Which of the following was not a state monopoly during the Mauryan period

Q. Which of the following was not a state monopoly during the Mauryan period?

(a) Mines and forests

(b) Pearl and fisheries

(c) Ferries and bridges

(d) Slaughter houses and gambling houses

Ans: (d) Slaughter houses and gambling houses

Explanation: The item that was not a state monopoly during the Mauryan period is option (d) slaughter houses and gambling houses. The Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka implemented various state monopolies to centralize control and generate revenue. Mines and forests (option a), pearl and fisheries (option b), and ferries and bridges (option c) were all sectors that came under state monopoly. However, there is no historical evidence to suggest that slaughter houses and gambling houses were part of the state-controlled monopolies during the Mauryan period.