Class 6 History

Mauryan Empire: NCERT Exercise Solution

Fill in the blanks:

  1. Officials collected ———————— from the area under the direct control of the ruler.
  2. Royal princes often went to the provinces as ———
  3. The Mauryan rulers tried to control ———————— and ———————— which were important for transport.
  4. People in forested regions provided the Mauryan officials with ————————

Answer: (a) taxes, (b) governors, (c) roads, rivers, (d) Elephants, timber, honey, wax

True or False

  1. Ujjain was the gateway to the north-west.
  2. Chandragupta’s ideas were written down in the Arthashastra.
  3. Kalinga was the ancient name of Bengal.
  4. Most Ashokan inscriptions are in the Brahmi script.

Answer: 1 False, 2 True, 3 False, 4 True

Question 1: What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma?

Answer: Mindless rituals and sacrifices were the norm during Ashoka’s period. People did not have respect for other religions. People ill treated servants and slaves. By introducing dhamma; Ashoka wanted to solve these problems.

Question 2: What were the means adopted by Ashoka to spread the message of dhamma?

Answer: Ashoka used the means of communicating with his people to spread the message of dhamma. His messages were inscribed on stone pillars so that people could read them. Officials were instructed to spread his message and to read out inscriptions for those who could not read. Ashoka used Prakrit and local languages so that common people could understand his messages.

Question 3: Why do you think slaves and servants were ill-treated? Do you think the orders of the emperor would have improved their condition? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: People usually view their servants and slaves are inferior. Hence, servants and slaves were ill-treated. Ashoka’s orders may have had some effect because he was a powerful king. Moreover, his messages must have helped in improving people’s awareness about that issue. This may also have helped in improving the situation.

Extra Questions

Question 1: Who is considered as the greatest ruler of the Mauryan Empire?

Answer: Ashoka

Question 2: Which was the biggest ever empire in the history of India?

Answer: The Mauryan Empire

Question 3: Ashoka was deeply influences by the teachings of which great thinker of his time?

Answer: Gautama Buddha

Question 4: Our National Emblem is inspired by which historic monument?

Answer: The Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath

Question 5: Which dynasty was replaced by the Mauryan dynasty?

Answer: The Nanda dynasty

Question 6: The Mauryan Empire was founded in which year?

Answer: 322 BC

Question 7: Who helped Chandragupta in overthrowing the Nanda dynasty?

Answer: Chanakya

Question 8: Which language was used in most of the inscriptions by Ashoka?

Answer: Prakrit