📘 Question Bank 

5. The Rise of Empires

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. The word “Empire” comes from which language?
a) Sanskrit
b) Latin
c) Greek
d) Persian
👉 Answer: b) Latin

2. The meaning of imperium is—
a) Wealth
b) Supreme power
c) Army
d) Religion
👉 Answer: b) Supreme power

3. In Sanskrit, the term Samrāj means—
a) The Lord of all
b) The King of Kings
c) The Overlord
d) The Protector
👉 Answer: a) The Lord of all

4. A tributary kingdom is one that—
a) Pays taxes to local farmers
b) Pays tribute to an emperor
c) Rules independently
d) Has no ruler
👉 Answer: b) Pays tribute to an emperor

5. The drawbridge and moat around Pataliputra were mainly for—
a) Decoration
b) Irrigation
c) Defence
d) Trade
👉 Answer: c) Defence

6. Which dynasty first issued punch-marked coins?
a) Maurya
b) Gupta
c) Nanda
d) Chola
👉 Answer: c) Nanda

7. Who was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty?
a) Ajātaśhatru
b) Mahāpadma Nanda
c) Dhana Nanda
d) Chandragupta Maurya
👉 Answer: c) Dhana Nanda

8. Alexander invaded India in—
a) 325 BCE
b) 321 BCE
c) 327 BCE
d) 300 BCE
👉 Answer: c) 327 BCE

9. Alexander defeated which Indian king?
a) Ashoka
b) Porus
c) Ajātaśhatru
d) Mahāpadma Nanda
👉 Answer: b) Porus

10. Who founded the Maurya Empire?
a) Ashoka
b) Bindusara
c) Chandragupta Maurya
d) Kautilya
👉 Answer: c) Chandragupta Maurya

11. Kautilya is also known as—
a) Vishnugupta
b) Chanakya
c) Both a and b
d) Panini
👉 Answer: c) Both a and b

12. Kautilya’s famous work is—
a) Manusmriti
b) Arthaśhāstra
c) Indika
d) Mahabharata
👉 Answer: b) Arthaśhāstra

13. Which Greek ambassador visited Chandragupta’s court?
a) Arrian
b) Megasthenes
c) Herodotus
d) Seleucus
👉 Answer: b) Megasthenes

14. The Saptānga theory has how many elements?
a) 5
b) 6
c) 7
d) 8
👉 Answer: c) 7

15. Which of these is NOT a part of Saptānga?
a) King
b) Army
c) Dharma
d) Treasury
👉 Answer: c) Dharma

16. Who was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya?
a) Bindusara
b) Ashoka
c) Ajātaśhatru
d) Dhana Nanda
👉 Answer: b) Ashoka

17. The Kalinga War was fought by—
a) Ajātaśhatru
b) Chandragupta
c) Ashoka
d) Bindusara
👉 Answer: c) Ashoka

18. After the Kalinga War, Ashoka embraced—
a) Jainism
b) Buddhism
c) Hinduism
d) Vedic religion
👉 Answer: b) Buddhism

19. Ashoka’s edicts were mostly written in—
a) Sanskrit, Devanagari
b) Prakrit, Brahmi
c) Tamil, Vatteluttu
d) Pali, Grantha
👉 Answer: b) Prakrit, Brahmi

20. The Lion Capital of Sarnath is today—
a) India’s flag
b) India’s national emblem
c) India’s coin symbol
d) India’s military badge
👉 Answer: b) India’s national emblem

21. The Ashoka Chakra in the national flag has—
a) 12 spokes
b) 16 spokes
c) 24 spokes
d) 32 spokes
👉 Answer: c) 24 spokes

22. The Mauryan capital was—
a) Rajagriha
b) Taxila
c) Pataliputra
d) Mathura
👉 Answer: c) Pataliputra

23. The Mauryan economy mainly depended on—
a) Fishing
b) Agriculture
c) Industry
d) Mining
👉 Answer: b) Agriculture

24. Which ruler promoted animal welfare and banned hunting?
a) Chandragupta
b) Ashoka
c) Alexander
d) Mahāpadma Nanda
👉 Answer: b) Ashoka

25. Which script is the ancestor of most Indian scripts?
a) Kharosthi
b) Brahmi
c) Gupta
d) Grantha
👉 Answer: b) Brahmi

26. Which dynasty is associated with the Great Stupa at Sanchi?
a) Maurya
b) Gupta
c) Kushana
d) Chola
👉 Answer: a) Maurya

27. The Sohgaura copper plate relates to—
a) Coinage system
b) Granary & famine relief
c) Army training
d) Trade guilds
👉 Answer: b) Granary & famine relief

28. Which of these was NOT a Mauryan contribution?
a) Urban planning
b) Strong coin system
c) Vedic hymns
d) Ashokan pillars
👉 Answer: c) Vedic hymns

29. Which factor often caused empires to collapse?
a) Strong rulers
b) Drought and famine
c) Religious tolerance
d) Strong armies
👉 Answer: b) Drought and famine

30. The word dharma means—
a) Law and duty
b) Wealth and power
c) War and conquest
d) Fear and punishment
👉 Answer: a) Law and duty

B. Short Answer Questions

1. Define an empire in simple terms.
👉 An empire is a vast territory made up of many smaller kingdoms or states, all ruled by one powerful emperor.

2. What does the term tributary mean?
👉 A tributary is a kingdom that accepts the authority of an emperor and pays tribute in the form of money, goods, grain, livestock, or precious items.

3. Name three Sanskrit terms for emperor.
👉 Samrāj (lord of all), Adhirāja (overlord), Rājādhirāja (king of kings).

4. Mention any two reasons why kings wanted to expand their kingdoms into empires.
👉 (i) To gain fame and be remembered for posterity.
(ii) To control more resources and wealth.

5. Why were trade routes important for empires?
👉 Trade routes brought wealth, allowed goods to move across regions, increased tax revenue, and connected distant areas of the empire.

6. What are guilds?
👉 Guilds (śhrenīs) were associations of traders, artisans, or moneylenders who worked together to regulate trade, share resources, and set rules for their profession.

7. Name two important trade routes in ancient India.
👉 (i) Uttarapatha (northern route)
(ii) Dakṣiṇapatha (southern route).

8. Why was Magadha geographically important?
👉 Magadha had fertile Ganga plains, rivers for transport, iron deposits, forests for timber and elephants, which gave it military and economic strength.

9. Who was Mahāpadma Nanda?
👉 He was the founder of the Nanda dynasty who expanded Magadha’s power and issued coins.

10. Why did the Nanda dynasty decline?
👉 The last ruler, Dhana Nanda, was unpopular due to oppression and heavy taxation, which weakened the dynasty and paved the way for the Mauryas.

11. Who was Porus, and why is he remembered?
👉 Porus was a northwestern Indian king defeated by Alexander. He is remembered for his bravery and his dignified reply to Alexander: “Treat me like a king.”

12. What was the political result of Alexander’s campaign in India?
👉 His campaign had little political impact but opened the door for Indo-Greek cultural contact.

13. Who guided Chandragupta Maurya in establishing his empire?
👉 Kautilya (Chanakya/Vishnugupta).

14. Name the Greek ambassador in Chandragupta’s court.
👉 Megasthenes.

15. List the seven parts of Kautilya’s Saptānga theory.
👉 King (Swāmi), Ministers (Amātya), Territory and people (Janapada), Forts (Durga), Treasury (Koṣha), Army (Daṇḍa), Allies (Mitra).

16. What change did Ashoka undergo after the Kalinga War?
👉 He renounced violence, adopted Buddhism, and followed the path of peace and dharma.

17. What was Ashoka’s main title in his edicts?
👉 Devanampiya Piyadasi (Beloved of the Gods, one who regards others with kindness).

18. Which language and script were used in Ashokan edicts?
👉 Prakrit language, Brahmi script.

19. Mention two welfare measures introduced by Ashoka.
👉 (i) Medical care for humans and animals.
(ii) Planting trees, digging wells, and building rest houses.

20. Why are empires considered fragile?
👉 Because they depended on force and heavy taxation, distant areas often revolted, and weak rulers or natural calamities could quickly break them apart.

C. Long Answer Questions

1. Explain the main features of an empire. How is it different from a kingdom?
👉 An empire is a large political unit covering vast areas with diverse people, languages, and cultures under a single emperor. Features include a strong army, tribute system, central administration, control over trade and resources, coinage, and promotion of art and religion. Unlike kingdoms, which are smaller and independent, empires unite many kingdoms under one supreme authority.

2. Discuss the factors that helped in the transition from kingdoms to empires.
👉 The transition was supported by:

  • Fertile land (like the Ganga plains).

  • Natural resources (iron, forests, elephants).

  • Improved agriculture leading to surplus.

  • Iron weapons and strong armies.

  • Ambitious rulers like Mahāpadma Nanda and Chandragupta Maurya.

  • Development of trade routes and guilds, which increased economic power.

3. Describe the role of trade and guilds in sustaining empires.
👉 Trade provided wealth, tax revenue, and resources to run armies and administration. Goods like textiles, spices, gems, and animals were traded within India and abroad. Guilds (śhrenīs) united traders, artisans, and moneylenders. They shared resources, created internal rules, and reduced competition. By supporting economic growth, guilds strengthened the empire’s economy.

4. Explain the rise of Magadha with reference to geography, economy, and military strength.
👉 Magadha rose because of fertile soil of Ganga plains, abundant iron ore, forests for timber and elephants, and river routes for trade. Surplus agriculture supported population and craft production. Iron weapons and elephants gave military power. Strong rulers like Ajātaśhatru and Mahāpadma Nanda expanded its territory.

5. Describe the achievements and decline of the Nanda dynasty.
👉 Achievements: unified many kingdoms, extended rule across eastern and northern India, issued coins, maintained a strong army, and had a prosperous economy. Decline: Dhana Nanda’s oppressive rule, excessive taxation, and unpopularity weakened the dynasty, allowing Chandragupta Maurya to overthrow it.

6. Write a note on Alexander’s invasion of India and its impact.
👉 Alexander invaded India in 327 BCE, defeating Porus in Punjab. Though victorious, he respected Porus and allowed him to rule as satrap. His soldiers, tired and homesick, refused to march further east. Alexander’s campaign had little long-term political effect but opened Indo-Greek cultural exchanges in art, ideas, and trade.

7. Explain Chandragupta Maurya’s rise with the help of Kautilya.
👉 Guided by Kautilya’s strategies, Chandragupta overthrew the Nandas, united northern India, and made Pataliputra his capital. He defeated Greek satraps left by Alexander and expanded his empire. Kautilya’s Arthaśhāstra helped him establish a strong administration and economy.

8. What was the Saptānga theory of Kautilya? How was it useful in governance?
👉 Saptānga (seven limbs) were: King, Ministers, Territory & people, Forts, Treasury, Army, Allies. Together, they ensured a strong kingdom. It was useful as it emphasized administration, defence, wealth, diplomacy, and welfare—all crucial for empire-building.

9. Describe the life and administration of Mauryan cities.
👉 Pataliputra was a major urban centre with palaces, public buildings, planned streets, and officials. Taxes were collected systematically. Agriculture was protected from wars, and granaries stored surplus. Craftsmen, traders, and guilds flourished. Communication was maintained by couriers, and safety measures like water vessels were kept for fire emergencies.

10. Write about the contributions of Ashoka as a ruler.
👉 Ashoka expanded the empire but, after the Kalinga War, embraced Buddhism and non-violence. He issued edicts promoting dharma, banned hunting, promoted welfare measures like planting trees and building hospitals, and spread Buddhism abroad. His rule is remembered for religious tolerance and humane governance.

11. How did Ashoka promote Buddhism inside and outside India?
👉 Inside India: built stupas, viharas, and pillars; issued edicts in Prakrit; encouraged harmony among sects.
Outside India: sent emissaries and monks to Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia to spread Buddha’s message.

12. What is dharma according to Ashoka? How did he promote it?
👉 Dharma meant moral law, righteous duty, truth, non-violence, tolerance, and welfare. Ashoka promoted it through edicts, officials of dhamma, welfare activities, religious tolerance, and spreading Buddhist teachings abroad.

13. Describe the art and architecture of the Mauryan period with examples.
👉 The Mauryas built polished stone pillars (Sarnath Lion Capital), stupas (Sanchi), chaityas, and viharas. Ashoka’s rock edicts were engraved across the subcontinent. Terracotta figurines, sculptures, and coins were also produced. Mauryan art showed skill, symbolism, and religious influence.

14. Discuss the reasons for the decline of empires in general.
👉 Causes include over-expansion, weak rulers, revolts in distant territories, natural calamities (drought, floods), economic crises, and heavy taxation. Empires based on force became unstable over time, leading to fragmentation.

15. Write an essay on “The Legacy of the Mauryas” covering administration, economy, art, and religion.
👉 The Mauryas unified most of India, established a strong administration, efficient taxation, and systematic governance (influenced by Kautilya). Their economy thrived with agriculture, trade, and coinage. Ashoka’s rule promoted welfare, religious tolerance, and Buddhism. Art and architecture flourished with stupas, Ashokan pillars, and sculptures. Their legacy continues in India’s national emblem, flag, and principles of tolerance and non-violence.


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