Correct option is B
Correct Answer: (b) Kalinga
Explanation:
- The ancient name of coastal Orissa (present-day Odisha) was Kalinga.
- It was a prominent maritime power known for overseas trade with Southeast Asia.
- The region is historically significant for the Kalinga War (261 BCE) fought between Ashoka and the Kalinga kingdom.
Information Booster:
- Kalinga corresponded to the eastern coastal region covering parts of modern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh.
- It had important ports such as Tamralipti which facilitated international trade.
- After the Kalinga War, Emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhism and non-violence, marking a major turning point in Indian history.
- The Kalinga kingdom finds mention in ancient texts like the Mahabharata and Puranas.
Additional Knowledge:
- Taxila : An ancient city in present-day Pakistan; a renowned center of learning.
- Kalsi : Known for Ashoka's rock edicts in Uttarakhand.
- Topra: Site of Ashokan pillar inscriptions in Haryana.