Worksheet – Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
The word Empire comes from the Latin word:
a) Republic
b) Imperium
c) Dynasty
d) Kingdom
Which city was the capital of the Mauryan Empire?
a) Varanasi
b) Taxila
c) Pāṭaliputra
d) Ujjain
Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
a) Aśhoka
b) Dhana Nanda
c) Chandragupta Maurya
d) Ajātaśhatru
Who was also known as Chanakya?
a) Megasthenes
b) Porus
c) Kauṭilya
d) Alexander
Which dynasty ruled Magadha before the Mauryas?
a) Gupta
b) Nanda
c) Chola
d) Kushana
Which battle changed Aśhoka’s life?
a) Battle of Panipat
b) Battle of Hydaspes
c) Kalinga War
d) Battle of Plassey
Megasthenes wrote:
a) Arthashastra
b) Tripitaka
c) Indika
d) Ramayana
Guilds in ancient India were called:
a) Sabha
b) Samiti
c) Shrenis
d) Janapadas
Which script was used in Aśhoka’s edicts?
a) Devanagari
b) Brahmi
c) Urdu
d) Tamil
Which animal appears on Aśhoka’s pillar capital?
a) Tiger
b) Lion
c) Deer
d) Camel
Section B: Fill in the Blanks
- A powerful ruler of an empire is called an __________.
- __________ founded the Nanda dynasty.
- The capital of Magadha was __________.
- Aśhoka was the grandson of __________.
- __________ were organized groups of traders and artisans.
- Aśhoka promoted __________ after the Kalinga war.
- The __________ River helped Magadha in trade and transport.
- Kauṭilya wrote the __________.
- The national emblem of India is inspired by Aśhoka’s __________.
- __________ means “Truth alone triumphs”.
Section C: Match the Following
Column A Column B
1. Chandragupta Maurya a. Greek ambassador
2. Megasthenes b. Kalinga War
3. Aśhoka c. Founder of Mauryan Empire
4. Guilds d. Organized trade groups
5. Dhamma e. Moral conduct
Section D: True or False
- Magadha became powerful because of fertile land and resources. (______)
- Aśhoka continued wars after Kalinga. (______)
- Guilds encouraged cooperation among traders. (______)
- Kauṭilya wrote Indika. (______)
- Chandragupta Maurya defeated the Nanda dynasty. (______)
- The Mauryan Empire lasted forever. (______)
- Aśhoka’s edicts were written mainly in Prakrit language. (______)
- Empires are always stable and never decline. (______)
- Farmers were greatly disturbed during wars in the Mauryan period. (______)
- The dharmachakra appears on the Indian national flag. (______)
Section E: Very Short Answer Questions
- What is an empire?
- Who was Kauṭilya?
- What were guilds?
- Name two goods traded in ancient India.
- What is Dhamma?
- Who was King Porus?
- What is an edict?
- Name two parts of Kauṭilya’s Saptānga theory.
Section F: Short Answer Questions
- Why was Magadha able to rise as a powerful kingdom?
- Explain the importance of trade routes in ancient India.
- How did guilds help traders and artisans?
- Explain Aśhoka’s transformation after the Kalinga war.
- What were Kauṭilya’s ideas about governance?
- Why do empires become fragile over time?
Section G: Long Answer Questions
- Explain the rise of the Mauryan Empire.
- Describe the contributions of Aśhoka to Indian history.
- Explain the role of trade, trade routes, and guilds in empire-building.
- Describe life during the Mauryan period.
Section H: Case Study Questions
Case Study – 1: Rise of Magadha
Magadha became the most powerful among the sixteen Mahajanapadas during the 6th–4th century BCE. It had fertile lands, forests, elephants for warfare, and rich mineral resources. Rivers like the Ganga and Son supported trade and transport. Iron tools increased agricultural production and strengthened warfare. Strong rulers like Ajātaśhatru and the Nandas expanded Magadha's power.
Questions:
- Name two natural resources of Magadha.
- Which rivers helped Magadha?
- How did iron tools help Magadha?
- Name one ruler of Magadha.
- Why did Magadha become powerful?
Case Study – 2: Aśhoka’s Change
Aśhoka was one of the greatest rulers of ancient India. After the Kalinga War, he was deeply affected by the suffering and destruction caused by war. He gave up violence and adopted Buddhism. He promoted Dhamma, non-violence, compassion, and religious tolerance. He also built roads, planted trees, and constructed wells and rest houses for people.
Questions:
- Which war changed Aśhoka’s life?
- Which religion did Aśhoka adopt?
- Name two values promoted by Aśhoka.
- Mention one public welfare activity started by him.
- Why is Aśhoka called a great communicator?
Case Study – 3: Guilds and Trade
Trade played an important role in strengthening empires. Ancient India traded textiles, spices, agricultural products, animals, and luxury goods. Guilds or Shrenis were groups of traders and artisans that worked together. They had elected heads and made their own rules. Guilds promoted cooperation and supported economic growth.
Questions:
- What were guilds called in ancient India?
- Name two goods traded in ancient India.
- Who led the guilds?
- Did kings interfere much in guild activities?
- How did guilds help the economy?
- b) Imperium
- c) Pāṭaliputra
- c) Chandragupta Maurya
- c) Kauṭilya
- b) Nanda
- c) Kalinga War
- c) Indika
- c) Shrenis
- b) Brahmi
- b) Lion
- emperor
- Mahāpadma Nanda
- Pāṭaliputra
- Chandragupta Maurya
- Guilds / Shrenis
- Buddhism / Dhamma
- Ganga
- Arthashastra
- pillar capital
- Satyameva Jayate
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- An empire is a large group of territories ruled by a powerful emperor.
- Kauṭilya was a scholar, advisor of Chandragupta Maurya, and author of the Arthashastra.
- Guilds were organized groups of traders, artisans, and merchants.
- Textiles and spices.
- Dhamma means moral conduct, compassion, and righteous living.
- King Porus was a ruler of the Pauravas who fought Alexander the Great.
- An edict is an official announcement carved on rocks or pillars.
- The King (Swami) and Treasury (Kosha).
- Magadha became powerful because of fertile land, rivers, iron resources, forests, elephants, and strong rulers.
- Trade routes connected regions, helped movement of goods and people, increased trade, and strengthened empires economically.
- Guilds helped traders and artisans by sharing resources, fixing rules, supporting cooperation, and improving trade.
- After the Kalinga war, Aśhoka was saddened by the destruction and adopted Buddhism and non-violence.
- Kauṭilya emphasized strong administration, law and order, economy, defence, and welfare of the people.
- Empires become fragile due to weak rulers, rebellions, economic problems, natural disasters, and difficulty controlling distant territories.
- Fertile land and forests
- Ganga and Son rivers
- Iron tools improved farming and warfare.
- Ajātaśhatru / Mahāpadma Nanda
- Because of natural resources, trade, rivers, iron tools, and strong rulers.
- Kalinga War
- Buddhism
- Non-violence and compassion
- Building wells / roads / rest houses / planting trees
- Because he spread his ideas through edicts across the empire.
- Shrenis
- Textiles and spices
- Elected heads or leaders
- No, kings usually did not interfere much.
- Guilds promoted cooperation, trade, and economic growth.
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