Indus Valley MCQs

Q11. Which Ashokan inscription records the appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras for the welfare of different religious communities?

(A) Major Rock Edict V
(B) Major Rock Edict XIII
(C) Pillar Edict I
(D) Minor Rock Edict II
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Correct Answer: (A) Major Rock Edict V
Notes: Major Rock Edict V mentions the appointment of Dhamma Mahamatras, special officers entrusted with promoting moral values, public welfare, and religious harmony throughout the Mauryan Empire.

Q12. Which of the following regions remained outside the direct political control of the Mauryan Empire even during Ashoka’s reign?

(A) Kalinga
(B) Gandhara
(C) Chola and Pandya Kingdoms
(D) Avanti
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Correct Answer: (C) Chola and Pandya Kingdoms
Notes: The Chola, Pandya, Satyaputra, and Kerala-putra kingdoms of South India remained independent. Ashoka refers to them in his inscriptions as neighboring states with whom he maintained friendly relations.

Q13. Which source provides detailed information about the municipal administration of Pataliputra under the Mauryas?

(A) Arthashastra
(B) Indica
(C) Mahavamsa
(D) Mudrarakshasa
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Correct Answer: (B) Indica
Notes: Megasthenes’ Indica describes Pataliputra’s administration, including its municipal committees, fortifications, social structure, and governance. It remains an important foreign account of Mauryan India.

Q14. The famous Junagadh Inscription of Rudradaman mentions which Mauryan governor associated with the Sudarshana Lake?

(A) Pushyagupta
(B) Tushaspha
(C) Radhagupta
(D) Kunala
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Correct Answer: (A) Pushyagupta
Notes: The Junagadh Inscription states that Pushyagupta, a governor under Chandragupta Maurya, constructed the Sudarshana Lake, an important irrigation reservoir in present-day Gujarat.

Q15. Which language was predominantly used in Ashokan inscriptions across most parts of the empire?

(A) Sanskrit
(B) Pali
(C) Prakrit
(D) Tamil
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Correct Answer: (C) Prakrit
Notes: Most Ashokan inscriptions were written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script. However, inscriptions in the northwestern regions were written in Greek and Aramaic due to local influences.

Q16. Which script was primarily used in Ashoka’s inscriptions found in northwestern India?

(A) Brahmi
(B) Devanagari
(C) Sharada
(D) Kharosthi
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Correct Answer: (D) Kharosthi
Notes: While most inscriptions used Brahmi, those in the northwestern regions such as Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra were inscribed in Kharosthi, which was written from right to left.

Q17. Which Mauryan ruler is believed to have embraced Jainism and spent his final years at Shravanabelagola?

(A) Bindusara
(B) Ashoka
(C) Chandragupta Maurya
(D) Brihadratha
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Correct Answer: (C) Chandragupta Maurya
Notes: According to Jain traditions, Chandragupta Maurya accepted Jainism under the guidance of Bhadrabahu and migrated to Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, where he is believed to have performed Sallekhana.

Q18. Which Buddhist monk is traditionally credited with accompanying Mahinda to Sri Lanka during the spread of Buddhism under Ashoka?

(A) Upagupta
(B) Moggaliputta Tissa
(C) Nagasena
(D) Vasumitra
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Correct Answer: (B) Moggaliputta Tissa
Notes: Moggaliputta Tissa was a prominent Buddhist monk associated with the Third Buddhist Council. He played a crucial role in organizing missionary activities that helped spread Buddhism beyond India.

Q19. The Third Buddhist Council was held during the reign of Ashoka at which city?

(A) Vaishali
(B) Rajagriha
(C) Pataliputra
(D) Sarnath
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Correct Answer: (C) Pataliputra
Notes: The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra around 250 BCE under Ashoka’s patronage. It was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa and aimed to purify the Buddhist Sangha.

Q20. Which of the following Mauryan administrative units was the largest territorial division below the empire level?

(A) Grama
(B) Vishaya
(C) Province
(D) Sangha
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Correct Answer: (C) Province
Notes: The Mauryan Empire was divided into large provinces, each governed by a prince or high official. These provinces were further subdivided into districts and villages for efficient administration and revenue collection.

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