The Mauryan Empire (c. 321–185 BCE) represented the first pan-Indian centralized state, founded by Chandragupta Maurya with the strategic counsel of Chanakya (Kautilya, author of the political treatise 'Arthashastra') by dethroning Dhana Nanda of the Nanda dynasty. Seleucus I Nicator's envoy Megasthenes documented the imperial administration and seven-caste social order at Pataliputra in his work 'Indica'. Following Bindusara's reign (c. 297–273 BCE), Emperor Ashoka (reigned c. 268–232 BCE) ascended the throne. In the eighth regnal year (c. 261 BCE), Ashoka waged the Kalinga War, an event recorded in Major Rock Edict XIII that caused massive casualties and prompted his ideological transition from military conquest (Bherighosha) to moral conquest through righteousness (Dhammaghosha). Ashoka issued epigraphic edicts across the subcontinent, composed primarily in Prakrit written in Brahmi script, with northwestern variants in Kharosthi, Greek, and Aramaic. British antiquarian James Prinsep deciphered the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in 1837, identifying the royal epigraphic title 'Devanampiya Piyadassi' with Ashoka. The Mauryan Sarnath Lion Capital, carved from polished Chunar sandstone, was adopted on January 26, 1950, as the State Emblem of India.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire in 321 BCE after defeating Dhana Nanda with the guidance of Chanakya (Vishnugupta), establishing administrative governance detailed in Kautilya's Arthashastra.
Megasthenes visited the Mauryan capital Pataliputra as an ambassador of Seleucid ruler Seleucus I Nicator and authored 'Indica', describing municipal governance and Mauryan society.
Major Rock Edict XIII details Ashoka's remorse over the devastation of the Kalinga War in 261 BCE, marking his adoption of Buddhism and replacement of Bherighosha with Dhammaghosha.
James Prinsep, an officer of the Calcutta Mint and secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, successfully deciphered the Ashokan Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in 1837.
The Lion Capital of Ashoka excavated at Sarnath, featuring four Asiatic lions standing back-to-back over an abacus with an elephant, galloping horse, bull, and lion separated by 24-spoke Dharma Chakras, was adopted as the official State Emblem of India in 1950.
Showing 25 Curated Questions324 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-HIST-00349
hardAncient India & Indus Valley
The famous bilingual (Greek and Aramaic) rock edict of Emperor Ashoka was discovered at which location in modern-day Afghanistan?
Verified Explanation
The Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription was found at Shar-i-Kuna in 1958, inscribed in Greek and Aramaic for the northwestern frontier subjects of Ashoka.
2ID: GK-HIST-00505
mediumMauryan & Gupta Empires
Which Mauryan Major Rock Edict describes Emperor Ashoka's remorse and turning towards Dhamma following the catastrophic Kalinga War?
Verified Explanation
Major Rock Edict XIII details the conquest of Kalinga, expressing Ashoka's profound grief at the bloodshed and his commitment to conquest through Dhamma (Dhammavijaya).
3ID: GK-HIST-00592
easyMauryan & Gupta Empires
The Lion Capital of Ashoka, adopted as the National Emblem of India, was originally erected at which historic Buddhist site?
Verified Explanation
The Lion Capital was carved from polished chunar sandstone and erected by Emperor Ashoka around 250 BCE at Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon.
4ID: GK-HIST-00975
easyMauryan & Gupta Empires
The bilingual rock inscription of Emperor Ashoka discovered at Shar-i-Kuna near Kandahar in 1958 was inscribed in which two classical languages?
Verified Explanation
The Shar-i-Kuna bilingual rock inscription discovered in Kandahar, Afghanistan, was written in Greek and Aramaic for the Greek and Iranian populations of the northwestern frontier of the Mauryan Empire. In the inscription, Ashoka uses Greek philosophical terms such as 'eusebeia' (piety) to translate his concept of Dhamma, demonstrating the cosmopolitan administrative reach of the Mauryan state.
5ID: GK-HIST-00978
easyMauryan & Gupta Empires
According to Ashoka's Major Rock Edict V, in which regnal year following his royal coronation did the emperor create the new high-ranking administrative cadre of 'Dhamma Mahamattas'?
Verified Explanation
In Major Rock Edict V, Ashoka states that in the past there were no officers of Dhamma, but in his 13th regnal year (c. 256 BCE) he created the post of Dhamma Mahamattas. These special officials were deployed across all provinces and among frontier peoples to promote moral conduct, oversee charitable distributions, and prevent wrongful imprisonment.
6ID: GK-HIST-00982
mediumMauryan & Gupta Empires
The monolithic sandstone pillar at Allahabad (Prayagraj) which bears Samudragupta's Prayag Prashasti also contains imperial epigraphs of Emperor Ashoka and which later Mughal ruler?
Verified Explanation
The Allahabad Pillar represents a unique multi-dynastic monument. It was originally erected by Emperor Ashoka with his Schism Edict and Queen's Edict (Prakrit in Brahmi), later inscribed in Sanskrit around 375 CE by Harishena celebrating Samudragupta's conquests, and subsequently engraved in Persian script in 1605 CE by Mughal court calligrapher Mir Abdullah Mushkin Qalam under Emperor Jahangir.
7ID: GK-HIST-00987
mediumMauryan & Gupta Empires
In the Bhabru (Bairat) Minor Rock Edict discovered in Rajasthan, Emperor Ashoka explicitly addresses which entity, declaring his personal faith in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Samgha?
Verified Explanation
In the Bhabru Rock Edict (now preserved in the Indian Museum, Kolkata), Ashoka salutes the Buddhist Samgha and states his unwavering faith in the Three Jewels (Triratna). He recommends seven specific Buddhist canonical passages (Dhammapariyayas) for regular study and contemplation by monks, nuns, and lay followers, providing irrefutable epigraphic proof of Ashoka's personal conversion to Buddhism.
8ID: GK-EPIG-00013
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Which Major Rock Edict of Ashoka announces the appointment of special moral officers known as 'Dhamma Mahamattas' in the 14th year of his reign?
Verified Explanation
In Major Rock Edict V, Ashoka announces that in the 13th year after his consecration (14th regnal year), he created a new class of high officials called Dhamma Mahamattas tasked with promoting moral conduct, inter-faith harmony, and welfare among all sects and prisoners.
9ID: GK-EPIG-00019
mediumAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Besides Maski, which of the following Minor Rock Edict sites in Madhya Pradesh explicitly refers to the emperor by his personal name 'Ashoka' alongside 'Devanampiya'?
Verified Explanation
There are four known Ashokan epigraphs that explicitly mention his personal name 'Ashoka': Maski, Nittur, and Udegolam in Karnataka, and Gujarra in Datia district, Madhya Pradesh (which reads 'Devanampiya Piyadasi Asokaraja').
10ID: GK-EPIG-00071
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
In which Major Rock Edict does Emperor Ashoka make the famous proclamation that the sound of the war drum ('Bherighosha') has been transformed into the sound of righteousness ('Dhammaghosha')?
Verified Explanation
In Major Rock Edict IV, Emperor Ashoka declares that through the practice and propagation of Dhamma, the sound of the war drum (Bherighosha) has become the proclamation of righteousness (Dhammaghosha), demonstrating divine spectacles and promoting non-violence towards living beings.
11ID: GK-EPIG-00073
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
In Major Rock Edict XI, Emperor Ashoka proclaims that among all forms of charity, which gift is the highest and incomparable to any worldly gift?
Verified Explanation
In Major Rock Edict XI, Emperor Ashoka affirms that 'There is no gift like the gift of Dhamma (Nastidrisam danam yarisam Dhamma-danam)'. The gift of Dhamma includes proper courtesy to slaves and servants, obedience to parents, generosity to friends and ascetics, and non-slaughter of living beings.
12ID: GK-EPIG-00074
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
In Pillar Edict II, when Emperor Ashoka asks 'Kiyam chu dhamme?' (What is Dhamma?), which core set of ethical virtues does he define as constituting Dhamma?
Verified Explanation
In Pillar Edict II, Ashoka defines Dhamma with the famous formula: 'Apasinave, bahukayane, daya, dane, sache, sochaye' (Freedom from sin/depravity, abundant good deeds, compassion, liberality, truthfulness, and inner and outer purity).
13ID: GK-EPIG-00081
mediumAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Apart from Maski and Gujarra, which two Minor Rock Edict sites located in the Bellary (Ballari) district of Karnataka explicitly contain the personal name 'Ashoka' alongside 'Devanampiya'?
Verified Explanation
There are four known sites where the emperor is explicitly mentioned by his personal name 'Ashoka': Maski (Raichur, Karnataka), Gujarra (Datia, MP), and the two Minor Rock Edict sites discovered in Bellary district, Karnataka: Nittur and Udegolam.
14ID: GK-EPIG-00083
mediumAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
In Major Rock Edict IX, Emperor Ashoka critiques which traditional socio-religious practices performed by people (especially women) during sickness, weddings, births, and journeys, contrasting them with the true ceremony of Dhamma?
Verified Explanation
In Major Rock Edict IX, Ashoka notes that people perform diverse trivial, vulgar, and meaningless ceremonies (Mangalas) in times of illness, childbirth, marriage, and journeys. He contrasts these with the 'Ceremony of Dhamma' (Dhamma-mangala), which produces immense spiritual fruit through compassion and virtue.
15ID: GK-EPIG-00086
hardAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Which concluding Major Rock Edict of Emperor Ashoka explains the overall methodology of his epigraphic corpus, noting that some edicts are inscribed in concise form, some in medium form, and some in full detail because of the vastness of the empire?
Verified Explanation
Major Rock Edict XIV serves as the epilogue to the 14 Major Rock Edicts. Ashoka explains that these Dhamma rescripts have been engraved in brief, medium, or extensive form because his empire is vast, not everything is suitable for every place, and certain topics have been repeated for their sweet inspiring nature.
16ID: GK-EPIG-00090
hardAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
In the opening rescript of Pillar Edict I, what overarching principle of state governance does Emperor Ashoka declare as the foundation of his royal administration?
Verified Explanation
In Pillar Edict I (inscribed in his 26th regnal year), Ashoka declares his core governance maxim: 'Dhammena palana, dhammena vidhane, dhammena sukhiyana, dhammena gopiti' (To protect according to Dhamma, to govern according to Dhamma, to impart happiness according to Dhamma, and to guard the people according to Dhamma).
17ID: GK-EPIG-00136
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
In which Major Rock Edict does Ashoka announce the creation of a new cadre of royal welfare officers called 'Dhamma Mahamattas' in the 14th year of his coronation?
Verified Explanation
In Major Rock Edict V, Ashoka proclaims that while previous kings did not have such officers, he instituted 'Dhamma Mahamattas' in his fourteenth regnal year to promote Dhamma, look after prisoners' welfare, and prevent unjust punishment across all communities.
18ID: GK-EPIG-00137
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Which Minor Rock Edict of Ashoka, discovered near Bairat in Rajasthan, uniquely opens with the Emperor directly addressing the Buddhist Sangha and recommending the study of seven specific Buddhist scriptures?
Verified Explanation
The Bhabru (Bairat) Minor Rock Edict (now in the Asiatic Society, Kolkata) shows Ashoka saluting the Sangha with deep faith in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha, and recommending seven specific canonical texts (such as Munigatha and Aliya-vasani) for regular listening by monks and lay followers.
19ID: GK-EPIG-00191
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
In 1915, the discovery of which Minor Rock Edict in the Raichur district of Karnataka first conclusively proved that the title 'Devanampiya Piyadasi' referred to Emperor Ashoka?
Verified Explanation
The Maski Minor Rock Edict in Karnataka, discovered by gold-mining engineer C. Beadon in 1915, explicitly contained the phrase 'Devanampiyasa Asokasa', providing the first direct epigraphic confirmation equating Ashoka with Devanampiya Piyadasi.
20ID: GK-EPIG-00317
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Which Minor Rock Edict site in Raichur district, Karnataka, discovered in 1915 by C. Beadon, was the first inscription to explicitly identify 'Devanampiya' as Emperor Ashoka by name?
Verified Explanation
Until 1915, Ashoka's edicts only bore the title 'Devanampiya Piyadassi'. The discovery of the Maski Minor Rock Edict in 1915, reading 'Devanampiyasa Asokasa', settled the historical debate and confirmed that Piyadassi was the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.
21ID: GK-EPIG-00373
hardAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Discovered in 1958 at Shar-i-Kuna near Old Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, the famous bilingual rock inscription of Ashoka is carved in which two classical languages?
Verified Explanation
The Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription is written in Greek and Aramaic. Ashoka addresses his Hellenized and Iranian subjects in their native languages, rendering Buddhist concepts like Dhamma into Greek as 'Eusebeia' (piety).
22ID: GK-EPIG-00383
hardAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Discovered in 1989 on the floor slab of the Chandralamba temple in Sannati (Kalaburagi, Karnataka), this site later revealed the nearby Kanaganahalli stupa featuring which unique inscribed sculptural relief of Ashoka?
Verified Explanation
Excavations at Kanaganahalli (near Sannati) by the Archaeological Survey of India uncovered a limestone relief medallion depicting Emperor Ashoka flanked by royal attendants with the Brahmi label 'Raya Asoko' (King Ashoka), the only surviving labeled portrait of Ashoka.
23ID: GK-EPIG-00431
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Discovered in 1958 at Shar-i-Kuna near Kandahar (Afghanistan), the famous bilingual rock inscription of Emperor Ashoka was engraved in which two ancient Hellenistic/West Asian languages?
Verified Explanation
The Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription (c. 260 BCE) was inscribed in Greek and Aramaic for the Greek and Iranian-speaking populations of Arachosia. It translates Ashoka's core Dhamma doctrines into classical philosophical Greek terminology (such as 'eusebeia' for Dhamma).
24ID: GK-EPIG-00493
easyAshokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
At which archaeological site in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, did excavations unearth a sculpted limestone slab portraying Emperor Ashoka with his queens, explicitly inscribed with the Brahmi label 'Ranyo Asoko'?
Verified Explanation
Excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India at Kanaganahalli (part of the Sannati site) on the banks of the Bhima River revealed a Maha Stupa featuring a magnificent carved relief portrait of Emperor Ashoka standing with his consorts, labeled 'Ranyo Asoko' (King Ashoka) in Brahmi script.
25ID: GK-EPIG-00500
mediumAshokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
The Minor Rock Edict of Ashoka discovered at Ahraura in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh is celebrated among epigraphists for concluding with what chronological statement?
Verified Explanation
The Ahraura inscription contains the critical passage mentioning 'duve sapamna lati sati ammamte...' stating that 256 nights had elapsed since the relics of the Buddha were placed on a platform or on pilgrimage, a chronological key used to date Ashoka's tours of Dhamma.