In Ashoka's inscriptions, the term 'Atavika rajya' was used for the:

In Ashoka's inscriptions and in other ancient texts, "Atavika rajya" (or "atavi") referred to the forest kingdoms or the forest-dwelling tribal peoples.

About the Atavikas:

• "Atavi" means forest, and "atavika" means a forest-dweller.
• These were tribal communities living in forests, especially in central India, who were not fully under the control of the Mauryan state.
• Ashoka's Major Rock Edict XIII refers to the "atavikas" (forest people) within his dominions.
• In it, Ashoka says that he wants to win them over through Dhamma and kindness, but also warns them that he still has power, and that they should mend their ways, so that they are not punished.
• This shows that Ashoka, despite his policy of non-violence, did not give up the power of the state.

In the Arthashastra:

• The Arthashastra describes the "atavi bala" (forest troops) as one of the types of armed forces that a king could use.
• It also advises the king to keep a watch on forest tribes, who could be dangerous if they joined enemies.

In the Gupta period:

The Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti) of Samudragupta says that he made all the "atavika rajyas" (forest kingdoms) his servants; these were probably in central India.

Relations between states and forest people:

• NCERT notes that forest people supplied the state with elephants, timber, honey, wax and other forest products.
• Rulers tried to control them, but forest areas often remained independent.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Kingdoms beyond the sea, Greek kingdoms of the west, and mountain kingdoms were referred to by other terms; for example, Greek kingdoms were called "Yona" (Yavana).