NCERT Questions and Activities (with Answers)
Q1. What are the features of an empire, and how is it different from a kingdom?
Answer:
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An empire is a vast territory made up of many smaller kingdoms and regions under one powerful ruler.
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The emperor controls resources, trade, administration, army, and laws across large areas.
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A kingdom is smaller, with a ruler governing only one region or territory.
Thus, empires are larger, more diverse, and need stronger administration compared to kingdoms.
Q2. What are some important factors for the transition from kingdoms to empires?
Answer:
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Use of iron tools and weapons improved agriculture and warfare.
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Fertile lands and rivers like the Ganga provided resources.
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Growing trade networks and use of coins supported stronger economies.
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Ambitious rulers like Chandragupta Maurya expanded their territories.
These factors helped kingdoms grow into empires.
Q3. Alexander is considered an important king in the history of the world — why do you think that is so?
Answer:
Alexander created one of the largest empires in world history, spreading across three continents.
He brought Greek culture into Asia and met Indian rulers like Porus.
Although his rule in India was short, he opened cultural and trade contacts between India and the West.
That is why he is remembered as an important world ruler.
Q4. In early Indian history, the Mauryas are considered important. State your reasons.
Answer:
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They created the first large empire in India, unifying many regions.
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Chandragupta Maurya, with Kautilya’s help, built a strong administration.
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Ashoka expanded the empire and later promoted peace, non-violence, and dharma.
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The Mauryas encouraged trade, coins, art, architecture, and communication networks.
Thus, their impact lasted for centuries.
Q5. What were some of Kautilya’s key ideas? Which ones of these can you observe even today in the world around us?
Answer:
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Kautilya’s ideas: strong administration, welfare of people, law and order, use of spies, taxation, alliances, and anti-corruption measures.
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Today, we see similar ideas in governments: taxation systems, welfare schemes, strong armies, and anti-corruption laws.
His principle “In the happiness of his subjects lies the king’s happiness” is still valid in modern democracies.
Q6. What were the unusual things about Aśhoka and his empire? What of that has continued to influence India and why?
Answer:
Ashoka was unusual because:
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He turned from war to peace after the Kalinga war.
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He spread Buddhist values of non-violence, compassion, and tolerance.
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He issued edicts in local languages for people’s welfare.
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He promoted nature conservation, respect for all religions, and welfare of humans and animals.
His influence continues in India through:
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The Ashokan pillar at Sarnath as the National Emblem.
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The Dharma Chakra on the national flag.
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The values of peace and tolerance that remain important for India’s identity.
Q7. After reading the edict of Aśhoka, do you think he was tolerant towards other religious beliefs and schools of thought?
Answer:
Yes, Ashoka was tolerant. His edict shows that he respected Brahmans, Buddhists, Jains, Ajivikas, and others.
He appointed officers to look after the welfare of different sects.
This shows he encouraged harmony among religions and respected all beliefs.
Q8. The Brahmi script was a writing system that was widely used in ancient India. Create a small project and include what you have learnt.
Answer (Summary):
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Brahmi is one of the oldest scripts in India, written from left to right.
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Ashoka’s edicts were inscribed in Brahmi.
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It later developed into many modern Indian scripts like Devanagari, Tamil, and Bengali.
(Students can make charts with examples of letters for project work.)
Q9. Suppose you had to travel from Kauśhāmbī to Kāveripattanam in the 3rd century BCE. How would you undertake this journey, and how long would it take?
Answer (Sample):
I would travel along the Dakṣiṇapatha trade route, crossing the Vindhya hills and moving southwards.
I would use bullock carts, horses, or walk, and cross rivers by boats.
It might take several weeks or even months, with halts in cities like Ujjain and Kanchipuram, depending on weather and road conditions.
Extra Short Answer Questions (2–3 sentences)
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What does the word ‘empire’ mean?
→ It means supreme power, ruling over many smaller kingdoms and territories. -
Who founded the Maurya Empire?
→ Chandragupta Maurya, with the guidance of Kautilya, founded it in 321 BCE. -
What was tribute in an empire?
→ Tribute was wealth, goods, or animals given by smaller kings to the emperor as a sign of loyalty. -
What was the role of guilds (śreṇīs)?
→ Guilds were associations of traders and craftsmen that managed trade, maintained rules, and supported members. -
Why was Magadha an important centre?
→ It had fertile land, iron resources, elephants, rivers, and good trade networks. -
What was the impact of Alexander’s invasion?
→ It was short-lived politically, but it opened trade and cultural links between India and the West. -
What is Kautilya’s ‘Saptānga’ theory?
→ It described seven parts of a kingdom: king, ministers, territory, forts, treasury, army, and allies. -
What was unusual about Ashoka’s rule after Kalinga?
→ He gave up war and followed peace, promoting welfare of people and animals. -
Which scripts were Ashoka’s edicts written in?
→ Mostly in Prakrit language and Brahmi script. -
Name two contributions of the Mauryan period to Indian art.
→ The Sanchi Stupa and Ashokan pillars (like the Lion Capital of Sarnath).
Extra Long Answer Questions (5–6 sentences)
Q1. Why is the Maurya Empire considered important in Indian history?
→ The Maurya Empire was India’s first great empire, uniting most of the subcontinent. Chandragupta created a strong administration, and Ashoka promoted peace and dharma. They expanded trade, built roads, used coins, and encouraged art and architecture. Their empire reduced wars between small kingdoms. The symbols of Ashoka continue to influence modern India.
Q2. Explain the role of trade and guilds in the rise of empires.
→ Trade was essential for empires because it brought wealth and resources. Goods like spices, textiles, gems, and animals were traded across India and abroad. Guilds helped traders and craftsmen by organising them and protecting their interests. They created rules, ensured quality, and sometimes acted like banks. This self-organisation supported the economy and made empires stronger.
Q3. How did Ashoka spread Buddhism and dharma?
→ After the Kalinga war, Ashoka adopted Buddhism and non-violence. He sent emissaries to Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Central Asia to spread Buddha’s message. He built stupas, monasteries, and pillars with edicts teaching moral values. He promoted kindness, tolerance, and welfare of people and animals. His efforts helped Buddhism spread across Asia and made him a respected figure in history.