In his own inscriptions, the Mauryan emperor Ashoka is referred to by which titles?
- A.Maharajadhiraja and Parameshwara
- B.Devanampiya and Piyadassi
- C.Amitraghata and Ekabrahmana
- D.Shiladitya and Satyashraya
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, Devanampiya and Piyadassi. Ashoka edicts almost never use his personal name; they speak of Devanampiya Piyadassi, the beloved of the gods and of pleasing appearance. His name appears only in a few copies, such as the Maski and Gujarra edicts, which is how the Piyadassi of the inscriptions was finally identified with the Ashoka of the Buddhist texts. Option A is wrong because Maharajadhiraja was first used among the Guptas by Chandragupta I and Parameshwara was taken by the Chalukya ruler Pulakeshin II. Option C is wrong because Amitraghata is the title of Ashoka father Bindusara and Ekabrahmana belongs to the Satavahana ruler Gautamiputra Satakarni. Option D is wrong because Shiladitya was a title of Harshavardhana and Satyashraya of Pulakeshin II, both of the seventh century.
Read the full article: Titles of Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers
Practice Questions
View allWhich Gupta ruler is described as Sarvarajochchetta, the uprooter of all kings?
- A.Chandragupta I
- B.Samudragupta
- C.Chandragupta II
- D.Skandagupta
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The Allahabad pillar inscription, a prashasti composed by his court poet Harisena, lists his campaigns in the Ganga valley, the Deccan and the frontier states and calls him Sarvarajochchetta; the same inscription gives him Kaviraja for his learning, and his coins show him playing the veena.
Read the full explanation →The title Trisamudratoyapitavahana, one whose horses drank the water of three seas, belongs to which ruler?
- A.Kharavela
- B.Gautamiputra Satakarni
- C.Rudradaman I
- D.Kanishka
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The Nasik cave inscription issued by his mother Gautami Balashri praises the Satavahana ruler as Trisamudratoyapitavahana and as Ekabrahmana, and credits him with destroying the Shakas, Yavanas and Pahlavas.
Read the full explanation →Which Gupta ruler assumed the title Vikramaditya after defeating the Western Kshatrapas?
- A.Samudragupta
- B.Kumaragupta I
- C.Chandragupta II
- D.Chandragupta I
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He conquered the territories of the Western Kshatrapas in Gujarat and Malwa, which gave the Guptas access to the western ports, and he used the titles Vikramaditya, Simhavikrama and Devashri; the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien visited India in his reign.
Read the full explanation →Which Sultan of Delhi was popularly called Lakh Baksh, the giver of lakhs?
- A.Qutbuddin Aibak
- B.Iltutmish
- C.Balban
- D.Firoz Shah Tughlaq
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The founder of the Slave or Mamluk dynasty was called Lakh Baksh for his lavish charity, and he began the Qutb Minar at Delhi and the Adhai Din ka Jhonpra at Ajmer.
Read the full explanation →Which ruler of the Delhi Sultanate assumed the title Zil-i-Ilahi, the shadow of God?
- A.Alauddin Khalji
- B.Balban
- C.Muhammad bin Tughlaq
- D.Raziya
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Ruling from 1266 to 1287 over a sultanate weakened by factions, he raised the throne above the nobility by claiming Zil-i-Ilahi and Niabat-i-Khudai, deputy of God, and by making courtiers perform sijda, prostration, and paibos, kissing the feet.
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