Ashoka - Life and Dhamma: Kalinga War, Buddhism | UPSC NCERT Notes

Ashoka was the third emperor of the Mauryan dynasty, which was founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 322 BCE. The concept of Ashoka life and Dhamma encapsulates this remarkable evolution. Ashoka ruled the Mauryan Empire from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. The Kalinga War was the first and last war he fought, after which he replaced Bherigosha (conquest by war) with Dhammagosha (conquest by Dharma).

Ashoka formulated the Dhamma concept to preserve the social order and urged people to follow it. He was the first ruler to give up on war and also the first to use inscriptions to convey messages to the people. Ashoka is considered one of the greatest rulers of India. 

Ashoka – Life and Dhamma (UPSC Ancient History) NCERT Notes: Download PDF here.

In this article, NCERT notes on Ashoka – life and dhamma deal with the emperor Ashoka's ascension to the throne, the Kalinga War, and his policy of Dhamma. This topic is critical and valuable for the upcoming UPSC exams.

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Ashoka – Ascension To Throne

Ashoka became king after a tough fight for power among royal heirs. He took the throne around 268 BCE as the Mauryan emperor.

• Ashoka was the son of Bindusara. Ashoka succeeded his father on the throne.
• Ashoka's history is reconstructed based on ancient literature, Buddhist texts, and his inscriptions. 
• Though his birth date is not specific, it is inferred from various sources that he was either born in the late fourth century BCE or the early third century BCE. 
• Buddhist texts, such as Ashoka Sutra and Kunala Sutra, mention that Ashoka was appointed Governor of Gandhara. In contrast, the ancient text Mahavamsa states that Bindusara appointed Ashoka as the Viceroy of Ujjain. The latter was even mentioned in one of his rock edicts.
• Ashoka's succession to the throne was disputed. According to the ancient texts, Ashoka is said to have killed his elder brother Susima in the struggle for the throne after Bindusara's death. The ministers of Bindusara supported Ashoka's claim to the throne.
• He is said to have ruled from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. During his reign, Pataliputra was made the capital of the Mauryan Empire, while Ujjain and Taxila were provincial capitals.
• Under the reign of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire covered almost the entire Indian subcontinent except for Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. It expanded from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east.

Know more about NCERT Notes on Mauryan Administration here.

The Kalinga War was a fierce battle that caused huge loss of life. This war deeply changed Ashoka’s heart and thinking.

• After he acceded to the throne, the only war that Ashoka fought was the Kalinga War. 
• The Kalinga War was fought between Ashoka (Mauryan Empire) and the state of Kalinga, an independent feudal kingdom in Odisha.
• The war was won by Ashoka in 261 BC, and he conquered Kalinga in his eighth regnal year.
• This was one of the deadliest wars that took place in Indian history. According to Ashoka, nearly 100,000 people were killed, and several lakhs were injured, which, according to several historians, is an exaggerated number. 
• The loss and suffering caused by the war deeply affected Ashoka. His thirteenth central rock edict recorded his response to the disastrous war, and Ashoka's remorse was mentioned. The sufferings of the Brahmin priests and the Buddhist monks caused much grief for Ashoka.
• Thus, he gave up on war and replaced Bherigosha (conquest by war) with Dhammagosha (conquest by Dharma). He was the first king to give up on conquest by war.

Know more about NCERT Notes on the Mauryan Empire here.

Ashoka – Conversion to Buddhism

After the Kalinga War, Ashoka felt deep sorrow and regret. He then accepted Buddhism and started following its peaceful path.

• As a result of the Kalinga War, Ashoka renounced the war and converted to Buddhism. However, some scholars claim that his conversion to Buddhism was gradual and not immediate. He was initially a lay disciple and became a monk (Bhikshu).
• From his inscriptions, it is inferred that he visited several Buddhist shrines, such as Sarnath, Kushinagara, etc. He also made grants and gifts to Buddhist monks.
• To strengthen the Sangha, emperor Ashoka convened the third Buddhist council in 250 BCE at Pataliputra. However, this was not mentioned in any of his inscriptions.
• In his minor rock edict 1, he called himself Upasaka, a lay follower of Buddhism.
• He constructed several Stupas and Buddhist Viharas. He sent missionaries to spread Buddhism in South India and several other countries. A missionary to Srilanka was headed by his son Mahinda.

Know more about NCERT Notes on Ashoka Edicts here.

Ashoka – Dhamma

• Ashoka's policy of Dhamma was a way of life and code of conduct that was to be adopted by the people at large. His Dhamma policies were mentioned in his edicts. 
• The term Dhamma means Dharma in Sanskrit.
• Some of the policies of Dhamma were
• Practice ahimsa (Non-violence) and truthfulness
• Humane treatment of servants and enslaved people by the masters
• Tolerance towards all religious sects
• Conquest through Dharma rather than war
• Prohibition of animal sacrifices and killing of birds.
• Disapproval of unwanted rituals and superstitious activities.
• Planting trees and constructing wells and rest houses.
• Obedience and respect to parents and reverence to teachers. 
• Pay respect to Brahmanas and Buddhist monks.
• Abolition of the death penalty
• Medical provision for humans and animals
• Provisions to promote the welfare of the poor and aged.
• Ashoka appointed Dhamma Mahamatras to teach people about Dhamma. They were even sent to other countries to propagate the Dhamma.

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The Edicts of Ashoka: Spreading Dhamma

Ashoka wrote many writings, called the edicts of Ashoka, to spread his Dhamma message. He got them carved on rocks, pillars, and caves throughout his empire. These edicts told people about his rules and beliefs. Major Rock Edicts.

The 14 major rock edicts of Ashoka are among the most significant. They cover various aspects of governance and morality:

• Edict I: Prohibits animal sacrifices and festive gatherings.
• Edict II: Emphasizes medical care for humans and animals.
• Edict III: Advocates respect for elders and moral conduct.
• Edict IV: Highlights the importance of Dhamma over rituals.
• Edict V: Introduces Dhamma Mahamatras, officers to promote Dhamma.
• Edict VI: Encourages prompt administration and communication.
• Edict VII: Calls for religious tolerance.
• Edict VIII: Describes Ashoka's Dhamma tours.
• Edict IX: Criticizes meaningless ceremonies.
• Edict X: Denounces fame and glory, promoting Dhamma instead.
• Edict XI: Details the essence of Dhamma.
• Edict XII: Urges respect for all religious sects.
• Edict XIII: Expresses remorse over the Kalinga War and promotes the Dhamma conquest.
• Edict XIV: Summarizes the purpose of the edicts.

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Conclusion

Ashoka is called Chakravarti Samrat, which means emperor of the emperors. Though Kautilya, believed to be the Chief Minister at Chandragupta Maurya's court, recommended physical conquests, he stuck to his policy of peace, non-aggression, and cultural conquest. This shows the humanitarian nature of the ruler. With his death in 232 BCE, the spread of Dhamma and the Mauryan Empire declined gradually.

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