WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Ashoka the Great (r. 268-232 BCE) was the third king of the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) best known for his renunciation of war, development of the concept of dhamma (pious social conduct), and promotion of Buddhism as well as his effective reign of a nearly pan-Indian political entity.

Detailed explanation-2: -He is called great because of his model rule based on peace and compassion that helped in unifying the culturally diverse empire under a centralised administration.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ashoka – Massive Empire Ashoka was the son of the second Mauryan emperor Bindusara and grandson of the first Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya. Ashoka was also known as Ashoka the Great. Ashoka ruled the entire Indian subcontinent (except parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala) from 268 B.C.E to 232 B.C.E.

Detailed explanation-4: -Both groups of writings point out how Ashoka was a ruthless ruler before he turned Buddhist. He is known to have killed almost all his hundred or so step brothers who could have been possible claimants to his throne. By his order, terrible tortures were inflicted on prisoners in his jail in Patliputra.

Detailed explanation-5: -Ashoka, also spelled Aśoka, (died 238? bce, India), last major emperor of the Mauryan dynasty of India. His vigorous patronage of Buddhism during his reign (c.

Detailed explanation-6: -Ashoka’s 13th Rock Edict describes the Kalinga war vividly. In about 263 BC Ashoka converted to Buddhism. Moggaliputta Tissa, a Buddhist monk, became his mentor. Under Ashoka reign, the Third Council of Buddhism organized in Pataliputra under the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa.