Ashoka was born in 304 BCE in Pataliputra, which is today known as Patna, Bihar. Buddhism was spread over all of Asia by Ashoka. Ashoka being a prominent leader, expanded his area of coverage of the Chandragupta’s empire from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east, they conquered every Indian part, leaving Tamil Nadu.

He named Pataliputra as the capital of his entire empire. Ashoka was born as a Hindu but he dedicated his life to Buddhism. He had 5 wives named Devi, Karuvaki, Padmavati, Asandhimitra, and Tishyaraksha. After the Kalinga war, Ashoka was stunned seeing the bloodshed, and the Daya river turned  red with blood in front of his eyes. He took an oath to practice and preach peace, which marked the transformation from ‘ChandAshoka’ to ‘DharmAshoka’. He died in 232 BCE in the same place where he was born, Pataliputra, when he was of 71 years.

ASHOKA’S PILLARS:

Ashoka’s pillar is a chain of uniform columns which is spread in the Indian Subcontinent, constructed and written with edicts by the ruler of the Mauryan empire Ashoka during the time of his reign. The Ashoka’s pillars are having an average height of 12 to 15 m and an average weight of about 50 tons each. The Ashoka pillars are among the oldest sculptures that were made in India. Main pillars were built in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana. 

Some of Ashoka’s pillars with his writings are:

  • Delhi-Topra pillar which is in Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi (it was moved from Haryana to Delhi by Firuz Shah Tughluq). 
  • Delhi–Meerut, Delhi Ridge, Delhi (these were moved from Meerut to Delhi by Firuz Shah Tughluq.
  • Nigali Sagar is in Lumbini, Nepal.
  • Rummindei is also near Lumbini, Nepal.
  • The Allahabad pillar was at Kaushambi and was moved to Allahabad by Jahangir.

Some of Ashoka’s pillars without the writings of Ashoka are:

  •  Kausambi which is near Varanasi.
  • Gotiwaha is also near Varanasi.
  • Bodh Gaya which was in Sujata Stupa but was brought in Gaya.
  • Ashokan pillar that was found in Pataliputra.
  • Bhawani Rupandehi.

Even Ashoka’s pillars were copied by China as the 6th-century pillar which is at the burial place of the Emperor Jing of Western Liang, Xiao Jiang. 

ASHOKA’S DHAMMA:

The policy of Dhamma was introduced by Ashoka as he thought it will solve many problems and tensions that the society faces.

The First 5 edicts of Ashoka’s Dhamma are:

  • Major Rock Edict I: It leads to a prohibition on the sacrifice of animals and gatherings at festivals: 
  • Major Rock Edict II: Medical care of men and animals, constructing roads, wells, and planting trees.
  • Major Rock Edict III: It states giving equal respect to the two deities. And also giving respect to their parents is a good sign and Brahmanas
  • Major rock edict IV–it tells that because of Ashoka’s Dhamma disrespecting Brahmans and Sramanas were stopped, fighting in family and friends was reduced and animal sacrifice also decreased. 
  • Major rock edict V–this led to the hiring of Dhamma- Mahamattas. The duty of these officers was to monitor every religion and all the sections of the society and to spread Buddhism.
  • Major Rock Edict VI: Instructs the Dhamma Mahamattas to be good acquaintances of the ruler and help him to rule.
  • Major Rock edict VII: Instructs to promote unity within all sects of the society. 
  • Major Rock Edict VIII: Dhamma Mahamattas would be directly undertaken by the emperor. 
  • Major Rock Edict IX: Instructs to let go of useless ceremonies. 
  • Major Rock Edict X: Instructs to let go of glory and fame and asks to follow the path of dhamma. 
  • Major Rock Edict XI: Further instructions on Dhamma. 
  • Major Rock Edict XII: Promotes peace and harmony. 
  • Major Rock Edict XIII: Promotes non-violence 
  • Major Rock Edict XIV: Promotes inclusiveness and quotes of Asoka. 

CONCLUSION:

Ashoka’s empire was so large and powerful that it was under him. The Mauryan Empire witnessed its peak. It was for the 1st time that any ruler took over the whole Indian Subcontinent, only leaving the parts of Tamil Nadu. This officially helped in the formation of India. Ashoka was born as a Hindu but he lost so much in Buddhism that he started practicing that and used to spread this all over the world by making rock edicts and pillar edicts and wanted to make Buddhism the world religion.