upscools
UPSC CSE Prelims 1998, Paper I

Historical Geography

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The given map relates to:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Historical maps help visualize the territorial reach of great empires. The Mauryan Empire was the first to unify almost the entire Indian subcontinent.

Explanation Ashoka's inscriptions are found as far west as Kandahar and as far south as Karnataka, defining the borders shown in standard historical maps.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Kanishka's empire included Central Asia but less of South India.
Logic 2: Samudragupta's map would show 'tributary states' in the south rather than direct administration.
Logic 3: Ashoka's empire (Option C) specifically matches the vast pan-Indian map (minus the extreme tip of the south).

Active Recall

Question

Which parts of India remained outside Ashoka's direct control?

Answer

The extreme southern tip (Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas) and potentially some forest tribes, as mentioned in his edicts.

Core Insight

The distribution of Ashoka's edicts is the most reliable tool for historians to map the actual administrative boundaries of the Mauryan state.

Practice Navigation