Ashoka the Great: The Emperor Who Chose Peace
Introduction The Maurya Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 321 BCE, reached its glorious peak under the rule of his grandson — Ashoka the Great . Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest emperors, Ashoka's reign marked a turning point not only in Indian history but in the annals of world governance. 🛕 The Kalinga War: A Turning Point Ashoka's early reign was like that of many conquerors — filled with ambition, military campaigns, and territorial expansion. But the brutal Kalinga War , which led to over 100,000 deaths, became a personal awakening. Witnessing the scale of human suffering, Ashoka experienced deep remorse — and it changed him forever. ☸️ Embracing Buddhism and Dhamma After Kalinga, Ashoka embraced Buddhism and adopted Dhamma — a code of moral conduct emphasizing non-violence, tolerance, and compassion. He renounced aggressive warfare and became a promoter of peace. Instead of swords and soldiers, he used stone edicts and moral teachings to govern ...
