Question map
Which one among the following inscriptions was installed in the easternmost part of Ashoka's territory?
Explanation
The geographical distribution of Ashokan inscriptions defines the extent of the Mauryan Empire [1]. Among the given options, the Dhauli major rock edicts are located in the Khurda district of Odisha. Odisha represents the eastern frontier of the Major Rock Edicts [1]. In contrast, the other three options are located in Bihar: the Barabar hill cave inscriptions are in the Jehanabad/Gaya district [4], the Sahasram (Sasaram) minor rock edicts are in the Rohtas district, and the Lauriya Araraj pillar edicts are in the West Champaran district. Geographically, Odisha (Dhauli) lies significantly further east than the Bihar sites. While the Mahasthan inscription in Bangladesh is technically the easternmost known Ashokan record, among the specific choices provided, Dhauli is the easternmost installation, marking the region of Kalinga which Ashoka famously conquered.
Sources
- [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Emergence of State and Empire > Edicts of Ashoka > p. 52
- [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barabar_Caves
- [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_edicts_of_Ashoka