Post-Mauryan Period Important Linear Questions and Answers

Post-Mauryan Period: Important One-Liner Questions and Answers

These Post-Mauryan Period One-Liner Questions and Answers are highly important for UPSC, SSC, WBCS, PSC, Railway, Banking, CDS, CAPF, NDA, and other competitive examinations. Questions are frequently asked about the Sungas, Kanvas, Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, Kushanas, Kanishka, Gandhara Art, and Mathura Art.

Exam Focus: Concentrate on Pushyamitra Sunga, Menander, Rudradaman, Kanishka, Fourth Buddhist Council, Gandhara Art, and important inscriptions.

Basic Questions

Question	Answer
When did the Mauryan Empire end?	185 BCE
Who was the last Mauryan ruler?	Brihadratha
Who killed Brihadratha?	Pushyamitra Sunga
Who founded the Sunga Dynasty?	Pushyamitra Sunga
What is the approximate period of Post-Mauryan India?	185 BCE–300 CE

Sunga and Kanva Dynasty Questions

1. Who founded the Sunga Dynasty? — Pushyamitra Sunga
2. What was the capital of the Sunga Dynasty? — Pataliputra
3. Which ritual sacrifices were performed by Pushyamitra Sunga? — Ashvamedha Sacrifices
4. Which religion received encouragement under the Sungas? — Brahmanism
5. Who founded the Kanva Dynasty? — Vasudeva Kanva
6. Which dynasty succeeded the Sungas? — Kanva Dynasty
7. How long did the Kanva Dynasty rule approximately? — 73 BCE–28 BCE

Most Asked Fact: Pushyamitra Sunga overthrew the last Mauryan ruler and founded the Sunga Dynasty.

Indo-Greek Questions

1. What were the Indo-Greeks also called? — Yavanas
2. Who was the first important Indo-Greek ruler? — Demetrius
3. Who was the most famous Indo-Greek ruler? — Menander
4. What was another name of Menander? — Milinda
5. Which famous Buddhist text is associated with Menander? — Milinda Panha
6. Who discussed Buddhist philosophy with Nagasena? — Menander

Shaka Questions

1. Who were the Shakas? — Central Asian Tribes
2. What were Shaka rulers known as? — Kshatrapas
3. Who was the most famous Shaka ruler? — Rudradaman I
4. Which inscription is associated with Rudradaman? — Junagadh Inscription
5. In which language was the Junagadh Inscription written? — Sanskrit
6. Who promoted Sanskrit during the Shaka period? — Rudradaman I

Parthian Questions

1. What were the Parthians also known as? — Pahlavas
2. Who was the most famous Parthian ruler in India? — Gondophernes
3. Which region was mainly controlled by the Parthians? — Northwestern India

Kushana Empire Questions

Question	Answer
Who founded the Kushana Dynasty?	Kujula Kadphises
Who was the greatest Kushana ruler?	Kanishka
What was the capital of Kanishka?	Purushapura (Peshawar)
Which religion was patronized by Kanishka?	Buddhism
Which form of Buddhism received support from Kanishka?	Mahayana Buddhism

Fourth Buddhist Council Questions

1. Who convened the Fourth Buddhist Council? — Kanishka
2. Where was the Fourth Buddhist Council held? — Kashmir
3. Which Buddhist sect gained prominence during Kanishka's reign? — Mahayana Buddhism
4. Who was the most important patron of Mahayana Buddhism? — Kanishka

Exam Focus: The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir under the patronage of Kanishka.

Art and Culture Questions

1. Which school of art developed under Kushana patronage? — Gandhara School
2. Which school of art shows Greek influence? — Gandhara School
3. Which school of art used grey stone? — Gandhara School
4. Which school of art is purely Indian in character? — Mathura School
5. Which school used red sandstone? — Mathura School
6. Where did the Mathura School of Art develop? — Mathura
7. Which school produced the first human images of Buddha? — Gandhara School

Trade and Economy Questions

1. Which trade route flourished during the Kushana period? — Silk Route
2. What connected India with Central Asia and Rome? — Silk Route
3. Which dynasty benefited greatly from Silk Route trade? — Kushanas

Top 30 Most Important One-Liners

1. End of Mauryan Empire — 185 BCE
2. Last Mauryan Ruler — Brihadratha
3. Founder of Sunga Dynasty — Pushyamitra Sunga
4. Capital of Sungas — Pataliputra
5. Founder of Kanva Dynasty — Vasudeva Kanva
6. Successor of Sungas — Kanvas
7. Indo-Greeks Called — Yavanas
8. First Important Indo-Greek Ruler — Demetrius
9. Most Famous Indo-Greek Ruler — Menander
10. Other Name of Menander — Milinda
11. Book Associated with Menander — Milinda Panha
12. Shaka Rulers Called — Kshatrapas
13. Greatest Shaka Ruler — Rudradaman I
14. Important Inscription — Junagadh Inscription
15. Language of Junagadh Inscription — Sanskrit
16. Parthians Also Called — Pahlavas
17. Famous Parthian Ruler — Gondophernes
18. Founder of Kushana Dynasty — Kujula Kadphises
19. Greatest Kushana Ruler — Kanishka
20. Capital of Kanishka — Purushapura
21. Fourth Buddhist Council — Kashmir
22. Patron of Fourth Council — Kanishka
23. Buddhist Sect Supported — Mahayana
24. Trade Route — Silk Route
25. Greek-Influenced Art — Gandhara
26. Indian Art Style — Mathura
27. Material of Gandhara Art — Grey Stone
28. Material of Mathura Art — Red Sandstone
29. First Human Buddha Images — Gandhara
30. Major Cultural Patron — Kanishka

Quick Revision Box

• Pushyamitra Sunga → Founder of Sunga Dynasty
• Vasudeva Kanva → Founder of Kanva Dynasty
• Menander (Milinda) → Indo-Greek Ruler
• Milinda Panha → Associated with Menander
• Rudradaman I → Junagadh Inscription
• Gondophernes → Parthian Ruler
• Kujula Kadphises → Founder of Kushanas
• Kanishka → Greatest Kushana Ruler
• Kashmir → Fourth Buddhist Council
• Gandhara → Greek Influence
• Mathura → Indian Style
• Silk Route → Major Trade Route