In the inscriptions of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, he has been addressed with titles like Priyadarsi, Devanampriyadarsi and 'Raja' etc. His name 'Ashoka' is found in Maski, Gujarra, Nittur and Udegolam inscriptions.

Five provinces and their capitals of the Mauryan period:

1. Prachi - Capital Pataliputra
2. Uttarapatha - Capital Taxila
3. Kalinga - Capital Tosali
4. Dakshinapatha (Karnataka) - Capital Suvarnagiri
5. Avanti (Malwa) - Capital Ujjayani

The Bull Capital of Rampurva has been found in the Champaran district of Bihar province.

Ashoka ascended the Magadha throne around 273 B.C. In his inscriptions, he is everywhere called 'Devanampriya', 'Devanam Priyadarsi', which means - beloved of the gods or beautiful to look at. This gives indications of his faith in Hinduism.

It is said that when a 12-year famine occurred in Magadha, Chandragupta Maurya renounced the kingdom and went to Shravanabelagola (on Chandragiri hill) with Jain Acharya Bhadrabahu, and died by fasting (Sallekhana/Samadhi) like a true Jain monk.

Major Rock Edict V (255 B.C.): Ashoka appointed the Dhamma (Religion) Mahamatras in the fourteenth year of his coronation; he was the first emperor to appoint this official. Ashoka created this new post. The main function of the Dhamma Mahamatra was to propagate religious tolerance (ethical principles).

The correct match is as follows: (a) Stone Elephant - Dhauli, (b) Four Asian Lions - Sarnath, (c) Grand Entrance - Sanchi, (d) Trimurti Statue - Elephanta. Hence, code (1) is correct.

Megasthenes was the ambassador of the West Asian Greek ruler Seleucus Nicator, who came to India during the Mauryan period.

Ashoka's monolithic pillars are world-famous. They can be divided into six parts: shaft, capital, abacus, and animal figure. The shaft was made of a single stone on which beautiful polishing was done. The polish was so excellent that many foreign travelers began to mistake them for metal. The capital with four lions at Sarnath is an excellent example of art.

Megasthenes stayed in India for 5 years (302-297 B.C.). He was the first foreign historian to write the 'History of India'. Megasthenes was the ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, who came to the court of Chandragupta Maurya.

Chandragupta Maurya had adopted Jainism in the last phase of his life and went to Shravanabelagola with Bhadrabahu.

The Sanchi Stupa, located 25 km from Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), is an important creation of the Mauryan period. Its base is 30 m and height is 25 m. The stupa is made of red sandstone. Its shape is semi-spherical.

In Ashoka's first rock edict, Ashoka clearly announced that no animal should be killed and no such festival should be organized in which there is violence.

After the terrible bloodshed in the Kalinga war of 261 B.C., Mauryan Emperor Ashoka abandoned war conquest and adopted Dhamma victory and accepted Buddhism from the Buddhist monk Upagupta.

Bindusara became the king of Magadha in 298 B.C. He was known as 'Amitraghata'. In Vayu Purana he is called Bhadrasara and in Jain texts he is called Simhasena. Bindusara was a follower of the 'Ajivika' sect.

Chandragupta Maurya spent his last days in Shravanabelagola (Karnataka) with Jain Acharya Bhadrabahu.

Ashoka has been called 'Devanampriya' (beloved of gods) or 'Devanampriyadarsi' in the inscriptions.

Agraharik was the head of the donation department in the Gupta period.

One long and 145 short inscriptions have been found at the excavation site named Kanaganahalli Stupa (Karnataka). Its most important discovery is the stone relief image of Emperor Ashoka on which 'Raya Ashoka' is written.

The first success in deciphering Ashoka's inscriptions was achieved by James Prinsep in 1837 A.D.