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MPPSC 2023: Exam Date, List of Exams, Eligibility Criteria, Qualification » MPPSC Study Materials » History » Ashoka Dharma

Ashoka Dharma

The term “Ashoka Dharma" is quite a popular term known in the context of Indian history, and is most commonly known by all Indians.

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Delving into the reminiscence of the historical past in the lands of India, it is acknowledged that the greatest emperor king of India of all times is King Ashoka. He was known to be the king of the “Maurya Dynasty” and is quite successful as a king. He has all the great qualities of a king and used to win several battles, but however after the “Kalinga war” Ashoka changed his opinion of fighting wars as he evidenced massive blood flow all through the city. Afterwards, King Ashoka was influenced by the “Buddhist religion” and started following its principles. Influenced by the religion Ashoka has successfully generated a set of principles for living a better and evolved life, which can be termed “Ashoka Dharma”.

Defining the “Ashoka Dharma”

“Ashoka Dharma” can be defined as a set of principles that defines a proper way of living a life. Moreover, this term Dharma does not fall under any kind of religion or any philosophy associated with politics. Considering the question, “what was Ashoka dharma”, it can be stated that dharma is more or less a “code of conduct” of how one can successfully lead a peaceful and elevated life. This “code of conduct” was quite popular at the time of King Ashoka’s reign and resulted in incorporating several numbers of people into effectively adopting and as well as practising all the policies. The reason behind this is that the policy of Dharma has no such barriers and allows people to easily access the knowledge associated with this. 

Concept of “Ashoka Dharma”

During the reign of King Ashoka it is quite well acknowledged that he was the emperor and therefore, maximum parts of Indian territories are under his rule. These territories are respectively diverse based on their language, people, customs, cultures as well as religions. After the massive bloodshed in Kalinga, King Ashoka realised that he needed to centralise the policy of “Dharma”. This is because “Ashoka Dharma” will support King Ashoks to effectively maintain peace and will successively promote social welfare among his subjects. 

Where did the term Dharma arrive in the “Ashoka Dharma” and “what was Ashoka dharma”?

The word Dharma arrived from the term from the Sanskrit language and the word is used in the “Prakrit form”. The simple answer lies to the question “what was Ashoka dharma” is that it meant a policy of principles that supports enhanced and improved lifestyles.in addition these, it supports being to lead a respectful life with proper morals. “Ashoka Dharma” also supports promoting peace all over its kingdom. 

Reasons behind the purpose and massive spreading of the “Ashoka Dharma” all throughout the kingdom

The main purpose for the spreading of the “Ashoka Dharma”  lies in the fact that it actively supported “myriad cultures as well as religions” all throughout the kingdom of Emperor Ashoka. This set of principles was generated so that all subjects within the kingdom can live their lives in peace and harmony. According to the question “what was Ashoka dharma”, the policies can be easily understood that these principles are quite easy to practise and follow up and therefore, it insisted on common subjects to promote peace. There were no barriers acknowledged, like that of the other religions, in practising these policies, and therefore, it became quite easy for them to easily follow the principles. 

Conclusion   

In concluding the study, it can be acknowledged that several “Ashoka Dharma” was established by Emperor Ashoka after he understood the loss and destruction he caused in the fighting of several battles. One such significant battle that has changed the life of Ashoka is the “Battle of Kalinga”. From beginning to the end till now several scholars ask the questions of “who is dharma in Ashoka”. From several stones, pillars and inscriptions these scholars used to acknowledge that the answer to the question “who is dharma in Ashoka” refers primarily to a set of principles. Moreover, it has also been acknowledged that due to the easy set of principles subjects easily accepted the policies and thereby, started practising those policies to effectively eradicate the unnecessary fights and brutalities. In addition to these, the subjects started gaining knowledge of what life means and how it can be lived to gain a better life of opportunities in their next birth.

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Get answers to the most common queries related to the MPPSC Examination Preparation.

What is the set of principles in “Ashoka Dharma”?

Ans. The set of principles that comes under the “Ashoka Dharma” are as follows, providing respect to the...Read full

What did Ashoka do to spread “Ashoka Dharma”?

Ans. Ashoka in order to spread the message associated with the set of principles, with the support of his su...Read full

In what language the principles of “Ashoka Dharma” were spread?

Ans. The messages associated with the principles of “Ashoka Dharma”, were spread through...Read full

ho was termed as "Dharma Mahamatras”?

Ans. The term “Dharma Mahamatras” were quite common and they referred to the people or r...Read full

Ans. The set of principles that comes under the “Ashoka Dharma” are as follows, providing respect to the elder individuals and love for the children. Needs to follow the paths of “non-violence” or “ahimsa”. The very next principle is that of conducting good deeds, which promises to provide the respective person with happiness in his or her next birth. Emperor Ashoka also taught through  “Ashoka Dharma” to maintain peace and effectively respect and promote all religions present in the then Indian land.

Ans. Ashoka in order to spread the message associated with the set of principles, with the support of his subjects, mainly officials at emperor Ashoka’s court inscribed on pillars made out of stone carvings. Through the messages in the stone pillars, the common subjects of King Ashoka will be made aware of the messages by the reading. For those who could not read, the king has instructed the officials to read it in front of them to make them aware of the principles associated with “Ashoka Dharma”.

Ans. The messages associated with the principles of “Ashoka Dharma”, were spread through the “archaic forms” associated with “Prakrit”.

Ans. The term “Dharma Mahamatras” were quite common and they referred to the people or rather “special officers” who are responsible for spreading the several principles associated with “Ashoka Dharma”. These people were appointed by the emperor himself, in order to enforce peace and social welfare.

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