In ancient Indian history, Chandragupta Maurya later became an ardent follower of which religion?

Introduction / Context:
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, one of the largest empires in ancient Indian history. Apart from his political achievements, his later life is remembered for his association with a particular religion. Questions about which faith he embraced in his final years are common in competitive exams because they connect political history with the history of religions and philosophies in India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to Chandragupta Maurya specifically.
• It asks which religion he became an ardent follower of later in life.
• Options list several major Indian religions and one less common sect.
• Only one of these matches the dominant traditional account of his final years.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall accounts from ancient Indian history that describe Chandragupta's retirement from political life. Traditional Jain texts and some historical reconstructions note that he accepted Jain teachings, renounced worldly life, and is believed to have undertaken Sallekhana, a Jain ritual of fasting unto death, at Shravanabelagola in present day Karnataka. These details support the identification of Jainism as the religion he embraced most strongly in his later life.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan Empire with the help of Chanakya. Step 2: Remember that after ruling for some years, he is said to have abdicated in favour of his son Bindusara. Step 3: Note from traditional accounts that Chandragupta then adopted a Jain way of life under the influence of Jain monks. Step 4: Recognise that he is believed to have spent his last years at Shravanabelagola, following Jain practices and ultimately undertaking Sallekhana. Step 5: From the options, select Jainism as the religion that matches these descriptions.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by reading standard sources on the Mauryan Empire and religious history. Many textbooks mention the Jain tradition that Chandragupta became a devout Jain and ended his life in accordance with Jain ascetic practices. Although there may be scholarly debates about details, there is broad agreement in exam oriented literature that Jainism is the correct answer. None of the other religions in the options have such a strong, repeated traditional association with his later life.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Buddhism is strongly associated with Chandragupta's grandson Ashoka, who adopted Buddhist teachings after the Kalinga war, not with Chandragupta himself. Hinduism was widely practised in ancient India, but the specific story of renunciation and Sallekhana is linked with Jainism. Sikhism arose much later in the fifteenth century and has no connection with the Mauryan period. Ajivika was another religious sect in ancient India, and although some Mauryan connections are discussed, the popular and exam relevant tradition identifies Chandragupta more clearly with Jainism.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse the religious transformation of Ashoka with that of Chandragupta and therefore incorrectly choose Buddhism. Others may simply pick Hinduism as a safe option due to its wide presence in India, without recalling the specific story of Chandragupta's later years. To avoid such errors, students should clearly distinguish the religious associations of major Mauryan rulers: Chandragupta with Jainism and Ashoka with Buddhism.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Jainism.