[Topic wise IAS Ancient Indian History Question Bank (1979-2015)]: (7) Mauryan Empire
Mauryan Empire: Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration; Economy; Art, architecture and sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread of religion; Literature. Disintegration of the empire; Sungas and Kanvas.
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1. Discuss the nature of Ashoka’s Dhamma. Was it responsible for the downfall of his empire? [1979, 60m]
2. Critically examine the sources for the study of Mauryan dynasty. How are they useful in understanding the Mauryan administration? [1980, 60m]
3. Bring out the elements of change and continuity in the domestic and foreign policies of Ashoka. [1981, 60m]
4. Do you think that the economic factors were alone responsible for the disintegration of the Mauryan Empire? [1982, 20m]
5. Analyze Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma and account for its failure. [1983, 60m]
6. Examine the administrative system of the Mauryas and discuss briefly the causes of disintegration of the Mauryan Empire. [1984, 60m]
7. Discuss critically the relative importance of the different source for the history of the Mauryan period. [1986, 60m]
8. Write a short essay on: “Mauryan court art as an alien grafting” [1988, 20m]
9. Discuss the comparative merit of the Arthasastra, the Indica and Ashokan Inscriptions as sources for the administration, socio-economic conditions and religious life in the Mauryan period. [1989, 60m]
10. Write a short essay on: “The Maurya policy of regulating and controlling economic activities.” [1990, 20m]
11. Write a short essay on: “Contents of Asoka’s dhamma and reasons for Asoka’s keenness to propagate dhamma.” [1991, 20m] 12. Write a brief essay on: “Similarities and differences between the Maurya columns and Achaemenian pillars.” [1993, 20m]
13. Examine the importance of Ashoka’s Rock Edit XIII for determining the extent of the Maurya Empire. Did Ashoka’s policies and reforms contribute to the fall of the empire? [1993, 60m]
14. Determine the veracity of Megasthenes’ descriptions of Indian society and economy with the help of other contemporary evidences. [1994, 60m]
15. Write a short essay on: “Inscriptions of Ashoka” [1995, 20m] 16. Write a short essay on: “Mauryan municipal administration.” [1996, 20m]
17. Write a short essay on: “The architectural and artistic features of the great stupa at Sanchi” [1997, 20m]
18. Examine sources of information for Mauryan dynasty. Throw light on historical significance of Ashoka’s inscriptions. [1999, 60m]
19. How did Ashoka contribute to the moral and administrative welfare of his people? [2000, 60m]
20. Analyse the causes of the success of the Magadhan imperialism upto the reign of Ashoka the Great. [2001, 60m]
21. Examine the nature of the Mauryan State. Bring out the features of their administrative system. [2002, 60m]
22. Determine the extent of the Mauryan empire. [2005, 60m]
23. Examine the role of adhyaksha in the Mauryan administration. [2012, 30m]
24. Social norms for women in the Dharmasastra and Arthasastra tradition were framed in accordance with the Varnashrama tradition. Evaluate critically. [2013, 20m]
25. Discuss different interpretations of historians about the nature of Asoka’s ‘Dhamma’. Did his principle of ‘Dhamma-vijaya’ render the Mauryan Empire militaristically weak? [2014, 20m]
26. Delineate the nature and impact of India’s contact with Western Asia and the Mediterranean world during the Mauryan period. [2015, 15m]
What should I do after having completed reading the text and answer writing for above questions? I am following this site for guidance on history optional.
First complete it
Can u pls let me know that for anceint India, if I’ll read only ignou is it sufficient or I have to read from upinder singh n if yes which topics, which ignou dont cover.
Pls tell me about medieval also.