Which of the following states of India did not form part of the Mauryan empire

Q. Which of the following states of India did not form part of the Mauryan empire?

(a) Kerala

(b) Tamil Nadu

(c) Both (a) and (b) above

(d) Kashmir

Ans: (c) Both (a) and (b) above

Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Both (a) and (b) above, i.e., Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Mauryan Empire, established by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya in the 4th century BCE, was one of the largest and most powerful empires in ancient India. However, it did not extend its direct control over the southernmost regions of India, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Mauryan Empire primarily covered the northern and central parts of the Indian subcontinent, encompassing present-day areas such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan and Haryana.