Social Science · Class 6
History: Empires
Learn History: Empires with notes, examples, and practice questions.
4 sections15–25 min read6 MCQs · 2 examples
Chapter Overview
Great empires — Maurya, Gupta, Chola, and others — unified large territories through administration, armies, and ideology. Students study expansion, governance, and cultural achievements.
Mauryan Empire
- Chandragupta Maurya founded empire c. 321 BCE
- Kautilya's Arthashastra on statecraft
- Ashoka: Kalinga war, spread of dhamma, pillars and edicts
Gupta Empire
- c. 320–550 CE; Samudragupta, Chandragupta II
- Literature: Kalidasa; science: Aryabhata, zero advances
- Temple architecture; Nalanda university
Regional Empires
- Cholas: naval power, temple towns, bronzes
- Vijayanagara and Bahmani in Deccan
- Mughals later unified much of north India
Solved Examples
Step-by-step solutions — read each step before checking the final answer.
Ashoka's dhamma
What principles did Ashoka promote?
- 1Non-violence, tolerance, respect for elders
- 2Kindness to animals and servants
- 3Spread via edicts
Answer
Moral conduct, ahimsa, and social harmony
Gupta science
Name one Gupta-era scientific contribution.
- 1Aryabhata — astronomy, approximation of pi
- 2Decimal system developments
Answer
Aryabhata's astronomical works
Key Points to Remember
- ✓ Empires needed revenue, army, and bureaucracy
- ✓ Ashoka is unique for moral state policy
- ✓ Gupta age is cultural high point
- ✓ Temples and coins are historical sources
Exam Tips
- • Map extent of Mauryan empire
- • Quote idea from Ashokan edict
- • Gupta contribution to mathematics
Practice MCQs — History: Empires
Test your understanding with topic-wise multiple choice questions. Explanations appear after each answer.
Question 1 of 6Score: 0/0
Mauryan empire founded by: