Who was Ashoka?
Ashoka (r. c. 268–232 BCE) was the third emperor of India's Maurya Dynasty and one of history's most remarkable rulers. After a devastating conquest of Kalinga that killed 100,000 people, he embraced Buddhist principles of nonviolence and ethical rule, becoming an advocate for peace, religious tolerance, and compassionate governance.
Ashoka (also spelled Asoka) was the third and greatest emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, ruling over most of the Indian subcontinent from approximately 268 to 232 BCE. His transformation from a violent conqueror into one of history's most committed advocates of peace and ethical governance makes him one of the most fascinating figures in world history.
Ashoka came to power through what appears to have been a bloody succession struggle — later Buddhist traditions claim he killed ninety-nine brothers to secure the throne, though this is likely exaggeration. His early reign followed the expansionist pattern of his grandfather Chandragupta Maurya, with the Maurya Empire already encompassing most of the subcontinent.
The turning point was the conquest of Kalinga (modern-day Odisha), around 261 BCE. Ashoka's own inscriptions describe the aftermath in blunt terms: 100,000 killed in battle, 150,000 deported, and many times that number dead from the war's consequences. His rock edicts record his response: 'His Majesty felt deep sadness and regret for the conquest of Kalinga.'
What followed this remorse was extraordinary. Ashoka embraced the Buddhist concept of dhamma (dharma) and dedicated the remainder of his reign to promoting nonviolence, religious tolerance, honest governance, and compassion for all living beings. He communicated these principles through edicts carved on rocks and polished stone pillars across his empire — the first instance of a ruler communicating directly with subjects through public inscriptions.
Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and the Hellenistic kingdoms of the Mediterranean. He established hospitals, protected wildlife, and promoted vegetarianism. His legacy endures in India's national emblem — the lion capital from one of his pillars — and in the wheel of dharma on the Indian flag.