Question 1

True or false: Chandragupta met Alexander the Great during his Indian campaign.

Accepted Answer

False. No historical evidence supports a meeting; Chandragupta rose to power after Alexander's retreat and death in 323 BCE.

Question 2

True or false: The Arthashastra was written by Chandragupta himself as a practical guide.

Accepted Answer

False. The Arthashastra is attributed to Kautilya (Chanakya), Chandragupta's advisor, though it likely reflects their collaborative governance style.

Question 3

True or false: Chandragupta Maurya was originally a shepherd before becoming emperor.

Accepted Answer

True. Greek and Indian sources suggest he started as a low-caste shepherd or peacock tamer, not a prince, making his rise extraordinary.

Question 4

True or false: He defeated Seleucus I Nicator and gained vast territories, including parts of modern Afghanistan.

Accepted Answer

True. Around 305 BCE, Chandragupta defeated Seleucus, ceding eastern satrapies like Aria and Arachosia, confirmed by a marriage alliance.

Question 5

True or false: Chandragupta's empire stretched from the Hindu Kush to the Bay of Bengal.

Accepted Answer

True. His empire covered most of the Indian subcontinent, from modern Afghanistan in the west to Bengal in the east, and south to the Narmada.

Question 6

True or false: He was the first ruler to unify all of India under a single government.

Accepted Answer

False. While his empire was vast, he never controlled the far south (Tamil kingdoms); unification came later under his grandson Ashoka.

Question 7

True or false: Chandragupta Maurya converted to Buddhism late in life and became a monk.

Accepted Answer

True. Jain and Buddhist texts claim he abdicated, became a Jain monk, and starved himself to death (sallekhana) at Shravanabelagola.

Question 8

True or false: Chandragupta died in battle while defending his empire from a Greek invasion.

Accepted Answer

False. He abdicated voluntarily, became a Jain monk, and died by ritual fasting—not in battle—according to Jain tradition.

Chandragupta Maurya Trivia Questions