Question

Historians have used a variety of sources to reconstruct the history of the Mauryan Empire. State any four such sources.

Answer 1

Historians have used a variety of sources to reconstruct the history of the Mauryan Empire.

These sources are

1. Archaeological finds, especially sculptures, have helped in reconstructing Mauryan history. The Iron Pillar and the Sarnath Pillar have shed light on technological advancements during the Mauryan rule.
2. Literary sources such as Indica written by Megasthenes who visited the court of Chandragupta Maurya and Arthshastra by Kautilya shed light on the Mauryan administration.
3. Jain, Buddhist and Puranic traditions and Sanskrit literary works have also been used by historians to study about Mauryan rulers.
4. Asokan inscriptions on rocks and pillars have been an important source of history. They shed light on the religious and social policies of the Mauryan kings.