ASHOKA
Ashoka in History
Mauryan Dynasty
considered by some as the greatest and noblest of India's rulers
He was an adherent if Buddhism
he adopted a policy of non-violence in the aftermath of his victory at the Battle of Kalinga
his edicts, inscribed on rocks and pillars, advertised his policy of dhamma
dhamma is a concept that is known as mercy, truth or virtue
dhamma chakra = wheel of virtue
Early Question Topics
his accession to the Mauryan throne
the character of the early years of his rule
the nature and extent of his promotion of Buddhism
his policy of pacifism
Pacifism = opposition to war and violence
Mauryan Dynasty
Kings established an empire encompassing most of India as a country
The Mauryan Empire is an efficiently organised autocracy with an army and civil service
It was one of the world's largest empires in its time
Geographical Context
surrounded in the north by a great arc of mountains which form a natural boundary between India and its neighbors
eg. Himalayas and Hindu Kush
South Himalaya Mountains lie past plains created by the Indus River in the west and the Ganges River in the east
This region is fertile farming land
variety of terrain and climatic regions
Indian Society in the Mauryan Period
society was organised in groups based on their karma (work) and dharama (duty)
social rank rules came to govern all aspects of life
eg. where people lived, what they ate and how they dressed
The Reign of Ashoka
Ashoka was not the chosen heir for his father, but how he came to the throne remains unclear
the gap of four years between his father's death and Ashoka's accession indicates a struggle for the throne
Ashoka became king in 268 BC
He assumed the title 'Devanamipiya Piyadassi' meaning Beloved of the Gods, gracious of appearence
Battle of Kalinga
eight years into his reign, Ashoka conducted a military campaign against Kalinga
Ashoka may have been keen to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather by expanding the Mauryan Empire
Ashoka recorded the conquest of Kalinga on the most important of his Major Rock Edicts
there would have been economic benefits in additional territory for taxation
According to Ashoka's declaration, the loss of life at Kalinga was the event that caused him to renounce warfare and begin to promote the policy of dharma. This meant that violence was to be abandoned.
This took place in 261 B.C
The scene of the war presented a horrible sight, the whole terrain was covered with the corpses of soldiers, wounded soldiers, orphaned children and widows. This sight overwhelmed Ashoka. He realized that his victory at such a cost is not worthwhile. The whole war resulted in Ashoka's deviation towards Buddhism.