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Biography of Ashoka the Great, India's Mauryan Emperor

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Ashoka the Great (c. 304–232 BCE) was the emperor of India's Maurya Dynasty from 268 to 232 BCE and is remembered for his remarkable conversion to nonviolence and his merciful reign. In 265 BCE after witnessing the devastation of his own attack on the Kalinga region, he converted from being a brutal conqueror of a vast empire to a benevolent emperor who successfully ruled according to nonviolent principles. His edicts encouraged the protection of animals, mercy for criminals, and tolerance of other religions.

Fast Facts: Ashoka the Great

• Known For : Ashoka was the ruler of India's Mauryan Empire; after an epiphany, he became a promoter of Buddhist non-violence.
• Born : 304 BCE in Pataliputra, Mauryan Empire
• Parents : Bindusara and Dharma
• Died : 232 BCE in Pataliputra, Mauryan Empire
• Spouse(s) : Devi, Kaurwaki confirmed; many others alleged
• Children : Mahinda, Kunala, Tivala, Jalauka
• Notable Quote : "Dharma is good. And what is Dharma? It is having few faults and many goods deeds, mercy, charity, truthfulness, and purity."

In 304 BCE, the second emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, Bindusara, welcomed a son named Ashoka Bindusara Maurya into the world. The boy's mother Dharma was only a commoner. She had several older children—half-brothers of Ashoka—so Ashoka seemed unlikely to ever ascend the throne.

Ashoka grew up to be a bold, troublesome, and cruel young man who was always extremely fond of hunting. According to legend, he killed a lion using only a wooden stick. His older half-brothers feared Ashoka and convinced his father to post him as a general to distant frontiers of the Mauryan Empire. Ashoka proved to be a competent general, putting down a rebellion in the Punjabi city of Taxshila.

Aware that his brothers viewed him as a rival for the throne, Ashoka went into exile for two years in the neighboring country of Kalinga. While he was there, he fell in love with and later married a commoner, a fisher-woman named Kaurwaki.

Introduction to Buddhism

Bindusara recalled his son to Maurya to help quell an uprising in Ujjain, the former capital of the Avanti Kingdom. Ashoka succeeded but was injured in the fighting. Buddhist monks tended to the wounded prince in secret so that his eldest brother, the heir-apparent Susima, would not learn of Ashoka's injuries.

At this time, Ashoka officially converted to Buddhism and began embracing its principles, though they were in direct conflict with his life as a general. He met and fell in love with a woman from Vidisha called Devi who also attended to his injuries during this period. The couple later married.

When Bindusara died in 275 BCE, a two-year war for the throne erupted between Ashoka and his half-brothers. The Vedic sources vary on how many of Ashoka's brothers died—one says that he killed them all while another states that he killed several of them. In either case, Ashoka prevailed and became the third ruler of the Mauryan Empire.

Imperial Rule

For the first eight years of his reign, Ashoka waged near-constant war on surrounding regions. He had inherited a sizable empire, but he expanded it to include most of the Indian subcontinent , as well as the area from the current-day borders of Iran and Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh and Burma border in the east. Only the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka  and the kingdom of Kalinga on the northeast coast of India remained out of his reach.

In 265 BCE, Ashoka attacked Kalinga. Although it was the homeland of his second wife Kaurwaki and the king of Kalinga had sheltered Ashoka before his ascent to the throne, the Mauryan emperor gathered the largest invasion force in Indian history and launched his assault. Kalinga fought back bravely, but in the end it was defeated and all of its cities were sacked.

Ashoka had led the invasion in person, and he went out into the capital city of Kalinga the morning after his victory to survey the damage. The ruined houses and bloodied corpses of nearly 150,000 slain civilians and soldiers sickened the emperor, and he experienced a religious epiphany.

Although he had considered himself more or less a Buddhist prior to that day, the carnage at Kalinga led Ashoka to devote himself completely to Buddhism, and he vowed to practice ahimsa , or nonviolence ,  from that day forward.

Had Ashoka simply vowed to himself that he would live according to Buddhist principles, later ages would likely not remember his name. However, he published his intentions for the whole empire to read. Ashoka wrote out a series of edicts, explaining his policies and aspirations for the empire and urging others to follow his enlightened example.

The Edicts of King Ashoka were carved onto pillars of stone 40 to 50 feet high and set up all around the edges of the Mauryan Empire as well as in the heart of Ashoka's realm. Dozens of these pillars can still be found in India, Nepal , Pakistan , and Afghanistan .

In his edicts, Ashoka vowed to care for his people like a father and promised neighboring people that they need not fear him—that he would use only persuasion, not violence, to win people over. Ashoka noted that he had made available shade and fruit trees for the people as well as medical care for all people and animals.

His concern for living things also appeared in a ban on live sacrifices and sport hunting as well as a request for respect for all other creatures, including servants. Ashoka urged his people to follow a vegetarian diet  and banned the practice of burning forests or agricultural wastes that might harbor wild animals. A long list of animals appeared on his protected species list, including bulls, wild ducks, squirrels, deer, porcupines, and pigeons.

Ashoka also ruled with incredible accessibility. He noted that "I consider it best to meet with people personally." To that end, he went on frequent tours around his empire. He also advertised that he would stop whatever he was doing if a matter of imperial business needed attention, even if he was having dinner or sleeping.

In addition, Ashoka was very concerned with judicial matters. His attitude toward convicted criminals was quite merciful. He banned punishments such as torture, removing people's eyes, and the death penalty, and he urged pardons for the elderly, those with families to support, and those who were doing charitable work.

Finally, although Ashoka urged his people to practice Buddhist values, he fostered an atmosphere of respect for all religions. Within his empire, people followed not only the relatively new Buddhist faith but also Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Greek polytheism, and many other belief systems. Ashoka served as an example of tolerance for his subjects, and his religious affairs officers encouraged the practice of any religion.

Ashoka the Great ruled as a just and merciful king from his epiphany in 265 until his death at the age of 72 in 232 BCE. His body was given a royal cremation ceremony.

We do not know the names of most of Ashoka's wives and children, however, his twin children by his first wife, a boy called Mahindra and a girl named Sanghamitra, were instrumental in converting Sri Lanka to Buddhism.

After Ashoka's death, the Mauryan Empire continued to exist for 50 years before going into a gradual decline. The last Mauryan emperor was Brhadrata, who was assassinated in 185 BCE by one of his generals, Pusyamitra Sunga. Although his family did not rule for long after he was gone, Ashoka's principles and his examples lived on through the Vedas and his edicts, which can still be seen on pillars today.

• Lahiri, Nayanjot. "Ashoka in Ancient India." Harvard University Press, 2015.
• Trainor, Kevin. "Buddhism: the Illustrated Guide." Duncan Baird, 2004.
• The Mauryan Empire Was the First Dynasty to Rule Most of India
• Biography of Chandragupta Maurya, Founder of the Mauryan Empire
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• Where Was the Buddha Buried?
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Essay on Ashoka

Students are often asked to write an essay on Ashoka in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Ashoka

Introduction.

Ashoka was one of the most powerful kings of the Indian subcontinent. He ruled the Maurya Empire from 268 to 232 BCE.

Ashoka was born in 304 BCE. As a young prince, he was a brilliant commander and a fierce warrior.

After ascending the throne, Ashoka expanded his empire. However, the Kalinga war changed him. He embraced Buddhism and promoted peace.

Ashoka’s edicts, carved on pillars and rocks throughout the empire, show his dedication to non-violence, tolerance, and welfare of his subjects. His rule is considered a high point in Indian history.

250 Words Essay on Ashoka

Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, was one of the most powerful and influential rulers in the history of India. Ascending the throne of the Maurya Empire in 269 BCE, Ashoka’s reign marked a significant turning point in Indian history.

Rule and Transformation

Initially, Ashoka was a fierce and ruthless ruler, expanding his empire through brutal wars. However, the Kalinga War marked a turning point. The war’s brutality and massive loss of life deeply affected Ashoka, leading to a transformation. He embraced Buddhism, renounced violence, and dedicated his life to peace and welfare of his people.

Legacy of Ashoka

Ashoka’s legacy is unique. He is remembered not for his military conquests, but for his transformative journey from a ruthless king to a benevolent ruler. He propagated the principles of Buddhism, not by force, but through inscriptions known as Ashoka’s Edicts. These edicts, carved on pillars and rocks throughout his empire, promoted moral and ethical norms, including respect for all life, non-violence, and tolerance.

Ashoka’s reign is a testament to the power of personal transformation and the potential for a ruler to use their power for the welfare of their people. His legacy, encapsulated in his edicts, continues to influence modern Indian ethos and values. Ashoka’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have when they commit to principles of peace and compassion.

500 Words Essay on Ashoka

Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost the entire Indian subcontinent from 268 to 232 BCE. His reign is considered a significant period in Indian history due to his remarkable shift from warmonger to an advocate of non-violence and peace, following the bloodshed of the Kalinga War.

Early Life and Ascension to Power

Born in 304 BCE, Ashoka was the son of Mauryan Emperor Bindusara and one of his queens, Dharma. He ascended to the throne in 268 BCE, after a series of political maneuvers and battles. Initially, Ashoka continued the militaristic policies of his predecessors, expanding his empire through conquests.

The Kalinga War and Transformation

The turning point in Ashoka’s life was the Kalinga War in 261 BCE, a conflict marked by immense bloodshed and suffering. The brutality of the war, which resulted in the death of over 100,000 soldiers and civilians, deeply affected Ashoka. He experienced a profound transformation, embracing Buddhism and adopting a policy of non-violence or ‘Ahimsa’.

Ashoka’s Dhamma

Post his conversion, Ashoka propagated ‘Dhamma’, a system of ethical and moral duties. This was not merely a religious shift but a socio-political one. His Dhamma was a unique blend of moral teachings, administrative efficiency, and welfare schemes. He erected pillars and rock edicts across his empire, inscribing them with his policies and moral codes, promoting peace, compassion, and respect for all life forms.

Contributions to Buddhism

Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism had a profound impact on the religion’s spread. He built numerous stupas and monasteries and sent missionaries to regions beyond his empire, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, and parts of West Asia and North Africa. His efforts played a crucial role in making Buddhism a world religion.

Ashoka’s Legacy

Ashoka’s reign marked a significant departure from the traditional ethos of kingship. His focus on moral and ethical governance, welfare policies, and propagation of peace and non-violence set him apart. Despite his early military conquests, he is remembered as a pacifist emperor, a unique figure in the annals of history.

Ashoka’s life and reign embody a fascinating narrative of transformation and moral leadership. His shift from a conqueror to a compassionate ruler, coupled with his efforts to spread Buddhism and his vision of Dhamma, make him a figure of historical significance. His legacy continues to resonate in modern times, reminding us of the potential for change and the power of ethical governance.

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Ancient Wonders

Ashoka the Great: From Conqueror to Compassionate Ruler - A Tale of Transformation and Peace

Discover ashoka the great's remarkable journey from warrior to peacemaker, and the enduring legacy of his commitment to peace and compassion..

Ashoka the Great: The Emperor of Peace

The annals of history are filled with tales of emperors and conquerors who expanded their domains through relentless wars, leaving behind a trail of destruction and bloodshed. However, amidst these stories of conquest and power, there emerges a remarkable figure who stands as a beacon of peace and enlightenment in ancient history - Ashoka the Great, the third emperor of the Maurya dynasty in India.

Ashoka's story is a testament to the transformative power of change, as he evolved from a ruthless conqueror to a compassionate and enlightened ruler who espoused the principles of non-violence, religious tolerance, and social welfare.

His reign, which lasted from 268 BCE to 232 BCE, is marked by a profound commitment to peace and the well-being of his subjects. In this article, we will delve into the life and achievements of Ashoka, exploring why he is remembered as the "Emperor of Peace."

Early Life and Ascension

Ashoka was born in 304 BCE to Emperor Bindusara and Queen Dharma. He was the grandson of the founder of the Maurya Empire, Chandragupta Maurya. His early years were marked by court intrigue and rivalry, as he vied for the throne against his half-brothers.

Ashoka's ascent to power came through a combination of his own military prowess and political maneuvering, and it was in this quest for dominance that his transformation from a warrior to a peacemaker would begin.

The Kalinga War: A Turning Point

One of the defining moments in Ashoka's life was the brutal Kalinga War, which took place around 261 BCE. The Kalinga region (modern-day Odisha, India) had long been a thorn in the Mauryan Empire's side, and Ashoka saw it as an opportunity to expand his territory. The war, however, turned into a bloodbath, with countless lives lost and entire cities reduced to rubble.

The aftermath of the Kalinga War left Ashoka deeply remorseful. He was faced with the stark consequences of his own ambition and the devastating impact of his conquests. This event would serve as a catalyst for a profound transformation within Ashoka's heart and mind.

The Edicts of Ashoka: Promoting Peace and Morality

Ashoka's remorse over the suffering caused by the Kalinga War led him to embrace Buddhism, a religion rooted in the principles of non-violence and compassion.

He became a devoted follower of Buddhism, and under its influence, he embarked on a mission to promote peace and morality throughout his vast empire.

Ashoka's commitment to these ideals is evident in the series of edicts he inscribed on pillars and rocks, which can be found throughout the Indian subcontinent. These mandates are some of the earliest examples of written records in Indian history and are a remarkable testimony to Ashoka's transformation.

In his edicts, Ashoka not only renounced the idea of conquest through violence but also pledged to protect and promote the welfare of his subjects. He sought to ensure social justice and equitable governance.

He encouraged respect for all religious traditions and advocated for tolerance and religious freedom, a groundbreaking concept for his time.

Dhamma: The Pillar of Ashoka's Reign

Central to Ashoka's mission was the propagation of "Dhamma," a term that is often translated as "Dharma" or "righteousness." Dhamma, in Ashoka's context, represented a moral and ethical code of conduct that he believed should guide both the individual and the state. He declared that the true victory was not in conquest but in the victory of Dhamma, which was synonymous with peace and compassion.

Ashoka's Dhamma was a fusion of Buddhist principles with a broader humanitarian outlook. He emphasized the importance of kindness, respect, and tolerance in public and private life. His policies aimed at providing for the welfare of all citizens, regardless of their caste, creed, or ethnicity.

Administrative Reforms and Social Welfare

Ashoka's commitment to peace and the well-being of his people was not limited to philosophical ideals but was also translated into concrete administrative reforms. He appointed officials known as "Dhamma Mahamatras" or "Officers of Righteousness" to oversee the implementation of his edicts and ensure the welfare of the populace. These officials were tasked with resolving disputes and addressing the needs of the people.

One of the most notable examples of Ashoka's social welfare initiatives was the establishment of hospitals for humans and animals alike. He provided medical care, free food, and shelter for the needy, and he championed the cause of animal welfare, making it illegal to harm or kill certain species.

Legacy and Impact

Ashoka's reign as the "Emperor of Peace" left an indelible mark on the Indian subcontinent and beyond. His commitment to non-violence, tolerance, and social welfare served as a model for future generations. Buddhism, which enjoyed imperial patronage under Ashoka, spread to various parts of Asia, impacting the cultural and religious landscape of the region.

The Mauryan Empire reached its zenith under Ashoka's rule, and his legacy influenced successive Indian empires and rulers. The idea of "Dhamma" and non-violence became enduring principles in Indian political thought and governance.

Ashoka the Great, the Emperor of Peace, stands as a towering figure in the annals of history. His transformation from a ruthless conqueror to a compassionate and enlightened ruler is a testament to the power of change and personal growth. His commitment to non-violence, religious tolerance, and social welfare set a standard for responsible governance that is admired to this day.

In a world often marred by conflict and strife, the story of Ashoka offers a glimmer of hope and inspiration. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, individuals have the power to change, embrace a path of peace and compassion, and leave a legacy that endures through the ages. Ashoka's life and legacy, as the Emperor of Peace, continue to inspire and remind us of the potential for positive transformation and the enduring value of humanity's noblest ideals.

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Who was Ashoka?

Upset with his violent conquests that killed hundreds of thousands, the Indian king Ashoka embraced Buddhism and treated his subjects humanely.

Chandragupta Maurya’s grandson Ashoka (Aśoka) (ca 304–233 B.C.) took the Mauryan Empire to its greatest geographical extent and its full height of power. Yet his remarkable transformation of the kingdom came not through the intense violence that marked his early reign. Instead, it resulted from his embrace of Buddhism and the messages of tolerance and nonviolence that he spread throughout the sprawling empire.

Eight years after seizing power around 270 B.C., Ashoka led a military campaign to conquer Kalinga, a coastal kingdom in east-central India. The victory left him with a larger domain than that of any of his predecessors. Accounts claim between 100,000 and 300,000 lives were lost during the conquest.

This Buddhist temple was built by the Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC, at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India.

That human toll took a tremendous emotional toll on Ashoka. He wrote that he was “deeply pained by the killing, dying, and deportation that take place when an unconquered country is conquered.” Thereafter, Ashoka renounced military conquest and other forms of violence, including cruelty to animals. He became a patron of Buddhism, supporting the rise of the doctrine across India. He reportedly dispatched emissaries to several countries, including Syria and Greece, and he sent his own children as missionaries to Sri Lanka.

Ashoka shared his new outlook on life through edicts carved into stones and pillars located around the country at pilgrimage sites and along busy trade routes. The edicts are considered among the first examples of writing in Indian history. They were not carved in Sanskrit—the official state language—but in local dialects, so that the messages could be widely understood. For example, an edict near modern-day Kandahar in Afghanistan, an area that had been under Alexander the Great’s control for a period of time, is written in Greek and Aramaic.

Much like Cyrus in Persia, Ashoka adopted and promoted a policy of respect and tolerance for people of different faiths. One edict declared, “All men are my children. As for my own children, I desire that they may be provided with all the welfare and happiness of this world and of the next, so do I desire for all men as well.”

Other edicts exhorted citizens to generosity, piety, justice, and mercy. Ashoka and his high ministers took occasional tours through the kingdom to check on the welfare of the people and see how his edicts were being fulfilled. According to one pillar, the ministers provided medicine and hospitals for both men and animals.

Tending to earthly needs

In addition to his edicts, Ashoka built stupas, monasteries, and other religious structures at noteworthy Buddhist sites, such as Sarnath. He was not an unworldly ruler, however. He efficiently managed a centralized government from the Mauryan capital at Pataliputra. A large bureaucracy collected taxes. Inspectors reported back to the emperor. Irrigation expanded agriculture. Familiar hallmarks of ancient empires, excellent roads were built connecting key trading and political centers; Ashoka ordered that the roads have shade trees, wells, and inns.

After his death, Ashoka’s merciful style of governance waned along with the Mauryan Empire itself. His reign slipped into the realm of legend, until archaeologists translated his edicts two millennia later. In their time, those edicts helped unify a vast empire through their shared messages of virtue, and they propelled the expansion of Buddhism throughout India.

Sarnath, pillar of faith

Ashoka’s most famous pillar was erected at Sarnath, in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The site is revered among Buddhist pilgrims as the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon and shared his Four Noble Truths.

The pillar’s exquisitely carved capital, more than seven feet tall, is divided into three sections. Its base is a lotus flower, a Buddhist symbol. A cylindrical abacus features carvings of a horse, a lion, a bull, and an elephant at the compass points of the cardinal directions, with dharma wheels evenly spaced in between. At the top stand four powerful lions, also facing the four cardinal directions and thought to represent Ashoka’s power over all the land. The capital was adopted as the national emblem of India in 1950 and is depicted on several of the country’s coins and banknotes.

Founded between the sixth and early fourth century B.C. by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha or “enlightened one,” Buddhism soon spread through India and much of Asia. Buddha introduced the concept of peace through inner discipline. His meditations told him that suffering came from desire for sensory pleasures. Therefore, he laid out an Eightfold Path to inner holiness: right view, right aspiration, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right-mindedness, and right concentration.

He taught that through meditation, discussion, humility, and denial of a self, a person could achieve a perfect, peaceful state known as nirvana. As years passed, increasing numbers of Buddhist monks fanned out across Asia, acting as missionaries to promote the faith.

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• ANCIENT INDIA
• ANCIENT HISTORY
• PEOPLE AND CULTURE

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Ashoka, the Emperor Who Gave Up War

Emperor Ashoka earned the moniker of Ashoka the Great due to his just rule and the prosperity of his region and his people. But do you know the story of why Ashoka gave up war? It is said that the death and destruction that he witnessed during the Kalinga war, completely changed his view of the world. Let us journey through the life of King Ashoka.

• Ashoka The Great

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The Achievements of Ashoka (Study Notes)

It is said that Ashoka’s pacific policy destroyed the Maurya empire, but this is not true.

On the contrary, Ashoka has a number of achievements to his credit. He was certainly a great missionary ruler in the history of the ancient world.

He enthusiastically worked with great devotion for his mission and achieved a great deal at home and abroad.

Image Source: ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91kK3R3s6EL._SL1500_.jpg

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Ashoka brought about the political unification of the country. He bound it further by one dharma, one language, and virtually one script called Brahmi which was used in most of his inscriptions. In unifying the country he respected such non-Indian scripts as Kharoshthi, Aramaic, and Greek. His inscriptions appear not only in different types of the Indian languages like Prakrit, but also in Greek and particularly in Aramaic which was a Semitic language of ancient Syria.

His multi-script and multi-lingual inscriptions enabled him to contact literate people. Ashoka followed a tolerant religious policy, not attempting to foist his Buddhist faith on his subjects; on the contrary, he made gifts to non-Buddhist and even anti- Buddhist sects. Ashoka was fired with a zeal for missionary activity. He deputed officials in the far-flung parts of the empire. He helped administration and promoted cultural interaction between the developed Gangetic basin and distant backward provinces. The material culture, characteristic of the heart of the empire, spread to Kalinga, the lower Deccan, and northern Bengal.

Above all, Ashoka is important in history for his policy of peace, non- aggression, and cultural conquest. He had no model in early Indian history for the pursuit of such a policy; nor was there any comparable example elsewhere except in Egypt where Akhnaton had pursued a pacific policy in the fourteenth century BC. But Ashoka was not aware of his Egyptian predecessor.

Although Kautilya advised the king to be always intent on physical conquest, Ashoka followed quite the reverse policy. He asked his successors to give up the policy of conquest and aggression, followed by the Magadhan princes till the Kalinga war, and counseled them to adopt a policy of peace sorely needed after a period of aggressive wars lasting for two centuries. He consistendy adhered to his policy, for though he possessed sufficient resources and maintained a huge army, he did not wage any war after the conquest of Kalinga. In this sense, Ashoka was certainly far ahead of his day and generation.

However, Ashoka’s policy did not have any lasting impact on his viceroys and vassals, who declared themselves independent in their respective areas after the king retired in 232 BC. Similarly, the policy did not succeed in converting his neighbours, who swooped on the north-western frontier of his empire within thirty years of Ashoka’s giving up power in 232 BC.

Related Articles:

• Ashoka and Buddhism (Study Notes)
• The Life and Achievements of Ashoka
• Impact of the Kalinga War on Ashoka
• Study Notes on Sufism and Bhakti Movement

English Essay on “Ashoka Indian Ruler” Full-length Essay, Paragraph, Speech for Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 Exam.

Ashoka indian ruler.

One of the greatest rulers of India’s history is Ashoka (Asoka). Ruling for thirty-eight years (274 B.C.-232 B.C.), he was generally mentioned in his inscriptions as Devanampiya Piyadasi (“Beloved of the gods”). As the third emperor of the Mauryan dynasty, he was born in the year 304 B.C. His greatest achievements were spreading Buddhism throughout his empire and beyond. He set up an ideal government for his people and conquered many lands, expanding his kingdom.

The knowledge of Ashoka’s early reign is limited because little information was found. His edicts and inscriptions allowed us to understand his reign and empire, and have an insight into the events that took place during this remarkable period of history. Eight years after he took his throne, Ashoka’s powerful armies attacked and conquered Kalinga (present-day Orissa). Although he had conquered many other places, this violent war was the last war he ever fought and a turning point in his career. He was disgusted by the extreme deaths of numerous civilians, especially the Brahmans.

All these misfortunes brought Ashoka to turn into a religious ruler compared to a military ruler. As he turned to Buddhism, he emphasized dharma (law of piety) and ahimsa (nonviolence). He realized he could not spread Buddhism all by himself and therefore appointed officers to help promote the teachings. These officers were called Dhamma Mahamattas or “Officers of Righteousness” They were in charge of providing welfare and happiness among the servants and masters.

Preventing wrongful doings and ensuring special consideration was also their duty. Emphasizing his role as king, he paid close attention to welfare, the building of roads and rest houses, planting medicinal trees, and setting up healing centers. In order to pursue ahimsa, Ashoka gave up his favorite hobby of hunting and forbade the killing of animals, spreading vegetarianism throughout India.

Furthermore, his soldiers were taught the golden rule- to behave to others the way you want them to behave to you, which is the basic law of life. In the nineteenth century, a large number of edicts written in Brahmi script carved on rocks and stone pillars were discovered in India, proving the existence of Ashoka.

These edicts found scattered in more than 30 places throughout India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are mainly concerned with moral principles Ashoka recommended, his conversion to Buddhism, his personality, and his success as a king.

The Minor Edicts is a summary of Ashoka’s instruction of dharma, which talks about the purity of thoughts, kindness, truthfulness, reverence, and other good morals of life. The Fourteen Rock Edicts were the major edicts and issued the principles of the government. Some of these edicts tell of animal sacrifices, the principles of dharma, the Kalinga War, and religious toleration. There is also the record of Ashoka’s famous statement of “All men are my children”.

The Seven Pillar Edicts deals with some achievements of Samudragupta. Ashoka died in the thirty-eighth year of his reign, 232 B.C. The Buddhist ideas no longer inspire the government and at the same time, his descendants quarrel over the successions. In addition, the army: having become less warlike, was no longer able to defend the empire from invasion. In less than fifty years after his death, the Maurya Empire collapsed and fell into pieces.

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• CBSE Notes For Class 6
• Class 6 Social Science Notes
• Class 6 History Notes
• Chapter 7 Ashoka The Emperor Who Gave Up War

CBSE Notes Class 6 History Chapter 7 - Ashoka, the Emperor Who Gave Up War

According to the CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, this chapter has been renamed as ‘From a Kingdom to an Empire’.

Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers known to history, and on his instructions, inscriptions were inscribed on pillars, as well as on rock surfaces. Before we find out what was written in these inscriptions, let us see why his kingdom was called an empire. To learn more about Ashoka, the Emperor, Who Gave Up War, students can refer to Chapter 7 of CBSE Class 6 History. We have also compiled CBSE Notes Class 6 History Chapter 7 – Ashoka, the Emperor Who Gave Up War for the students to revise the Chapter most proficiently.

• Chapter 1 What, Where, How and When
• Chapter 2 From Hunting Gathering to Growing Food
• Chapter 3 In The Earliest Cities
• Chapter 4 What Books and Burials Tell Us
• Chapter 5 Kingdoms Kings and an Early Republic
• Chapter 6 New Questions and Ideas
• Chapter 8 Vital Villages Thriving Towns
• Chapter 9 Traders, Kings and Pilgrims
• Chapter 10 New Empires and Kingdoms
• Chapter 11 Buildings, Paintings and Books

Click on the PDF link given below in this article to download the CBSE Class 6 Social Science Notes from History Chapter 7.

CBSE Notes Class 6 History Chapter 7 – Ashoka, the Emperor Who Gave Up War

A very big kingdom: an empire.

Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers of history who ruled the empire founded by his grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya, over 2300 years ago. He was supported by a wise man named Chanakya or Kautilya. Chanakya’s ideas were written down in the Arthashastra. There were several cities in the empire (marked with black dots on the map), which included the capital Pataliputra and Ujjain, as well as Taxila, a gateway to the northwest, including Central Asia. Ujjain lay on the route from north to south India. Merchants, officials and crafts persons lived in these cities. In other areas, there were villages of farmers and herders. In central India, there were forests where people gathered forest produce and hunted animals for food. People in different parts of the empire spoke different languages and ate different kinds of food. They wore different kinds of clothes as well.

How Are Empires Different from Kingdoms?

Emperors needed more resources than kings, as empires are larger than kingdoms. They need to be protected by big armies, and they also need a larger number of officials to collect taxes.

Ruling the Empire

Large empires in different parts were ruled differently. The area around Pataliputra was under the direct control of the emperor. Officials were appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, crafts persons and traders (who lived in villages and towns in the area). They also punished those who disobeyed the ruler’s orders. Messengers went to and fro. Also, spies kept a watch on the officials. The emperor supervised them all with the help of members of the royal family and senior ministers. Other areas or provinces were ruled from a provincial capital, such as Taxila or Ujjain, with some amount of control from Pataliputra, and royal princes were often sent as governors. Local customs and rules were probably followed, and there were vast areas between these centres. Mauryas tried to control roads and rivers important for transport. They collected whatever resources were available as tax and tribute.

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Unlike taxes collected on a regular basis, tribute was collected as and when it was possible from people who gave a variety of things, more or less willingly.

Ashoka, a Unique Ruler

Famous Mauryan ruler Ashoka was the first ruler who tried to take his message to the people through inscriptions. These inscriptions were in Prakrit and written in the Brahmi script.

Ashoka’s War in Kalinga

Kalinga was the ancient name of coastal Odisha. Ashoka fought a war to conquer Kalinga. He was horrified when he saw the violence and bloodshed, and so he decided not to fight any more wars. He is the only king in the history of the world who gave up conquest after winning a war.

What Was Ashoka’s Dhamma?

Ashoka’s dhamma did not involve the worship of a god or the performance of a sacrifice. Ashoka had a duty to instruct his subjects and was also inspired by the teachings of the Buddha. A number of problems troubled him. People in the empire followed different religions, which led to conflict. Animals were sacrificed, slaves and servants were ill-treated, and quarrels in families and amongst neighbours existed. Ashoka’s duty was to solve these problems. He appointed officials, known as the dhamma mahamatta, who went from place to place, teaching people about dhamma.  His messages were inscribed on rocks and pillars. He instructed his officials to read his message to those who could not read it themselves. He also sent messengers to spread ideas about dhamma to other lands, such as Syria, Egypt, Greece and Sri Lanka. He built roads, dug wells and built rest houses and arranged for medical treatment for both human beings and animals.

Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 6 History Notes Chapter 7 Ashoka – The Emperor Who Gave Up War

What is the mauryan empire famous for.

The Mauryan empire had fully occupied Northwestern India in 320 BCE.

Who was King Ashoka?

Ashoka was the third emperor of the Mauryan dynasty, grandson of its founder Chandragupta and son of the second emperor, Bindusara.

What is ‘Ashoka’s dhamma’?

Ashoka’s dhamma is a set of edicts that formed a policy of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

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