The antariya was a garment worn by people during the Mauryan period. It was:

The correct answer is  an unstitched length of cloth draped around the body.

Key PointsAntariya in Mauryan Period

• The antariya was a traditional garment worn during the Mauryan period which spanned from approximately 322 to 185 BCE.
• It was characterized as an unstitched length of cloth that was draped around the body, a common practice in ancient Indian clothing.
• The antariya was typically made from fine cotton or muslin and was worn by both men and women.
• For men, the antariya was wrapped around the waist and legs, often extending to the knees or ankles, while women draped it as a lower garment, sometimes paired with an upper garment called the uttariya.
• This style of clothing was prevalent in ancient Indian society due to its simplicity and adaptability to the hot climate.
• The antariya is often depicted in ancient Indian sculptures and paintings, providing visual evidence of its usage.
• While the garment was unstitched, it was elegantly draped and sometimes adorned with decorative elements like borders or embroidery.

Additional Information

• The Mauryan Empire was a geographically extensive and powerful political and military empire in ancient India.
• The founder of the Mauryan Empire was Chandragupta Maurya, who established the empire by overthrowing the Nanda Dynasty in the late 4th century BCE.
• Under the rule of Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Empire reached its zenith, covering most of the Indian subcontinent.
• Ashoka is renowned for his conversion to Buddhism and the spread of Buddhist principles across Asia.
• The Mauryan period is noted for its significant contributions to Indian art, architecture, and culture, including the construction of the Pillars of Ashoka and the development of the ancient Indian script, Brahmi.
• The economic prosperity of the Mauryan Empire was supported by a well-organized administrative system and a thriving trade network.
• The Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya (Chanakya), is a key text from this period that provides insight into the political and economic strategies of the Mauryan administration.