Mauryan Imperialism
Why did Ashoka annex Kalinga? | Trade Routes Analysis
Both statements are true. Ashoka annexed Kalinga primarily to control the strategic land and sea routes to South India and Southeast Asia.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class 11 - Ancient India (R.S. Sharma)
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Updated:
Exam Year
2002
Evidence Source
Link ↗Consider the following statements:
Assertion (A): Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire.
Reason (R): Kalinga controlled the land and sea routes to South India.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
Imperial expansion is often driven by the need to secure strategic gateways and economic arteries.
Authentic Source Evidence
Kalinga (Modern Odisha) was a powerful maritime state. Ashoka invaded it in his 8th regnal year (261 BCE) because Kalinga sat on the vital land and sea routes connecting Magadha with the Deccan and South India.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"How did the annexation of Kalinga change Ashoka?"
The immense suffering caused by the war led to his deep remorse and conversion to the path of Dhamma/Non-violence.
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"The Kalinga war was the 'last' war of the Mauryas, marking the peak of imperial expansion and the beginning of a moral statecraft."
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