Question

Which option best explains the origins of the Mauryan Empire in India? Choose the best answer choice, and explain.

Responses

The Mauryan Empire first expanded through conquest after the retreat of Alexander the Great from the Indus region.

The Mauryan Empire brought most of the Indian subcontinent under its control, except for regions under Hellenistic control to the northwest.

The Mauryan Empire used military force to turn the Indian subcontinent into a decentralized region.

The Mauryan Empire peacefully unified the tribes and kingdoms of the Indian subcontinent through diplomacy.

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

The Mauryan Empire first expanded through conquest after the retreat of Alexander the Great from the Indus region. This is the best explanation as it highlights the historical context in which the Mauryan Empire emerged. After Alexander the Great's departure, there was a power vacuum in the region, which allowed the Mauryan Empire to expand through military conquest and establish its rule over much of the Indian subcontinent. This conquest was a key factor in the origins of the Mauryan Empire, as it laid the foundation for the empire's territorial control and centralized administration.