Maharashtra State Board
Standard VI – History
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 to gain control.
(2) Who did Ashoka send to Sri Lanka for the spread of Buddhism?
Ans: Emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and his daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism.
(3) What were the occupations of the people during the Maurya period?
Ans: During the Maurya period, people were engaged in occupations such as ivory carving, weaving and dyeing cloth, and metalwork.
(4) Which animals’ engravings are found on the pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka?
Ans: Engravings of animals such as the lion, elephant, and bull are found on the pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka.
2. Can you explain?
(1) Satrap
Ans: After conquering territories, Emperor Alexander appointed Greek officers to administer them. These officers were called satraps.
(2) Sudarshan
Ans: An inscription states that Emperor Chandragupta Maurya built a dam called ‘Sudarshan’ near Junagadh in present-day Gujarat.
(3) ‘Devanampiyo Piyadasi’
Ans: In his stone inscriptions, Emperor Ashoka referred to himself as ‘Devanampiyo Piyadasi’, which means “Beloved of the Gods” and “He who looks upon all with affection.”
(4) Ashtapad
Ans: The ancient game of chess was known as Ashtapad during the Maurya period.
3. Recall and describe:
(1) The extent of Chandragupta Maurya’s empire.
Ans: Chandragupta Maurya defeated the Nanda dynasty and established his rule over Magadha. He conquered Avanti and Saurashtra and expanded his empire further. After defeating Seleucus Nicator, the regions of Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat in the northwest became part of the Maurya Empire. Thus, his empire spread over a large part of northern India and beyond.
(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. It stretched from Bengal in the east to Saurashtra in the west. His empire was one of the largest in ancient India.
4. Match the following.
| 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) Alexander had to turn back.
Ans:
(i) During the invasion, Alexander’s army had to suffer many hardships.
(ii) The soldiers were tired and wished to return home.
(iii) They refused to move forward, and therefore Alexander was forced to turn back.
(2) Coins of Greek kings were characteristic.
Ans:
(i) The Greek kings issued special types of coins.
(ii) On one side of the coin, there was an image of the king who issued it.
(iii) On the other side, there was an image of a Greek god.
(iv) The name of the king was also inscribed on the coin.
(3) Emperor Ashoka decided never to wage war again.
Ans:
(i) Ashoka was deeply moved by the destruction and bloodshed in the Kalinga War.
(ii) He realized the importance of truth, non-violence, compassion, and forgiveness.
(iii) Therefore, he decided never to wage war again and to follow the path of peace.
6. Describe in your own words.
(1) Public welfare works of Emperor Ashoka.
Ans:
(i) Emperor Ashoka focused on the welfare of his people.
(ii) He arranged for free medical treatment for both people and animals.
(iii) He built roads and planted trees along the roads to provide shade.
(iv) He dug wells and built rest houses (dharmashalas) for travelers.
(v) These works show that he cared deeply for the well-being of his subjects.
(2) Means of entertainment and sport of the Maurya period.
Ans:
(i) During the Maurya period, people celebrated many festivals and social gatherings.
(ii) Dance and music performances were common forms of entertainment.
(iii) Wrestling matches and chariot races were popular sports.
(iv) People also enjoyed playing board games and chess.