Tag: Ashoka

Introduction

One of the greatest kings in Indian history was Ashoka the Great. In Ashoka’s life, the Kalinga War marked a turning point. He was upset to witness so much carnage and ruin throughout that conflict. He was highly affected by Buddhist doctrine and abandoned all forms of violence. Furthermore, he advocated the “Dhamma” policy, which accepted the tenets of Buddhism, while keeping in mind non-violence and compassion. The Sanskrit term “Dharma,” which denotes religious and moral obligation, is the root of the word “dhamma.” For all living things to coexist happily on this planet, Ashoka intended to propagate good moral ideals among the populace through this policy.

The Dhamma Policy of Ashoka

After the Kalinga War, Ashoka became a Buddhist and began to follow and propagate Buddhist ideas. In addition, he developed a new “dhamma” policy that emphasised non-violence, compassion, and peace. 

• He never made a big deal out of any complicated sacrifices or rites in this. After that, he gave up on his plan to conquer more territory and subjugate other cultures.
• He decided to become “Dhamma Mahamatta,” a travelling preacher of the Dhamma, to spread its teachings throughout his empire. Even his son and daughter were dispatched to Sri Lanka to propagate the Dhamma. 
• Secularism, which did not focus on any single religion but rather respected all religions, was the foundation of his Dhamma. He never forced the Dhamma on his subjects; instead, they were persuaded and came to accept it.
• He set an example for others to follow by adhering to this policy himself in a very strict manner. On numerous rocks and structures, he carved his edicts in languages used by regular people. So that everyone living in his empire might read, comprehend, and apply the “Dhamma” to their daily life.

Dhamma of Ashoka’s Principles

The Buddha’s teachings served as an inspiration for Ashoka’s Dhamma. His Dhamma’s concepts were quite straightforward and easily understood by the populace. Ashoka was more interested in using persuasion than regulation and imposition to spread this policy. The guiding concepts of his strategy are as follows:

• Ashoka wished for his followers to adhere to the non-violence, or ahimsa concept toward all living things, including people and animals. To strengthen the Empire at the time, which was quite common, he abandoned the idea of war for territorial expansion. Additionally, he preached against harming or killing animals.
• Respect for parents and other adults: He counselled kids to always respect and obey their parents and other adults. Similarly, parents and elders are required to be compassionate and kind toward their young charges.
• He emphasised the need for us to exhibit generosity toward everyone by choosing the way of kindness, love, harmony, and respect. He recommended charitable giving to the poor and turn toward slaves, servants, and animals to achieve this. Respect should be shown for one another. We shouldn’t abuse our position and influence. Instead, we ought to think about how we may be kind to others.
• He proclaimed via his Dhamma that one should appreciate those who practise different religions. He did not advocate joining a specific religion or turning to a specific deity. Furthermore, he granted everyone in his kingdom the freedom to follow their principles and to live their lives as they saw fit, and he vowed that the government would never force a specific religion on its people. Additionally, he favoured peaceful coexistence among all races, religions, and creeds. His goal was to create harmonious relationships between many aspects of society to eventually unite the populace behind shared values and rule a tranquil, huge empire.

Summary

The Dhamma of Ashoka was mostly derived from Buddhist teachings. After the Kalinga conflict, he implemented this policy, which caused the loss of many lives and left him feeling guilty, and sorry for himself. He was able to keep his empire pleasant and harmonious by using the Dhamma. In a sense, he was able to eradicate socio-political instability in his empire by upholding the values of mutual kindness, respect for all religious beliefs, compliance with authority figures, and consideration for younger people. He also rejected superstitious practices and advocated for ahimsa. In essence, he created a secular and liberal empire with this approach, freeing him from the necessity to impose a particular faith on his subjects. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Why did Ashoka and Kalinga Fight?
Ans: Kalinga, now Odisha, was a powerful maritime nation. The power might open up commercial opportunities for the Mauryan Empire with nations in Southeast Asia. Ashoka, therefore, desired to incorporate that country within his empire.

2.Why was Ashoka referred to as “Ashoka the Great”?
Ans: One of the kings who became known as the greatest king in Indian history was Ashoka. This was a result of his distinct management style, which allowed him to oversee such a sizable empire while preventing any physical injury to anyone.

3.How does Ashoka’s Dhamma still have value in Modern Society?
Ans: Yes, Ashoka’s Dhamma principle—which advocated a moral way of life centred on showing respect for all living things—is still very much important in today’s culture. It also emphasised the need for tolerance, which is essential for surviving in a nation as varied and multi-religious as India.

Introduction

The Kalinga War is regarded as the bloodiest conflict ever waged. Emperor Ashoka, the most important leader of the Mauryan empire, engaged in the battle. He was the son of Mauryan Empire official Bindusara and the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. Except for the Kalinga region, the Mauryan empire ruled over all of India. The feudal Nanda Empire reigned over the state of Kalinga. Emperor Ashoka launched an invasion of Kalinga to take control of the region after numerous failed efforts. Ashoka engaged in it as his first and final major engagement because of his growing disenchantment with the conflict’s aftermath.

Background and Causes of War

Chandragupta, Bindusara, and Ashoka were the three notable Mauryan emperors. The Mauryan Empire grew during Chandragupta Maurya’s reign, encompassing all of modern India. The Kalinga State, located on the East Coast close to the modern state of Odisha, was the sole sovereign state that could not be captured. The Nanda Empire previously dominated the state of Kalinga until 321 BCE. It achieved independence before the Mauryans took control. Despite numerous attempts by Chandragupta Maurya and Bindusara, the Mauryan Empire was unable to retake Kalinga. After various brutal battles between the brothers, Ashoka has been crowned Emperor and is determined to subjugate Kalinga.

There were many talented, serene, and competent people in the Kalinga state. With a strong navy and numerous ports for trade, the area was likewise prosperous and thriving. It was simpler for them to travel to Southeast Asia to establish economic relations because it was located on the East Coast. The Kalinga state is thought to have been viewed as a threat to the Maurya Empire since it had a good opportunity to obstruct communication between the Mauryan capital, Pataliputra, and the Central Indian region. The Bay of Bengal region, which the Mauryans viewed as another threat, was also brought under Kalinga’s rule. The Mauryans, who governed all of India except for Kalinga, saw it as a matter of political status as well.

Ashoka attempted to negotiate with the King of Kalinga, but he resisted giving up power. In the eighth year of his rule, Ashoka attacked Kalinga because he had no other choice. The Kalinga War ended in 261 BCE, while historians are unsure of when it began.

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Main Battle/Events of the Battle

• Historians concur that the Dhauli Hills were the site of the start of the Kalinga War. The Daya river flows by the Dhauli hills. It is believed that the Daya river in modern-day Odisha, India, was filled with the blood of the massacre victims. 
• A little over 100,000 people died, and Ashoka imprisoned 1,50,000 Kalinga warriors. With 60,000 footmen, 700 war-trained elephants, and 1000 cavalry, the Kalinga army was well-prepared. 
• Compared to the Mauryan military, the Kalinga state’s military strength still seemed insufficient. The Mauryans had about 60,000 warriors, nearly 1700 war horses, and thousands of elephants prepared for battle.
• However, the state of Kalinga engaged in battle with the Mauryans and battled valiantly till the very end. 
• Finally, the Mauryans defeated them with their formidable military might. The Mauryan kingdom was able to acquire Kalinga, fulfilling Ashoka’s ambition.

For more help, you can Refer to Lesson 7 – Ashoka, The Emperor in Social Studies Class 6. Checkout the video Lesson for a better understanding

Significance of the Kalinga War.

• Emperor Ashoka triumphed in the conflict handily, but he was unable to comprehend the carnage he saw. The loss of so many people and the destruction of so much property severely saddened Ashoka. 
• He understood how his insatiable desire for power had rendered him so blind that he had continued to pillage and destroy Kalinga. 
• There weren’t many people left in Kalinga to rule, despite his desire to do so. Ashoka was overcome with sorrow and guilt after seeing thousands of people killed and deported, as well as the suffering, bloodshed, and misfortune of the Kalinga.
• This experience forever altered his heart. He adopted Buddhism and vowed to pursue the Dhamma-Vijaya and Ahimsa (non-violence) paths (win people with Dhamma). 
• This was Ashoka’s first and last significant conflict. The empire’s military growth was subsequently halted, and he instituted a new program of 40 years of rule based on love, peace, non-violence, and harmony.
• In his Edicts, Ashoka recorded his comments on the Kalinga War, saying that 1,50,000 civilians and warriors from both sides perished in the conflict. Additionally, he sculpted images of the Dhamma into the pillars and rocks. He dispatched adherents to various nations to spread the Dhamma and preach Buddhism to advance a non-violent way of life.

Summary

One of the bloodiest and most vicious conflicts in history, the Kalinga war will always be remembered. Emperor Ashoka vowed to invade and conquer Kalinga after numerous attempts to get the independent kingdom of Kalinga included in the vast Mauryan Empire failed. Despite having a powerful army of its own, Kalinga’s army was nothing in comparison to the Mauryan army. In a brutal struggle, the Mauryans subsequently defeated Kalinga. He was sorrowful and repentant after seeing Kalinga’s suffering and devastation. He then decided to spread Buddhism by adhering to the Dhamma and the path of non-violence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How did Ashoka come to Power?
Ans. According to popular belief, the ministers of the late monarch Bindusara picked his son Ashoka to succeed him as ruler of the Mauryan Empire. After gaining control, Ashoka killed one of his brothers by burning Susima alive in a pit of charcoal. It’s also thought that he put 99 of his brothers to death following that.

2. How many Edicts were Engraved by Ashoka? What was there in Ashoka’s Edicts?
Ans. Ashoka carved 33 edicts, which are still visible in modern-day India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal. In his Edicts, Ashoka outlined his insights, the motivation behind his conversion to Buddhism, the methods he used to spread Buddhism within and outside modern-day India, the moral and social perception of Buddhism, and his contributions to society and the welfare of animals.

3. How many Categories of Edicts can be Found?
Ans. Based on their sizes and their medium, Edicts could be divided into four main categories. Sizes might be major or minor, and a middle size can be either a Rock or a Pillar. The engraving of Minor Edicts came first, then Major ones. Similarly. Before Pillar inscriptions, there were inscriptions on rocks. As a result, there were four different types of edicts: minor rock edicts, minor pillar edicts, major rock edicts, and major pillar edicts.

4. What is Dhamma?
Ans. The Buddha’s teachings, known as Dhamma in Buddhism, discuss learning the skill of letting go of unhappiness and suffering, or dukkha. Buddha taught that enlightenment can be attained through adhering to the Dhamma. To achieve the desired outcome, daily practice is required.

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Introduction

The third Mauryan emperor Ashoka, sometimes referred to as Ashoka the Great, reigned in ancient India from 268 to 232 BC. He was the second son of the Mauryan emperor Bindusar. Although he was not the heir of the Mauryan throne, he was more adored than his elder brother Sushima.  Ashoka was an ambitious ruler and a gallant warrior. Some folklores suggest that Ashoka conspired against all his siblings to reach the throne. However, he is not only known for his war abilities but for the realizations he had after the war of Kalinga that led him to accept the doctrines of Buddhism and spread peace around the world.

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Ashoka: The Great

Ashoka was born in the year 304 BC to Subhadrangi, daughter of a Brahmin. It is said that Ashoka spent his childhood away from the royal pleasures and in a village. However, he was trained with good morale and this made him popular among the crowd. He was loved by his people and received titles of honor from them. For several reasons, Ashoka was referred to as Ashoka the Great. Some of them are as follows:

• The largest empire in the Indian subcontinent was founded by Ashoka. 
• One of the largest armies was that of Ashoka, which included infantry, cavalry, and war elephants. 
• The greatest conquistador was Ashoka. He resolved never to use violence again after the Kalinga conflict and gave his life to Buddhism.
• He dispatched his son, daughter, and many missionaries to spread Buddhism over the continent. 
• He constructed countless viharas and stupas, the most notable of which is the enormous Sanchi Stupa, which UNESCO has listed as a World Heritage Site.

Ashoka: The Ruler

• Following his accession to the throne, Ashoka decided to expand his empire and carried out all the royal responsibilities outlined in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
• This ongoing conflict lasted for eight years. Aside from these battles, he maintained good relations with other countries and maintained stability in all the regions that Chandragupta and Bindusar had previously controlled. 
• He gave himself the name “Devanampriya,” which means gods’ favourite.
• Kashmir and Kalinga, the only left-wing state in south India, were two targets Ashoka had long aimed to capture. His efforts were concentrated on Kalinga after he was successful in annexing Kashmir. The conflict significantly altered Ashoka’s life.

Ashoka’s War

The War of Kalinga was the largest and most well-known conflict during Ashoka’s rule. The Kalinga kingdom was a commercial state with easy access to the sea that was located in what is now the state of Odisha. In the year 260 BCE, Ashoka attacked Kalinga city. 

In India’s history, it was the bloodiest conflict ever. When Ashoka visited the battlefield to celebrate his victory after winning the war, he was horrified and deeply saddened by the scale of the carnage. At that very moment, he experienced a great conversion of heart and condemned war and all forms of violence after witnessing the devastation and feeling regret for the Kalinga. He swore he would never take up a weapon or use force of any kind. He subsequently adopted Buddhism as his religion, followed its path, and swore to disseminate the Buddha’s teachings.

Ashoka as a Devotee

Ashoka was dramatically altered by the Kalinga conflict. He converted to Buddhism and embraced the Dhamma, or Conquest by Dharma, philosophy. Ashoka erected several engraved rock and pillar edicts and thousands of stupas around India to publicise Buddha’s work and propagate his teachings. 

For people to adhere to the teachings and uphold the dharma, Ashoka’s rules and the Buddha’s teachings were etched on those pillars. One of the best-known dicta of dharma is the lion capital of the pillar at Sarnath, which eventually became the flag of India. Ashoka gave the order to erect 84,000 stupas throughout his territory, each housing the Buddha’s remains. Sanchi Stupa is among the most well-known stupas.

Ashoka’s Administration:

• The kingdom of Ashoka was split into provinces, which were further subdivided into villages by Visayas and Janpadas. 
• The provinces of his dominion were separated into five. 
• Magadh was the central Province, and each Province was independent, given a certain amount of autonomy.
• He adhered to the ideal of non-violence and had as his goal the welfare and security of his citizens. 
• Amatya and appointed officials, who all directly answered to the king, were trusted and knowledgeable authorities in charge of overseeing all administrative and judicial functions. 
• He had a competent and organised government.

Summary

One of the most amazing and legendary monarchs of ancient India was Ashoka. He gained much of his notoriety following the Battle of Kalinga when he decided to stop fighting. As the monarch who abstained from battle, he is well-known throughout history. Ashoka ruled over the whole Indian subcontinent and created the largest empire in historical India. After the Battle of Kalinga, he converted to Buddhism and became its most ardent supporter. To promote the teachings of Buddhism, he dispatched many missionaries and carved numerous stone edicts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.What was Ashoka’s Dhamma?
Ans. Dhamma is best understood as instructions, and Ashoka’s Dhamma were guidelines for a more ethical social order. It was an order that needed to be obeyed for the good of society.

2.What were the messages given by Ashoka for the Betterment of Society?
Ans. The messages given by Ashoka for the betterment of society were:

• Respecting everyone’s cast. 
• Being gentle with the poor. 
• Doing welfare of citizens. 
• Respecting each religion.

3. Where is Kalinga located in Present Day?
Ans: Kalinga included a large part of present-day Odisha, north-easter regions of Andhra Pradesh, and large portions of Chhatisgarh.