Ashoka the Great

Emperor Ashoka the Great was the emperor of India's Maurya Dynasty from 268 to 232 BCE

He was the third ruler of the Indian Mauryan Empire, the largest ever in the Indian subcontinent and one of the world's largest empires at its time.

Under Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire stretched from modern-day Iran through almost the entirety of the Indian subcontinent.

He Built an extensive bureaucracy and central treasury to oversee the collection of taxes.

He was responsible for firmly establishing the core of Indian civilization based on Hinduism and Buddhism that began in the Indus River Valley.

He was Born in  304 BCE in Pataliputra

His Parents: Bindusara and Dharma

He was the Grandson of Chandragupta

His Spouse(s): Devi, Kaurwaki. His Children: Mahinda, Kunala, Tivala, Jalauka

He Battled neighbors until battle of Kalinga,  where he lost 100,000 soldiers.

Asoka, deeply affected by the loss of life and suffering, felt remorse and became a buddhist.

His orders encouraged the protection of animals, compassion for criminals, and tolerance of other religions.

He Spread Buddhist teachings by constructing huge pillars inscribed with Buddhist teachings throughout his empire.  They were called Asoka’s Edicts.

These pillars urged non-violence and acceptance of other religions.

Asoka improved roads, created public wells, built hospitals and veterinary clinics-built rest stops throughout his kingdom.

Appointed missionaries who spread Buddhism throughout India, China and S.E. Asia

He Died in  232 BCE in Capital Pataliputra.

The death of Ashoka was followed by a period of partition and territorial states and it lasted for a long time. 500 years. Then, in 320 CE, Chandra Gupta united India into his second empire, Gupta Empire.