[Ancient History - One Liner]*Chapter 9. Post - Mauryan Empire

[Ancient History - One Liner]*Chapter 9. Post - Mauryan Empire 

One Liner of Ancient History - Post - Mauryan Empire 

Que. What was a key factor that led to the decline of the Mauryan Empire after Ashoka?

Ans. Weakening of central government due to increased provincial autonomy.

Que. Which foreign invasion marked the beginning of a series of incursions in the northwest?

Ans. Menander's Greek invasion.

Que. Which region, known for its resistance to Ashoka, declared independence after his death?

Ans. Kalinga.

Que. Which dynasty established an independent kingdom in southern India?

Ans. The Satavahanas.

Que. What dynasty replaced the Mauryan Empire, though it was smaller in size?

Ans. The Sunga dynasty.

Que. Who assassinated the last Mauryan ruler and founded the Sunga dynasty?

Ans. Pushyamitra Sunga.

Que. Against whom did Pushyamitra Sunga primarily defend the Gangetic valley?

Ans. The Bactrian Greeks.

Que. Which Vedic sacrifice, associated with the highest form, was performed by Pushyamitra Sunga?

Ans. Asvamedha sacrifices.

Que. Which branch of Hinduism centered on the worship of Vishnu was promoted by the Sungas?

Ans. Vaishnavism.

Que. Which language flourished during the Sunga reign, solidifying its literary position?

Ans. Sanskrit.

Que. What dynasty followed the Sungas before the rise of the Guptas?

Ans. The Kanva dynasty.

Que. What was another name for the Satavahana dynasty?

Ans. The Andhras.

Que. What type of organizations did merchants establish to enhance business activities?

Ans. Merchant guilds.

Que. What were the silver coins introduced by the Satavahanas called?

Ans. Karshapanas.

Que. Which prominent port on the west coast was significant for Satavahana's overseas trade?

Ans. Kalyani.

Que. Which Greek astronomer and geographer mentioned ports in the Deccan, indicating Satavahana maritime activities?

Ans. Ptolemy.

Que. What were the prayer halls constructed under the patronage of the Satavahanas called?

Ans. Chaityas.

Que. What were the monasteries constructed under the patronage of the Satavahanas called?

Ans. Viharas.

Que. Which ancient stupa was repaired by the Satavahana ruler Vashishtaputra Pulamayi?

Ans. Amaravathi stupa.

Que. Which ancient site showcases numerous Buddhist and Hindu monuments of the Satavahana period?

Ans. Nagarjunakonda.

Que. Which vernacular language spoken by the common people was patronized by the Satavahanas?

Ans. Prakrit.

Que. Who authored the "Sattasai," a collection of 700 verses in Prakrit?

Ans. Hala.

Que. From which region in Central Asia did the Bactrian Greeks originate?

Ans. Bactria.

Que. Which Greek ruler of Bactria expanded his territory into Afghanistan and Punjab?

Ans. Demetrius.

Que. What is the Pali work containing the dialogues between Menander and the Buddhist monk Nagasena called?

Ans. Milindapanho (Questions of Milinda).

Que. Which Greek ambassador converted to Vaishnavism and erected the Garuda Pillar at Besnagar?

Ans. Heliodorus.

Que. What were the nomadic tribes from Central Asia who invaded Bactria and India called?

Ans. The Sakas (or Scythians).

Que. Who is considered the founder of Saka rule in India in the first century BC?

Ans. Maues.

Que. Which era, widely used in India, is considered to be founded by Azes I?

Ans. The Vikrama era.

Que. Which Central Asian nomadic group overthrew the Northern Satraps (Sakas)?

Ans. The Parthians.

Que. Which tribe, a branch of the Yuchi, migrated to Bactria and then India?

Ans. The Kushanas.

Que. Who is considered the founder of the Kushana dynasty?

Ans. Kujula Kadphises (Kadphises I).

Que. Which Kushana ruler significantly expanded the empire and issued gold coins?

Ans. Wima Kadphises.

Que. To which Hindu deity was Wima Kadphises a devotee?

Ans. Lord Shiva.

Que. Who is considered the most significant ruler of the Kushana dynasty?

Ans. Kanishka.

Que. In what year does the Saka era, founded by Kanishka, begin?

Ans. 78 AD.

Que. Where did Kanishka convene the Fourth Buddhist Council?

Ans. Peshawar (according to the notes, though Kundalavana near Srinagar is also mentioned in the context of the council).

Que. Which Chinese general did Kanishka initially suffer a defeat against?

Ans. Pancho.

Que. What served as the capital of Kanishka's vast empire?

Ans. Purushapura (Peshawar).

Que. Which school of Buddhism rose to prominence during Kanishka's reign?

Ans. Mahayana Buddhism.

Que. Who presided over the Fourth Buddhist Council convened by Kanishka?

Ans. Vasumitra.

Que. Who was the prominent Buddhist philosopher and author of "Buddhacharita" in Kanishka's court?

Ans. Asvagosha.

Que. Which renowned philosopher from South India adorned Kanishka's court and contributed to Buddhist thought?

Ans. Nagarjuna.

Que. What artistic style flourished in the region around Peshawar under the patronage of Indo-Greek, Saka, and Kushana rulers?

Ans. Gandhara art.

Que. What two major artistic traditions fused to create Gandhara art?

Ans. Indian and Graeco-Roman.

Que. What is a key characteristic of Gandhara sculptures of the Buddha?

Ans. Realistic portrayal of physical features.

Que. Which ancient city in Uttar Pradesh was the center of a distinct artistic tradition?

Ans. Mathura.

Que. What is a notable characteristic of Buddha images from the Mathura school of art?

Ans. Serene and spiritual expression.

Que. Who is considered the last significant ruler of the Kushana dynasty?

Ans. Vasudeva.

Que. What was a major religious development during the Kushana period, particularly under Kanishka?

Ans. The rise and spread of Mahayana Buddhism.