Q80. According to Megasthenes, how many members were entrusted with administering the Mauryan army through committees?
[SSC JE, 2023]
A. 18
B. 24
C. 30
D. 36
Answer: C. 30
Explanation: Megasthenes described a military board of thirty members divided into six committees of five each, supervising different branches and logistical functions of the army.
Q79. Ashoka’s special officers responsible for propagating Dhamma were called:
[Bihar STET, 2023]
A. Dhamma Mahamattas
B. Samahartas
C. Sannidhatas
D. Pradeshikas
Answer: A. Dhamma Mahamattas
Explanation: Dhamma Mahamattas were appointed to promote ethical welfare, religious harmony and compassionate governance while maintaining contact with different sections of Mauryan society.
Q78. Megasthenes described Mauryan society as having:
[Bihar STET, 2023]
A. Four classes
B. Seven classes
C. Eight classes
D. Eleven classes
Answer: B. Seven classes
Explanation: His seven groups were based largely on occupational functions and included philosophers, cultivators, herdsmen, artisans, soldiers, overseers and royal councillors.
Q77. The original foundation of the Great Stupa at Sanchi is associated with:
[SSC MTS, 2023]
A. Samudragupta
B. Bimbisara
C. Ashoka
D. Chandragupta Maurya
Answer: C. Ashoka
Explanation: Ashoka established the original brick stupa at Sanchi in the third century BCE; subsequent rulers expanded it with stone railings and monumental gateways.
Q76. How many years after his coronation did Ashoka conquer Kalinga?
[SSC CGL, 2023]
A. Four
B. Six
C. Eight
D. Twelve
Answer: C. Eight
Explanation: Ashoka’s inscriptions state that Kalinga was conquered in his eighth regnal year, a campaign whose human cost transformed his approach to imperial expansion.
Q75. Which Mauryan emperor conquered Kalinga?
[SSC CGL, 2023]
A. Ashoka
B. Bindusara
C. Brihadratha
D. Chandragupta Maurya
Answer: A. Ashoka
Explanation: Ashoka’s conquest of Kalinga is one of the best-documented events of Mauryan history because Major Rock Edict XIII records its consequences and his remorse.
Q74. Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the Nanda dynasty with the assistance of whom?
[SSC CGL, 2023]
A. Vishnugupta
B. Banabhatta
C. Patanjali
D. Nagarjuna
Answer: A. Vishnugupta
Explanation: Vishnugupta is another name traditionally associated with Kautilya or Chanakya, the strategist credited with helping Chandragupta establish Mauryan authority in Magadha.
Q73. Which Hellenistic ruler was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya?
[SSC CGL, 2023]
A. Alexander
B. Seleucus Nicator
C. Antiochus III
D. Demetrius
Answer: B. Seleucus Nicator
Explanation: Chandragupta fought Seleucus I around 305 BCE. The resulting settlement transferred territories to the Mauryas and inaugurated diplomatic relations between the two states.
Q72. In Kautilya’s Saptanga theory, ‘Amatya’ refers to:
[SSC CGL, 2023]
A. Forts
B. Treasury
C. Ministers and officials
D. Allies
Answer: C. Ministers and officials
Explanation: The seven limbs of the state included king, ministers, territory-population, fortified capital, treasury, army and ally. Amatya represented the administrative personnel.
Q71. Which Mauryan ruler renounced aggressive warfare after the Battle of Kalinga?
[SSC CGL, 2023]
A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Ashoka
C. Bindusara
D. Brihadratha
Answer: B. Ashoka
Explanation: Ashoka’s post-Kalinga policy increasingly emphasized Dhamma-vijaya, or conquest through righteousness and moral influence, rather than territorial expansion through warfare.
