Option d is the correct answer Developments under Mauryan kings; Culture, Art and Literature: The Mauryan Empire, under rulers like Ashoka, fostered a rich cultural environment. It promoted Buddhism, leading to the spread of art and literature through inscriptions. Ashoka's edicts communicated moral principles and governance. Provincial Division: The Mauryan Empire was organized into four major provinces-Ujjain, Taxila, Kalinga, and Suvarnagiri-with Pataliputra as the central administrative hub. These provinces were subdivided into smaller units, which were effectively managed by officials like Rajukas, Nagarika, and Gopa. This hierarchical system facilitated efficient governance during the Mauryan era. Kingship to Hindukush:The Mauryan Empire's influence extended up to the Hindukush region. While the exact extent of control might vary, Mauryan kings exerted influence over territories encompassing the Hindukush mountain range, showcasing the empire's reach and power during that era. However, Gold coins were not a prominent feature of the Mauryan Empire's coinage. Instead, the coinage mainly consisted of silver and copper coins. The Mauryan currency was nearly entirely made up of silver karshapana weighing around 3.4 g m 3.4 gm, a series that followed the Magadha karshapana series.To ensure their validity, the Mauryan coins were punched with the royal standard. Important Tips Features of Mauryan Coinage: Currency Composition: The primary currency of the Mauryan era was the silver karshapana, weighing approximately 3.4 grams. This followed the earlier Magadha karshapana standard. Royal Validation: Mauryan coins were imprinted with the royal standard to ensure their authenticity and acceptance in trade. Coinage Regulation: The Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya, not only outlines coin minting procedures but also suggests that private firms deviating from Mauryan norms could be penalized. Bimetallism Concept: Kautilya's writings hint at the endorsement of bimetallism, advocating the simultaneous use of copper and silver under state control. Distinctive Features: Mauryan coins commonly featured five punches, including a sun symbol and a " 6 -arm sign," along with three additional symbols. The imperial currency of the Mauryans consisted of punch-marked silver coins adorned with symbols like the peacock, hill, and regent. Symbolic Representations: Mauryan coin designs included various symbols such as elephants, trees within a fence emblem, and mountains. Geometric symbols were also present.