Question

Choose the answers that correctly identify differences between the Mauryan and Gupta Empires.

A) The Mauryan rulers preferred non-Hindu religions while the Gupta rulers were followers of Hinduism.
B) During the Mauryan Empire, India suffered a period of decline, and during the Gupta Empire, India flourished.
C) The Mauryan dynasty fell as a result of weak and inefficient leaders while the Gupta dynasty faced external threats.
D) The Mauryan Empire actively entered into foreign trade, while the Gupta rulers were more interested in internal trade.
E) The Mauryan Empire ruled over a large area of northern India, while the Gupta Empire ruled over an area much less than that of the Mauryan.

Answer 1

The Mauryan Empire was known for its wide geographic spread and embrace of Buddhism under Ashoka, while the Gupta Empire focused on Hinduism and had a smaller territorial extent. While both faced internal and external challenges, the Mauryans were prosperous, contradicting the notion of decline, and although the Guptas emphasized internal development, they did not entirely ignore foreign trade.

Step-by-step explanation:

The differences between the Mauryan and Gupta Empires reflect changes in the administration, cultural pursuits, economic activities, and territorial extents that characterized each period in ancient Indian history. Options A and E correctly identify differences between the two empires.

• A) The Mauryan rulers, particularly Ashoka the Great, were known for embracing Buddhism and advocating for its principles. In contrast, the Gupta rulers were strong proponents of Hinduism, under which there was a resurgence of Hindu texts and traditions.
• E) The Mauryan Empire covered a wider area, effectively unifying much of the Indian subcontinent under a single administrative and political system, whereas the Gupta Empire, despite being influential, controlled a significantly smaller geographic area.

Option C is misleading as both dynasties faced their respective internal and external challenges which contributed to their decline. While the Mauryans did face issues of succession and leadership, they also encountered economic issues and external pressures. The Guptas indeed faced threats from foreign invaders, but internal strife and weak leadership cannot be discounted in their eventual decline.

Option B is incorrect as it misrepresents the period of the Mauryan Empire, which was known for its prosperity and significant infrastructure development, rather than a period of decline. The description of the Gupta Empire, conversely, aligns with historical accounts of India's flourishing during that era, marked by advancements in the arts, sciences, and economy.

Option D is not entirely accurate since both empires engaged in foreign trade. The Mauryans, with an expansive empire, certainly traded widely, including with Hellenistic nations. The Guptas, while focussing on internal development, did not entirely shun foreign trade. Artifacts from the Gupta period have been found in other regions, indicating the presence of external trade activity.