Question

King Ashoka belonged to which dynasty?
A)Gupta
B)Mauryan
C)Pallava
D)Kushana

Answer 1

Hint: 1)This empire was a geographically vast historical power of the Iron Age based in Magadha.
2)In this empire, farmers were relieved of the burden of tax and crop collection from the regional kings.
3)The population of the empire was estimated to be around 50–60 million which led in making the Mauryan Empire one of the most populous empires during the time.

Complete answer:
Ashoka the Great was an Indian emperor who belonged to the Maurya dynasty. He was the one who ruled almost the entire Indian subcontinent. Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the dynasty, promoted the spread of Buddhism throughout ancient Asia. He is called to be one of India's greatest emperors. Ashoka extended Chandragupta's empire to a kingdom stretching from present-day Afghanistan in the western side to Bangladesh in the east. The capital of the empire was Pataliputra (in Magadha, now Patna), with the provincial capitals of Taxila and Ujjain.
Although the annexation of Kaling was completed, Ashoka embraced the teachings of Buddhism and renounced war and violence. He sent missionaries to travel around Asia and spread Buddhism to other countries. Extension of the Maurya Empire at its height in the year 265 BCE.
The Maurian dynasty was extended to the southern regions of India by the reign of Emperor Bindusara, but it excluded Kalinga (modern Odisha) until it was conquered by Ashoka. It declined for about 50 years after the rule of Ashoka, and collapsed in 185 BCE with the foundation of the Shunga dynasty in Magadha.

Following are the given alternatives:

1)The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire from the mid-to-late 3rd century BC. Some historians consider this period to be the Golden Age of India. The empire was founded by King Sri Gupta; the most notable rulers of the dynasty were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II, alias Vikramaditya. Thus, Option A is incorrect.

2)Ashoka was the third emperor of the Maurian dynasty, the grandson of its founder, Chandragupta, and the son of the second emperor, Bindusara. Thus, Option B is correct.

3)The Pallava dynasty was an Indian dynasty that existed from 275 CE to 897 CE and ruled the southern part of India. They gained prominence after the obscuring of the Satavahana dynasty. Simhavishnu, Mahendravarman I, Narasimhavarman I are some of the rulers of this empire.Thus, Option C is also incorrect.

4)The Kushan Empire was an empire formed at the beginning of the 1st century. They have played an important role in the establishment of Buddhism in the Indian subcontinent and its spread to Central Asia and China. Kujula Kadphises, Vima Taktu or Sadashkana, and Vima Kadphises are some of the rulers of this empire. Thus, Option D is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Note: 1)Ashoka implemented ahimsa principles by prohibiting hunting and violent sports activities and ending indentured and forced labour.
2)The Lion capital of Ashoka in Sarnath is the national emblem of the modern Republic of India.