Kalinga War & Mauryan Administration: Unit Test Questions
Part A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. The Kalinga War was fought in the 8th year of Ashoka's reign, which is approximately in:
a) 321 BCE
b) 261 BCE
c) 185 BCE
d) 305 BCE
Answer: b) 261 BCE
Rationale: According to Ashokan edicts, the war took place in 261 BCE, the 8th year after his coronation.
2. Which of the following was a primary cause for Ashoka's decision to invade Kalinga?
a) Kalinga had invaded the Mauryan capital, Pataliputra.
b) To avenge his father Bindusara's defeat against Kalinga.
c) Kalinga's strategic location for overseas trade and control of the eastern coast.
d) Kalinga refused to pay tribute to the Mauryan Empire.
Answer: c) Kalinga's strategic location for overseas trade and control of the eastern coast.
Rationale: Kalinga's independent status and its control over crucial land and sea routes to Southeast Asia were major imperialistic motives for Ashoka. Refusal to submit was a direct trigger.
3. The most significant immediate effect of the Kalinga War on Ashoka was:
a) His decision to conquer more territories.
b) His conversion to Jainism.
c) His deep remorse and conversion to Buddhism.
d) The strengthening of his military power.
Answer: c) His deep remorse and conversion to Buddhism.
Rationale: The immense bloodshed and suffering witnessed in the war profoundly affected Ashoka, leading to his adoption of Buddhism.
4. The policy of 'Digvijaya' (conquest through war) was largely replaced by 'Dhammavijaya' (conquest through Dhamma) after which event?
a) Chandragupta Maurya's conquest of the Nandas
b) Bindusara's expansion into the Deccan
c) The Kalinga War
d) The Greek invasion of India
Answer: c) The Kalinga War
Rationale: This shift in imperial policy from military expansion to moral and ethical propagation is a direct consequence of the Kalinga War.
5. Which Mauryan official was primarily responsible for revenue collection and financial administration at the central level?
a) Senapati
b) Samaharta
c) Sannidhata
d) Amatya
Answer: b) Samaharta
Rationale: The Samaharta was the chief revenue collector, overseeing all tax collection. The Sannidhata was the chief treasurer.
6. According to Megasthenes' Indica, the Mauryan army was administered by:
a) A single Senapati
b) A board of 30 members divided into six committees
c) Regional military governors
d) A council of war chiefs
Answer: b) A board of 30 members divided into six committees
Rationale: Megasthenes provides a detailed account of the military administration, mentioning six committees overseeing different branches of the army.
7. The Mauryan Empire was divided into several provinces, each governed by a:
a) Kumaramatya (Prince) or a royal family member
b) Directly elected governor
c) Feudal lord
d) Chief priest
Answer: a) Kumaramatya (Prince) or a royal family member
Rationale: Royal princes or members of the royal family were typically appointed as governors of the provinces.
8. The two main types of courts in the Mauryan judicial system, as mentioned in the Arthashastra, were:
a) Civil and Military Courts
b) Royal and Public Courts
c) Dharmasthiya (civil) and Kantakasodhana (criminal) courts
d) Village and City Courts
Answer: c) Dharmasthiya (civil) and Kantakasodhana (criminal) courts
Rationale: These were the two distinct categories of courts dealing with civil and criminal cases, respectively.
9. What was the approximate percentage of land revenue collected by the Mauryan state from agricultural produce?
a) 1/10th to 1/8th
b) 1/2 to 1/3rd
c) 1/6th to 1/4th
d) 1/12th to 1/16th
Answer: c) 1/6th to 1/4th
Rationale: Kautilya's Arthashastra generally mentions the land tax as 1/6th, though it could vary.
10. Ashoka's Dhamma-mahamattas were officials appointed to:
a) Manage the royal treasury
b) Supervise military training
c) Propagate Dhamma and oversee public welfare
d) Collect special taxes
Answer: c) Propagate Dhamma and oversee public welfare
Rationale: These special officers were a unique feature of Ashoka's administration, reflecting his post-Kalinga War policy.
11. Which of the following Mauryan officials was responsible for supervising various economic activities and state-controlled industries?
a) Senapati
b) Adhyakshas (Superintendents)
c) Rajukas
d) Yuktas
Answer: b) Adhyakshas (Superintendents)
Rationale: The Mauryan administration had numerous Adhyakshas overseeing departments like agriculture (Sitadhyaksha), mining (Akaradhyaksha), commerce (Panyadhyaksha), etc.
12. The Mauryan administration maintained an extensive system of espionage, primarily to:
a) Monitor the activities of foreign ambassadors only.
b) Keep vigilance over officials and gather information on public opinion and potential threats.
c) Spy on neighboring kingdoms for military purposes alone.
d) Collect intelligence on religious movements.
Answer: b) Keep vigilance over officials and gather information on public opinion and potential threats.
Rationale: Kautilya's Arthashastra details a sophisticated spy network to ensure loyalty and efficiency within the administration and identify internal dissent or external threats.
13. Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the Mauryan court, wrote a famous account known as:
a) Geographica
b) Indica
c) Periplus of the Erythraean Sea
d) Naturalis Historia
Answer: b) Indica
Rationale: Indica is a key primary source for understanding Mauryan society and administration, though it survives only in fragments through later writers.
14. What was the designation for the village headman in the Mauryan administration?
a) Gopa
b) Gramani (Gramika)
c) Sthanika
d) Rajuka
Answer: b) Gramani (Gramika)
Rationale: The Gramani was responsible for village administration, often assisted by a council of elders.
15. The Mauryan political structure can be best described as:
a) A decentralized feudal system
b) A highly centralized monarchy
c) A confederacy of independent states
d) A democratic republic
Answer: b) A highly centralized monarchy
Rationale: Despite its vastness, the Mauryan Empire was characterized by a strong central authority, with the king at its apex.
Part B: Short Answer Questions
1. State any two main causes that led to the Kalinga War.
Answer: Ashoka's imperial ambition to bring all of India under Mauryan control, and Kalinga's strategic location crucial for Mauryan trade routes and access to the eastern coast.
2. Describe the immediate effect of the Kalinga War on Emperor Ashoka.
Answer: Ashoka was filled with deep remorse and regret due to the immense death, destruction, and suffering caused by the war, leading to his conversion to Buddhism.
3. What policy did Ashoka adopt after the Kalinga War, replacing 'Digvijaya'?
Answer: He adopted 'Dhammavijaya' (conquest through Dhamma or righteousness), focusing on moral and spiritual conquest rather than military expansion.
4. Name any two important officials who formed part of the Mauryan central administration.
Answer: Mantrin (Chief Minister), Purohita (Chief Priest), Senapati (Commander-in-chief), Yuvaraja (Crown Prince), Samaharta (Chief Collector of Revenue), Sannidhata (Chief Treasurer) (any two).
5. How was the Mauryan Empire divided for administrative purposes at the provincial level?
Answer: The empire was divided into several provinces (e.g., Uttarapatha, Dakshinapatha, Avantipatha, Prachya), each governed by a royal prince (Kumaramatya) or a royal governor.
6. What was the role of 'Dhamma-mahamattas' appointed by Ashoka?
Answer: They were special officers appointed by Ashoka to spread the message of Dhamma, oversee public welfare, and address grievances, ensuring the moral upliftment of society.
7. Mention one key feature of Mauryan military administration as described by Megasthenes.
Answer: The military was administered by a board of 30 members, divided into six committees, each responsible for a specific branch like infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots, navy, and transport.
8. Differentiate between 'Dharmasthiya' and 'Kantakasodhana' courts in the Mauryan judicial system.
Answer: Dharmasthiya courts dealt with civil cases (e.g., marriage, inheritance, property disputes), while Kantakasodhana courts handled criminal cases (e.g., murder, robbery, assault).
9. What was the main source of revenue for the Mauryan state?
Answer: Land revenue was the primary source of state income, typically collected as 1/6th to 1/4th of the produce.
10. How did the Kalinga War impact the Mauryan Empire's foreign policy?
Answer: It led to the abandonment of aggressive military expansion and conquest, replaced by a policy of peace, non-aggression, and diplomatic relations based on Dhamma.
Part C: Long Answer Questions
1. Analyze the causes and effects of the Kalinga War, explaining its significance in shaping Ashoka's personality and the future trajectory of the Mauryan Empire.
Answer:
The Kalinga War, fought around 261 BCE (the 8th year of Ashoka's reign), stands as a pivotal event in ancient Indian history, profoundly impacting Emperor Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire's policies.
Causes of the Kalinga War:
Imperial Ambition: Kalinga (modern-day Odisha) was an independent kingdom that had resisted Mauryan expansion. Ashoka, inheriting a vast empire and the imperialistic ambition of his predecessors (Chandragupta Maurya and Bindusara), aimed to bring the entire Indian subcontinent under a unified Mauryan rule.
Strategic Location: Kalinga controlled crucial land and sea trade routes along the eastern coast of India. Its rich ports were vital for overseas trade with Southeast Asia. Annexing Kalinga would give the Mauryas complete control over trade and provide access to maritime resources.
Economic Prosperity: Kalinga was known to be a prosperous region, and its fertile lands and trade routes promised significant economic gains for the Mauryan treasury.
Security Threat: An independent Kalinga, with its formidable army, could potentially pose a threat to the eastern frontiers of the Mauryan Empire and disrupt its trade networks.
Refusal to Submit: Kalinga's continued independence and refusal to acknowledge Mauryan suzerainty was seen as a direct challenge to Ashoka's authority.
Effects of the Kalinga War:
The Kalinga War resulted in a devastating loss of life and property. Ashoka's own Rock Edict XIII vividly describes the horror: "150,000 were deported, 100,000 were killed, and many more died of disease and starvation." This immense suffering led to profound changes:
Ashoka's Transformation and Conversion to Buddhism: The most immediate and significant effect was Ashoka's deep remorse and psychological transformation. Witnessing the scale of death and destruction filled him with regret and revulsion for war. This emotional turmoil led him to embrace Buddhism, seeking solace and a path of peace. He became a zealous patron of Buddhism, dedicating his life to its propagation.
Shift from 'Digvijaya' to 'Dhammavijaya': The Kalinga War marked a fundamental shift in Mauryan state policy. Ashoka abandoned the traditional policy of 'Digvijaya' (conquest by military force) and adopted 'Dhammavijaya' (conquest by righteousness or Dhamma). This meant that future expansion would be through moral persuasion, diplomatic relations, and the spread of Dhamma rather than armed aggression.
Promotion of Dhamma: Ashoka committed himself to spreading the principles of Dhamma (moral laws, compassion, tolerance, non-violence) throughout his empire and beyond. He appointed special officers called Dhamma-mahamattas to propagate these values, inscribed Dhamma edicts on rocks and pillars across the empire, and sent Buddhist missions to foreign lands (e.g., Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Hellenistic kingdoms).
Changes in Mauryan Administration: While the basic structure remained, the administration under Ashoka after Kalinga became more welfare-oriented. Emphasis was placed on justice, public welfare, and moral governance. The state's role expanded to include the moral upliftment of its subjects.
End of Mauryan Imperial Expansion: The Kalinga War was the last major military campaign undertaken by the Mauryas. Ashoka's renunciation of war brought an end to Mauryan territorial expansion, ushering in a period of relative peace but also potentially limiting the empire's ability to defend against future external threats or control distant provinces effectively.
Devastation in Kalinga: Kalinga itself suffered immense devastation, losing a significant portion of its population and infrastructure. It was integrated as the fifth Mauryan province (apart from the central region and the four other major provinces).
In essence, the Kalinga War was a turning point that transformed a victorious, ambitious emperor into a compassionate proponent of peace and morality. It redirected the Mauryan Empire's energies from military conquest to cultural and religious propagation, leaving a lasting legacy on Indian civilization and the spread of Buddhism across Asia.
2. Describe the salient features of Mauryan administration, emphasizing its centralized nature and the roles of various officials and administrative divisions.
Answer:
The Mauryan Empire (c. 322-185 BCE) is renowned for its highly centralized and elaborate administrative system, a model for subsequent Indian empires. Its structure, primarily known through Kautilya's Arthashastra and Megasthenes' Indica, was designed for efficient control over a vast territory.
I. Centralized Monarchy:
King as the Apex: The king was the supreme authority, wielding immense executive, legislative, and judicial powers. He was the head of the administration, army, and judiciary. While not considered divine, Kautilya emphasized the king's duty to uphold 'dharma' and ensure the welfare of his subjects.
Council of Ministers (Mantriparishad): The king was assisted by a Mantriparishad, a council of highly experienced and trusted ministers. Key ministerial positions included the Mahamantri (Chief Minister), Purohita (Chief Priest), Senapati (Commander-in-Chief), and Yuvaraja (Crown Prince).
Extensive Bureaucracy (Adhyakshas): The administration was characterized by a vast and well-organized bureaucracy. Numerous 'Adhyakshas' (Superintendents) headed various departments and controlled economic activities. Examples include:
Sitadhyaksha: Superintendent of agriculture.
Lohadhyaksha: Superintendent of mining.
Panyadhyaksha: Superintendent of commerce.
Pautavadhyaksha: Superintendent of weights and measures.
Sulkaadhyaksha: Collector of tolls/customs.
These officials managed state-owned enterprises, collected revenue, and enforced regulations.
II. Administrative Divisions:
The empire was divided into a hierarchical system for effective governance:
Provinces (Chakras): The vast empire was divided into several large provinces, typically four or five, besides the central region of Magadha. Major provincial capitals included Taxila (Uttarapatha - North), Ujjain (Avantipatha - West), Suvarnagiri (Dakshinapatha - South), and Tosali (Kalinga - East). These provinces were usually governed by a 'Kumara' (royal prince) or a high-ranking 'Aryaputra' (royal family member) who acted as the king's representative. They replicated the central administration at a smaller scale.
Districts (Janapadas/Ahara): Provinces were further subdivided into districts. The 'Pradesika' was the chief officer responsible for the overall administration of a district.
Rajukas: Initially concerned with revenue assessment, Ashoka later vested them with judicial powers as well, particularly in rural areas.
Yuktas: Subordinate officers assisting the Rajukas in revenue collection and accounting.
Local Administration (Grama and Nagara):
Village (Grama): The smallest unit, headed by the 'Gramani' (village headman), often assisted by village elders. The state generally did not interfere in petty village affairs.
City (Nagara): Large cities like the capital Pataliputra had elaborate municipal administrations. Megasthenes describes a city administration run by a board of 30 members, divided into six committees (e.g., for sanitation, care of foreigners, registration of births and deaths, trade regulation, manufactured goods, and tax collection). The 'Nagaraka' was the chief city administrator.
III. Specialized Departments and Officials:
Revenue Administration: Highly organized, with the 'Samaharta' as the chief revenue collector and the 'Sannidhata' as the chief treasurer. Land revenue (typically 1/6th to 1/4th) was the main source, supplemented by taxes on trade, mines, forests, and irrigation.
Judicial System: The king was the supreme dispenser of justice. There were two main types of courts:
Dharmasthiya: Civil courts, presided over by three 'Dharmasthas' (judges learned in sacred law) and three 'Amatyas' (secretaries/jurors).
Kantakasodhana: Criminal courts, presided over by three 'Amatyas', dealt with crimes against the state and individuals.
Punishments were often severe to maintain law and order.
Military Administration: A massive and well-organized army was maintained. According to Megasthenes, it was managed by a board of 30 members, divided into six committees, each overseeing one of the army's wings: infantry, cavalry, chariots, elephants, navy, and commissariat (transport and supplies). The 'Senapati' was the Commander-in-Chief.
Espionage System: Kautilya stressed the importance of an extensive spy network ('Gudhapurushas'). Spies, disguised as various professionals (ascetics, merchants, students), reported on officials, public opinion, and internal/external threats, ensuring vigilance and loyalty within the vast empire.
Public Works: The state also undertook significant public works, including irrigation projects, road construction, and welfare measures (especially under Ashoka).
In essence, the Mauryan administration, particularly under Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka, was a robust and highly centralized system that integrated disparate regions under a single political authority. Its efficiency, sophisticated bureaucracy, and emphasis on law and order were instrumental in maintaining the stability and prosperity of one of ancient India's largest empires.
