7. India during Maurya Period
Complete solutions to the Exercise. Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Six History and Civics.
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About the chapter
This chapter is about the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta Maurya founded it with the help of Arya Chanakya. The chapter describes Emperor Ashoka and the Kalinga War. It also explains the spread of Dhamma, Mauryan art and the Sudarshan Lake.
Key points
- Chandragupta Maurya defeated Dhananand in 321 BCE.
- Chanakya wrote the Arthashastra on administration, taxes, defence and intelligence.
- Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, wrote Indica.
- After the Kalinga War, Ashoka gave up violence and accepted Buddhism.
- Ashoka spread Dhamma through rock and pillar inscriptions and Dhamma-Mahamattas.
- The lion capital of the Ashokan pillar at Sarnath is our National Emblem.
Words to remember
- Arthashastra – Chanakya’s book on governance
- Dhamma-Mahamatta – an officer who spread the message of morality
- Inscription – writing carved on rock or pillar
- Brahmi – the script of most Ashokan inscriptions
- Stupa – a dome-shaped Buddhist structure
Exercise
(1) The subject matter of the play Mudrarakshasa is:
- a) A description of the intelligence system.
- ✓ b) The end of the Nanda dynasty and the achievements of Chandragupta.
- c) Life during the Mauryan period.
The play was written by Vishakhadatta.
(2) The ‘Arthashastra’, authored by Arya Chanakya, covered the following aspects:
- a) Importance of good behaviour.
- b) Description of the Kalinga War.
- ✓ c) Administrative system, taxation methods, defense, Intelligence and politics.
(3) The following details are found in ‘Indica’ written by Megasthenes:
- a) Guidelines regarding the specific punishment to be given to any individual who causes damage to a water reservoir.
- b) An encouragement for the subjects to practice virtues such as non-violence, compassion towards living beings, religious tolerance and ideal character.
- ✓ c) The people here are hardworking and frugal. They are skilled in various arts.
(1) The last king of the Nanda dynasty — Dhananand
(2) ‘Devanam Piyo Piyadasi’ — Emperor Ashoka
(3) The book written by Megasthenes — Indica
Concept map of the Maurya Empire.
Answer in the textbook order: 3, 2, 1, 4
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(1) Emperor Ashoka’s work regarding the spread of the Dharma
After the Kalinga War, Ashoka accepted Buddhism. He then worked to spread the Dhamma. He carved his messages on rocks and pillars, mostly in the Brahmi script. He asked people to follow non-violence, compassion, religious tolerance and good conduct. He appointed officers called Dhamma-Mahamattas to spread these values.
He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka. He also sent messengers to Syria, Egypt, Greece and Myanmar. He held a Buddhist Council at Pataliputra.
(2) Sculptures of the Maurya period
Indian sculpture traditions go back to the Maurya period. The pillars and stupas of Ashoka are fine examples. The sculptures show lions, elephants and bulls in a realistic style. Stone surfaces were polished to a mirror-like shine. The Sanchi and Sarnath stupas belong to this period. The lion capital of the Sarnath pillar is our National Emblem.
(1) Emperor Ashoka rejected the path of violence and embraced Buddhism.
- Ashoka invaded Kalinga, which is in present-day Odisha.
- He won the war, but many soldiers were killed and many were imprisoned.
- Ashoka was filled with grief at this huge loss of life.
- Buddhism taught non-violence and compassion.
- So he gave up violence and accepted Buddhism.
(2) Chandragupta Maurya defeated Dhananand.
- Dhananand was very rich, but people were unhappy with his rule.
- He was arrogant and collected heavy taxes.
- Arya Chanakya noticed leadership qualities in young Chandragupta.
- Chanakya trained him in warfare and administration.
- With Chanakya’s help, Chandragupta defeated Dhananand in 321 BCE.
(1) What instructions did Emperor Ashoka give to the citizens through his rock inscriptions?
Through his rock inscriptions, Ashoka asked people to:
- follow non-violence.
- show compassion towards all living beings.
- respect all religions.
- live with good character.
- care for parents and respect teachers and elders.
He appointed Dhamma-Mahamattas to take this message to the people.
(2) Why is the Sudarshan Lake considered a symbol of ancient Indian water management and engineering skills?
- It was built in Chandragupta Maurya’s time at Junagadh in Gujarat.
- It supplied water for farming, irrigation and drinking.
- Special caretakers were appointed to look after it.
- The Arthashastra gives punishments for damaging a water reservoir.
- It was repaired many times, by Ashoka, Rudradaman and later rulers.
So it is a symbol of good planning and water management in ancient India.
(3) What changes did Emperor Ashoka bring about in himself after accepting Buddhism?
- He gave up war and violence.
- He followed non-violence and compassion.
- He respected all religions.
- He spread moral values through inscriptions and Dhamma-Mahamattas.
- He worked for people’s welfare. He built hospitals, rest houses, wells and veterinary clinics, and planted trees along roads.
- He sent messengers to other countries to spread peace.
The Project — a monologue ‘This is Arya Chanakya Speaking...’, and collecting information on rainwater harvesting and ‘Har Ghar Jal’ for a seminar — is to be done at school with your teacher’s guidance.