THE MAURYAN EMPIRE-ASHOKA

Indian history portrays the image of India as gold mines of tradition. In ancient times, civilisations were established, developed and flourished in several northern and north-western parts of India. Historians divided Indian history based on several themes such as religion and periods. Reign of Ashoka bettered the image, territory and culture of India and that is written with golden words in Indian history. This article revolves around Indian history and Ashoka’s participation in establishing the entire Indian subcontinent.

Indian history

Indian history begins with Pre-Vedic and Vedic periods from Indus valley civilisation. It is estimated that history of Indus valley civilisation started from 3000 BCE. Apart from Indus valley civilisations, archaeologists also found some evidence of cave culture in Mehrgarh which is dated around 7000 BCE. Historians divided Indian history based on European historiography as Ancient history, Medieval History, and Modern History. Based on religion of rulers and their ethnic nature, Indian history is categorised as Hindus, Muslims, and British. It is observed that India flourished most and longest during Indus valley civilisation. Rather than that, the Mauryan period is considered the Golden age of Indian history under Chandragupta Maurya. After that, several foreign invaders attacked India. Some of them intended to invade and took wealth from India whereas some of foreign invaders attacked to rule over India. 

Early Medieval India History

The period of Indian history between 3rd and 6th century BCE of Mauryan and Gupta empires respectively is known as the early classical period of mediaeval India. During the Mauryan empire, Indian territory was geographically expanded in the southern part of Asia. Ashoka’s Mauryan Empire is situated around Indo-Gangetic plains whose capital was established at Patliputra currently at Patna. During the reign of Ashoka, major urban hubs and arteries of the Indian subcontinent were captured, controlled and developed.

Reign of Ashoka

The reign of Ashoka is estimated between 272 to 232 BCE. Initially, Ashoka was a young and brilliant commander of the Mauryan Empire who successfully suppressed and crushed revolts of Ujjain and Takshila. Ashoka aggressively and ambitiously expanded the Mauryan kingdom in southern and western parts of India. Conquest of Kalinga became a major transition period of the life of Ashoka. After this pivotal event, Ashoka changes their life by leaving his throne and surrounding Kalinga back. 

Kalinga war

The War of Kalinga has been mentioned in Indian history, namely in the Ashoka inscription. Information about the Kalinga war was retrieved from an inscription panel that was formed during the 8th year of Ashoka’s reign. Ashoka won Kalinga after the war of Kalinga, whereas this war leaves an irremovable image. Ashoka was profound with death and slaughters that were done during war. This matter of profound sorrow creates a scary image in Ashoka’s heart. 

Conversation to Buddhism

Some historians suggest that just after the Kalinga war, Ashoka adopted Buddhism due to destruction created by the Kalinga war. Overall destruction created in war made Ashoka down toward Buddhism. Apart from that, some historians suggested that Ashoka was a devotee of Buddhism during his 4th year of reign. After being a true devotee of Buddhism, Ashoka constructed more than 84000 viharas that were a rest house of devotees and followers of Buddhism. In Indian history, evidence of the Kalinga war was not mentioned by any of Buddhist legends. 

Construction of temples and stupas by Ashoka

According to Mahavamsa, a great chronicle, Ashoka constructed 8400 stupas and viharas. All these viharas were constructed between the 5th to 7th years of Ashoka’s reign. Some of the famous stupas and viharas constructed by Ashoka are mentioned below.

• Stupa of Sanchi
• Dhamek Stupa, Saranath UP
• University of Nalanda, Bihar 
• Mahabodhi Temple Situated in Bihar, India.

Propagation of dhamma and social work

Ashoka started propagation of dhamma from that very Bodhi tree from where Gautama Buddha gained his knowledge. From there, Ashoka started performing several social works for the welfare of common people. Social works done by Ashoka includes medical support and treatment facilities not only provided to humans but also animals. Plantation of medicinal herbs that help in providing medical facilities had been done in his reign. Apart from that wells were drugged for providing fresh drinking water and trees were planted along roads to provide shade to travellers. 

Conclusion

It is to be concluded from above study that Indian history is in frames with several gems like civilisations and rulers. Chronology of Indian history includes several rulers’ reigns. Some of them are belonging locally whereas some of them are foreign invaders. Ashoka the Great was one of greatest rulers known to Indian history. Ashoka was famously known after the Kalinga war. Apart from that Ashoka was called great due to his social work for humans and animals. Several inscriptions on pillar and rock surfaces were made on instructions of Ashoka that give most valuable information related to Ashoka.