Maurya and Gupta Empires - WHI

This is an excerpt from a high school history textbook Our World Through

the Ages published in 1959.

At Giza stands the Great Pyramid. It has stood there for five thousand

years. It covers thirteen acres and stands nearly five hundred feet high. It

contains over two million blocks, most of which weigh about two tons. One

hundred thousand whip-driven men poured out their sweat and blood for

twenty years to complete this resting place which King Khufu considered fit

for his royal remains.

Multiple Choice

According to this document, did enslaved people build the pyramids?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

What evidence does this source use to support its claim?

• At Giza stands the Great Pyramid.

• It covers thirteen acres and stands nearly five hundred feet high. It

  contains over two million blocks, most of which weigh about two tons.

• One

  hundred thousand whip-driven men poured out their sweat and blood for

  twenty years to complete this resting place which King Khufu considered fit

  for his royal remains.

• It has stood there for five thousand years

Poll

Do you find this evidence convincing?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

What style of government did the Maurya Empire have?

• Bureacracy

• Theocracy

• Republic
• Democracy

Multiple Choice

What were the MAIN guidelines for rulers outlined in Kautilya's Arthashastra?

• Use of spies

• Strict policies

• Assassinations

• Elaborate bureaucracy

Multiple Select

What were some of the methods used by Chandragupta to protect himself and his palace?

• Hired women warriors

• Built secret passages

• Had servants taste food for poison

• Wore armour all the time, even when sleeping

Multiple Choice

What was the impact of Ashoka's military conquest of Kalinga on his beliefs?

• He became more aggressive

• He promoted peace and Buddhism

• He ignored the consequences

• He continued to expand his empire

Multiple Choice

Analyze the impact of Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism on the Mauryan Empire's administration.

• It led to the decline of the empire.

• It resulted in the empire adopting more humane policies.

• It caused a shift towards a more militaristic approach.

• It had no significant impact on the administration.

Multiple Choice

Describe the role of Buddhism in Ashoka's life after the Kalinga War.

• It led him to abandon his throne.

• It inspired him to become a monk.

• It influenced him to adopt non-violence and spread Buddhist teachings.

• It had no effect on his policies.

Multiple Choice

What were the key contributions of Chandragupta I to Indian civilization?

• He established a strong military

• He organized a strong-central government

• He promoted individual leadership

• He focused on trade and farming

Multiple Choice

What are some of the significant achievements of Indian culture in the fields of Astronomy, Mathematics, and Medicine?

• Created a calendar based on the moon

• Proved the Earth was flat

• Developed the concept of negative numbers

• Found vaccine for smallpox

Multiple Choice

Describe one way in which trade routes influenced ancient Indian culture.

• They isolated Indian culture.

• They led to cultural exchanges and spread of ideas.

• They restricted the spread of religions.

• They caused the decline of cities.

Multiple Choice

What factors contributed to the decline of the Gupta Empire?

• Civil wars

• Strong rulers

• Invaders

• Economic stability

Multiple Select

Which of the following are true in relation to Chandragupta Maurya? Select all that apply. There are multiple answers.

• His grandson took the throne after he was killed in battle

• He kept control over the empire by maintaining a strong army

• He used an extensive spy network

• He established standardized weights and measures

• He ruled to Gupta Empire for approximately 15 years

Multiple Choice

What were the key features of India's Golden Age during the Gupta Empire from 320 to 550 CE?

• Advancements in science and mathematics

• Decline of trade

• Invasion by foreign powers

• Cultural stagnation

After your quiz...

1- Go to the assigned section in the reading
2 - Choose ONE achievment and write it on the award
3 - Write a sentence explaining how this achievement impacts us today.