Question

Which of the following sources give information about the Mauryan period? a) Arthshastra b) Indica c) Mudraraksha d) all of the above
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Answer 1

All of the above provides information about the Mauryan period.

• Information about the Mauryan period can be obtained from two main sources-

1. Literary - includes Arthshastra, Mudraraksha, Indica, Puranas and Buddhist literatures.
2. Archaeological - Ashoka's edicts(in the form of rock, pillar and inscriptions in caves) silver and copper coins, inscriptions, etc.

• Arthshastra was written by Chanakya or Kautilya, Indica by Megasthenes, and Mudraraksha by Vishakhadatta and all the three give us accounts of the Mauryan history.