UPSC CSE Prelims
Mauryan Empire Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Mauryan Empire
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Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the 'Pradesika', 'Rajuka' and 'Yukta' were important officers at the
Detailed Explanation:
These three officers worked together at the district (Pradesa) level during Ashoka's reign:
| Officer | Role |
|---|---|
| Pradesika | Head of district administration (like a district head) |
| Rajuka | Handled revenue collection and judicial matters |
| Yukta | Junior/subordinate official — helped with record-keeping and administration |
Mauryan Administration Officers
| Officer | Level | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Pradesika | District | Head of district administration |
| Rajuka | District | Revenue collection + judicial duties |
| Yukta | District | Subordinate; record-keeping, assistance |
| Amatya | Central/Provincial | High-ranking minister/officer |
| Mahamatta | Central | Special officers (e.g., Dhamma Mahamatta for moral welfare) |
| Pratiharas | Central | Palace guards/gatekeepers |
Mauryan Administrative Hierarchy (Top to Bottom):
- King (Centre)
- Provinces — headed by princes/governors (e.g., Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali, Suvarnagiri)
- District (Pradesa/Ahara) — Pradesika, Rajuka, Yukta
- Village — Gramani (village headman)
According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct?
- A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
- If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
- If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master's son.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only
According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, statements 2 and 3 are correct regarding the laws pertaining to slavery. The Arthashastra provided progressive provisions for slaves, particularly female slaves who bore children to their masters.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: A person could not become a slave as a result of judicial punishment according to the Arthashastra. Kautilya explicitly prohibited enslavement as a form of punishment.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally entitled to freedom as per the provisions in the Arthashastra.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: A son born to a female slave and fathered by her master was granted the legal status of the master's son, with all associated rights and privileges.
📝 Short Notes: Slavery in Kautilya's Arthashastra
- Progressive Nature: The Arthashastra contained relatively progressive laws on slavery compared to contemporary systems, with clear protections for slaves.
- Sources of Slavery: Persons could become slaves through birth (if born to a slave), voluntary self-sale during distress, capture in war, or as a result of debt bondage—but NOT through judicial punishment.
- Prohibition of Judicial Slavery: Kautilya explicitly prohibited making slavery a form of punishment for crimes, distinguishing it from other ancient legal systems.
- Rights of Female Slaves: Female slaves who bore children to their masters gained freedom, and their children enjoyed the legal status of legitimate heirs.
- Temporary Nature: Many forms of slavery (especially debt slavery) were temporary, with provisions for manumission and redemption.
- Arya Slavery: Kautilya distinguished between Arya (indigenous) slaves, who had more protections, and Dasa slaves (foreigners/war captives).
With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Famous Place - Present State
- Bhilsa - Madhya Pradesh
- Dwarasamudra - Maharashtra
- Girinagar - Gujarat
- Sthanesvara - Uttar Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 and 3 only
This question tests knowledge of historical places and their present-day locations in India. Only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched, while pairs 2 and 4 incorrectly identify the present states.
✅ Pair 1 – Correct: Bhilsa (Vidisha) is indeed located in Madhya Pradesh and was the capital of the Sunga dynasty.
❌ Pair 2 – Incorrect: Dwarasamudra (Halebidu) is located in Karnataka, not Maharashtra. It was the capital of the Hoysala dynasty.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Girinagar (Junagadh) is located in Gujarat and is famous for Mauryan rock inscriptions including Ashoka's edicts.
❌ Pair 4 – Incorrect: Sthanesvara (Thanesar) is located in Haryana, not Uttar Pradesh. It was the initial capital of Emperor Harsha of the Vardhana dynasty.
📝 Short Notes: Historical Places and Their Present Locations
| Historical Name | Also Known As | Present State | Historical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhilsa | Vidisha | Madhya Pradesh | Capital of Sunga dynasty; important Buddhist center |
| Dwarasamudra | Halebidu | Karnataka | Capital of Hoysala dynasty; famous temples |
| Girinagar | Junagadh | Gujarat | Mauryan rock edicts; Rudradaman inscription |
| Sthanesvara | Thanesar | Haryana | Initial capital of Harsha; site of Kurukshetra |
| Pataliputra | Patna | Bihar | Capital of Mauryas, Guptas, and Palas |
| Kanchipuram | Kanchi | Tamil Nadu | Capital of Pallavas; temple city |
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Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Ashoka
This inscription is from Ashoka's Major Rock Edict XII, which emphasizes religious tolerance and harmony among different sects. Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor (268-232 BCE), promoted dhamma (righteousness) and religious pluralism after his transformation following the Kalinga War. The edict specifically warns against sectarian intolerance and advocates respecting all religious traditions.
📝 Short Notes: Ashoka's Edicts
| Type of Edict | Key Features | Important Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Major Rock Edicts (14) | Carved on large rock surfaces; deal with dhamma, religious tolerance, welfare measures | Rock Edict XII (religious tolerance), XIII (remorse for Kalinga War) |
| Minor Rock Edicts | Shorter inscriptions; focus on Buddhist principles and personal faith | Declaration of faith in Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha |
| Pillar Edicts (7) | Inscribed on polished sandstone pillars; administrative and moral instructions | Pillar Edict VII (religious tolerance and welfare) |
| Minor Pillar Edicts | Specific instructions to Buddhist monks and administrators | Schism Edict, Queen's Edict |
- Languages: Primarily Prakrit (Brahmi script), Greek and Aramaic in northwest regions
- Main Themes: Dhamma (righteousness), non-violence, religious tolerance, animal welfare, social harmony
- Rock Edict XII specifically: Criticizes sectarian pride, promotes mutual respect among religions, emphasizes growth through restraint in speech about other sects
- Historical Significance: Earliest deciphered inscriptions in India; provide insights into Mauryan administration and Ashoka's ideology
- Geographical Spread: Found across Indian subcontinent from Afghanistan to Karnataka, indicating vast empire extent
In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Kanganahalli
Kanganahalli, an archaeological site near Sannati in Karnataka, is renowned for containing the first and only known stone portrait of Emperor Ashoka with his name inscribed. A relief sculpture at this site depicts a royal figure with attendants and bears a Brahmi inscription reading 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka), making it a unique archaeological discovery that provides visual representation of the emperor.
Why other options are incorrect:
• Sanchi: Famous for the Great Stupa commissioned by Ashoka, but contains no inscribed stone portrait of the emperor.
• Shahbazgarhi: Site of Ashokan Rock Edicts in Kharosthi script promoting Dhamma, but lacks any portrait sculpture.
• Sohgaura: Known for a Mauryan-period copper-plate inscription about famine relief, not a relief sculpture of Ashoka.
📝 Short Notes: Kanganahalli and Ashokan Iconography
- Location: Kanganahalli is located near Sannati in Chitapur taluk, Kalaburagi district, Karnataka.
- Unique Feature: Contains the only known stone portrait of Emperor Ashoka with his name inscribed as 'Ranyo Ashoka' in Brahmi script.
- Historical Significance: Before this discovery, Ashoka was never depicted in sculpture with his name; Buddhist art traditionally avoided portraying the Buddha and key figures directly.
- Other Sculptures: The site also contains relief sculptures depicting Jataka tales, scenes from Buddha's life, and the Mahastupa at Sanchi.
- Period: The stupa and sculptures date to the 1st-3rd centuries CE, though the site was originally established during Ashoka's reign (3rd century BCE).
- Archaeological Discovery: Excavations revealed limestone slabs with inscriptions and sculptural panels, providing valuable insights into early Buddhist art and Mauryan history.
Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — James Prinsep
James Prinsep (1799-1840), an English scholar and antiquary with the British East India Company, was the first person to decipher Emperor Ashoka's edicts in 1837. He successfully decoded the Brahmi script in which most of Ashoka's inscriptions were written, enabling scholars to understand the content and historical significance of these ancient edicts. This breakthrough was pivotal in establishing Ashoka's identity and the extent of the Mauryan Empire, as prior to Prinsep's work, the inscriptions remained undeciphered and Ashoka was largely unknown in modern historical records.