Question

The Mauryan King who wanted a Sophist from Greece in his court was ___________.
A) Chandragupta
B) Bindusara
C) Ashoka
D) Kunala

Answer 1

Hint: In ancient Greece around the fifth and fourth century BC, a sophist was a teacher who specialized in multiple subjects. The Mauryan King who wanted Sophist from Greece in his court, also known as Amitraghta, was India's second Mauryan emperor.

Complete answer:
Sophist from Greece - In ancient Greece around the fifth and fourth century BC, a Sophist was a teacher. Philosophers, rhetoricians, musicians, athletes, and mathematicians were all sophists who specialized in one or more subjects. Arete – "virtue" or "excellence" - was mostly taught to young statesmen and aristocrats.

Let us analyze the given options:
Option A) Chandragupta - The Maurya Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in ancient India. The philosopher Chanakya, who had a significant influence on the creation of his empire, taught and counselled him. Chandragupta and Chanakya collaborated to create one of the most powerful empires on the Indian subcontinent. And didn’t want Sophist from Greece in his court. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Option B) Bindusara - Bindusara, also known as Amitraghta, was India's second Mauryan emperor. He was the son of Chandragupta, the dynasty's founder, and the father of Ashoka, the dynasty's most famous emperor. He wanted a Sophist from Greece in his court. Hence, this option is correct.

Option C) Ashoka - From c. 268 to 232 BCE, Ashoka, commonly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian ruler of the Maurya Dynasty who governed practically the entire Indian subcontinent. Ashoka encouraged the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia as the grandson of the dynasty's founder Chandragupta Maurya. Ashoka wasn’t the one who wanted Sophist from Greece in his court. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Option D) Kunala - Kunala was the presumptive heir of Emperor Ashoka and Queen Padmavati, and hence the heir to the Mauryan Empire, which once governed practically the entire Indian subcontinent. He didn’t want a Sophist from Greece in his court. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (B). The Mauryan King who wanted a Sophist from Greece in his court was Bindusara.

Note: Most people get confused between Bimbisara and Bindusara. So, Bimbisara was the first to construct the foundations for Magadha, afterwards known as Pataliputra. Bimbisara's kingdom grew to a significant extent in the east, and the Mauryan empire grew as a result. Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan empire, had a son named Bindusara.