11th History - Book Back Answers - Unit 4 - English Medium Guides

 

 

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Tamil Nadu Board 11th Standard History Unit 4: Book Back Answers and Solutions

    This post covers the book back answers and solutions for Unit 4 – History from the Tamil Nadu State Board 11th Standard textbook. These detailed answers have been carefully prepared by our expert teachers at KalviTips.com.

    We have explained each answer in a simple, easy-to-understand format, highlighting important points step by step under the relevant subtopics. Students are advised to read and memorize these subtopics thoroughly. Once you understand the main concepts, you’ll be able to connect other related points with real-life examples and confidently present them in your tests and exams.

    By going through this material, you’ll gain a strong understanding of History Unit 4 along with the corresponding book back questions and answers (PDF format).

Question Types Covered:

• 1 Mark Questions: Choose the correct answer, Fill in the blanks, Identify the correct statement, Match the following 
• 2 Mark Questions: Answer briefly 
• 3, 4, and 5 Mark Questions: Answer in detail

All answers are presented in a clear and student-friendly manner, focusing on key points to help you score full marks.

All the best, Class 11th students! Prepare well and aim for top scores. Thank you!

Unit 4 - Emergence of State and Empire

I. Choose the Correct Answer

Question 1. 

Brahmi script in Ashoka’s pillar inscription was deciphered by _________    
(a) Thomas Saunders    

(b) James Prinsep        

(c) Sir John Marshal    

(d) William Jones 

Answer Key:

(b) James Prinsep

 

Question 2. 

The first known ruler of Magadha was _________ of the Haryanka dynasty.
(a) Bimbisara    

(b) Ajatashatru    

(c) Ashoka    

(d)  Mahapadma Nanda

Answer Key:

(a) Bimbisara 

Question 3. 

_________ was the ruler of Magadha during the invasion of Alexander in India.
(a)  Mahapadma Nanda    

(b) Dhana Nanda    

(c) Bindhusara    

(d) Bimbisara

Answer Key:

(b) Dhana Nanda 

 

Question 4. 

A comprehensive historical chronicle in Pali from Sri Lanka serving as an important source for the Mauryan Period is _________    
(a) Mahavamsa   

(b) Deepavamsa    

(c) Brahmanas    

(d) Mudrarakshasa

Answer Key:

(a) Mahavamsa

Question 5. 

The play _________ by Visakadatha describes Chandragupta and his of the Magadha Empire.
(a) Mudrarakshasa    

(b) Rajatharangini    

(c) Arthasastra    

(d) Indica 

Answer Key:

(a) Mudrarakshasa

 

Question 6. 

Megasthenes work _________ describes the court of Chandragupta and his administration
(a) Indica    

(b) Mudrarakshasa    

(c) Ashtadhyayi    

(d) Arthasastra

Answer Key:

(a) Indica   

 

Question 7. 

The _________ was a prescriptive text for good administration
(a) Arthasastra    

(b) Indica        

(c) Rajatharangini    

(d) Mudrarakshasa

Answer Key:

 (a) Arthasastra

 

II. Write Brief Answers

1.        How did Bimbisara extend the territory of Magadhan Empire?

• He extended the territory of Magadhan Empire by matrimonial alliances and Conquests.  
• He received Kasi as dowry.
• He annexed Anga by military might.

 

2. Write a note on Mahapadma Nanda.

• The first Nanda ruler was Mahapadma.
• He usurped the throne by murdering the last of the Shishunaga kings.
• Under the Nandas, the empire expanded considerably. 

 

3.  What made Alexander the Great to restore the throne of Porus ?

• The battle of Hydaspes in which Porus was imprisoned. 
• Later, Alexander got impressed by the Porus’s dignity.
• So Alexander restored his throne on the condition of accepting his suzerainty.

 

4.  What are the features of a centralised state?

• A new administrative frame work to govern an extensive territory. 
• A system of revenue administration had to be developed.
• A large standing army was  required for expanding and retaining the empire.

 

5. Give a brief note on the literary sources for the study of Mauryan state.

• Mahavamsa, Brahmanas,   Mudrarakshasa, Arthasastra, Indica.

 

6. In what ways did the invasion of Alexander make a watershed in Indian history?

• It marked the beginning of the interaction between India and the West. 
• Greek historians began to write about India.
• Greek governors and kings ruled in the north-western region of India.

 

III. Write Short Answers

1. Mention the urban features revealed by archaeological findings.

• Archaeology excavations reveal the nature of urban morphology.
• It’s provide layout of the city and construction of buildings.
• They also provide concrete information about the material culture of people in the past.
• Such as the metals that were known, materials and tools they used, and the technology they employed.

 

2. Explain the features of the monarchies or kingdoms on the Gangetic plains.

• Minor states and federations of clans were merged through conquests to create an empire during this period.
• A large state, ruled by a chakravartin or ekarat.
• The rise of a centralised empire in the Gangetic plains of present-day Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• Its changed the social, economic and administrative fabric of the region.

 

3. Highlight the impact of the invasion of Alexander the Great on India.

• Many Greek settlements were established in the northwest of India.
• Trade routes opened up with the West.
• Establishing direct contact between India and Greece.
• Greek merchants and craftsmens were came to India.

 

4. What do you know of Ashoka’s campaign against Kalinga?

• A punitive war against Kalinga, which had broken away from the Magadha Empire.
• This is the only recorded military expedition of the Mauryas.
• The number of those killed in battle, those who died subsequently, and those deported ran into tens of thousands.
• Ashoka was devastated by the carnage.

 

5. Discuss the extensive trade on textiles carried on during the Mauryan period.

• The Arthasastra refers to the regions producing specialised textiles –
• Kasi, Vanga, Kamarupa, Madurai.
• Clothes of all kinds for higher and lower class peoples were manufactured.
• Cloth embroidered with gold and silver was worn by the King and members of the royal court.
• Silk was known and was generally referred to as Chinese silk.

 

6. Write a note on the commodities traded between India and West and South Asia.

• The Arthasastra has along list of the goods
• They: textiles, woollens, silks, aromatic woods, animal skins and gems.
• Greek sources confirm the trade links with the western countries and Egypt.
• Indigo, ivory, tortoise shell, pearls and perfumes and rare woods were all exported to Egypt.

IV. Answer the following in detail 

1. Explain the sources for the study of the Mauryan Empire.

• The Mahavamsa, is comprehensive historical chronicle in Pali from Sri Lanka, is an important additional source.
• Junagadh inscription : it indicates the extent of the Mauryan Empire, which had expanded as far west as Gujarat
• Mudrarakshasa by Visakhadatta : It narrates Chandragupta’s accession to the throne of the Magadha Empire.
• The most detailed account of the mauriyan administration is to be found in the Arthasastra.
• Indica by Megasthenes : It’s describing the court of Chandragupta and his administration.
• The edicts of Ashoka thus constitute the most concrete source of information about the Mauryan Empire.
• There are 33 edicts comprising 14 Major Rock Edicts, 2 known as Kalinga edicts, 7 Pillar Edicts.

2. Describe the salient features of Mauryan polity.

• At the head of the administration was the king.
• He was assisted by a council of ministers, mahamatriyas, and a priest.
• The capital region of Pataliputra was directly administered.
• The empire was divided into four provinces based at Suvarnagiri, Ujjain, Taxila, and Tosali.
• The provinces were administered by governors who were usually royal princes.
• The district was under the command of a sthanik.
• Gopas were in charge of five to ten villages.
• Urban administration was handled by a nagarika.
• Villages were semi-autonomous and were under the authority of a gramani.

3. Highlight the impact of Persians on India.

• The Persian contact left its impact on art, architecture, economy and administration of ancient India.
• The cultural impact was felt most in the Gandhara region.
• The most significant impact was the development of the Kharosthi script.
• It was used by Ashoka in his inscriptions in the Gandhara region.
• Persian sigloi (silver coin) is an imitation from the region.
• The Indian word for coinkarsais of Persian origin.
• The Mauryan art and architecture show traces of Persian influence.
• Mauryan columns of the Ashokan Pillar are similar to the columns found in the Achaemenid Empire.

4. Give an account of the edicts of Ashoka.

• The edicts of Ashoka thus constitute the most concrete source of information about the Mauryan Empire.
• There are 33 edicts comprising 14 Major Rock Edicts, 2 known as Kalinga edicts, 7 Pillar Edicts.
• The edicts were written mostly in the Brahmi script and in Magadhi and Prakrit.
• The Kandahar inscriptions are in Greek and Aramaic.
• The two inscriptions in north-west Pakistan are in Kharosthi script.
• The second inscription mentions lands beyond his borders.
• The edicts stress Ashoka’s belief in peace, justice and his concern for the welfare of his people.