Question

Which of the following was not the result of the Kalinga War?
A) The number of casualties of combatants and noncombatants is stated to have been around four lakhs.
B) The strength of the Mauryan army was curtailed
C) The cruel consequences of war revolutionized the personality and public policies of Ashoka
D) He wages no wars after the Kalinga War

Answer 1

Hint: The Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE) was fought in ancient India between Ashoka's Maurya Empire and the state of Kalinga, an independent feudal kingdom located on the east coast in what is now Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh. Emperor Ashoka questioned the price of his triumph and its value after the war's disastrous outcome.

Complete answer:
In order to answer what was not the result of the Kalinga war it is necessary to know what were its outcomes. The Kalinga war claimed a large number of lives and destroyed a large amount of property. During the fight, Asoka captured 150,000 Kalinga troops, murdered 100,000, and many more died as a result of injuries. This shows that Option A is accurate. The war did result in a number of casualties.

Following the conquest of Kalinga, Ashoka put an end to the empire's military growth and started a period of relative peace, harmony, and prosperity that lasted more than 40 years. He was horrified at the site of destruction a war causes. Ashoka gave up conquest after the War of Kalinga. The Kalinga War inspired Ashoka to commit the rest of his life to ahimsa (nonviolence) and dharma-Vijaya, despite the fact that he was already a non-engaged Buddhist (victory through dharma). Option C is apt as the war led to changes in the public policies and also revolutionised Ashoka’s personality.

The Mauryan Army, the world's greatest standing military force at the time, aided the empire's growth and defence. The empire had 600,000 infantry (foot soldiers), 30,000 cavalry (horse warriors), and 9,000 war elephants at its disposal. The strength of the Mauryan army was not curtailed after the war. His empire was still in its full strength.

Therefore the correct answer is Option B) “the strength of the Mauryan army was curtailed” was not the result of the Kalinga War.

Note: The Kalinga War was a pivotal event in Ashoka's life, shaping and influencing his subsequent actions.During the Kalinga War, Asoka realised that the true conquest was not with the sword, but through the heart.