Question

The Mauryan ruler who used the name 'Piyadasi' in his official declarations was
1. Bimbisara
2. Ashoka
3. Chandragupta Maurya
4. Brihaddrata

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Ashoka

The correct answer is Ashoka.

• Ashoka belonged to the Maurya dynasty.
• The name Piyadasi belongs to Ashoka.
• Know about the Maurya dynasty and Askoka from Arthashastra and Indica of Megasthenes.
• He spread Buddhism all over Asia.
• At the time of his reign, the capital of the dynasty was in Pataliputra with provincial capitals at Taxila and Ujjain.
• James Prinsep, a British antiquary was the first person to decipher Ashoka’s edicts.
• These Ashoka’s inscriptions are the first tangible evidence of Buddhism.
• Ashoka inscriptions can be classified into three:
  • Pillar edicts.
  • Major rock edicts.
  • Minor rock edicts.

Bimbisara	He was a king of the Magadha Kingdom who is credited with establishing imperial dominance in the Indian subcontinent. He was the son of a minor king called Bhattiya, he belonged to the Haryana Dynasty, which is said to be the second imperial dynasty of Magadha. He ruled at a time when Gautama Buddha and Mahavira Vardhamana, the respective founders of Buddhism and Jainism, both started their teachings.
Chandragupta Maurya	He was the founder of the Maurya Empire. He was taught and counseled by Chanakya (also known as Kautilya). He defeated Seleucus I Nicator, one of the successful satrapies of Alexander the Great.
Brihaddrata	Brihadratha Maurya was the last ruler of the Maurya Empire. He was killed by his general, Pushyamitra Shunga, who went on to establish the Shunga Empire. According to the Puranas, Brihadratha succeeded Satadhanvan Maurya and ruled for seven years.