Q. Consider the following statements regarding the king Ashoka:
1.Buddhism for the first time went outside India during his reign.
2.Appointed Dharma Mahamattas to propagate dharma among various social groups including women.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanation: The Ashoka was a great proponent of Buddhism. According to tradition, and as mentioned in the Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa, he was converted to Buddhism by his nephew Nigrodha (who had become a monk at the tender age of 7).
- According to the Divyavadana, Samudra (a merchant – turned-monk) converted him. Buddhism for the first time went outside India during his reign.
- He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
- Appointed Dharma Mahamattas to propagate dharma among various social groups including women (in the 14th year of his reign).
Source: Tamil Nadu NCERT