Consider the following statements about the Mauryan period in Bihar:
- 1. Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire by overthrowing the Nanda dynasty.
- 2. Ashoka's edicts, found widely in Bihar, promoted a policy of 'Dhamma' based on non-violence and tolerance.
- 3. Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, visited Pataliputra in the time of Bindusara.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- AAll three
- BOnly one and two
- COnly one
- DNone of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) Only one and two
Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
- Statement 1 is correct: Chandragupta Maurya, guided by Chanakya (Kautilya), overthrew Dhana Nanda, the last Nanda king, and founded the Maurya Empire with its capital at Pataliputra.
- Statement 2 is correct: Ashoka's edicts promoted dhamma, a code of conduct based on non-violence, tolerance and respect for elders. Bihar has several of his pillars, at Lauriya Nandangarh, Lauriya Araraj and Rampurva.
- Statement 3 is wrong: Megasthenes, the ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, came to Pataliputra in the time of Chandragupta, not Bindusara, and described it in his *Indica*. Bindusara's court received Deimachus.