U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004

Ancient Administrative Records

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which of the following inscription mentioned Chandragupta and Ashoka both?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Historical inscriptions often record the repairs of public works, providing a lineage of rulers who maintained them.

Explanation The Junagarh (Girnar) Rock Inscription of the Saka ruler Rudradaman I (c. 150 CE) explicitly mentions that the Sudarshana lake was built by Chandragupta Maurya and later improved by Ashoka.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: It is the first major inscription in 'Chaste Sanskrit'.
Logic 2: It provides proof of Mauryan administration in Western India (Saurashtra).

Active Recall

Question

Who was the governor mentioned for Chandragupta and Ashoka respectively?

Answer

Pushyagupta built the lake for Chandragupta; Tushaspa (a Yavana) built conduits for Ashoka.

Core Insight

The Junagarh inscription is a unique historical document that bridges the Mauryan, Saka, and later Gupta (Skandagupta) eras.