Ashokha The Empoerrr Who Gave Up War
Ashokha The Empoerrr Who Gave Up War
Ashokha The Empoerrr Who Gave Up War
War
1. Make a list of the occupations of the people who lived within the Mauryan empire.
Ans: The Mauryan empire consisted of people who were merchants, officials, crafts persons,
farmers and herders, etc.
4. What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing ‘dhamma’?
Ans: There were a number of problems in the empire that led Ashoka to introduce his
‘dhamma’. People in the empire followed different religious, usually causing conflicts. Animal
sacrifice was common. Slaves and servants were ill-treated by their masters. There were
quarrels among civilians. To solve these problems, Ashoka introduced his ‘dhamma’.
5. What were the means adopted by Ashoka to spread the message of ‘dhamma’?
Ans: Ashoka appointed officials (called ‘dhamma mahamatta’) to go from place to place and
tell people about ‘dhamma’. Ashoka got his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars too, in a
language called as Prakrit which was comprehensible to all. Messengers were also send to
other parts of the world.
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
orders might have helped to some extent. Ashoka was a king who was loved by his subjects.
Moreover 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 lions are part of the Lion Capital in Samath. These lions are shown on our currency
notes in honour of one of the greatest kings of India, Ashoka, who built the Capital. Moreover,
on independence, the lion was recognized as the national animal, so the notes also showed
the Lion Capital.
Another object which has the 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: To answer this question, use your own imagination and help from friends and teacher.
Some sample points:
(i)Slaveiy be abolished.
(ii)Animal sacrifice be stopped.
(iii)People should not fight among themselves.
(iv)No discrimination be practised based on gender, caste, creed, etc.
The Empire’s capital. The areas adjacent to Pataliputra, the capital of the empire, was
under the direct control of the emperor. Officials were supposed to collect taxes from
the inhabitants in strict obedience of the ruler’s order.
The Provincial capitals. There were provinces with their own capitals, e.g. Taxila and
Ujjain in the north west and central India respectively. There was obviously some amount
of control from the emperor in Pataliputra: Royal princes were sent as governors.
Other areas. In the other areas, the Mauryans controlled roads and rivers, , which were
vital for transport. Resources, whatever available, were collected as tribute.