(b) Chandragupta Maurya
(c) Brihadratha
Answer: (c) Brihadratha
In simple words: Brihadratha was the final ruler of the Mauryan Empire, who was overthrown by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember that Brihadratha's assassination marked the end of the Mauryan Empire and the rise of the Shunga dynasty in ancient India.

Question 2. The Nashik inscription, mentions king ______________ as ‘Trisamudratoyapitavahana’.
(a) Gautamiputra Satakarni
(b) Hala
(c) Yadnashre Satakarni
(d) Simuka
Answer: (a) Gautamiputra Satakarni
In simple words: The Nashik inscription describes King Gautamiputra Satakarni as the one whose horses drank water from three seas, showing his vast empire.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that 'Trisamudratoyapitavahana' literally means 'one whose horses have drunk the water of three seas', which refers to Gautamiputra Satakarni.

Question 3. Satavahana King, Hala, compiled ______________
(a) Brihatkatha
(b) Gatha Saptashati
(c) Katantra
(d) Meghadoota
Answer: (b) Gadha saptashati
In simple words: King Hala of the Satavahana dynasty compiled a famous collection of poems called Gatha Saptashati in Prakrit.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate King Hala directly with the literary work Gatha Saptashati (or Gadha saptashati) as this is a frequently asked question about Satavahana literature.

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

Question 1. Find the incorrect pair from set B and write the correct ones.
Answer: The incorrect pair is (b) Gunadhya - Gatha Saptashati. The correct pair is Gunadhya - Brihatkatha.
In simple words: Gunadhya wrote Brihatkatha, whereas Gatha Saptashati was compiled by the Satavahana King Hala.

🎯 Exam Tip: Carefully memorize ancient authors and their texts to easily spot incorrect pairings in match-the-following questions.

2. Explain the Following Statements with Reasons.

Question 1. During the Satavahana period, there was the rise of many trade centers.
Answer:
• During the Satavahana period, many industries and trade flourished.
• Various shrenis (guilds) emerged during this period.
• The trade and industries were controlled with the help of these shrenis. The shrenis also provided loans. Indo-Roman trade also flourished during this period.
• Trade centres like Pratishthan (Paithan), Tagar (Ter), Nasik (Nashik), Karhatak (Karhad) flourished during the Satavahana period. This growth in trade connected local markets with international merchants.
In simple words: During this time, business grew a lot and special groups called guilds helped traders by giving loans. Many busy market towns grew because they traded with far-off places like Rome.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention the term 'shrenis' (guilds) and name at least two trade centers like Paithan and Nasik to score full marks.

Question 2. The caste system became rigid during the Satavahana period.
Answer:
• The society of Satavahanas was organized into four varnas.
• The caste system during this period became deep-rooted.
• The intermixture of varnas and castes, the closed nature of different guilds, and the need of including foreigners in the social structure were some of the reasons why the caste system became rigid. This rigidity restricted social mobility and defined clear boundaries between different communities.
In simple words: The society was divided into four main groups, and over time, these divisions became very strict. It became hard for people to change their professions or mix with other groups, making the system rigid.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly list the three main reasons for rigidity: intermixture of varnas, closed guilds, and integration of foreigners.

3. Give Your Opinion.

Question 1. Prakrit language was encouraged during the Satavahanas period.
Answer:
• Learning and art received royal patronage during the Satavahana period.
• Prakrit language and literature flourished during this period. King Hala himself composed the famous Prakrit work Gatha Saptashati, showing his deep love for the language.
In simple words: The kings of the Satavahana dynasty loved art and literature, so they supported writers. This helped the local Prakrit language grow and become very popular.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight that royal patronage was the key reason why Prakrit literature and language flourished during this era.

• Hala, the seventeenth king of the Satavahanas compiled ‘Gathasaptashati’.
• Gunadhya, a minister in his court wrote a text ‘Brihatkatha’ in Prakrit language named Paishachi.
• Thus, the Prakrit language was encouraged during the Satavahanas period.

Write Short Notes

Question 1. Nashik inscription of Gautami Balasri
Answer:
• The reign and achievements of Satavahana Emperor Gautamiputra Satakarni can be found in the Nashik inscription of his mother Gautami Balashri. This inscription serves as a vital historical record of the dynasty's glory.
• Gautamiputra Satakarni is mentioned as ‘Shakapahlavyavannisudan’ i.e., destroyer of Shakas, Pallavas, and Greeks.
• ‘Satavahanakulayashahpratishthapankar’ i.e., one who reinstalled the success of the Satavahana family and ‘Trisamudratoyapitavahana’ i.e., one whose horses drank the water of the three seas.
In simple words: This inscription by Gautami Balashri describes the great victories and titles of her son, the emperor Gautamiputra Satakarni, who defeated many foreign rulers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the key titles like 'Trisamudratoyapitavahana' and their meanings, as they are frequently asked in exams.

Question 2. Naneghat-ancient trade route in Maharashtra
Answer:
• Naneghat is a mountain pass on the ancient trade route in Maharashtra. This pass played a crucial role in boosting the economic prosperity of the Satavahana empire.
• This route connects the ancient town of ‘Jirnanagar’ (Junnar) and the Kokan province.
• Sopara and Kalyan were the most important trade centers in ancient Maharashtra.
• Internal as well as foreign trade was carried on from these towns.
• Goods imported from Rome were unloaded at Sopara and from there it was carried over to Paithan and Kolhapur.
In simple words: Naneghat was an important mountain path used for trading goods between different towns in Maharashtra and even with distant places like Rome.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention the connection between Junnar and Kokan, and name Sopara and Kalyan as key trade centers to secure full marks.

Question 3. Gatha Saptashati
Answer: Hala compiled several poems in Prakrit. He selected 700 verses and compiled them and named them ‘Gaha Sattasai’ (Gatha Saptashati). This literary work provides valuable insights into the social life of the people during the Satavahana period.
In simple words: Gatha Saptashati is a collection of 700 beautiful poems in the Prakrit language compiled by King Hala.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state that King Hala compiled this work and mention the number of verses (700) to get full marks.

• This was the first text compared in the Maharashtri Prakrit language.
• The subject of these poems portrays human nature and transaction.
• Various religious observance, ethical norms, and contemporary festivals are described in it. Gathasaptasati reflects the social life in Maharashtra of the Satavahana period.

5. Write Information About the Satavahana Dynasty with the Help of Given Points.

Question 1. Write information about the Satavahana dynasty with the help of given points:
(a) Rise and expansion
(b) Administrative system
(c) Trade and industries
(d) Literature and art
Answer:
(a) Rise and expansion: After the disintegration of the Mauryan Empire, many new powers arose. Among them, the Satavahanas are mentioned as the earliest ruling dynasty in Maharashtra. The Satavahanas ruled over a vast region of Maharashtra, Andhra, and Karnataka. Parithan. Maharashtra was the capital of the Satavahanas. The mention of Puranas the Andhras or Andhrabhrutyas’ Probably these terms refer to the Satavahanas. Simuka was the first Satavahana king to be mentioned in the Naneghat inscription. This marked the beginning of a powerful era in Deccan history.

The most important king of this dynasty was Shri Satakarni, Hala, Gautamiputra Satakarni and Yajna Satakarni. Gautamiputra Satakarni conquered the Shakas and also Central India and the entire regions of Dakshinapatha. He also established his dominance over the Republic states in Central India and Rajasthan. Gautamiputra proved his strength by gaining victory over Nahapana. The Satavahana rule became weak due to the constant struggle between Shakas and Satavahanas.

(b) Administrative system: The state was divided into small provinces. Every province was under civil and military officials. Civil officials such as ‘Amatya’ ‘Mahabhoj’ and military officials such as ‘Mahasenapati’ and ‘Maharathi’ were appointed. Grama (village) was the smallest unit of administration. Grama was a source of revenue and also for the recruitment of soldiers during war-like situations. Grama was an integral part of the central machinery.
In simple words: The Satavahana dynasty was one of the earliest ruling families in Maharashtra, expanding their territory under powerful kings like Gautamiputra Satakarni. They ruled their empire by dividing it into smaller provinces and villages, which were managed by appointed civil and military officers.

🎯 Exam Tip: To score full marks, clearly separate your answer into the given sub-points (a) and (b), and make sure to mention key historical terms like 'Grama', 'Amatya', and 'Gautamiputra Satakarni'.

(c) Trade and Industries: Agriculture was the main source of income. Along with it many industries and trade flourished. Various Shrenis (Guilds) also emerged during this period. The trade and industries were controlled with the help of these shrenis. Indo-Roman trade also flourished during the Satavahana period. Trade centers like Pratishthan (Paithan), Tagar (Ter), Nasik (Nashik), Karhatak (Karhad) developed during this period. Cotton cloth, muslin, and sackcloth, and other merchandise were the terms of trade. Kalyan, Sopara, Bhadoch were important trade centers.

(d) Literature and Art: Learning and art received royal patronage. Prakrit language and literature flourished. Hala compiled ‘Gathasaptashati’. Gunadhya, a minister wrote Brihatkatha in a Prakrit language called Paishachi. Sarvavarma wrote a treatise on Sanskrit grammar named ‘ Katantra’. A new native Indian style emerged in this period. The four gateways (Toranas) of the Sanchi Stupa No.1 built during this period are excellent examples of this style. Many incidents from the life of Gautama Buddha are carved on these gateways. A number of rock-cut caves at Bhaje, Nashik, Karle, etc., belong to this period. Especially the Chaitya at Karle, its magnificent facade entrance and sculptural are the finest examples of the sculptural art of this period.

Activity

Question. Collect information about historical remains in your surrounding area and prepare an information booklet based on the gathered information.
Answer: Prepare a booklet based on the information gathered on the historical remains. This activity helps students connect theoretical historical knowledge with tangible local heritage.
In simple words: Find out about old monuments or ruins near your home and make a small booklet with pictures and information about them.

🎯 Exam Tip: When preparing historical booklets, always include local names, approximate dates, and clear illustrations or photographs to make your project stand out.