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Which one of the following was the actual cause of the Kalinga war?
  • a)
    Ashoka wanted to control both the land and sea routes to south India, and any hostile power obstructing the route would have had to be conquered.
  • b)
    Kalinga had grown very powerful during the reign of Bindusara and was posing a danger to the Mauryan empire.
  • c)
    The Nagas, the sea-faring people of Kalinga, were indulged in piracy and obstructing the foreign trade.
  • d)
    Kalinga was a thorn in the body-politik of the empire.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Which one of the following was the actual cause of the Kalinga war?a)A...
The actual cause of the Kalinga war was that Ashoka wanted to control both the land and sea routes to south India, and any hostile power obstructing the route would have had to be conquered. This can be explained under the following headings:

Background:
During the reign of Ashoka's father Bindusara, Kalinga had grown powerful and was posing a potential danger to the Mauryan empire. Ashoka, who was initially a ruthless and ambitious ruler, saw Kalinga as a thorn in the body-politik of the empire and decided to conquer it.

Ashoka's Ambition:
Ashoka wanted to control both the land and sea routes to south India as it was a significant trade route. Kalinga, being a coastal region, had control over the sea route to south India. Therefore, any hostile power obstructing the route had to be conquered, and Ashoka saw Kalinga as a threat to his ambition.

The War:
In 261 BCE, Ashoka attacked Kalinga with a massive army, which resulted in a bloody war that lasted for two years. The war was one of the bloodiest in ancient Indian history, resulting in the death of over a hundred thousand people and the enslavement of many more.

Aftermath:
The war had a profound impact on Ashoka, who was deeply affected by the human suffering he witnessed. He renounced violence and embraced Buddhism, becoming a pacifist and a patron of the religion. He also implemented policies of non-violence and religious tolerance throughout his empire.

In conclusion, the actual cause of the Kalinga war was Ashoka's ambition to control the trade routes to south India, and Kalinga's obstruction of the sea route was seen as a threat to his ambition. The war had a profound impact on Ashoka and led to his transformation as a ruler.
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Which one of the following was the actual cause of the Kalinga war?a)A...
Answer: A. Ashoka wanted to control both the land and sea routes to south India, and any hostile power obstructing the route would have had to be conquered.

Explanation:
- The Kalinga war took place in 261 BCE when the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka invaded the kingdom of Kalinga, which lay along the eastern coast of India.
- There were multiple factors that contributed to the war, but the primary reason was Ashoka's ambition to control both the land and sea routes to south India.
- South India was a major source of wealth and resources for trade, and controlling these routes would enhance the prosperity and power of the Mauryan empire.
- Kalinga was a strategically important region as it lay between the Mauryan Empire and the southern kingdoms, and its control would ensure uninterrupted access to these trade routes.
- The hostile power of Kalinga obstructing the route made it necessary for Ashoka to conquer the region in order to secure the trade routes and further expand the Mauryan empire.
- Although other factors such as Kalinga's growing power, the piracy by the Nagas, and its potential threat to the Mauryan empire might have played a role, the primary cause of the war was Ashoka's ambition to control the land and sea routes to south India.
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Which one of the following was the actual cause of the Kalinga war?a)Ashoka wanted to control both the land and sea routes to south India, and any hostile power obstructing the route would have had to be conquered.b)Kalinga had grown very powerful during the reign of Bindusara and was posing a danger to the Mauryan empire.c)The Nagas, the sea-faring people of Kalinga, were indulged in piracy and obstructing the foreign trade.d)Kalinga was a thorn in the body-politik of the empire.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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Which one of the following was the actual cause of the Kalinga war?a)Ashoka wanted to control both the land and sea routes to south India, and any hostile power obstructing the route would have had to be conquered.b)Kalinga had grown very powerful during the reign of Bindusara and was posing a danger to the Mauryan empire.c)The Nagas, the sea-faring people of Kalinga, were indulged in piracy and obstructing the foreign trade.d)Kalinga was a thorn in the body-politik of the empire.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which one of the following was the actual cause of the Kalinga war?a)Ashoka wanted to control both the land and sea routes to south India, and any hostile power obstructing the route would have had to be conquered.b)Kalinga had grown very powerful during the reign of Bindusara and was posing a danger to the Mauryan empire.c)The Nagas, the sea-faring people of Kalinga, were indulged in piracy and obstructing the foreign trade.d)Kalinga was a thorn in the body-politik of the empire.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which one of the following was the actual cause of the Kalinga war?a)Ashoka wanted to control both the land and sea routes to south India, and any hostile power obstructing the route would have had to be conquered.b)Kalinga had grown very powerful during the reign of Bindusara and was posing a danger to the Mauryan empire.c)The Nagas, the sea-faring people of Kalinga, were indulged in piracy and obstructing the foreign trade.d)Kalinga was a thorn in the body-politik of the empire.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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