Mauryan Culture, Society & Economy | MCQs on Mauryan Empire

1. Emergency tax
2. Liquor Tax
3. Fruits tax
4. Sales tax

Answer: Emergency tax

“Pranaya” referred to emergency taxes that the state could impose when the treasury was depleted or during financial crises. These taxes included levies on farmers, traders, and the income of certain professions. They served as a means to address urgent financial needs in the Mauryan administration.

1. Dhauli caves
2. Sanchi Stupa
3. Bhimbhetka caves
4. Elephanta Caves

Answer: Dhauli caves

Explanation – The Dhauli caves near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, are an example of rock-cut architecture from the Mauryan period. These caves contain various rock sculptures, including the front part of an elephant.

1. Sitadhyaksha
2. Agranomoi
3. Akaradhyaksha
4. None of the above

Answer: Agranomoi

Explanation – According to accounts by Megasthenes, officials responsible for collecting land tax during the Mauryan period were referred to as “Agranomoi.” These officials played a crucial role in revenue collection from agricultural land, highlighting the organized fiscal structure of the Mauryan administration.

1. Stone sculptures

2. Ring stones

3. Disc stones

4. Terracotta figurines

5. Stupa architecture

Choose the right option:

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1, 3, and 5
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The Mauryan kings, particularly Ashoka, were notable for their patronage of various art forms. These included stone sculptures, ring stones, disc stones, terracotta figurines, and the construction of stupas, emphasizing the dynasty’s support for cultural and artistic endeavors.

1. Pariharaka
2. Ayudhiya
3. Kupya
4. Nagar

Answer: Pariharaka

Explanation – Villages that were exempt from paying taxes during the Mauryan era were known as “Pariharaka.” These villages enjoyed tax exemptions, indicating variations in tax obligations across different regions.

1. Iltutmish
2. Firuz Tughlaq
3. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
4. More than one of the above

Answer: Firuz Tughlaq

1. Bhaga
2. Shulka
3. Bali
4. Kara

Answer: Shulka

Explanation – “Shulka” denoted the duties imposed on imported and exported goods during the Mauryan period. These duties were part of the taxation system and contributed to the state’s revenue. Additionally, the Mauryan administration also imposed excise duties on local manufactures, further enhancing its fiscal resources.

1. Chandragupta
2. Bindusara
3. Ashoka
4. Dashratha

Answer: Ashoka

Explanation – Ashoka, the Mauryan king, redistributed the relics of Buddha to important towns and ordered the construction of stupas over them. This act of reverence and support for Buddhism became a significant aspect of Ashoka’s reign and the Mauryan dynasty’s cultural heritage.

Assertion (A): The early medieval period possessed some critical features of feudalism, but it significantly differed from European feudalism.

Reason (R): The early medieval South India was a period of urban growth as is evidenced by the flourishing crafts, trade, trade guilds and urban centres.

In the context of the above two statements, which of the following is correct?

1. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
2. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) is false but (R) is true.

Answer: Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

1. Hiranya
2. Bhaga
3. Bali
4. Kara

Answer: Hiranya

Explanation – During the Mauryan period, the “Hiranya” tax referred to a specific tax that had to be paid in cash. It was distinct from other taxes such as Bhaga, Bali, and Kara, which may have been paid in kind or through other means. Hiranya was a cash tax and represented a form of revenue collection in the Mauryan administration.

1. There was no improvement in the social status of Vaishyas or trading communities and Shudras.

2. This period saw an increase in the number of untouchables.

3. There is mention of Varna or Sati in the Ashokan edicts.

Choose the right option:

1. Only 1
2. Only 1 and 3
3. All of the above
4. None of the above

Answer: None of the above

Explanation – During the Mauryan period, there was some improvement in the social status of Vaishyas and Shudras. The precise nature of untouchability during this time remains unclear, as does the mention of Varna or Sati in the Ashokan edicts. These aspects reflect aspects of societal organization during the Mauryan era.

1. Tax on irrigated land
2. Tax on fertile land
3. Tax on trade
4. Tax on production

Answer: Tax on irrigated land

Explanation – The “Udaka-bhaga” tax was imposed on irrigated land during the Mauryan period. It was levied at a rate of one-fifth to one-third of the produce. This tax was specifically associated with land that benefited from irrigation, reflecting an aspect of agricultural taxation in the Mauryan era.

1. They collected taxes
2. They sold liquor
3. They were traders
4. Head of a village

Answer: Head of a village

Explanation – “Sthanikas” were the heads of groups of 5 or 10 villages in the Mauryan empire. They had the responsibility of collecting taxes and were assisted by “Gopas” in maintaining records and accounts, reflecting the administrative structure of revenue collection.

1. They were soldiers recruited by the emperor.
2. Their loyalty was direct to the king.
3. The number of Ahadi soldiers maintained by the king was large
4. They were paid lesser than the ordinary horseman

Answer: They were paid lesser than the ordinary horseman

1. Use of Iron
2. Use of copper
3. Use of tin
4. Use of bronze

Answer: Use of Iron

The Mauryan period saw a new material culture emerging in the Gangetic basin, characterized by the extensive use of iron and iron implements. This shift marked technological advancements and changes in material culture during this era.

1. Kupya
2. Pariharaka
3. Nagar
4. Ayudhiya

Answer: Ayudhiya

In the Mauryan administration, villages that had the responsibility of supplying soldiers were referred to as “Ayudhiya.” These villages played a role in maintaining the military and likely contributed to the defense and security of the empire.

1. State taxes
2. Trade
3. Donations
4. Land revenue

Answer: Land revenue

Land revenue served as the primary source of income in the Mauryan administration. Although the Mauryas implemented various economic regulations to generate additional revenue, land revenue remained the fundamental source of income for the empire, highlighting the importance of agriculture in the fiscal system.

Assertion (A): The early medieval period possessed some critical features of feudalism, but it significantly differed from European feudalism.

Reason (R): The early medieval South India was a period of urban growth as is evidenced by the flourishing crafts, trade, trade guilds and urban centres.

In the context of the above two statements, which of the following is correct?

1. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
2. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) is false but (R) is true.

Answer: Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

1. Gupta period
2. Maurya period
3. Vedic period
4. Post-Vedic period

Answer: Maurya period

The Mauryan period witnessed the emergence of various art forms, including rock-cut architecture, stone sculptures, ring stones, disc stones, terracotta figurines, and stupa architecture. These artistic expressions marked an important cultural and artistic legacy of the Mauryan dynasty.

1. Vedic
2. Persian
3. Mongolian
4. African

Answer: Persian

Mauryan art is believed to have been influenced by Achaemenid or Persian art. Similarities in form and style between the inscriptions of Ashoka and those of Persian king Darius suggest cross-cultural artistic influences during this period.

1. Iltutmish
2. Alauddin Khalji
3. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
4. Firuz Tughlaq

Answer: Firuz Tughlaq

1. Dhauli caves
2. Sanchi Stupa
3. Bhimbhetka caves
4. Elephanta Caves

Answer: Dhauli caves

The Dhauli caves near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, are an example of rock-cut architecture from the Mauryan period. These caves contain various rock sculptures, including the front part of an elephant.

1. Rummindei inscription
2. Allahabad pillar inscription
3. Barbara cave inscription
4. Kandhar Inscription

Answer: Rummindei inscription

The Rummindei inscription is significant for its precise reference to taxation. It provided valuable insights into fiscal matters and revenue collection during the Mauryan period, offering historical details on financial administration.

1. They were soldiers recruited by the emperor.
2. Their loyalty was direct to the king.
3. The number of Ahadi soldiers maintained by the king was large
4. They were paid lesser than the ordinary horseman

Answer: They were paid lesser than the ordinary horseman

1. Lomasha Risi cave
2. Dhauli caves
3. Ajanta caves
4. Elephanta Caves

Answer: Dhauli caves

The Dhauli caves, located near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, contain the rock sculpture of the front part of an elephant. These caves are an example of Mauryan rock-cut architecture.

Assertion (A): The early medieval period possessed some critical features of feudalism, but it significantly differed from European feudalism.

Reason (R): The early medieval South India was a period of urban growth as is evidenced by the flourishing crafts, trade, trade guilds and urban centres.

In the context of the above two statements, which of the following is correct?

1. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
2. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) is false but (R) is true.

Answer: Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

1. Iltutmish
2. Firuz Tughlaq
3. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
4. More than one of the above

Answer: Firuz Tughlaq