The correct option is 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The Mauryan Empire was the first pan-Indian empire, yet its political control was not uniform across all regions. By the 2nd century BCE, the centralized structure weakened, leading to the disintegration of the empire and the rise of regional powers.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct. By the second century BCE (specifically around 185 BCE), the Mauryan Empire had declined. The assassination of the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, by Pushyamitra Sunga marked the end of the dynasty. Consequently, new chiefdoms and kingdoms emerged in various parts of the subcontinent, including the Sungas in the north and the Satavahanas in the Deccan.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect. While the Mauryan Empire was vast, extending from the Hindu Kush in the northwest to Mysore in the south, it did not encompass the entire subcontinent. The deep south, specifically the regions ruled by the Cholas, Pandyas, Keralaputras, and Satiyaputras, remained outside Mauryan control. Ashokan inscriptions explicitly refer to these southern powers as friendly independent neighbors.
- Statement 3 is Correct. Historians suggest that the Mauryan Empire was not a monolithic or uniform state. Administrative control was likely strongest in the capital (Pataliputra) and the major provincial centres (such as Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali, and Suvarnagiri). In contrast, control over peripheral areas and forest regions was likely more flexible or indirect.
Key Takeaway:
The Mauryan Empire excluded the deep south (Tamilakam) and operated with uneven administrative intensity, being highly centralized at the core but looser in the periphery.