ASHOKA; THE EMPEROR WHO GAVE UP WAR
1. RISE OF MAURYAN EMPIRE
The Mauryan empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
The last of Nanda rulers, Dhana Nanda was highly unpopular due to his oppressive policy.
Chandragupta, with the help of an intelligent and politically astute brahmin, Kautilya usurped the throne by defeating Dhana Nanda in 321 BC.
Chandragupta occupied Pataliputra in 322 BC with the help of Chanakya.
Under Chandragupta for the first time, the whole of northern India was united.
The last of Nanda rulers, Dhana Nanda was highly unpopular due to his oppressive policy.
Chandragupta, with the help of an intelligent and politically astute brahmin, Kautilya usurped the throne by defeating Dhana Nanda in 321 BC.
Chandragupta occupied Pataliputra in 322 BC with the help of Chanakya.
Under Chandragupta for the first time, the whole of northern India was united.
2. THE GREAT RULER; ASHOKA
According to the Buddhist texts it appears that there was a struggle for throne among the princess on the death of Bindusara. Ashoka usurped the throne after killing his 99 brothers.
The war of succession accounts for four years. Ashoka had himself formally crowned in 269 BC.
Under Asoka the Mauryan empire reaching its climax. For the first time the whole of the sub-continent, leaving out the extreme south, was under imperial control.
He is considered to be one of India's greatest emperors because after him no Indian ruler could ever assemble such an vast empire.
The war of succession accounts for four years. Ashoka had himself formally crowned in 269 BC.
Under Asoka the Mauryan empire reaching its climax. For the first time the whole of the sub-continent, leaving out the extreme south, was under imperial control.
He is considered to be one of India's greatest emperors because after him no Indian ruler could ever assemble such an vast empire.
3. THE WAR OF KALINGA
In the 12th year of Ashoka’s reign he sent a message to the king of Kalinga asking for it’s submission, but the king of Kalinga refused to submit. As a result Asoka lead a huge army against Kalinga.
Ashoka invaded Kalinga in 260 BCE and slaughtered lacks of inhabitants, enslaved many and left thousand of others to die of disease and famine.
When Asoka was walking across the battlefield he experienced a change of heart as he looked upon the many lives he took. he was devastated seeing the view of the battlefield
After that Ashoka gave up war and embraced Buddhism, embarking upon the path of peace and ruled with justice and mercy.
Ashoka invaded Kalinga in 260 BCE and slaughtered lacks of inhabitants, enslaved many and left thousand of others to die of disease and famine.
When Asoka was walking across the battlefield he experienced a change of heart as he looked upon the many lives he took. he was devastated seeing the view of the battlefield
After that Ashoka gave up war and embraced Buddhism, embarking upon the path of peace and ruled with justice and mercy.
Fig 3. The Aftermath of Kalinga War
4. ASHOKA’S DHAMMA
Ashoka’s Dhamma is a set of edict which were the common code of conduct. It did not contain any religious policy rather was a way of life.
His Dhamma was based on the unifying principles of all major religions in the world or it could be told as the common meeting ground of all religions.
The policy of Dhamma was the earnest attempt of Ashoka at solving some of problems and tensions faced by a complex society.
The policy of Dhamma laid stress on non-violence, which was to be practiced by giving up war and conquests and also restraint on killing of animals. It also included other welfare measures, like the planting of trees and digging of wells.
His Dhamma was based on the unifying principles of all major religions in the world or it could be told as the common meeting ground of all religions.
The policy of Dhamma was the earnest attempt of Ashoka at solving some of problems and tensions faced by a complex society.
The policy of Dhamma laid stress on non-violence, which was to be practiced by giving up war and conquests and also restraint on killing of animals. It also included other welfare measures, like the planting of trees and digging of wells.
Fig 4. Ashokan Rock Edict
5. ART AND ARCHITECTURE DURING ASHOKA
🖵 Stone pillars with inscriptions on them can be seen all over the Mauryan empire built during King Ashoka to spread the message of the Buddha.
The pillars erected during Ashoka have spectacular capital figures on top of them. The Lion Capital of one of the pillars; Ashoka Stambha is now being used as the national symbol of India.
🖵 There were sculptures, rock-cut architecture, buildings like stupas, viharas and chaityas that served many purposes now carries the evidence of development of art and architecture during the rule of Ashoka.
The pillars erected during Ashoka have spectacular capital figures on top of them. The Lion Capital of one of the pillars; Ashoka Stambha is now being used as the national symbol of India.
🖵 There were sculptures, rock-cut architecture, buildings like stupas, viharas and chaityas that served many purposes now carries the evidence of development of art and architecture during the rule of Ashoka.
6. CONCLUSION
Ashoka was the first and last king who unified such a vast kingdom in Indian subcontinent.
After the fateful war of Kalinga he converted from ‘Chandashoka’ (ferocious Ashoka) to ‘Dharmashoka’ (the religious one).
Ashoka is the one who is responsible for the spread of Buddhism from India to all over the world. Ashoka promoted Buddhist expansion by sending monks to surrounding territories to share the teachings of the Buddha.
His policy of Dhamma was for the welfare for all kinds of people from all religions.
After the fateful war of Kalinga he converted from ‘Chandashoka’ (ferocious Ashoka) to ‘Dharmashoka’ (the religious one).
Ashoka is the one who is responsible for the spread of Buddhism from India to all over the world. Ashoka promoted Buddhist expansion by sending monks to surrounding territories to share the teachings of the Buddha.
His policy of Dhamma was for the welfare for all kinds of people from all religions.
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