In the Indian context, he emerged out of the relative fog of ancient history, not just in a few references but also in a most remarkable and numerous series of edicts inscribed on natural rock faces and man-made pillars.
And in these appears the booming and incredibly personal voice of an emperor who has left behind an outpouring of ideas that we can read and make sense of. No king had written down their thoughts and guidelines for the public to view in this manner ever before, and none would thereafter at this sub-continental scale or in a personal, introspective voice that we usually associate with modernity.
If anyone did, at least none survive in India or anywhere else in the world. By the time that Ashoka came to the throne, the Mauryan empire encompassed much of the subcontinent, barring the peninsula past the Vindhyas. The young Ashoka had many options to choose from. In what might be the most dramatic fit of remorse in history, he adopted the Buddhist faith after a brutal attempt at expanding his territories east into Kalinga, present-day Odhisha.
Ashoka sent missions to the farthest ends of the subcontinent including the Himalayan regions and Sri Lanka, and to various parts of Southeast Asia to spread the message of the Buddha. Chinese Buddhist traditions too remember him as the first chakravartin or the first among the pantheon of rulers who kept the wheels of dhamma turning.
However, on this Republic Day, it is Ashoka the man of the world, rather than the man of his otherworldly spiritual quest, that is worth remembering. Three things about his life and reign stand out. First, what Ashoka was faced with was the most multicultural and multilingual expanse any single ruler in the subcontinent had had to grapple with until then.
How would the Emperor communicate his messages to all concerned? Emperor Ashoka is credited with remaking the Mauyran Dynasty from a war machine into a society of tolerance and nonviolence, based on Buddhism.
Sarnath, pillar of faith. Share Tweet Email. Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city Caracals have learned to hunt around the urban edges of Cape Town, though the predator faces many threats, such as getting hit by cars.
India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country. Go Further. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city.
Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs.
Meet the people trying to help. Animals Whales eat three times more than previously thought. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment As the EU targets emissions cuts, this country has a coal problem. Paid Content How Hong Kong protects its sea sanctuaries. History Magazine These 3,year-old giants watched over the cemeteries of Sardinia. Magazine How one image captures 21 hours of a volcanic eruption.
Science Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. Science The controversial sale of 'Big John,' the world's largest Triceratops. Science Coronavirus Coverage How antivirals may change the course of the pandemic. Science Coronavirus Coverage U. Mahendra was the firstborn and the oldest son Of Ashoka. Bindusara, father of Ashoka reigned the Mauryan empire his father Chandragupta had founded and built for 28 years.
After his death in the s BCE, there was struggle and concern as to who among his sons would be his successor and Ashoka stepped up to take the throne in around BCEBC. Ashoka was an ambitious monarch. Ashoka was always an excellent commander, and he took charge in suppressing the rebellion against his empire in Ujjain and Takshashila. He was relentlessly aggressive and reasserted his power in West and South India. Due to his strategic nature and valour, the Mauryan Empire was once again exerting superiority of reign in the Indian subcontinent.
His strength was applauded and also referred to him as Ashoka Chakravarthy, Chakravarthy means King of Kings. One such incident is mentioned wherein Ashoka, beheaded men who were his ministers after they failed to honour his command of cutting every fruit and flower-bearing tree and bringing it to him. The name Chandashoka truly captures his nature that performed such cruel acts. The pivotal and turning point in his reign, as well as his life, came to be when he waged war against Kalinga, that is present-day Odisha previously called Orissa.
His conquest to project power over Kalinga but building fortifications was successful. With his troop of army and civilians, he was able to win and rule over Kalinga. It was the most devastating and destructive war of all time wherein , - , of them were killed.
The fury and fallout of the war threatened the lives of more people. He was a personal witness to all of this and as days gone by his feeling of remorse only grew. It was during this unfathomable period of time that Ashoka embraced Buddhism.
0コメント