Q110. What was Ashoka’s relationship to Bindusara?
[RRB NTPC, 2025]
A. Brother
B. Son
C. Father
D. Grandfather
Answer: B. Son
Explanation: Ashoka was a son of Bindusara and grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. He eventually succeeded to the Mauryan throne and became the dynasty’s best-known emperor.
Q109. Who succeeded Ashoka as Mauryan ruler according to the commonly accepted dynastic succession?
[RRB NTPC, 2025]
A. Dasharatha
B. Bindusara
C. Brihadratha
D. Pushyamitra
Answer: A. Dasharatha
Explanation: Dasharatha Maurya, traditionally identified as Ashoka’s grandson, succeeded him in part of the empire and continued patronage of religious establishments, including the Ajivikas.
Q108. Chandragupta Maurya is traditionally said to have embraced which religion in his later life?
[RRB NTPC, 2025]
A. Buddhism
B. Jainism
C. Zoroastrianism
D. Christianity
Answer: B. Jainism
Explanation: Jain tradition states that Chandragupta renounced his throne, accompanied Bhadrabahu to Shravanabelagola and adopted the ascetic Jain way of life.
Q107. Which statement regarding Ashokan inscriptions is correct?
[UPSC CDS-I, 2025]
A. Kalsi is a Major Rock Edict site
B. Kalsi is in Karnataka
C. Dhauli inscriptions are in Sanskrit only
D. No Ashokan edicts occur in Uttarakhand
Answer: A. Kalsi is a Major Rock Edict site
Explanation: Kalsi in present-day Uttarakhand contains Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts in Prakrit and Brahmi, making it an important northern inscriptional site.
Q106. Which present-day region lay outside the effective extent generally attributed to Ashoka’s empire?
[UPSC CDS-I, 2025]
A. Magadha
B. Gandhara
C. Brahmaputra Valley of Assam
D. Avanti
Answer: C. Brahmaputra Valley of Assam
Explanation: Ashoka’s empire covered most of the subcontinent, but far northeastern regions such as the Brahmaputra Valley were generally outside direct Mauryan imperial control.
Q105. Chandragupta Maurya overthrew which dynasty to establish Mauryan rule?
[SSC Stenographer, 2024]
A. Haryanka
B. Nanda
C. Shunga
D. Shishunaga
Answer: B. Nanda
Explanation: With Chanakya’s assistance, Chandragupta defeated Dhana Nanda, ending Nanda rule in Magadha and establishing the Mauryan dynasty around the late fourth century BCE.
Q104. Chandragupta Maurya’s imperial capital was:
[SSC Stenographer, 2024]
A. Pataliputra
B. Magadha
C. Nalanda
D. Vaishali
Answer: A. Pataliputra
Explanation: Pataliputra, corresponding to modern Patna, functioned as the political and administrative centre of the Mauryan Empire and was vividly described by Megasthenes.
Q103. Which Ashokan edict describes the Kalinga War and its consequences?
[SSC Stenographer, 2024]
A. Rock Edict II
B. Pillar Edict II
C. Rock Edict XIII
D. Pillar Edict IV
Answer: C. Rock Edict XIII
Explanation: Major Rock Edict XIII records the conquest of Kalinga, its devastating casualties and Ashoka’s subsequent preference for Dhamma-vijaya over military expansion.
Q102. The Palkigundu Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka are located in:
[SSC MTS, 2024]
A. Telangana
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Karnataka
D. Maharashtra
Answer: C. Karnataka
Explanation: Palkigundu in Karnataka is among the southern locations bearing Ashoka’s Minor Rock Edicts, demonstrating the geographical spread of Mauryan imperial communication.
Q101. Megasthenes was sent by Seleucus Nicator to the court of:
[SSC MTS, 2024]
A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Bindusara
D. Pushyamitra
Answer: B. Chandragupta Maurya
Explanation: Megasthenes served as Seleucus’ ambassador at Chandragupta’s court. His Indica described Pataliputra, administration, society and several features of contemporary India.
