Q30. Which of the following was NOT a characteristic Mauryan administrative designation?
[Gujarat PSC, 2021]
A. Rajuka
B. Samaharta
C. Kumaramatya
D. Sannidhata
Answer: C. Kumaramatya
Explanation: Kumaramatya is prominently associated with Gupta administration, whereas Rajukas, Samaharta and Sannidhata belong to the administrative vocabulary associated with Mauryan governance.
Q29. Ashokan inscriptions near the Peshawar region were commonly written in which script?
[JPSC, 2021]
A. Brahmi
B. Kharosthi
C. Devanagari
D. Grantha
Answer: B. Kharosthi
Explanation: Northwestern Ashokan inscriptions employed Kharosthi, a right-to-left script influenced by Aramaic, whereas most inscriptions elsewhere in the empire used Brahmi.
Q28. Who originally built the famous Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi?
[Delhi Police Constable, 2020]
A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Kanishka
D. Bindusara
Answer: A. Ashoka
Explanation: Ashoka’s Buddhist patronage included stupas and inscriptions across the empire. The original Sanchi stupa was later reconstructed and greatly enlarged during subsequent centuries.
Q27. Who was the earliest among the following foreign travellers to provide an account of India?
[SSC JE, 2020]
A. Xuanzang
B. I-Tsing
C. Megasthenes
D. Fa-Hien
Answer: C. Megasthenes
Explanation: Megasthenes visited Mauryan India centuries before Chinese pilgrims Fa-Hien, Xuanzang and I-Tsing and recorded his observations in the lost work Indica.
Q26. Northern Black Polished Ware, prominent during the Mauryan age, refers to a type of:
[SSC JE, 2020]
A. Coinage
B. Pottery
C. Textile
D. Weapon
Answer: B. Pottery
Explanation: Northern Black Polished Ware is a fine ceramic tradition associated with early historic urbanization in the Gangetic region and reached prominence during the Mauryan period.
Q25. Which Mauryan ruler became an important patron of Buddhism?
[SSC CHSL, 2020]
A. Ashoka
B. Bindusara
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Brihadratha
Answer: A. Ashoka
Explanation: Ashoka supported Buddhism, visited sacred sites, patronized the Sangha and helped transmit Buddhist traditions beyond India, while simultaneously promoting a broader ethical Dhamma.
Q24. The Jaugada Ashokan Rock Edicts are located in which present-day state?
[SSC CGL, 2020]
A. Gujarat
B. Odisha
C. Bihar
D. Karnataka
Answer: B. Odisha
Explanation: Jaugada in Odisha, along with Dhauli, contains Ashoka’s Separate Kalinga Edicts, which provide important evidence about administration after the Kalinga conquest.
Q23. Which ancient artificial lake in Gujarat was originally constructed during the Mauryan period?
[SSC CGL, 2020]
A. Sudarshana Lake
B. Pushkar Lake
C. Sambhar Lake
D. Loktak Lake
Answer: A. Sudarshana Lake
Explanation: Sudarshana Lake near Girnar originated under Mauryan administration and was later repaired under Rudradaman, whose Junagadh inscription preserves important details about it.
Q22. Who was the last Mauryan king?
[TNUSRB SI, 2020]
A. Kunala
B. Dasharatha
C. Pushyamitra
D. Brihadratha
Answer: D. Brihadratha
Explanation: Brihadratha’s assassination by his military commander Pushyamitra Shunga around 185 BCE marks the conventional termination of the Mauryan dynasty.
Q21. The Mauryan official known as ‘Agronomoi’ was particularly associated with:
[UPPSC, 2020]
A. Weights and measures
B. Road construction and related supervision
C. Religious administration
D. Treasury management
Answer: B. Road construction and related supervision
Explanation: Greek accounts describe officials translated as Agronomoi who supervised roads, milestones and aspects of rural administration, illustrating organized Mauryan public infrastructure.
