Chapter 7 - India during the Maurya Period
1. Answer in one sentence.
(1) Why did the satraps begin to fight among themselves ?
Ans: After Alexander’s death, a struggle for power began among the satraps and they started fighting among themselves.
(2) Who did Ashoka send to Sri Lanka for the spread of Buddhism ?
Ans: Ashoka sent his own son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka for the spread of Buddhism.
(3) What were the occupations of the people during the Maurya period ?
Ans: The occupations of the people during the Maurya period were carving and engraving on ivory, weaving and dyeing cloth, and metal work.
(4) Which animals’ engravings are found on the pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka ?
Ans: Animals like the lion, elephant and bull engravings are found on the pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka.
2. Can you explain ?
(1) Satrap
Ans: Emperor Alexander appointed Greek officers to administer the conquered territories. They were called satraps.
(2) Sudarshan
Ans: There is an inscription stating that Emperor Chandragupta Maurya had built a dam called ‘Sudarshan’ near Junagadh in Gujarat State.
(3) ‘Devanampiyo Piyadasi’
Ans: In the stone inscriptions, Emperor Ashoka is referred to as ‘Devanampiyo Piyadasi’ which means Beloved of the Gods and He who Looks on with Affection.
(4) Ashtapad
Ans: The game of chess was called Ashtapad.
3. Recall and describe :
(1) The extent of Chandragupta Maurya’s empire.
Ans: Chandragupta Maurya defeated the Nanda Dynasty and established his own rule in Magadha. He won Avanti and Saurashtra and began to extend the boundaries of his empire. The defeat of Seleucus Nicator led to the inclusion of the northwest region of Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat in the Maurya Empire.
(2) The extent of Ashoka’s empire.
Ans: Emperor Ashoka’s empire extended from Afghanistan in the northwest and Nepal in the north to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the south, and from Bengal in the east to Saurashtra in the west.
4. Match the following.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
(1) Emperor Alexander | (a) Ambassador of Seleucus Nicator |
(2) Megasthenes | (b) Emperor of Greece |
(3) Emperor Ashoka | (c) Emperor of Rome |
(d) Emperor of Magadha |
Ans:
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
(1) Emperor Alexander | (b) Emperor of Greece |
(2) Megasthenes | (a) Ambassador of Seleucus Nicator |
(3) Emperor Ashoka | (d) Emperor of Magadha |
5. What is your opinion?
(1) Alexandar had to turn back.
Ans:
(i) In the invasion, army had to suffer severe hardships.
(ii) The soldiers were eager to go back home.
(iii) They rebelled against Alexander and he was forced to turn back.
(2) Coins of Greek kings were characteristic.
Ans:
(i) The Greek kings minted characteristic coins.
(ii) On one side, the coins of Greek kings had a picture of the king who had minted the coin, and on the other side, a picture of a Greek god.
(iii) The name of the king was also written on the coin.
(3) Emperor Ashoka decided never to wage war again.
Ans:
(i) Ashoka was deeply moved by the bloodshed of the Kalinga war.
(ii) He came to believe that truth, non-violence, compassion and forgiveness were the important values.
(iii) Hence he decided never to wage a war.
6. Describe in your own words.
(1) Public welfare works of Emperor Ashoka.
Ans:
(i) Emperor Ashoka laid stress on the creation of facilities for the welfare of the people.
(ii) He made provisions for free medicines and medical treatment for people as well as for animals.
(iii) He built many roads and planted trees for shade on both sides of the roads.
(iv) He dug wells and built dharmashalas.
(2) Means of entertainment and sport of the Maurya period.
Ans:
(i) During Maurya period, different festivals and functions were celebrated in villages and towns.
(ii) Dance and music concerts were a part of entertainment.
(iii) Wrestling bouts and chariot races were popular and so were board games and chess.