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2 India to 1001 ce

Reforms and New Religions

U nder Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta, the Mauryan Empire reached the height of its power. Ashoka came to the throne in 269 bce and became the greatest ruler of Ancient India. Because of his powerful personality most of India came under Mauryan rule. The Kalinga Campaign One of the few places in India which had resisted the Mauryans was Kalinga on the east coast (in modern-day Orissa). In 260 bce , Ashoka launched a successful but ferocious campaign against Kalinga. According to Ashoka 100,000 people were killed in battle, many more died after and 150,000 were deported. Ashoka was filled with remorse. In an effort to make amends, he converted to the Buddhist religion which preaches non-violence (see box).

T he empire of King Ashoka Maurya. 

A fragment of one of Ashoka’s rock edicts .

Ashoka’s Edicts Our main source of information about Ashoka and his reign is the collection of edicts (Qaws) and inscriptions which he had carved on rocks and sandstone pillars throughout his empire. These were deciphered for the first time in 1837 by a British orientalist, James Prinsep. Some were placed at the borders of the empire, showing its huge size. Others were located in places connected with the Buddha or along pilgrimage routes. The inscriptions begin with the words, “ The King, The Beloved of the Gods, Piyadassi, speaks thus…’. Some are accounts of Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism. Others are proclamations from Ashoka to the people. They explain his policy of Dhamma which stressed tolerance, respect for other people, social responsibility and non-violence. Special officers were appointed to travel throughout the land and explain Dhamma.

T hanks to the edicts, we now have a good picture of Ashoka’s personality and reign. Before they were deciphered, very little was known about this great king.

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