Question

Which option best explains the collapse of the Mauryan Empire?(1 point)ResponsesAfter the war against Kalinga, the Mauryan Empire’s power in the region was undermined, and they never recovered their influence in the region.After the war against Kalinga, the Mauryan Empire’s power in the region was undermined, and they never recovered their influence in the region.Chandragupta Maurya converted to Buddhism, leading to the collapse of the Mauryan Empire and the independence of kingdoms in the south.Chandragupta Maurya converted to Buddhism, leading to the collapse of the Mauryan Empire and the independence of kingdoms in the south.After Ashoka Maurya, the empire was conquered by Alexander the Great.After Ashoka Maurya, the empire was conquered by Alexander the Great.After the death of Ashoka, economic struggles and breakaway states led to a decentralized Indian subcontinent.

Answer 1

The best option is: "After the death of Ashoka, economic struggles and breakaway states led to a decentralized Indian subcontinent."

Brief explanation: After Ashoka's death the central authority weakened (poor successors, administrative strain, fiscal pressures), provincial governors and local rulers asserted independence, and the empire fragmented into smaller kingdoms (e.g., the Shungas, Satavahanas). The other choices are historically inaccurate or irrelevant (Alexander predated the Mauryans; Chandragupta’s supposed conversion didn’t cause the collapse; the Kalinga war affected Ashoka personally but did not directly cause immediate collapse).