Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War

Introduction

Ashoka is one of the most remarkable rulers in world history. He began as a fierce warrior who conquered kingdoms through bloody wars. But after the terrible Kalinga War, he changed completely. He renounced war and dedicated his life to the welfare of his people. No other ruler in history has done such a complete transformation.

The Mauryan Empire

Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 BCE)

The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya:

• Before Mauryas: The Nanda dynasty ruled Magadha.
• Chandragupta's rise: With the help of his wise minister Chanakya (also called Kautilya or Vishnugupta), Chandragupta overthrew the Nandas in 321 BCE.
• Chanakya's Arthashastra: Chanakya wrote the Arthashastra, a famous book on statecraft, politics, and economics. It tells us how a king should rule.
• Empire extent: The empire stretched from the Hindu Kush mountains in the northwest to Bengal in the east and to the Deccan plateau in the south.
• War with Seleucus: Chandragupta defeated Seleucus Nikator, a Greek general of Alexander. A peace treaty was signed, and Chandragupta married Seleucus's daughter.
• Jainism: Chandragupta later became a Jain monk and died by fasting in Shravanabelagola (Karnataka).

The Arthashastra says: 'In the happiness of the subjects lies the happiness of the king. In their welfare lies his welfare.'

Bindusara (297-272 BCE)

• Son of Chandragupta Maurya
• Extended the empire further south
• Called Amitraghata (Slayer of Enemies)
• The Greeks called him Amitrochates

Ashoka (268-232 BCE)

• Son of Bindusara
• The greatest Mauryan emperor
• His name means 'without sorrow' in Sanskrit

How Did Ashoka Become Emperor?

According to Buddhist tradition, Ashoka was not Bindusara's first choice as heir. There was a struggle for the throne after Bindusara's death. Ashoka killed his 99 brothers and became the emperor — but this story may be an exaggeration by Buddhist writers who wanted to show Ashoka's transformation from a monster to a saint.

What we know for certain is that Ashoka became emperor around 268 BCE after a four-year succession struggle.

The Kalinga War (261 BCE)

Kalinga was a prosperous kingdom on the east coast (present-day Odisha). Ashoka attacked Kalinga in 261 BCE, eight years after becoming emperor.

What Happened in the War

The war was incredibly bloody:

• 1,50,000 people were captured
• 1,00,000 people were killed
• Many more died from wounds and disease

Impact on Ashoka

The war changed Ashoka forever. When he saw the destruction, he felt deep sorrow and regret. He said in one of his edicts:

'The Kalinga country was conquered by King Devanampriya Priyadarshi (Ashoka) when he had been consecrated eight years. One hundred and fifty thousand people were deported, one hundred thousand were killed, and many times that number died. After that, now that the Kalingas have been conquered, Devanampriya is devoted to the practice of Dhamma.'

Ashoka realised that true conquest is not by the sword but by Dhamma (righteousness).

Ashoka's Transformation

After Kalinga, Ashoka:

1. Gave up war — He never fought another war.
2. Converted to Buddhism — He became a Buddhist and promoted its teachings.
3. Practised non-violence — He stopped killing animals for the royal kitchen.
4. Worked for his people — He built hospitals, planted trees, dug wells.
5. Promoted Dhamma — He spread his message of moral living.

Ashoka's Dhamma

'Dhamma' is the Prakrit word for 'Dharma' (righteousness). Ashoka's Dhamma was not a religion but a set of moral principles for good living.

Principles of Dhamma

Key Features of Dhamma

1. Respect for elders — Obey your parents and teachers.
2. Kindness to animals — Do not kill or harm animals unnecessarily.
3. Tolerance — Respect all religions and sects.
4. Non-violence — Solve problems without violence.
5. Social responsibility — Help the poor and sick.
6. Efficiency in work — Officials should work honestly and quickly.

How Did Ashoka Spread Dhamma?

1. Edicts — He had his messages carved on rocks and pillars across the empire.
2. Dhamma Mahamattas — Special officers were appointed to spread Dhamma.
3. Royal tours — Ashoka himself travelled across the empire.
4. Missions abroad — He sent messengers to Sri Lanka, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Ashoka sent his own son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism. This shows how committed he was to sharing Dhamma.

Ashoka's Edicts

Ashoka's edicts are inscriptions on rocks and pillars. They are our most important source of information about Ashoka and his policies.

Rock Edicts

• Location: On rocks in various parts of the empire
• Language: Prakrit (the language of ordinary people)
• Script: Brahmi script (most edicts), Kharosthi (in the northwest), Greek and Aramaic (in Afghanistan)
• Content: Ashoka's thoughts on Dhamma, administration, and welfare

Important rock edict locations: Girnar (Gujarat), Dhauli (Odisha), Jaugada (Odisha), Sopara (Maharashtra), Erragudi (Andhra Pradesh).

Pillar Edicts

• Location: On tall pillars made of polished sandstone
• Height: Some pillars are over 10 metres tall
• Weight: Some pillars weigh over 50 tonnes
• Lion Capital: The pillars often had animal capitals — the Lion Capital at Sarnath is the most famous (now India's national emblem)

Important pillar locations: Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh), Lauriya Nandangarh (Bihar), Rampurva (Bihar), Topra (Haryana), Allahabad (moved there later).

Major Rock Edicts Summary

The 13th Rock Edict is the most important. It describes the Kalinga war and Ashoka's remorse. It also mentions five Greek kings by name, showing the Mauryan Empire's contact with the Hellenistic world.

AP Context: The Amaravati Stupa

Andhra Pradesh has a special connection to Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire:

• Amaravati Stupa is located in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.
• The stupa was built during the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE).
• Ashoka is believed to have visited this region and contributed to the construction of the stupa.
• The Amaravati School of Art developed around this stupa.
• Ashokan edicts have been found at Erragudi in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh — this is one of the 14 Major Rock Edict sites, proving that the Andhra region was part of the Mauryan Empire.
• The Ramatheertham site in Srikakulam district has an Ashokan edict.

Erragudi in Kurnool district has Ashoka's rock edicts. This inscription is on a large rock and includes the famous 13th Rock Edict describing the Kalinga war.

Administration Under Ashoka

Central Administration

• Emperor — Head of the state
• Council of ministers — Advised the emperor
• Officials — Various departments (revenue, army, justice)

Provincial Administration

The empire was divided into provinces:

• Four provinces — Each ruled by a prince (kumara)
• Provincial capitals: Taxila (northwest), Ujjayini (west), Tosali (east), Suvarnagiri (south — located in present-day Karnataka/Andhra!)
• Districts — Provinces were divided into districts

Local Administration

• Villages were the basic unit
• Gramika — Head of the village
• Officials looked after irrigation, roads, and trade

Decline of the Mauryan Empire

After Ashoka's death in 232 BCE, the empire declined:

1. Weak successors — Ashoka's sons and grandsons were not as capable.
2. Financial problems — Maintaining a huge army and bureaucracy was expensive.
3. Rebellions — Various regions broke away.
4. Invasions — Greek invaders attacked the northwest.
5. Brihadratha — The last Mauryan king was killed by his commander Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE.

Common Mistakes Students Make

• Thinking Ashoka became a Buddhist immediately after Kalinga — it was a gradual transformation.
• Believing Ashoka completely disarmed his empire — he kept an army for defence.
• Calling Dhamma a religion — it was a moral code, not a religion.
• Confusing Brahmins with Brahmi script — Brahmi is the name of the script used in Ashokan edicts.
• Thinking Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries only within India — he sent them abroad too.

Quick Self-Test

1. Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
2. What was the role of Chanakya?
3. What happened in the Kalinga war?
4. How did the Kalinga war change Ashoka?
5. What is Dhamma?
6. List three principles of Ashoka's Dhamma.
7. What are Ashoka's edicts?
8. Where in Andhra Pradesh can we find Ashokan edicts?
9. What is the Lion Capital and why is it important?
10. How was the Mauryan empire governed?

Exam Focus (5 Marks)

• Explain the reasons for Ashoka's transformation after the Kalinga war.
• Describe Ashoka's Dhamma and how he spread it.
• What do Ashoka's edicts tell us about his rule?