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Maurya and Gupta Armies Module - I

Military History
Intext Questions 4.2
of Ancient India
1. When did Ashoka the Great rule?
2. What prompted Ashoka to renounce violence?

3. What subjects are written in the book Arthasastra? Name any three.

What You Have Learnt Note

 The Mauryan and later Gupta dynasties unified India into one large Kingdom, thus
protecting its integrity from external aggression.

 The established empires ruled over entire India except the southern peninsular
India. Both dynasties maintained large standing armies including naval ships.

 They had evolved a very detailed process of governance, art of warfare and
organizational excellence as written in the Arthasastra.

 The basic army unit (Patti) was refined into an efficient fighting machine.
 The Kalinga war resulted in very large deaths of soldiers that caused considerable
hurt in the mind of Ashoka the Great. He later renounced violence and practised
peace and harmony, which led his people to lead a prosperous life.

 Science of war and weapons saw changes in the form of better metallurgy in
designing the weapons.
Terminal Exercises

1. What factors contributed to the Mauryan empire becoming the largest empire in
India?
2. What was the composition of the smallest army unit Patti in the Mauryaan Army?
3. How many soldiers died in the Kalinga War?
4. What material was used in making weapons during the Gupta period?

Answers to Intext Questions

4.1
1. King Bimbisara.
2. Six.
3. Patti.
4.2
1. 269 to 232 B.C
2. Large scale destribution and loss of life during the Kalinga was prompted
Ashoka to renounce violence.
3. Defense and War, Law, Diplomacy.

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