Samrat Ashok.

Samrat Ashok. 

Name / Titles: Ashoka (Ēka-form “Aśoka”), also called Devānāmpriya (“Beloved of the Gods”) and Priyadarśin (“He who regards everyone with affection”). 

Dynasty: Maurya Dynasty. 

Reign: Around 269 BC (some sources say 268 BC) to about 232 BC. 

Early Life

Born around 304 BC. 

Father: Bindusara, who was Mauryan emperor before him. Mother: some sources name her Subhadrangi or other names. 

Before becoming emperor, Ashoka held governorships in different regions; for example, Taxila is often mentioned. 

Conquests & Turning Point

One of his major military campaigns was the Kalinga War, around the 8th year of his reign (c. 260 BC). 

The war was very bloody; Ashoka was deeply affected by the suffering caused to people. This remorse led him to change course. 

After Conversion & Rule by Dhamma

After Kalinga, Ashoka adopted (“converted to”) Buddhism (in many accounts) and began to stress dharma / dhamma (morality, righteousness, compassion, nonviolence) as guiding principles of his rule. 

He propagated these through edicts inscribed on rocks and pillars across his empire. These edicts speak about justice, welfare of people, respect for all religious sects, kindness to animals, and other ethical injunctions. 

Administration & Public Works

The Mauryan Empire under Ashoka was extensive: from modern‐Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east; southwards reaching parts of peninsular India. 

His capital was Pataliputra (near present‐day Patna, Bihar, India). 

He built roads, rest‐houses, wells, hospitals (for humans and animals), planted medicinal herbs, etc. Edicts also mention officials called Dhamma‐Mahamattas whose job was to promote dhamma and welfare. 

Foreign Relations & Spread of Buddhism

Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to various places, including Sri Lanka (his son Mahinda / Mihinda and daughter Sanghamitta according to many sources) to spread Buddhism. 

He had diplomatic contact with Hellenistic kingdoms (Greek rulers) to his west—edicts mention respect for Greek rulers and offering of envoys. 

Later Life & Death

Ashoka’s rule lasted about 37 years. 

He died around 232 BC. 

After his death, the Mauryan Empire began to decline. His successors could not maintain the same unity and many peripheral regions drifted away. 

Legacy

Ashoka is remembered as one of India’s greatest emperors, especially for his moral transformation and his endowment to Buddhism and public welfare. 

His Lion Capital (from Sarnath pillar) became the National Emblem of India; the Ashoka Chakra (wheel) from his pillars/edicts is in the Indian national flag. 

His edicts are among the earliest written documents in India of statecraft, ethics, and governance.