Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War

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INTERNATIONAL INDIAN SCHOOL, DAMMAM

GIRLS MIDDLE SECTION


E-LEARNING NOTES (2020-21)
CLASS: VI SOCIAL STUDIES PREPARED BY: Ms. SAJILA
HISTORY: L – 7 ASHOKA, THE EMPEROR WHO GAVE UP WAR

ASSIGNMENTS (Copy / Print and stick in note book)

I. DEFINE: (1 mark each)

1. dynasty: When members of the same family become rulers one after another, the family is called a
dynasty. Example: The Mauryan dynasty

2. tribute: Tribute refers to resources collected by officials as and when it was possible, from people who
gave a variety of things like gold, blankets, timber, etc. more or less willingly.

II. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the society and people of Mauryan empire. (4 marks)

i) There were several cities in the empire. These included capital Pataliputra, Taxila and Ujjain. Taxila
was the Gateway to the Northwest, including Central Asia, while Ujjain lay in the route between North
to South India.
ii) Merchants, officials and crafts persons lived in cities. In other areas, there were villages of farmers and
herders.
iii) In the forests of Central India, people gathered forest produce and hunted animals for food.
iv) People in different parts of the Mauryan empire spoke different languages, ate different kinds
of food and wore different kinds of clothes.

2. Explain the provincial administration of Mauryan Empire. (3 marks)

i) The area around Pataliputra was under the direct control of the emperor. Officials were appointed to
collect taxes.
ii) The officials were given salaries. The messengers went to and fro, and spies kept a watch on the
officials. The emperor supervised them all with the help of members of royal family and senior
ministers.
iii) Other areas were ruled from provincial capitals such as Taxila and Ujjain. Royal princes were sent as
governors to the provinces, local customs and rules were followed.

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3. What is an empire? How do they differ from kingdoms? (3 marks)

A very big kingdom is called an empire.


Empires differ from kingdoms in the following:
i) Empires are bigger in size. They need to be protected by bigger armies and hence need more resources.
ii) Emperors need a larger number of officials to collect taxes.

4. Who annexed Kalinga? What was the impact of Kalinga war on the king? (3 marks)

• Ashoka, the most famous Mauryan ruler, annexed Kalinga.


• Kalinga was the ancient name of coastal Orissa. Ashoka fought a war to conquer Kalinga. However, he
was horrified when he saw the violence and bloodshed that he decided not to fight any more wars.
• He is the only king in the history of the world who gave up conquest after winning a war.

5. State the main principles of Ashoka’s dhamma. (4 marks)

Ashoka’s dhamma did not involve worship of a god or performance of a sacrifice. The main principles are:
i) Being gentle with slaves and servants
ii) Respecting one’s elders
iii) Treating all creatures with compassion
iv) Giving gifts to Brahmins and monks

6. How did Ashoka spread dhamma? (4 marks)

i) Ashoka appointed officials called dhamma mahamattas, who went from place to place teaching people
dhamma.
ii) Ashoka got his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars. He instructed officials to read the message to
those who could not read it themselves.
iii) Ashoka send messengers to Syria, Egypt, Greece and Sri Lanka to spread ideas about dhamma.
iv) He built roads, dug wells and built rest houses. He arranged for medical treatment for both human
beings and animals.

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III. CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER:

1. The capital of Mauryan empire was __________________.

a) Pataliputra b) Taxila c) Ujjain d) Kalinga

2. The beginning of Mauryan empire can be dated back to more than __________________ years ago.

a) 5300 b) 4300 c) 3300 d) 2300

3. The wise man who served Chandragupta Maurya was_______________________.

a) Bindusara b) Ashoka c) Chanakya d) Megasthenes

4. _____________ was the Mauryan city that lay on the route from North to South India.

a) Pataliputra b) Taxila c) Ujjain d) Kalinga

5. The Arthashastra states that the ______________ was famous for blankets.

a) north-east b) north-west c) south-east d) south-west

6. _______________ was the most famous Mauryan ruler.

a) Chandragupta b) Bindusara c) Ashoka d) Chanakya

IV. NAME THE FOLLOWING:

1. Founder of the Mauryan empire. _________________

2. Any 2 items given as tribute by people living in forested regions _______________, _________________

3. The Mauryan city which was the gateway to the north-west _________________

4. Any 2 modern Indian scripts developed from Brahmi _______________, _________________

5. Ancient name of coastal Orissa _________________

6. The Ambassador who was sent to the court of Chandragupta by the Greek ruler Selucus Nicator.

__________________

7. The important rulers of Mauryan Dynasty.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

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V. FILL IN THE BLANKS:

1. ‘The Lion Capital’ was located at ________________.

2. Ashoka appointed officials known as __________________________ to teach people about dhamma.

3. Most of Ashoka’s inscriptions were written in ____________ language in the ______________ script.

4. Chanakya’s (Kautilya) ideas were written in a book called ____________________.

5. ‘Dhamma’ is the Prakrit word derived from the ________________ term ‘Dharma’.

6. Rampurva Bull which was part of the Mauryan pillar in Bihar is now placed in _____________________.

7. Ashoka was inspired by the teachings of __________________.

8. __________________ was the first ruler who spread his message to the people through inscriptions.

9. The _______________________ became the turning point in Ashoka’s life.

10. The Mauryan officials tried to control ___________ and _________ which were important for transport.

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