Who was the third ruler of the Maurya Empire?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Ashoka

Explanation:

• The third ruler of the Maurya Empire was Emperor Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great. He succeeded his father, Bindusara, who was the second ruler.
• Ashoka ruled from around 268 BCE to 232 BCE and is remembered as one of the greatest emperors in Indian history.

Information Booster:

Mauryan Empire (321 BCE – 185 BCE)

Capital: Pataliputra
Archaeological Era: Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)

Chandragupta Maurya (321–297 BCE)

• Founder of Mauryan Empire
• Fought Seleucus Nicator; gained Arachosia, Gedrosia, Paropomisadai via treaty (303 BCE)
• Greek envoy Megasthenes visited his court
• Became a Jain monk; disciple of Bhadrabahu

Bindusara (297–273 BCE)

• Known as Amitraghata (Slayer of enemies)
• Expanded empire across the Indian peninsula, from Arabian Sea to Bay of Bengal
• Greek envoy Deimachus visited his court
• Followed the Ajivika sect

Ashoka (272–232 BCE)

• Viceroy of Taxila & Ujjain before ascending the throne
• Fought the Kalinga War; renounced violence after its horrors
• Promoted Buddhism, held 3rd Buddhist Council at Pataliputra
• Known by names like Devanampiya, Piyadassi, Dharmasoka
• Propagated Dhamma (ethical code) via inscriptions

Dasharatha (232–224 BCE)

• Last Mauryan ruler to issue imperial edicts
• Continued Ashoka’s religious policies
  

Samprati (224–215 BCE)

• Ruled from Pataliputra and Ujjain
• Recovered lost territories: Saurashtra, Andhra, Maharashtra, Mysore
• Promoted Jainism; disciple of Suhastisuriji

Brihadratha (187–185 BCE)

• Last Mauryan ruler
• Assassinated by general Pushyamitra Shunga
• Led to foundation of the Shunga Empire