NCERT Solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 8– Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War
Q.1 Make a list of occupation of people who lived within the Mauryan Empire.
The occupations of persons who lived inside the Mauryan Empire were as follows:
1. Farming 2. Herding 3. Trading 4. Handicrafts 5. Hunting and gathering
Q.2 Complete the following sentences:
- Officials collected_______ from the area under the direct control of the ruler.
- Royal princess often went to the provinces as____
- The Mauryan rulers tried to control______ and _____ which were important for transport.
- People in forested regions provided the Mauryan officials with______
Answer :
(1) Taxes
(2) governors.
(3 roads and rivers
(4) elephants, timber and honey.
Q.3 State whether true or false:
- Ujjain was the gateway to the north-west
- Chandragupta’s idea was written down in the Arthashastra
- Kalinga was the ancient name of Bengal
- Most Ashokan inscriptions are in the Brahmi script
Answer:
(1) False
(2) False
(3) False
(4) True
Q.4 What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma?
Answer: By establishing dhamma, Emperor Ashoka hoped to address the following issues
a. Inter-religious conflicts between his subjects.
b. Animal sacrifice during religious rituals.
c. Ill-treatment of servants and slaves.
d. Constant disputes between neighbours over petty issues.
NOTE: The term ‘dhamma’ comes from the Prakrit language and denotes dharma.
Q.5 What were the means adopted by Ashoka to spread the message of dhamma?
Answer:
To promote his dhamma message, Ashoka used the following methods:
1. He appointed officers known as Dhamma Mahamatta, who travelled to various locations to promote the dhamma teaching.
2. He engraved his words on pillars so that ordinary people might read them.
3. Officials were ordered to read aloud to individuals who couldn’t read the phrases carved on pillars.
Q.6 Why do you think slaves and servants were ill-treated? Do you think the orders of the emperor would have improved their condition? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
Slaves and servants were mistreated for a variety of reasons:
1. The majority of them were POWs.
2. Some, notably Shudras, belonged to the lowest social class.
3. During that time, the notion of human rights was almost non-existent.
Their situation would have improved as a result of the Emperor’s command because:
1. No one would dare to resist the Emperor’s ultimate decree.
2. Those who disobeyed the emperor would face harsh punishment from his officers.
4. The Emperor was the Mauryan Empire’s top leader. As a result, his word was law and had to be followed to the letter.
Q.7 Write a short paragraph explaining Roshan why the lions are shown on our currency notes. List at least one other object on which you see them.
Answer: The top of the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath contains four lions. After reaching enlightenment, Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. The four lions are Buddhist symbols that represent peace and friendship. The Buddhist values of nonviolence influenced the liberation movement throughout our quest for independence. The lions on our insignia represent truth, peace, and friendship.
The lion is the symbol of the Supreme Court of India, the CBI, the police, and practically every government agency. It may also be seen on our passports.
Q.8 Suppose you had the power to inscribe your orders, what four commands would you like to issue?
Answer: This is a project that students should do on their own.