Which one of the following present day territories was outside the limits of Ashoka's empire? 

The correct answer is Brahmaputra valley, Assam.

Key Points

• Emperor Ashoka's empire, at its peak, covered most of the Indian subcontinent but did not extend to the Brahmaputra valley in present-day Assam.
• His empire stretched from Afghanistan and Baluchistan in the northwest to Bengal in the east and from the Himalayas in the north to peninsular India in the south.
• The Brahmaputra valley remained outside Ashoka’s rule due to geographical barriers and limited administrative reach of the Mauryan Empire in the easternmost territories.
• Regions like Kashmir, North Bengal, and Baluchistan were included within the boundaries of Ashoka’s vast empire.
• The inscriptions and edicts of Ashoka, such as the Rock Edicts, do not provide evidence of his rule over the Brahmaputra valley.

Additional Information

• Ashoka’s Edicts:
  • Ashoka’s inscriptions were written in Brahmi, Kharosthi, and other scripts, and they provide valuable insights into his administration, values, and territorial extent.
  • The Major Rock Edicts and Pillar Edicts are spread across modern-day India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• Geographical Barriers:
  • The rugged terrain and dense forests of northeastern India made the Brahmaputra valley difficult to access during ancient times.
  • These factors limited the Mauryan Empire’s expansion into regions like Assam.
• Extent of the Mauryan Empire:
  • The Mauryan Empire under Ashoka was one of the largest empires in ancient India, encompassing most of the Indian subcontinent.
  • It included regions like Magadha, Gandhara, and Kalinga, but excluded the far eastern territories like Assam.
• Significance of Ashoka’s Rule:
  • Ashoka is remembered for his promotion of Buddhism and his efforts to spread dharma (moral law) across his empire.
  • His rule marked a significant turning point in Indian history, emphasizing welfare and non-violence.