Introduction
India’s ancient history is marked by the rise of powerful and culturally rich empires. Among them, the Maurya and Gupta Empires stand out as two golden chapters in the subcontinent’s past.
Maurya Empire (321 BCE – 185 BCE)
Founded by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya (Kautilya).
Reached its peak under Ashoka the Great, known for spreading Buddhism after the Kalinga War.
Capital: Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
Famous for centralized administration, espionage, and a strong army.
Ashoka’s edicts carved on rocks and pillars across India are lasting legacies.
Gupta Empire (circa 320 CE – 550 CE)
Founded by Sri Gupta, but expanded significantly under Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
Known as the Golden Age of India due to remarkable achievements in science, art, literature, and mathematics.
Aryabhata, Kalidasa, and many scholars flourished during this time.
Let’s dive into some important MCQs that cover key facts and figures about these two great empires.
Maurya & Gupta Empires – MCQs
Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire?
A) Ashoka
B) Chandragupta Maurya
C) Bindusara
D) Kautilya
Answer: B) Chandragupta Maurya
Explanation: He overthrew the Nanda dynasty with the help of Chanakya and established the Mauryan Empire in 321 BCE.
The capital of the Maurya Empire was:
A) Ujjain
B) Taxila
C) Pataliputra
D) Varanasi
Answer: C) Pataliputra
Explanation: Located near the Ganges, Pataliputra was the administrative and political center of the Mauryan rule.
Who wrote the famous book Arthashastra?
A) Ashoka
B) Chanakya (Kautilya)
C) Kalidasa
D) Patanjali
Answer: B) Chanakya (Kautilya)
Explanation: Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on politics, economy, and statecraft written by Kautilya.
Ashoka embraced Buddhism after which war?
A) Taxila War
B) Kalinga War
C) Ujjain War
D) Magadha War
Answer: B) Kalinga War
Explanation: The bloody Kalinga War deeply impacted Ashoka, leading him to adopt Buddhism and promote peace.
What was Ashoka’s symbol that was later adopted as India’s national emblem?
A) Elephant
B) Lion Capital of Sarnath
C) Chakra
D) Peacock
Answer: B) Lion Capital of Sarnath
Explanation: The Lion Capital (four lions) from Sarnath was adopted as India’s national emblem in 1950.
Which Mauryan ruler sent missionaries to Sri Lanka and other countries?
A) Bindusara
B) Chandragupta Maurya
C) Ashoka
D) Dasharatha Maurya
Answer: C) Ashoka
Explanation: Ashoka sent his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism.
The Gupta Empire was founded by:
A) Samudragupta
B) Sri Gupta
C) Chandragupta I
D) Vikramaditya
Answer: B) Sri Gupta
Explanation: Sri Gupta laid the foundation of the Gupta dynasty, which expanded under his successors.
Who is called the “Napoleon of India”?
A) Ashoka
B) Samudragupta
C) Harshavardhana
D) Bindusara
Answer: B) Samudragupta
Explanation: Samudragupta’s military campaigns earned him the title due to his aggressive expansionism.
The period of the Gupta Empire is often referred to as the:
A) Dark Age
B) Golden Age of India
C) Vedic Age
D) Iron Age
Answer: B) Golden Age of India
Explanation: The Guptas presided over a period of peace, prosperity, and cultural brilliance.
Who was the most famous ruler of the Gupta dynasty?
A) Sri Gupta
B) Samudragupta
C) Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
D) Skandagupta
Answer: C) Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
Explanation: He was a patron of arts and sciences and expanded the empire to its zenith.
The famous poet Kalidasa lived during the reign of:
A) Ashoka
B) Harshavardhana
C) Vikramaditya
D) Pulakeshin II
Answer: C) Vikramaditya
Explanation: Kalidasa flourished in the court of Chandragupta II, who took the title Vikramaditya.
Aryabhata, the famous mathematician, belonged to the:
A) Maurya period
B) Gupta period
C) Vedic period
D) Mughal period
Answer: B) Gupta period
Explanation: Aryabhata wrote the Aryabhatiya, introducing concepts like zero and the value of pi.
What was the main religion promoted by the Guptas?
A) Jainism
B) Buddhism
C) Hinduism
D) Zoroastrianism
Answer: C) Hinduism
Explanation: The Guptas were staunch Hindus, though they tolerated and supported other religions too.
The Chinese traveler Fa-Hien visited India during whose reign?
A) Ashoka
B) Harshavardhana
C) Chandragupta II
D) Samudragupta
Answer: C) Chandragupta II
Explanation: Fa-Hien documented Indian life and religion during Chandragupta II’s peaceful rule.
Which science made significant progress during the Gupta era?
A) Astrology
B) Physics
C) Astronomy and Mathematics
D) Chemistry
Answer: C) Astronomy and Mathematics
Explanation: The Gupta era witnessed major advancements in astronomy and mathematics, thanks to scholars like Aryabhata and Varahamihira.
Final Thoughts
The Maurya and Gupta Empires shaped India’s political, cultural, and intellectual legacy. While the Mauryas focused on unification and administration, the Guptas elevated art, science, and education to new heights.
These MCQs help solidify your understanding of the major personalities, policies, and contributions of both empires — essential knowledge for history lovers and competitive exam aspirants alike.
