Q11. Which Maurya ruler was known to the Greeks by the title Amitrochates (Sanskrit: Amitraghata, meaning slayer of foes)?
Maurya and Post-Maurya Dynasties: RAS Prelims MCQs
80 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Maurya and post-Maurya dynasties ask about rulers, edicts, officials and sources. Chandragupta Maurya and the Arthashastra, Bindusara, the Kalinga War, Ashoka’s Dhamma, Megasthenes and the Mauryan economy appear alongside the Kushans and Satavahanas, and the explanations tie each fact to its source.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 80 questions
Q12. During the reign of Bindusara, which Syrian king sent Deimachus as an ambassador to the Mauryan court?
Explanation
Deimachus was a Greek ambassador sent to the Mauryan court at Pataliputra by Antiochus I, the ruler of the Seleucid Empire. This diplomatic exchange occurred during the reign of Bindusara, continuing the tradition of international relations established by his father. Such interactions highlight the Mauryan Empire’s integration into the wider Hellenistic world, facilitating the exchange of ambassadors, information, and various commercial goods.
Q13. Match List-I (Foreign Ambassador) with List-II (Mauryan King they visited).
| Foreign Ambassador | Mauryan King they visited |
|---|---|
| A. Megasthenes | i. Ashoka |
| B. Deimachus | ii. Chandragupta Maurya |
| C. Dionysius | iii. Bindusara |
Explanation
Different foreign envoys visited the Mauryan capital during various reigns. Megasthenes was sent by Seleucus Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. Deimachus served as the ambassador of Antiochus I during the reign of Bindusara. Dionysius was the representative of the Egyptian ruler Ptolemy II Philadelphus and is traditionally associated with the period of Ashoka, reflecting continued global diplomatic engagement.
Q14. Consider the following statements regarding Bindusara’s religious affiliations:
Statement I: Bindusara was a devout follower of Buddhism like his son Ashoka.
Statement II: Historical evidence suggests Bindusara heavily patronized the Ajivika sect.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: Bindusara was a devout follower of Buddhism like his son Ashoka.
Statement II: Historical evidence suggests Bindusara heavily patronized the Ajivika sect.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Historical records indicate that Bindusara did not follow Buddhism; instead, that path was famously adopted by his son, Ashoka. Bindusara is noted for patronizing the Ajivika sect, an ascetic group that believed in the philosophy of Niyati or predestination. His religious inclination was distinct from his father’s transition to Jainism and his son’s later dedication to the Buddhist Dhamma and its propagation.
Q15. Consider the following statements about Bindusara:
I. He successfully expanded the Mauryan Empire deep into the peninsular South.
II. A rebellion in Taxila occurred during his reign, which was suppressed by Ashoka.
III. He requested a Greek king to send sweet wine, dried figs, and a sophist.
IV. Chanakya continued to serve as a minister during the early part of his reign.
V. He was the first Mauryan king to issue gold coins.
Which of the above statements represent an incorrect combination?
I. He successfully expanded the Mauryan Empire deep into the peninsular South.
II. A rebellion in Taxila occurred during his reign, which was suppressed by Ashoka.
III. He requested a Greek king to send sweet wine, dried figs, and a sophist.
IV. Chanakya continued to serve as a minister during the early part of his reign.
V. He was the first Mauryan king to issue gold coins.
Which of the above statements represent an incorrect combination?
Explanation
Bindusara expanded Mauryan influence into the Deccan and maintained a cabinet where Chanakya briefly served. He faced a revolt in Taxila, which Ashoka suppressed. While he famously requested wine and figs from the Greeks, he did not issue gold coins. The introduction of regular gold currency in India is primarily associated with the Kushanas, specifically Vima Kadphises, rather than the early Mauryan rulers.
Q16. In which year of his reign did Ashoka fight the famous Kalinga War?
Explanation
The Kalinga War took place in the eighth year following Ashoka’s coronation, which corresponds to approximately 261 BCE. This conflict was the only major military campaign mentioned in his inscriptions. The extreme violence and suffering witnessed during the war became a pivotal turning point in his life, leading him to renounce military aggression and embrace the path of non-violence and moral governance.
Q17. What was the most profound ideological effect of the Kalinga War on Ashoka’s state policy?
Explanation
Following the devastation of the Kalinga War, Ashoka underwent a profound spiritual transformation. He abandoned the traditional policy of Bherighosha, which emphasized territorial expansion through military force. Instead, he adopted Dhammaghosha, focusing on the conquest of hearts through the principles of Dhamma. This shift prioritized ethical conduct, social welfare, and religious tolerance over physical dominance, fundamentally altering the nature of Mauryan imperial policy.
Q18. Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence of events in the life of Ashoka?
Explanation
Ashoka was crowned first, then fought the Kalinga War, after which he turned to Buddhism and visited Bodhgaya, and later appointed the Dhamma-mahamattas to spread his policy of Dhamma. The correct order is coronation, Kalinga War, first visit to Bodhgaya, appointment of Dhamma-mahamattas.
Q19. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma.
Explanation
Ashoka’s Dhamma was not a new formal religion intended to compete with existing faiths like Brahmanism or Jainism. Instead, it was a practical ethical code aimed at promoting social harmony and responsible citizenship. It emphasized universal values such as non-violence, respect for elders, and religious tolerance. Ashoka intended for these principles to be followed by all his subjects, regardless of their personal sectarian beliefs.
Q20. The primary purpose of the new class of officials called Dhamma-mahamattas, instituted by Ashoka, was to:
Explanation
Ashoka established the special class of officers known as Dhamma-mahamattas to implement his vision of a moral society. Their primary duties involved traveling throughout the empire to teach the principles of Dhamma and ensure the fair treatment of all subjects. They were also responsible for managing charitable activities, resolving social grievances, and promoting harmony among various religious communities, transcending purely administrative or military functions.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) Bindusara |
| 12 | (b) Antiochus I |
| 13 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-i |
| 14 | (b) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct. |
| 15 | (c) V only |
| 16 | (b) Eighth year |
| 17 | (b) He replaced Bherighosha (physical conquest) with Dhammaghosha (cultural conquest). |
| 18 | (a) Coronation, Kalinga War, First visit to Bodhgaya, Appointment of Dhamma- mahamattas |
| 19 | (c) It was a new religion founded by Ashoka to directly rival Brahmanical systems. |
| 20 | (d) Propagate the code of Dhamma and ensure the welfare of the people. |
Key facts from Maurya and Post-Maurya Dynasties
- Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the Nanda dynasty and founded the Maurya Empire.
- Bindusara was called Amitrochates (slayer of foes) by the Greeks; the Syrian king Antiochus I sent Deimachus to his court.
- The Kalinga War was fought in the eighth year of Ashoka’s reign.
- Ashoka appointed Dhamma-mahamattas to spread Dhamma and look after the welfare of the people.
- The Maski Minor Rock Edict names Ashoka; the Bhabru-Bairat Edict in Rajasthan shows his faith in Buddhism.
- Dharmasthiya and Kantakashodhana were the civil and criminal courts of the Mauryan administration.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Maurya and Post-Maurya Dynasties?
This page has 80 practice MCQs on Maurya and Post-Maurya Dynasties (Ancient Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which Ashokan edict names Ashoka?
The Maski Minor Rock Edict. In most edicts Ashoka calls himself Devanampiya Piyadasi, but the Maski edict gives his personal name Ashoka, which makes it a key source for identifying the Piyadasi of the edicts with Ashoka.
What were Dhamma-mahamattas?
Special officials created by Ashoka to spread the code of Dhamma and to look after the welfare of people of all sects. They are mentioned in his edicts and show how he made moral policy part of administration.
What were Dharmasthiya and Kantakashodhana?
Dharmasthiya courts handled civil cases and Kantakashodhana courts handled criminal cases, as described in the Arthashastra. Together they show how the Mauryan state separated civil disputes from the removal of thorns, meaning crimes against the state.