If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why?
The content discusses the historical significance of Ashok. He was a ruler of ancient India who transformed from a ruthless expansionist to a proponent of Buddhism and nonviolence. This change occurred after he saw the devastation of the Kalinga war. Initially, conquests and warfare marked the reign of Ashok. Nevertheless, the destruction and loss of life compelled him to seek penance. He then pursued a path of peace. He embraced Buddhism, established edicts, and promoted the teachings of Buddha, contributing to the spread of the religion. Ashok’s legacy is that of a complex leader, embodying both cruelty and compassion, whose transformative journey remains relevant today.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Ashok was an ancient Indian ruler. He transformed from a ruthless expansionist to a proponent of Buddhism after the devastating Kalinga war.
- His remorse post-war led him to embrace nonviolence, Buddhism, and promote peace among his subjects.
- Ashok’s legacy includes the establishment of edicts and monuments that spread Buddha’s teachings.
- He adopted the title Devanampiya Piyadassi and sent family members as missionaries to promote Buddhism in foreign lands.
- Ashok exemplifies the complex nature of leadership, embodying both cruelty and compassion throughout his reign.
History
History is an account of past happenings and those of key players who caused the incident to happen. Before the time of written history, it involved predictions and inferences. There was a scope for amendments based on new findings as and when required. During the prehistoric period, humans were in the incipient stage of learning and used tools made of stone. One example will suffice to substantiate the point.
(1) Indus Valley Civilisation
The Indus Valley Civilisation is believed to be the oldest. Our knowledge about them and their lives is based on various archaeological evidence. The construction of their houses, great baths, and children’s toys says a lot about their way of living. Additionally, things recovered from the probable garbage give insights. Historians and archaeologists are still struggling to find the authenticity of their accounts. Though the speculations are very close to the facts, they are not definite. The language and script of the Indus people have not been deciphered. In the absence of this, the history of that time remains circumstantial and speculative.
(2) New vista
The start of writing opened a new vista for ancient people who recorded the happenings. Artefacts like writings, coins, and textiles give valuable insights. They help us understand the lifestyle and governance of the past Era.
Mauryan empire
In ancient India, Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan empire. He was a powerful and just ruler; conquered many areas and expanded his empire.
(1) Bindusara
Bindusara succeeded to the throne of the kingdom after the demise of his father, Chandragupta. Bindusaar continued expanding the kingdom and brought under his rule the area up to modern Karnataka. It was a period of conflict chiefly between the Republics and the Empire. Vidudabh treacherously vanquished and destroyed the Licchavi Republic.
(2) Ashok
Historians are divided on the number of progenies Bindusaar had. Some opined that he had one hundred sons. Still, the general consensus is that he had four sons. Ashok was the second son. Despite Ashok’s intelligence and bravery, Bindusara did not hold him in high regard. He sent Ashok to Taxila to crush the rebellion, which Ashok did ruthlessly. Later, Bindusar appointed him Governor (Kshetrapal) of Ujjain. (Britannica)
Kalinga vanquished
Ashok ascended to the throne after eliminating all his rival brothers. Initially, he was a ruthless, high-headed expansionist emperor who subjugated his surrounding states. Barring Kalinga of modern Odisha, Ashok vanquished all. To crush the spirit of Kalinga, he waged a fierce war against it. Innumerable people laid their lives in the service of their motherland. The proud people of Kalinga still did not accept subordination nor bow to Ashok. Every child, youth and age, including women, fought bravely and gave Ashok a tough fight. With a large contingent and ruthless war tactics, Ashok ultimately won, but it came at a high cost. He inspected the battlefield after the war. The widespread destruction disturbed him a lot. With the extensive and terrible sight, he became restless. He couldn’t withstand the devastating post-war battlefield. This was the pivotal moment in Ashok’s life.
(1) Remorseful
Ashok felt remorse for his deeds. He retreated to the forest and started living like an ascetic in the jungle. He tried to explore his inner self away from the throne. Ultimately, he surrendered to Lord Buddha and vouched not to take up war or violence. He started pursuing the path of penance, nonviolence and peaceful coexistence. Ashok travelled far and wide and tried to emancipate people. He listened to his subjects and took care of their difficulties.
(2) Ardent Buddhist
The Ashoka edicts, rock inscriptions, and monuments were remarkable. Ashoka taught his subjects the teachings of Buddha and explored places linked to him. He established columns and constructed temples, known as “Chaityas” and “Viharas.” There were many monasteries or “Viharas” in the area. This abundance contributed to the renaming of Patliputra to Vihar. This name eventually became Bihar in modern times.
Lion Capital
In the excavation at Sarnath near Varanasi, the Lion Capitol found. Later, the Government of Free India adopted it as the national emblem. The sculpture features four addorsed lions sitting together, facing outward. The abacus is decorated with four wheels, each containing twenty-four spokes. Between the wheels are reliefs of a moving bull, a running horse, an elephant, and a lion. The polish on this creation is exceptionally fine. It is enduring. Even centuries after its construction, the sheen and shine stay intact. Originally, the Lion Capital was atop a long column, adorned with the carving of an inverted lotus. The lions had a large wheel with twenty-four spokes on their shoulders.
With an inscribed Ashok’s message on the column in the Brahmi script, it must have been an impressive structure. The lion’s capital, along with parts of a column and fragments of the wheel, are preserved in the Sarnath Museum.
(1) Sarnath (Varanasi)
Sarnath is a place near the holy city Varanasi. It testifies to Ashok’s missionary zeal and his intense attachment to Buddha and His teachings. He constructed a colossal Buddha temple. It is Chankrum, with a large and life-size statue of Buddha in a standing posture. This statue signifies the respect he gave to Buddha.
(2) Spreading Buddhism
He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghmitra to Sri Lanka to spread the message of Buddha. His missionaries visited other countries as well. The change in Ashok’s behaviour was drastic though historians believe that his change of heart was not in overnight. It was gradual, must be the outcome of his upbringing and flourished after Kalinga’s devastating war. The despotic and ruthless king had changed. It is inscribed in one of his rock edicts. He unearthed the ashes of Buddha. The ashes were initially placed in five locations. He preserved them in the newly constructed “Stupa” in several places to spread Buddhism far and wide.
(3) Devanampiya Piyadassi
Ashok took up a pilgrimage. The king who drew pleasure in hunting had taken up pilgrimage instead. He carefully looked after his subjects and donated generously to monasteries and monks. Ashoka had completely transformed. He ruled for about fifty years, but soon after he departed from the mortal world, he was forgotten. Years later, a British historian and Orientalist, James Prinsep, found out about his work. Ashoka was referred to in one of his edicts as Devanampiya Piyadassi. It was later established by Buddhist literature that it was Ashok.
Changed Ashok
The phenomenal change in the attitude of Ashok post-Kalinga war is a lesson. It is a testimony that a changed person can do good for society. He proved himself a great, benevolent king who had become a diehard follower of Buddhism. A just and merciful king, Ashok ruled his kingdom in a just and fair manner. He should be remembered for his noble deeds equally, as he is being remembered for his atrocious past. Ashok is a historical personality who personified both cruelty and saintly characters, both in his lifetime.
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