Which of the following titles were often used to refer to Ashoka?

(A) Devanampriya

(B) Chakravarti

(C) Aryaputra

(D) Mahasammata

(E) Devputra

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UGC NET Paper 2: History 10 Oct 2022 Shift 1

Answer 1

UGC has considered the answer to this question as option (3) in its final answer key.

Key Points

After the death of Bindusara, Ashoka sat on the throne of the Maurya Empire.
At that time, the Mauryan Empire extended from the ranges of Hindukush in the north to the Krishna river valley, Mysore and Karnataka in the south, and from West Bengal in the east to Afghanistan in the west. Because of this wide empire, Ashoka is given the title of Chakravarti. Hence, option (B) is correct.
Ashoka's title 'Mahasammat' is received in the context of directing the Mahamatras in the Buddhist text Long Nikaya. In this book, its two other titles 'Murdhabhishikta' and 'Janapadasthamaviryaprapt' are found, which are often used titles for Ashoka. Hence, option (D) is correct.
Everywhere in the inscriptions of Ashoka, he has been addressed with titles like Devanampiya or Devanampiyadas (Beloved of Gods or Beautiful to see) and 'King' etc. Hence, option (A) is correct.

UGC has considered the answer to this question as option (3) in its final answer key.

Additional Information

Coronation of Ashoka in 269 B.C. Happened in Its works have been counted from this date in its records.
Names and titles of Ashoka - Various names of Ashoka are found in different sources:
- Ashokavardhana in the Vishnu Purana
- Buddha Shakya in the Maski inscription
- Magadhadhiraja (King of Magadha) in Bhrabu article
- Ashoka - In 4 short inscriptions - Maski, Gurjara, Nettur, and Udegolan, get this name. Ashoka's name was first read in the Maski article.
- Piyadassi Raja - in Barabar Guha article
- Devanampiya Priyadarshi in Rummindei, Nigliva and Girnar articles.
- Priyadarshi-Vairat (Bhrabu) article, in Kandahar inscription and Deepavansh.
- Devanampiya - in the 12th and 13th inscriptions.
Its most popular title Ashoka was 'Priyadarshi'. Ashoka has also been called Ujjainikarmoli.