Q130. The famous ’80-pillar hall’ at Kumrahar is associated with the palace of which emperor?
[SSC MTS, 2026]
A. Ashoka
B. Samudragupta
C. Chandragupta I
D. Harshavardhana
Answer: A. Ashoka
Explanation: Archaeological remains at Kumrahar near ancient Pataliputra include an eighty-pillared Mauryan hall, generally associated with the imperial palace complex of the Mauryan period.
Q129. Whose account was regarded as especially important for understanding Mauryan rule?
[CTET, 2026]
A. Kautilya’s
B. Machiavelli’s
C. Herodotus’
D. Pliny’s
Answer: A. Kautilya’s
Explanation: Kautilya’s Arthashastra provides extensive material on polity, economy, taxation, administration, law and diplomacy, making it an invaluable literary source for studying Mauryan governance.
Q128. Who succeeded Chandragupta Maurya as ruler around 297 BCE?
[SSC MTS, 2026]
A. Ashoka
B. Bindusara
C. Dhana Nanda
D. Bimbisara
Answer: B. Bindusara
Explanation: Bindusara, Chandragupta’s son, became the second Mauryan emperor. Greek sources referred to him as Amitrochates, corresponding to the Sanskrit title Amitraghata.
Q127. The Lomas Rishi Cave in the Barabar Hills is located in which state?
[SSC MTS, 2026]
A. Kerala
B. Jharkhand
C. Gujarat
D. Bihar
Answer: D. Bihar
Explanation: The Barabar caves in Bihar represent India’s earliest surviving rock-cut cave architecture. Several Mauryan caves were dedicated to the Ajivikas and display characteristic polished interiors.
Q126. Why are the Barabar and Nagarjuni Hill caves important for understanding Ashoka’s religious policy?
[MP Police SI, 2026]
A. They were exclusively Buddhist monasteries
B. They were Mauryan military shelters
C. Caves were donated to the Ajivika sect
D. They contain Gupta frescoes
Answer: C. Caves were donated to the Ajivika sect
Explanation: Mauryan cave dedications to Ajivikas demonstrate royal support extending beyond Buddhism and provide important evidence for religious pluralism under Ashoka and his successors.
Q125. What was a major consequence of the weak Mauryan rulers who succeeded Ashoka?
[MP Police SI, 2026]
A. Peaceful transfer to Pushyamitra
B. Permanent abolition of the army
C. Provincial governors increasingly became independent
D. Immediate foreign conquest of Pataliputra
Answer: C. Provincial governors increasingly became independent
Explanation: Weak central authority after Ashoka encouraged peripheral provinces and governors to assert autonomy, contributing to political fragmentation and eventually the collapse of Mauryan rule.
Q124. Regarding the Nandas, immediate predecessors of the Mauryas, which statements are correct? 1. They created the first complete pan-Indian empire. 2. Their wealth and military strength were famous. 3. Elements of their administrative framework were inherited by the Mauryas.
[MP Police SI, 2026]
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The Nandas possessed enormous wealth and a formidable army, while Chandragupta inherited and developed earlier Magadhan institutions. Their empire, however, was not a complete pan-Indian state.
Q123. Which was an important consequence of Alexander’s invasion for the emergence of the Mauryan Empire?
[MP Police SI, 2026]
A. It exposed political weakness in northwestern India
B. It permanently established Greek rule over Magadha
C. Dhana Nanda defeated Alexander at Hydaspes
D. It destroyed Pataliputra
Answer: A. It exposed political weakness in northwestern India
Explanation: Alexander’s campaigns disrupted northwestern political structures. Chandragupta subsequently displaced Greek satraps and incorporated these regions into the rapidly expanding Mauryan Empire.
Q122. The Arthashastra is traditionally attributed to:
[MP Police SI, 2026]
A. Aryabhata
B. Kautilya
C. Charaka
D. Patanjali
Answer: B. Kautilya
Explanation: Kautilya, also called Chanakya or Vishnugupta, is traditionally identified as Chandragupta Maurya’s adviser and the author associated with the Arthashastra.
Q121. Who founded the Maurya Empire?
[Delhi Police Head Constable, 2026]
A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Kanishka
D. Samudragupta
Answer: B. Chandragupta Maurya
Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya, aided by Chanakya, overthrew the Nanda dynasty around 322–321 BCE and established the Mauryan Empire with Pataliputra as its capital.
