GREATEST KING IN INDIAN HISTORY

Ascending the throne, Ashoka expanded his empire over the next eight years, from the present-day Assam in the East to Balochistan in the West; from the Pamir Knot in Afghanistan in the north to the peninsula of southern India except for present-day Tamil Nadu and Kerala which were ruled by the three ancient Tamil Kingdoms.

Kalinga War changed the life of Ashoka forever.

Ashoka is believed to have had five wives. They were named Devi (or Vedisa-Mahadevi-Shakyakumari), the second queen, Karuvaki, Asandhimitra(designated agramahisi or "chief queen"), Padmavati, and Tishyarakshita. He is similarly believed to have had four sons: Mahinda, Tivara, Kunala and Jalauka and two daughters: Sanghamitra and Charumati.

While the early part of Ashoka's reign was apparently quite bloodthirsty, he became a follower of the Buddha's teachings after his conquest of the Kalinga. Kalinga was a state that prided itself on its sovereignty and democracy. With its monarchical parliamentary democracy, it was quite an exception in ancient Bharata where there existed the concept of Rajdharma. Rajdharma means the duty of the rulers, which was intrinsically entwined with the concept of bravery and dharma. From his 13th inscription, we come to know that the battle was a massive one and caused the deaths of more than 100,000 soldiers and many civilians who rose up in defence; over 150,000 were deported. Nevertheless, his patronage led to the expansion of Buddhism in the Mauryan empire and other kingdoms during his rule, and worldwide from about 250 BCE. After Ashoka's accession, Mahendra headed a Buddhist mission, sent probably under the auspices of the Emperor, to Sri Lanka.

Ashoka before Kalinga War was called Chanda Ashoka & after the Kalinga War was called Dhamma Ashoka.



Dhamma Ashoka (Left) and Chanda Ashoka (Right)






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