The Mauryas were a dynasty with 3 important rulers - Chandragupta, his son Bindusara, and Bindusara's son Ashoka. King Ashoka, the only king of India to give up violence after winning a war was driven to do so because he was saddened by the aftermath of violence in the war. He saw that many people were killed and so, decided not to fight any more wars. NCERT Solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 7 "Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War" contains the Solutions to the exercises given in the book "History - Our Pasts - I" This page will help you learn the right NCERT Solutions for the exercises provided at the end of the chapter. The Solutions will be useful for school exams, as they are sourced from the NCERT Textbooks.
Intext Question, Page - 71
Q. How did the Kalinga war bring about a change in Ashoka's attitude towards war ?
Answer:
Ashoka fought a war to conquer Kalinga. But he was filled with sorrow and remorse when he saw the bloodshed. About a lakh of people were killed in the war. He heard the wailings and cries of the women and children. Ashoka decided to give up warfare and observe Dhamma and spread Dhamma.
Intext Question, Page - 73
Q. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime minister of India, wrote : "his edicts (instructions) still speak to us in a language we can understand and we can still learn much from them." Identify the parts of Ashoka's message that you think are relevant today.
Answer:
In his message Ashoka speaks about
- respecting the elders
- treating all creatures with compassion
- respect for all religious
These ideas and messages are still relevant today
- We must respect our elder, specially our parents and teachers.
- We have international organisations like SPCA (Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals) and other socities like PETA (Peoples for Ethical Treatment of Animals). These organisations spread the message of compassion to animals.
- Secularism is part of our constitution. It means that there is no state religion. Secondly people are free to worship in any manner. In other words it means we must respect for all religious.
Intext Questions, Page - 74
Q. In what ways do you think Ashoka's attitude toward neighbouring people was different from that of the Chinese emperors ?
Answer:
Ashoka's attitude towards the neighbouring people was totally different from the contemporary Chinese emperors. For example the Chinese emperors constructed wall to protect the northern frontier of the empire from the pastoral people, where as Ashoka expanded its empire of Dhamma by sending officials to spread the message of non-violence. This example presents the open mindedness of Ashoka.
Q. Imagine You live in Kalinga and your parents have suffered in the war. Messengers from Ashoka have just arrived with the new ideas about Dhamma. Describe the dialogue between them and your parents.
Answer:
Parents : Who are you ? You seem to be outsiders.
Messenger : We have been sent by Emperor Ashoka to spread his message of love and compassion.
Parents : After a huge carnage, he wants to love us. Why ? We can see no reason in it. You can go away.
Messenger : We have come to spread the message of love and we will leave, till we have your hearts.
Parents : Can your emperor return our friends and relatives.
Messengers : No, it is true. But if a man realises his mistakes and promises not to repeat them, he deserves your love. Even lord Buddha spread the message of love.
Let's Recall, Page - 74
1. Make a list of the occupations of the people who lived within the Mauryan empire.
Answer:
The different occupations followed by the people were :
- Farming
- Pastoral farming
- Food gathering in the forest
- Masonry
- Carpentery
- Stone cutting and craftsmanship
2. Complete the following sentences :
(a) Officials collected __________ from the area under the direct control of the ruler.
(b) Royal princes often went to the provinces as _________
(c) The Mauryan rulers tried to control __________ and __________ which were important for transport.
(d) People in forested regions provided the Mauryan officials with _________.
Answer:
(a) taxes
(b) governors
(c) roads, rivers
(d) tribute
3. State whether true or false :
(a) Ujjain was the gateway to the north-west.
(b) Chandragupta's ideas were written down in the Arthshastra.
(c) Kalinga was the ancient name of Bengal.
(d) Most Ashokan inscriptions are in Brahmi script.
Answer:
(a) False
(b) False
(c) False
(d) True
Let's Discuss, Page - 75
4. What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma ?
Answer:
There were a number of problems that troubled Ashoka. People in the empire followed different religions and this sometimes led to conflict. Animals were sacrificed. Slaves and servants were ill-treated. There were quarrels in the family and among the neighbours. He felt it was his duty to solve these problems.
5. What were the means adopted by Ashoka to spread the message of dhamma ?
Answer:
The means adopted by Ashoka to spread his message of Dhamma were :
- He appointed officers known as dharammahamatras to spread and explain the message of Dhamma.
- He wrote his message on rocks and pillars which were erected in different parts of the empire. They were written in Prakrit , the language of the people.
6. Why do you think slaves and servants were ill-treated ? Do you think the orders of the emperor would have improved their condition ? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
The slaves were mostly prisoners of war and servants did mental jobs. They were ill-treated. The orders of the emperor could have made the slaves free. If the servants were ill-treated the master could be punished.
Let's Do, Page - 75
7. Write a short paragraph explaining to Roshan why the lions are shown on our currency notes. List at least one other object on which you can see them.
Answer:
If you look at the Ashokan pillar at Sarnath you will find the capital of the pillar has 4 lions sitting back to back. The lion represents the attainment of Buddhahood. The four lions surmounting the capital symbolize the kingship of the Buddha and his roar over the four directions.
There is also a non-religious interpretion to the symbol, describing the four lions as the symbol of Ashoka's rule in four directions.
Just as Buddha and his follower Ashoka wanted to spread the message of peace and friendship. Similarly India after she gained independence wanted to spread the same message. So India adopted the emblem of 4 lions after she gained independence.
We can find this emblems on the cars of the President of India, Prime Minister and the others Indian dignitaries. It can also be seen on the epaulette.
8. Suppose you had the power to inscribe your orders, what four commands would you like to issue ?
Answer:
The four orders are :
- Respect your parents and elders.
- All religions are equal and praiseworthy.
- Respect the rules and laws of the country.
- Everyone has right to eduction. All children, whether boys or girls, should be sent to school.