AP World History Practice Exam 2026 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The choice indicating that many Indian elites disagreed with Ashoka's policies because they felt it would allow Buddhists to participate in India's government aligns well with historical context. Under Ashoka’s rule, there was a significant promotion of Buddhism, and he utilized his position to spread its principles across his empire. This included implementing policies that emphasized moral conduct, non-violence, and the welfare of all subjects, which often conflicted with the interests of the prevailing Hindu elite who may have perceived Buddhism as a challenge to their traditional power and societal structure.

The fear of including Buddhists in government could stem from anxiety among the Indian elites regarding the erosion of their authority and the caste system that they upheld. Ashoka’s embrace of cultural pluralism and his encouragement of non-Hindu doctrines suggested a shift that could undermine the established hierarchies, fostering a political landscape where Buddhists—or those of various other faiths—might attain positions of influence, thus altering the political balance of power in the region.

In this context, the other options do not reflect the most significant concerns of the elite regarding Ashoka’s administration. The potential rejection of the caste system or fears of foreign powers is less directly linked to the main controversies surrounding Ashoka’s policies aimed at promoting