Question

the mauryan empire lasted from about 321 bce to 180 bce. the following table describes the first three mauryan emperors. read the information about the emperors’ religions. then answer the question below.
emperor | description
chandragupta | ca. 321 bce - ca. 298 bce
| chandragupta was hindu during his rule, but he allowed people in his empire to practice many different religions. chandragupta changed his own religion after his son became emperor.
bindusara | ca. 298 bce - ca. 272 bce
| bindusara was hindu his entire life. he allowed people to practice many different religions.
ashoka | ca. 268 bce - ca. 232 bce
| ashoka was hindu at the beginning of his reign but changed his own religion around 263 bce. he worked to spread his new religion, but he did not make other people change their religions.
based on the information in the table, which of the following statements is true?
ashoka was the first mauryan emperor to change his religion.
under the rule of bindusara, everyone in the mauryan empire had to be hindu.
chandragupta allowed people to be hindu and outlawed other religions.
leaders of the mauryan empire were tolerant, or accepting, of different religions.

Explanation:

We verify each statement against the table details:

1. The first statement claims Ashoka was the first Mauryan to change religion, but the table says Chandragupta changed his religion after his son became emperor, so this is false.
2. The second statement claims everyone in the Mauryan Empire had to be Hindu under Bindusara, but the table states Bindusara allowed people to practice many different religions, so this is false.
3. The third statement claims Chandragupta outlawed other religions, but the table says he allowed people to practice many different religions, so this is false.
4. The fourth statement matches the table: Chandragupta allowed religious practice, Bindusara allowed diverse religions, and Ashoka spread his religion without forcing others, meaning all leaders were tolerant of different religions.

Answer:

Leaders of the Mauryan Empire were tolerant, or accepting, of different religions.