Founders & Rulers
Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
Chandragupta Maurya
In which modern-day country was most of the Mauryan Empire located?
India
What type of government did the Mauryan Empire have?
A centralized monarchy
What religion did Ashoka convert to after the Kalinga War?
Buddhism
What material did the Mauryans use to build palaces and pillars?
Stone
Who was Chandragupta Maurya’s famous advisor and teacher?
Chanakya
What was the capital city of the Mauryan Empire?
Pataliputra
What was the name of the book written by Chanakya about politics and economics?
The Arthashastra
What was the main language used for government work?
Prakrit
What kind of tools improved farming during the Mauryan Empire?
Iron tools
Which Mauryan emperor was known for spreading Buddhism after a major war?
Ashoka the Great
Which major river helped support trade and agriculture in the Mauryan Empire?
The Ganges River
What system did the Mauryan rulers use to collect money from citizens?
Taxes
What was built to spread Buddhist messages across the empire?
Ashokan Pillars and Stupas
What symbol from Ashoka’s rule appears on India’s modern flag?
The Ashoka Chakra (wheel)
What dynasty did Chandragupta overthrow to start the Mauryan Empire?
The Nanda Dynasty
What two modern countries (besides India) were partly under Mauryan control?
Pakistan and Afghanistan
Who helped the emperor rule distant provinces?
Governors or local officials
What three religions were practiced in the Mauryan Empire?
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
What major accomplishment did Ashoka achieve after becoming a Buddhist?
He spread Buddhism across Asia
Who was the last ruler of the Mauryan Empire?
Brihadratha Maurya
Why was the Mauryan Empire’s location important for trade?
It connected India to trade routes with Persia, Greece, and China
What made the Mauryan government different from earlier Indian kingdoms?
It had a strong, organized bureaucracy and centralized power
What were Ashoka’s “Edicts” mainly about?
Moral living, nonviolence, and religious tolerance
How did the Mauryan Empire influence future Indian governments?
It showed how a large and diverse region could be united under one system