Mauryan Empire Questions and Answers – Page 3

Correct answer: A philosopher or sophist. Classical tradition says Bindusara requested sweet wine, dried figs and a philosopher or sophist from Antiochus I. The first two could be supplied, but the sale of a philosopher was said to be contrary to Greek custom or law. The distinctive item in the anecdote is a philosopher or sophist, not a physician, general, sculptor or other professional substituted by distractors. The answer should be chosen from the specific evidence asked in the question, not from a broad association with the Mauryan period.

Deimachus was sent as a Greek ambassador to the court of Bindusara, commonly associated with the Seleucid ruler Antiochus I. Therefore this option matches the accepted historical association and chronology. Megasthenes belonged to Chandragupta’s court, Dionysius is linked with Ptolemaic diplomacy, and Fa-Hien visited Gupta-period India much later. The answer should be chosen from the specific evidence asked in the question, not from a broad association with the Mauryan period.

Bindusara is associated in later Buddhist tradition with support for, or proximity to, Ajivika teachers. Buddhism is more strongly associated with Ashoka, Jain tradition with Chandragupta’s final years, and Brahmanism does not match the specific sectarian association asked here.

Correct answer: Slayer of enemies. The Greek form Amitrochates, connected with Sanskrit Amitraghata, is interpreted as 'slayer of enemies' and is associated with Bindusara. Titles meaning beloved of the gods or pleasant-looking are connected with Ashokan usage, while 'conqueror of the world' is not the accepted meaning of Amitraghata.

Correct answer: Shravanabelagola through sallekhana. According to Jain tradition, Chandragupta Maurya accompanied the teacher Bhadrabahu to Shravanabelagola in Karnataka and ended his life by sallekhana, the disciplined Jain fast unto death.

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan dynasty around 322/321 BCE after overthrowing Nanda power in Magadha, with Chanakya or Kautilya traditionally credited as his strategist and adviser. Bindusara and Ashoka were later Mauryan rulers, while Brihadratha was the dynasty’s last ruler; none can be called its founder. The answer should be chosen from the specific evidence asked in the question, not from a broad association with the Mauryan period.

Megasthenes served as the ambassador of Seleucus I Nicator at the court of Chandragupta Maurya and wrote the Indica, known today mainly through quotations and summaries in later classical authors. Therefore this option matches the accepted historical association and chronology. Deimachus is associated with Bindusara’s court, Dionysius with a later diplomatic context, and Fa-Hien visited India many centuries after the Mauryas.

The Greco-Roman historian Appian is commonly cited for the conflict and settlement between Seleucus I Nicator and Chandragupta Maurya, including the territorial agreement and marital alliance tradition. Therefore this option matches the accepted historical association and chronology. Megasthenes was an ambassador and author of Indica, Plutarch supplies other Chandragupta traditions, and Strabo preserves fragments from earlier writers; they should not be substituted for Appian in this specific attribution.

As part of the settlement with Chandragupta, Seleucus I received 500 war elephants. These elephants later strengthened Seleucid forces and are associated with the victory at Ipsus in 301 BCE. Therefore this option matches the accepted historical association and chronology. Each incorrect option may refer to a real feature of ancient Indian history, but it is shifted to the wrong ruler, place, title, event or numerical detail.