Q. Ashoka himself considered his policy of dhamma as: (a) The essence of original Buddhism as preached by the Buddha (b) A way of life which was both practical and convenient as well as highly moral (c) The ideal of virtuous life based on moral teachings of various thinkers (d) The ...

Q. Which of the following was not one of the reasons for the failure of dhamma? (a) Ashoka’s excessive enthusiasm produced a reaction against it (b) It failed to provide a solution to the problems which it set out to solve (c) It was too vague a solution, because the problems lay at the ...

Q. The dhamma mahamattas (dharma mahamatras) appointed by Ashoka were entrusted with the job of: (a) Checking the abuses in the administration of justice (b) The moral uplift of the people through propagation of dhamma (c) Management of the welfare activities of the state (d) All the ...

Q. One of the strongest arguments in support of the view that Ashoka’s dhamma was not a religious policy but a secular concept is the (a) Appointment of dhamma-mahamattas (b) Emphasis laid by him on respect for the elders (c) Stress laid on the importance of the family (d) Stress on ...

Q. Which of the following statements about the conversion of Ashoka to Buddhism is generally believed to be correct? (a) It took place as a dramatic event soon after the Kalinga War (b) Ashoka was never converted to Buddhism; he only borrowed some if its ideas to propound his doctrine of ...

Q. Which of the following was not the result of the Kalinga War? (a) The number of casualties of combatants and noncombatants is stated to have been around four lakhs (b) The cruel consequences of war revolutionized the personality and public policies of Ashoka (c) He wages no wars after ...

Q. What was the subject of Rock Edict I issued by Ashoka? (a) Prohibition of animal sacrifice and festive meetings (samaja) (b) Measures of social welfare undertaken for the benefit of the people (c) Liberality to Brahmins and Sramanas  (d) Visit to Bodh-Gaya Ans: (a) ...

Q. Which edict of Ashoka contains the famous pronouncement: “at all times, whether I am eating, or I am in the women’s apartments, or in my inner apartments, or at the cattleshed, or in my carriage, or in my gardens —wherever I may be—my mahamatta should keep me in touch with public business”? ...

Q. In which of the following Major Rock Edicts does Ashoka introduce the institution of dhamma-mahamatta for the first time? (a) Rock Edict II (b) Rock Edict III (c) Rock Edict IV (d) Rock Edict V Ans: (d) Rock Edict V

Q. Rock Edict XIII (also known as Separate Rock Edict, because it is not found elsewhere) is regarded as one of the most important documents of Ashokan history, because: (a) It expresses his regret and remorse at the suffering caused by the Kalinga War (b) It expresses a new idea of conquest ...

Q. Which of the following statements about the Mauryan relations with Sri Lanka is not correct? (a) The coming of Mahendra and Sanghmitra to Sri Lanka was the First official contact between the two countries (b) The king of Sri Lanka, Tissa, adopted the title of Devanampirya and appears to ...

Q. On what basis is it held that on the east the province of Vanga (part of modern Bengal) formed part of the Mauryan empire? (a) Discovery of Ashokan edicts in this part of Bengal (b) Tamralipti, the principal port of the area, was one of the most important maritime centres during the ...