CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 7 Ashoka, the Emperor Who Gave Up War

These notes on CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 7 Ashoka, the Emperor Who Gave Up War have been prepared by subject experts of Physics Wallah. The notes provide a detailed overview of Ashoka's life, his transformation after the Kalinga War and his promotion of non-violence and Dhamma. These notes are an invaluable resource for exam preparation ensuring students have a strong grasp of the important events and ideas in this chapter.

Tribute

Tribute was different from taxes, as it wasn't collected regularly. Instead, it was gathered whenever possible, with people offering various goods, often voluntarily or under pressure.

Ashoka, a Unique Ruler

Ashoka, one of the most famous Mauryan rulers, was unique in how he spread his message. He was the first ruler to communicate directly with his people through inscriptions, written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script.

Ashoka’s War in Kalinga

Kalinga, located in present-day Odisha, was the site of a major war Ashoka fought to expand his empire. After witnessing the immense violence and suffering caused by the war, Ashoka was filled with remorse. This experience led him to abandon further conquests, making him the only known ruler in history to give up warfare after winning a battle.

Ashoka's Dhamma

Ashoka's dhamma was not centered around the worship of any god or performing sacrifices. Instead, it was inspired by the teachings of the Buddha and focused on addressing social issues within his empire. Ashoka was troubled by conflicts between people of different religions, the mistreatment of slaves and servants, and frequent family and neighbor quarrels. To spread his message of peace and harmony, Ashoka appointed officials called dhamma mahamatta , who traveled across the empire to teach people about dhamma. He had his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars for those who couldn't read, and sent messengers to countries like Syria, Egypt, Greece, and Sri Lanka. Ashoka also improved the lives of his people by building roads, digging wells, establishing rest houses, and providing medical care for both humans and animals.

Important Questions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 7 Ashoka, the Emperor Who Gave Up War

Here are the important questions and answers of Chapter 7 for Class 6 students:

Q. 1. What were the occupations of the people in the Mauryan Empire?

Ans: The people of the Mauryan Empire had different jobs. Some were farmers, herders, and craftspeople. Others were traders, merchants, hunters, gatherers, and carpenters. Many people also worked in stone cutting.

Q.2. What problems did Ashoka face while introducing Dhamma?

Ans: Ashoka introduced Dhamma to solve the problems in his empire. People practiced different religions, which often caused conflicts. Animal sacrifices were common, and slaves and servants were treated badly. There were also fights within families and among neighbors. Ashoka believed it was his responsibility to fix these issues, so he introduced Dhamma.

Q.3. How did Ashoka spread the message of Dhamma?

Ans: Ashoka spread the message of Dhamma in the following ways:

• He appointed officials called dhamma mahamattas to travel and teach people about Dhamma.
• He had his messages written on rocks and pillars, and officials helped those who couldn’t read by reading the messages to them.
• Ashoka used the local language Prakrit so that everyone could understand his messages.
• He also sent messengers to other countries like Egypt, Greece, Sri Lanka, and Syria to share his ideas.

Q.4. Who was Chandragupta Maurya?

Ans: Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire. He defeated the last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty, Dhananda. His court included wise men like Kautilya and diplomats like Megasthenes, who wrote about the empire. Chandragupta’s ideas and strategies are also found in the book Arthashastra .

Q.5. How did the Mauryan emperors manage the empire?

Ans: The Mauryan Empire was very large and divided into different areas called provinces. Pataliputra was the capital, and the emperor controlled the area around it directly. Other provinces, like Taxila and Ujjain, were governed from provincial capitals.

• Royal princes managed provinces on behalf of the emperor.
• Officials collected taxes from the people.
• The empire had a strong army and a network of spies.
• The emperor, along with ministers and family members, kept control over the entire administration.

Benefits of CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Notes Chapter 7

• Clear Summary of Key Concepts : The notes provide a concise overview of Emperor Ashoka's life and achievements, helping students quickly grasp the main points of the chapter.
• Understanding Ashoka's Transformation : The notes explain Ashoka's shift from a warrior to a promoter of Dhamma, highlighting his commitment to peace and non-violence. This is important for understanding his unique role in history.
• Simplified Content : Complex historical details are broken down into simpler terms, making it easier for students to comprehend Ashoka’s administrative practices and his influence on society.
• Administrative Practices : The notes detail how the Mauryan Empire was governed, including Ashoka’s methods for ruling different provinces and maintaining control, which is essential for understanding ancient governance.
• Exam Preparation : By summarizing key topics and concepts, the notes help students focus on important information likely to appear in exams, aiding in efficient revision.
• Foundation for Further Learning : These notes build a strong foundation for understanding later historical developments and preparing for more advanced studies in history.