Correct option is A
- Kalinga was an ancient region located on the eastern coast of India, which roughly corresponds to the present-day state of Odisha. Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor, famously waged the Kalinga War around 261 BCE.
- The war had a profound impact on Ashoka, leading him to embrace Buddhism and adopt a policy of non-violence thereafter.
Additional Information:
- The Kalinga War was one of the bloodiest battles in Indian history, resulting in significant loss of life. After the war, Ashoka became a proponent of Buddhism and spread its teachings both within his empire and beyond.
- The Kalinga Edicts, which Ashoka had inscribed on rocks, are a set of inscriptions that reflect his conversion to Buddhism and his efforts to promote moral governance and social welfare.
Other Options:
- Bengal: Bengal is a neighboring region, but it was not the area conquered by Ashoka.
- Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh was not part of the Kalinga region.
- Bihar: While Bihar was an important part of the Mauryan Empire (with Pataliputra as its capital), it was not the region of Kalinga.
