CHAPTER 7

POWER AND PIETY: THE MAURYA

EMPIRE,
C. 324–187 BCE

P. 335 SCHEMATIC PLAN OF A ROYAL PALACE, BASED ON THE ARTHASHASTRA

 FURTHER RESOURCES

PHOTOGRAPHS OF SOURCES

ASHOKAN BRAHMI (COPY OF INSCRIPTIONS ON DELHI–TOPRA PILLAR)

INSCRIPTIONS ON DELHI–TOPRA PILLAR
 QUESTIONS AND ISSUES TO THINK ABOUT

A history of ancient India from prehistory to the 12th century generates hundreds of
questions. Given below are some questions of varied complexity and detail. These can be
used as a basis for writing essays, class discussions, or as issues to think about.

1. Discuss the importance of the Arthashastra as a treatise on statecraft. Why can

this text not be treated as a direct description of Maurya administration?
2. Discuss the problems in using Megasthenes’ Indica as a source of history.
3. Analyse the potential of archaeological data in understanding the historical
processes of the Maurya period
4. Discuss the debate over the nature of the Maurya state.
5. Analyse the relationship between Ashoka’s Buddhist beliefs and the dhamma of
his inscriptions.
6. Reflect on the significance of the differences in languages and scripts in Ashokan
inscriptions. In what ways does the content of the Aramaic inscriptions differ
from those in Brahmi?
7. Discuss the symbolic significance of the sculptural motifs associated with
Ashokan pillars.
8. Reflect on the later histories of Ashokan pillars, with special reference to the
Delhi-Topra, Delhi-Meerut, and Allahabad pillars.
9. Reflecting on the relationship between art and empire, discuss the features of
sculpture and architecture during the Maurya period.
10. Why does political history not form a useful framework for understanding social,
economic, and cultural developments in ancient times?

Photographs © Archaeological Survey of India

A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh

Chapter 7: Student resources
Page 4 of 4