Ashoka the Great - Rise of the Mauryan Empire

Nishshanka Ruwan July 02, 2020

Ashoka the Great was a powerful ruler of the Maurya Empire during the 3rd century BCE. He was known for his vast empire that stretched across the Indian subcontinent, from present-day Afghanistan in the west to present-day Bangladesh in the east, with its capital at Pataliputra. He is also remembered as a patron of Buddhism and is credited with playing an important role in the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia.

Much of the information about Ashoka comes from his Brahmi edicts, which are among the earliest long inscriptions of ancient India, and Buddhist legends written centuries after his death. Ashoka was a son of Bindusara and a grandson of Chandragupta, the founder of the Maurya dynasty. During his father's reign, Ashoka served as the governor of Ujjain in central India. According to some Buddhist legends, he also suppressed a revolt in Takshashila as a prince. After his father's death, Ashoka killed his brothers to ascend the throne and become the ruler of the Maurya Empire.

Ashoka's rule is known for its strong emphasis on peace and non-violence. He is famous for his Edicts of Ashoka which are inscriptions on rocks and pillars throughout the empire, which promote ideas such as moral values, social welfare and non-violence. He also is credited with the establishment of hospitals and veterinary clinics, and the construction of irrigation systems, roads and rest houses. In this blog post, we have seen how Ashoka the great was a powerful ruler of the Maurya Empire and his contributions to Buddhism and the spread of peace and non-violence throughout his empire.