Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

Bindusara, son of Chandragupta Maurya, ruled the Mauryan Empire from approximately 297 BC to 273 BC. He was the father of Ashoka and maintained and expanded the empire inherited from his father.

Chandragupta Maurya was the grandfather of Ashoka. Chandragupta (founder of the Maurya Empire) was succeeded by his son Bindusara, who was then succeeded by his son Ashoka, making Chandragupta Ashoka's paternal grandfather.

Bindusara was literally the son of Chandragupta (father) and the father of Ashoka (son). This riddle-like description refers to his position in the Mauryan dynastic lineage connecting Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka the Great.

Ashoka's son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta played crucial roles in spreading Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Mahinda converted King Devanampiya Tissa, while Sanghamitta established the bhikkhuni (nun) order and brought the Bodhi tree sapling to Anuradhapura.

Pushyamitra Shunga, the Mauryan military commander, assassinated the last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha in around 185 BC and established the Shunga dynasty. This coup marked the end of the Mauryan Empire and a decline in Buddhist patronage in northern India.

Chandragupta Maurya defeated Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals and successor, around 305 BC. This victory led to a territorial settlement where Seleucus ceded Afghanistan, Balochistan, and parts of Persia to Chandragupta in exchange for 500 war elephants.

Ashoka commissioned the original Great Stupa at Sanchi in the 3rd century BC to enshrine the relics of the Buddha. Though later expanded by the Shungas, the core structure and its iconic carved gateways (toranas) were initiated during Ashoka's reign as part of his Buddhist patronage.

The Mantri Parishad (Council of Ministers) was the highest advisory body in the Mauryan administrative system, composed of experienced ministers who advised the King on matters of state. This council included important officials like the Mahamatras and played a crucial role in governance, policy-making, and administration of the vast empire.

The Mauryan Dynasty was overthrown by Pushyamitra Sunga, the Brahmana commander-in-chief of the Mauryan army, who assassinated the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha in around 185 BCE. This marked the end of the Mauryan Empire and the beginning of the Sunga Dynasty, which ruled central and eastern India for about a century.

This is the correct option. Gotami-puta Sri-Satakarni claimed to be an 'eka bamhana' and the destroyer of the Kshatriyas' pride.

This is the correct option. Sri-Satakarni and Sri-Vijaya- Satakarni were Gotami-putas.

The Nanda dynasty (4th century BCE) was the first to establish a large empire in the Indian subcontinent, unifying much of North India. While the Mauryas later built a more extensive empire under Chandragupta and Ashoka, the Nandas were the pioneering empire-builders.

The Magadha Empire (circa 6th century BCE) was the first great empire in India, with capitals at Rajgriha and later Pataliputra. It was founded by kings like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru. The Maurya Empire later emerged from Magadha. Gandhara, Avanti, and Kuru were mahajanapadas but not the first great empire.

Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of his advisor Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta), overthrew the Nanda dynasty around 321 BCE. This established the Mauryan Empire. Dhanananda was the last Nanda king who was overthrown. Bimbisara and Ashoka came from different periods.

This is the correct option. Kshatriyas were ideally expected to be rulers.