Who Was Ashoka (Asoka)?:
Ashoka (Asoka), a Hindu convert to Buddhism, was the third king of the Mauryan Dynasty in India, from c. 270 B.C. until his death in 232. He was known for his cruelty early on, but also, later, his great acts. These followed Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism after he waged a bloody war in Kalinga, in c. 265. Ashoka's capital was in Pataliputra, from which he controlled northern India and 14 other states, extending to Bactria, in the west, and southern India to the Krishna River. Likened to Constantine spreading Christianity, Ashoka helped spread Buddhism beyond the Indian subcontinent into Asia.
Occupation:
RulerAshoka Dates:
304 - 232 B.C. Askoka was the son of the second king of the Indian Mauryan dynasty, Bindusara, and perhaps the Brahman queen Subhadrangi. Bindusara was the son of the founder of the Mauryan dynasty, Chandragupta Maurya, who began his expansion into western India in 322, after Alexander the Great left.
Edicts of Ashoka:
Ashoka posted "the edicts of Ashoka" on large, animal-topped pillars, chiseled in the ancient Brahmi script, rather than Sanskrit. Mostly reforms, the edicts also list public works projects, including universities, roads, hospitals, and irrigation systems. In these edits, Ashoka calls himself "Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi," according to King Ashoka - His Edicts and His Times, where you'll find translations of the edits. The edicts are found in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Ashoka is on the list of Most Important People to Know in Ancient History.
Also see About.com's Guide to Asian History's biography of Ashoka.
