WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -According to his own accounts, Ashoka conquered the Kalinga country (modern Orissa state) in the eighth year of his reign. The sufferings that the war inflicted on the defeated people moved him to such remorse that he renounced armed conquests. It was at this time that he came in touch with Buddhism and adopted it.

Detailed explanation-2: -268 to 232 BCE. Ashoka was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya who was the founder of the Maurya Dynasty. He promoted the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia. He converted to Buddhism after seeing the mass destruction and deaths that occurred in the Kalinga War.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ashoka then renounced war and embraced Buddhism but this was not the sudden conversion it is usually given as but rather a gradual acceptance of Buddha’s teachings which he may, or may not, have already been acquainted with.

Detailed explanation-4: -Ashoka and Buddhism It is believed that after this war, Ashoka began questioning the path of violence. After the war, Ashoka became deeply interested in Buddhism and its teachings of nonviolence and compassion. He studied the Buddhist scriptures and become a devout follower of the religion.