Ashoka the Great (273 BCE – 232 BCE) was the most influential ruler of the Mauryan Empire. He is best known for his Dhamma policy, Buddhist patronage, and extensive empire-building. His reign marked a shift from military conquest to welfare and governance based on morality.
1. Extent of Ashoka’s Empire
Ashoka’s empire was one of the largest in Indian history, covering:
- Northwest India – Afghanistan, parts of Pakistan (Taxila, Gandhara)
- North India – Present-day Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
- Central India – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
- West India – Gujarat, Maharashtra
- East India – Bengal, Odisha (Kalinga)
- South India – Northern Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
🔹 Boundaries: Extended from the Hindu Kush mountains (Afghanistan) in the northwest to Tamil Nadu in the south.
🔹 Important Cities:
- Capital – Pataliputra (Patna, Bihar)
- Other Major Cities – Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali, Suvarnagiri
2. Kalinga War (261 BCE) and Its Impact
Reasons for the War:
- Kalinga (Modern Odisha) was a wealthy region with control over coastal trade routes.
- Ashoka wanted to expand his empire and establish complete control over eastern India.
Consequences of the War:
- Massive Destruction – Over 1 lakh people killed, thousands were enslaved.
- Ashoka’s Transformation – Moved from conquest (Digvijaya) to Dhamma Vijaya (Victory through Dharma).
- Adoption of Buddhism – Ashoka embraced non-violence and moral governance.
- Welfare-Oriented Rule – Built hospitals, roads, and rest houses for people and animals.
3. Administration under Ashoka
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Government | Highly Centralized Administration, with the King as supreme authority. |
| Provinces | Four major provinces – Tosali (East), Ujjain (West), Suvarnagiri (South), and Taxila (North). |
| Officials | Dhamma Mahamatras (Officials for moral guidance), Yuktas (Revenue officers), Rajukas (Judicial officers). |
| Army | Maintained a large standing army, but stopped military expansion after Kalinga War. |
| Spy System | Efficient espionage system to keep track of public sentiment and governance. |
4. Ashoka’s Dhamma (Moral Code)
Ashoka introduced Dhamma (a code of moral conduct) to promote social harmony and non-violence.
Main Features of Dhamma:
✅ Ahimsa (Non-violence) – Stopped aggressive wars, reduced animal sacrifices.
✅ Religious Tolerance – Respected all religions, promoted harmony.
✅ Public Welfare – Built hospitals, roads, wells, rest houses for common people.
✅ Compassion & Justice – Encouraged kindness towards servants, fair treatment of prisoners.
✅ Dhamma Mahamatras – Officials appointed to spread moral values and help people.
5. Ashokan Edicts (Inscriptions on Rocks & Pillars)
Ashoka spread his message of Dhamma through rock and pillar inscriptions across his empire.
Types of Edicts:
1️⃣ Major Rock Edicts – Girnar (Gujarat), Dhauli (Odisha), Kandahar (Afghanistan).
2️⃣ Minor Rock Edicts – Maski (Karnataka), Gujarra (Madhya Pradesh).
3️⃣ Pillar Edicts – Sarnath, Delhi, Lauriya-Nandangarh.
Languages Used:
- Brahmi Script (Most Common) – Used in northern and central India.
- Kharosthi Script – Used in northwest India (Pakistan, Afghanistan).
- Greek & Aramaic – Used in Kandahar (Afghanistan).
6. Ashoka and Buddhism
🌿 Ashoka officially adopted Buddhism after the Kalinga War.
His Contributions to Buddhism:
- Third Buddhist Council (250 BCE) – Held in Pataliputra under Moggaliputta Tissa, led to the spread of Theravada Buddhism.
- Buddhist Missions – Sent monks to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Central Asia, and Greece.
- Built Stupas & Viharas – Constructed Sanchi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa (Sarnath), and Bharhut Stupa.
🌏 Spread of Buddhism – Ashoka’s efforts made Buddhism a global religion, influencing China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
7. Decline of Ashoka’s Empire
After Ashoka’s death in 232 BCE, the Mauryan Empire began to decline.
Causes of Decline:
- Weak Successors – Ashoka’s successors were ineffective rulers.
- Economic Crisis – Welfare policies drained state resources.
- Regional Uprisings – Provinces like Kalinga, Punjab, and Andhra revolted.
- Greek Invasions – Indo-Greeks attacked northwest India.
- Rise of the Shunga Dynasty – Pushyamitra Shunga overthrew the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha in 185 BCE.
8. Significance of Ashoka’s Rule
🏛 First Indian ruler to establish a welfare state.
📜 First to use inscriptions for governance communication.
🌍 Spread Buddhism across Asia.
🕊 Introduced the idea of non-violent governance (Dhamma Vijaya).
🚧 Developed infrastructure – Roads, hospitals, rest houses.
9. Sample Questions for Competitive Exams
Prelims-Based Questions (MCQs)
1️⃣ Which war transformed Ashoka and led to his adoption of Dhamma?
- (a) Kalinga War
- (b) Battle of Hydaspes
- (c) First Buddhist Council
- (d) Second Buddhist Council
- Answer: (a) Kalinga War
2️⃣ Which script was used in most of Ashoka’s edicts?
- (a) Brahmi
- (b) Kharosthi
- (c) Greek
- (d) Aramaic
- Answer: (a) Brahmi
3️⃣ Which Buddhist council was held under Ashoka’s patronage?
- (a) First
- (b) Second
- (c) Third
- (d) Fourth
- Answer: (c) Third
4️⃣ Where is the Sarnath Lion Capital located?
- (a) Bodh Gaya
- (b) Lumbini
- (c) Sarnath
- (d) Rajgir
- Answer: (c) Sarnath
5️⃣ Who overthrew the last Mauryan ruler?
- (a) Pushyamitra Shunga
- (b) Chandragupta II
- (c) Seleucus I
- (d) Vasudeva
- Answer: (a) Pushyamitra Shunga
Mains-Based Questions (Descriptive)
1️⃣ Discuss Ashoka’s Dhamma policy and its impact on Indian society.
2️⃣ Describe the administration of the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka.
3️⃣ Analyze the causes of the decline of the Mauryan Empire.
Would you like a simplified map or mind map summarizing Ashoka’s empire?
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