Question

What Megasthenes wrote about the Mauryan Empire?

• A. Arthasasthra
• B. Rajtarangini
• C. Indica
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Indica

Mauryan Empire

• Chandragupta Maurya established the Maurya dynasty. He came into power at Magadha in 321 B. C. E.

• Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was his chief advisor. Arthasasthra is the work of Chanakya. It discusses how a powerful and effective administration should be organised.

• Kautilya, in his Arthashastra mentions about the seven elements essential for a state. They are known as the "Saptangas" (Seven limbs). That which has all these seven elements would be considered a state.

• Chandragupta Maurya established a rule based on the Saptanga concept. Pataliputra was the capital of the Maurya dynasty.

• He made alliance with the Greek military officer Seleucos Nicator, who arrived India after Alexander. Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador of Seleucos Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. His book is 'Indica'.

• The kingdom which Chandragupta Maurya formed with Magadha as its centre developed into an empire. Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by Bindusara.

• Ashoka became the ruler of the Maurya Empire after Bindusara. He extended the empire conquering Kalinga and Kashmir