Question

In which year did the Kalinga war take place?
A 261 BC
B 240 BC
C 265 BC
D 232 BC

Answer 1

Hint:
In ancient times, Odisha was known as Kalinga. The famous Kalinga War was fought between the great Mauryan Emperor Ashoka and the state of Ashoka. Kalinga controlled the trade routes with Southeast Asia. This made Ashoka to capture Kalinga.

Complete answer:
A) Kalinga was a flourishing region consisting of present day Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and most of Odisha. The people of Kalinga were skilled and they were the first from the region to travel to the southeast for trade. The trade was lucrative. This made Ashoka to capture Kalinga. He marched to Kalinga with a huge army. This famous war took place in the year 261 BC.

B) The year 240 BC has nothing to do with the Battle of Kalinga. The famous Battle of the Bagradas River was fought this year.

C) The year 265 BC also has nothing to do with the Battle of Kalinga. The famous Battle of Messana was fought this year. It was the first military clash between the Roman Republic and Carthage.

D) The year 232 BC has also nothing to do with the Battle of Kalinga. But Ashoka died this year.

Therefore the correct answer is option (A).

Note:
This is the only major war Ashoka fought after he became the king . In fact, this war completed the empire building and military conquests of ancient India that began with Maurya king Bindusara. There was much bloodshed in the Kalinga War. This changed the attitude of Ashoka. He left violence and adopted the path of Non-violence. He became a Buddhist after the Kalinga War.