Chapter 8 – Ashoka, the Emperor Who Gave Up War

Page No 82:

Question 1:

Make a list of the occupations of the people who lived within the Mauryan empire.

Answer:

People who lived within the Mauryan empire undertook the following occupations − trade, handicrafts, farming, herding and hunting-gathering.

Question 2:

Complete the following sentences:

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

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

(c) The Mauryan rulers tried to control ____________and ___________which were important for transport.

(d) People in forested regions provided the Mauryan officials with _____________.

Answer:

(a) Officials collected tax 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.

Page No 83:

Question 4:

What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma?

Answer:

By introducing dhamma, Ashoka wanted to solve the problems of religious conflict, animal sacrifice, ill-treatment of slaves and servants and quarrels between his subjects.

Question 5:

What were the means adopted by Ashoka to spread the message of dhamma?

Answer:

To spread the message of dhamma, Ashoka appointed officials, known as the dhamma mahamatta who went from place to place teaching people about the dhamma. Besides, Ashoka got his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars and instructed his officials to read it to those who could not read.

Question 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.

Answer:

Solution not available

Question 3:

State 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.

Answer:

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

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

(c) Kalinga was the ancient name of Bengal. False

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

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