Introduction:

• The flat plains and the availability of plentiful water from the perennial rivers, such as the Ganga and its many tributaries, were among the favourable ecological conditions which promoted the rise of a large state in the Gangetic plains of present-day Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. 
• Bimbisara, who was a contemporary of Buddha, started the process of empire building in Magadha. It was strengthened by his son Ajatashatru and then by the Nandas. The empire reached its glory and peaked with the advent of the Mauryan Empire founded by Chandragupta Maurya. The foundation of the Mauryan Empire opens a new era in the history of India. For the first time, the political unity was achieved in India.
• The history of writing has also become clear from this period due to accuracy in chronology and sources.

Q. What was the main feature of Maurya dynasty in India?

(a)       Education was widespread

(b)       Terrorists were driven out of Sind and Punjab

(c)        Removal of land tax for the first rime

(d)       Decentralisation of administration

ANSWER: D

Q. Which of the following was the main reason of the downfall of Mauryan empire?

(a)       Weak successors of Ashoka who could not control the empire properly

(b)       Religious policy of Ashoka

(c)        Ashoka maintained friendly relations with his neighbours

(d)       None of the above

ANSWER: A