The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Mauryan period (c. 321-185 BCE) marked the first major political unification of the Indian subcontinent, centered in Magadha. Culturally, it was characterized by the coexistence of courtly art (pillars, stupas) and popular folk traditions.
Statement 1 is Correct: Magadha, aided by its strategic location, fertile Gangetic plains, and control over iron resources, emerged as the nucleus of the Mauryan Empire. From this base, the Mauryas consolidated administrative and military control over vast regions of the subcontinent, creating a centralized pan-Indian empire.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The 3rd century BCE covers the reigns of major Mauryan rulers, including Ashoka (c. 268-232 BCE). During this time, the Mauryan Empire was at its zenith, extending from the Hindu Kush mountains in the northwest to the northern borders of Mysore in the south. It was not limited to the Magadha region; rather, it controlled nearly the entire subcontinent except for the extreme south.
Statement 3 is Correct: Religious life in the Mauryan period was diverse. Apart from the state patronage of Buddhism (under Ashoka) and the presence of Brahmanism and Jainism, popular folk religion was widespread. This included the worship of Yakshas (nature spirits) and mother goddesses, evidenced by monumental free-standing stone sculptures like the Didarganj Yakshi and the Parkham Yaksha found from this era.
Key Takeaway: The Mauryan Empire represented the peak of territorial expansion in ancient India during the 3rd century BCE, and its cultural landscape included a blend of institutional religions and indigenous Yaksha worship.