EXERCISE :

1.  Make a list of the occupations of the people who lived within the Mauryan Empire.
Ans :
  The occupations of the people who lived within the Mauryan Empire are merchants, crafts persons, officials, farmers and herders etc.

2.  Complete the following sentences:   

(a) Officials collected taxes from the area under the direct control of the ruler.

(b) Royal princes often went to the provinces as governors.

(c) The Mauryan rulers tried to control roads and rivers which were important for transport.

(d) People in forested regions provided the Mauryan officials with elephants, timber, honey and wax.

Answer :
(a) taxes            (b) governors         (c) roads , rivers         (d) elephants, timber, honey and wax .

3State whether true or false:

(a) Ujjain was the gateway to the north west.

(b) Chandragupta’s ideas were written down in the Arthashastra.

(c) Kalinga was the ancient name of Bengal.

(d) Most Ashokan inscriptions are in the Brahmi script.

Answers :
(a) –  False ,           (b) – False ,           (c) –False ,           (d) –  True  .


4.  What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma.
Ans :  Ashoka introduced dhamma to solve a number of problems in his empire. People in the empire followed different religions, and this sometimes led to conflicts. Animals were sacrificed. Slaves and servants were ill treated. There were quarrels in families and amongst neighbours. Ashoka felt it was his duty to solve these problems.

5.  What were the means adopted by Ashoka to spread the message of dhamma.
Ans : 
Ashoka appointed officials, known as the dhamma mahamatta who went from place to place teaching people about dhamma. Ashoka got his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars instructing his officials read his message to those who could not read it themselves. Asoka also sent messages about dhamma to other nations.

6.  Why do you think slaves and servants were ill-treated. Do you think the orders of the Emperor would have improved their condition.Give reasons for your answer.
Ans :
  Slaves and servants were ill- treated because their masters felt superior to them. The masters treated them as animals. It was because of the old ‘ Varna’ system. The emperor’s order must have helped to some extent. Ashoka was a king who was loved by his subjects ; his ‘dhamma’ was a realistic innovation.

7.  Write a short paragraph explaining to Roshan why the lions are shown on our currency notes. List at least one other object on which you see them.
Ans :
  The lion are part of the lion capital in sarnath. These lions are shown on our currency notes in honour of one of the greatest kings of India, Ashoka, who built the capital. On Independence, the lion was recognised as the national animal,so the notes also showed the lion capital.
-Another object on which lions are shown are the coins of our currency.

8.  Suppose you had the power to inscribe your orders, what four commands would you like to issue.
Ans :
  If I have the power to inscribe my orders. The following four commands, I would like to issue:
(1) Respect your teacher, parents and elders.
(2) All children whether boys or girls, poor or rich should be sent to school.
(3) All religions should be equal.
(4) Children should be given compulsory time for their hobby.