Ashoka the great: Learn about Ashoka the Great

Learn about Ashoka the Great , the third Mauryan emperor who embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War and promoted Dhamma, a policy of non-violence and tolerance. Explore his reign, edicts, cultural contributions, and legacy in ancient India. Upset with his violent conquests that killed hundreds of thousands, the Indian king Ashoka embraced Buddhism and treated his subjects humanely. Ashoka , also known as Asoka or Aśoka (/ əˈʃoʊkə / [7] ə-SHOH-kə; Sanskrit: [ɐˈɕoːkɐ], IAST: Aśoka; c. 304 – 232 BCE), popularly known as Ashoka the Great , was Emperor of Magadha [8] from c. 268 BCE until his death, and the third ruler from the Mauryan dynasty. Ashoka ’ s fame is largely due to his pillar and rock edicts, which allowed him to reach a wide audience and left a lasting historical record. He is remembered as a model ruler, controlling a vast and diverse Mauryan empire through peace and respect, with dharma at the centre of his ideology.