SSC CGL Preparation – Day 2

📝 10 MCQs – Mauryan Empire

---

1. Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire?

A) Bindusara
B) Ashoka
C) Chandragupta Maurya
D) Pushyamitra Shunga

✅ Answer: C) Chandragupta Maurya
📚 Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan Empire in 321 BCE after defeating the Nanda dynasty.

---

2. The capital city of the Mauryan Empire was:

A) Ujjain
B) Taxila
C) Pataliputra
D) Tosali

✅ Answer: C) Pataliputra
📚 Explanation: Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) was the administrative and political center of the Mauryan Empire.

---

3. Who among the following defeated Seleucus I and signed a treaty with him?

A) Ashoka
B) Chandragupta Maurya
C) Bindusara
D) Brihadratha

✅ Answer: B) Chandragupta Maurya
📚 Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya defeated Seleucus Nicator, a general of Alexander the Great, and obtained territories west of the Indus.

---

4. Which famous text on administration was written by Chanakya?

A) Arthashastra
B) Indica
C) Mahavamsa
D) Divyavadana

✅ Answer: A) Arthashastra
📚 Explanation: Arthashastra is a comprehensive treatise on statecraft, military strategy, and economic policy written by Kautilya (Chanakya).

---

5. Ashoka’s policy of rule was known as:

A) Arthashastra
B) Dhamma
C) Dharma
D) Vinaya

✅ Answer: B) Dhamma
📚 Explanation: Ashoka’s Dhamma emphasized ethical living, non-violence, religious tolerance, and compassion towards all beings.

---

6. After which battle did Ashoka embrace Buddhism?

A) Battle of Hydaspes
B) Battle of Kalinga
C) Battle of Kurukshetra
D) Battle of Panipat

✅ Answer: B) Battle of Kalinga
📚 Explanation: The massive bloodshed of the Kalinga War in 261 BCE moved Ashoka deeply and led him to adopt Buddhism.

---

7. Who among the following was known as “Amitraghata” (Slayer of Enemies)?

A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Bindusara
C) Ashoka
D) Brihadratha

✅ Answer: B) Bindusara
📚 Explanation: Bindusara, son of Chandragupta Maurya, was known by the epithet “Amitraghata,” meaning destroyer of foes.

---

8. Which Greek ambassador wrote the book “Indica” describing the Mauryan court?

A) Herodotus
B) Megasthenes
C) Ptolemy
D) Seleucus

✅ Answer: B) Megasthenes
📚 Explanation: Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador in Chandragupta Maurya’s court and authored “Indica.”

---

9. The last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty was:

A) Brihadratha
B) Dasharatha
C) Ashoka
D) Pushyamitra Shunga

✅ Answer: A) Brihadratha
📚 Explanation: Brihadratha was killed by Pushyamitra Shunga, marking the end of the Mauryan Empire around 185 BCE.

---

10. Which of the following is the National Emblem of India derived from a Mauryan structure?

A) Sanchi Stupa
B) Lion Capital of Ashoka
C) Barabar Caves
D) Rock-cut temples of Ajanta

✅ Answer: B) Lion Capital of Ashoka
📚 Explanation: The Lion Capital at Sarnath, built by Ashoka, was adopted as the National Emblem of India.