Which of the following is one of Asoka's Buddhist edicts?
A.
Subjects should be treated with cruelty
B.
Violence is the best solution to most problems
C.
Everyone must be forced to become Buddhist
D.
People should be treated humanely and fairly.
D. People should be treated humanely and fairly.
After Asoka died, what happened to his empire?
A.
Tamils from the South peacefully took power
B.
The empire disintegrated into a period of civil wars
C.
His son became king, and continued the empire as before
D.
Local leaders came together to choose a new king
B. The empire disintegrated into a period of civil wars.
The correct answer is "D. People should be treated humanely and fairly." This option aligns with one of Asoka's Buddhist edicts, which promotes treating people with kindness and fairness.
To arrive at this answer, one can infer based on historical knowledge of Asoka's reign. Asoka, also known as Emperor Ashoka the Great, ruled over the Mauryan Empire in ancient India from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. He was a prominent Buddhist king who embraced Buddhism after witnessing the devastating consequences of war.
During his rule, Asoka issued various edicts to promote moral and ethical behavior and to govern his vast empire. These edicts were written on rocks and pillars and were distributed throughout the empire.
To determine which of the given options aligns with Asoka's Buddhist edicts, the first two options (A and B) can be safely eliminated based on the understanding that Asoka practiced ahimsa (non-violence) and advocated for the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
The last option (C) can also be eliminated, as Asoka's approach was more focused on promoting Buddhism through persuasion and example rather than through force.
Thus, the correct answer is option D, as it reflects Asoka's emphasis on treating people with humanity and fairness, which was a fundamental principle of his rule and aligned with his Buddhist beliefs.