Ashoka and His Successors

Ashoka (c. 304–232 BCE)

Ashoka (also spelled Asoka) Maurya (c. 304–232 BCE) was one of India’s greatest emperors and the third ruler of the Mauryan dynasty. He was the grandson of the dynasty’s founder, Chandragupta Maurya, and the son of Bindusara. His reign, from approximately 268 to 232 BCE, marked the zenith of the Mauryan Empire, which at its height encompassed almost all of the Indian subcontinent, from modern-day Afghanistan to Bengal and down to the northern parts of the Deccan plateau.

Following Ashoka’s death, the Mauryan Empire began a slow decline. The empire was divided among his descendants, with his son Kunala and grandson Dasharatha being prominent figures in the subsequent succession. Dasharatha, who ruled in Magadha, continued Ashoka’s policy of religious tolerance, as evidenced by his dedications of caves to the Ajivika sect. However, the vast empire proved difficult to maintain. Internal disputes, administrative decentralization, and external pressures, particularly from the Bactrians, contributed to its fragmentation. The Mauryan dynasty ultimately ended around 185 BCE when the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his own general, Pushyamitra Shunga, who founded the Shunga dynasty.

Successor	Relation to Ashoka	Region (Approx.)	Key Contribution/Event	End of Reign
Kunala	Son	Western Provinces	Became blind; ruled briefly.	c. 232 BCE
Dasharatha	Grandson	Magadha (Eastern Core)	Dedicated caves to the Ajivika sect, continuing Ashoka’s religious tolerance.	c. 224 BCE
Samprati	Grandson (son of Kunala)	Western/Ujjain region	Patron of Jainism, indicating the rise of other faiths.	c. 215 BCE
Brihadratha	Last Ruler	Magadha	Assassinated by his General, Pushyamitra Shunga, leading to the end of the Mauryan Dynasty.	185 BCE

Ashoka’s Inscriptions and Sites

The most crucial source of information regarding Ashoka’s life, policies, and reign are his numerous rock and pillar edicts, collectively known as the Edicts of Ashoka. These inscriptions are scattered across modern-day India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, providing tangible evidence of the empire’s vast reach and Ashoka’s commitment to public morality and administration.

The edicts are primarily categorized into:

• Major Rock Edicts (14 Edicts): These are long, complete texts outlining Ashoka’s principles of Dhamma (Dharma), administrative reforms, and welfare measures. They are found in sites like Kalsi, Junagadh, Girnar, and Shahbazgarhi.
• Minor Rock Edicts: Shorter texts, often personal in nature, describing Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism and his initial efforts to propagate Dhamma. The Maski and Brahmagiri inscriptions are notable examples.
• Pillar Edicts (7 Edicts): Inscribed on monolithic sandstone pillars, these typically elaborate on the Dhamma and Ashoka’s methods of enforcing it. Famous pillars are found at Sarnath, Sanchi, and Allahabad (Kosam). The Sarnath Lion Capital is particularly significant as it serves as the official State Emblem of India.
• Minor Pillar Edicts: These include dedications and administrative orders, such as the Rummindei pillar in Nepal, which commemorates the birthplace of the Buddha.

Edict Category	Prominent Site Examples	Script(s) Used	Language	Purpose/Content
Major Rock Edicts	Kalsi, Girnar, Shahbazgarhi	Brahmi, Kharoshthi, Greek, Aramaic	Prakrit	Detailed outline of the principles of Dhamma and administrative reforms.
Minor Rock Edicts	Maski, Brahmagiri	Brahmi	Prakrit	Personal accounts of Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism and early efforts.
Major Pillar Edicts	Delhi-Topra, Lauriya-Nandangarh	Brahmi	Prakrit	Elaborate on Dhamma, ethical instructions, and the appointment of Dhamma Mahamattas.
Minor Pillar Edicts	Sarnath, Rummindei	Brahmi	Prakrit	Commemorative (e.g., Buddha’s birthplace) or organizational (e.g., schism edict).

The language used in the inscriptions is predominantly Prakrit, written in the Brahmi script in most of the empire. However, in the northwestern regions, Kharoshthi and even Greek and Aramaic scripts were used to ensure intelligibility for local populations, demonstrating Ashoka’s pragmatic approach to communication.

Asokan Reign

Ashoka’s reign began after a period of intense rivalry for the throne, the details of which are mainly drawn from Buddhist texts that may contain exaggerated accounts. The pivotal moment of his early reign was the brutal Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE), fought to conquer the region of Kalinga (modern-day Odisha). The war resulted in the death of an estimated 100,000 people and the deportation of 150,000, leaving Ashoka deeply remorseful.

The Kalinga War was a transformative event. It is recorded in his Major Rock Edict 13 as the moment he experienced profound regret and resolved to abandon military conquest (digvijaya) in favor of conquest by Dhamma (dhammavijaya).

His administration was highly centralized, though he introduced a welfare state concept unprecedented for the time. He appointed officials known as Dhamma Mahamattas (officials of Dhamma) to travel throughout the empire to oversee the implementation of his ethical code and to look after the welfare of the people. Ashoka undertook several public works, including the digging of wells, the establishment of rest houses and hospitals (for both humans and animals), and the planting of medicinal herbs and shade-giving trees. His rule established a model of benevolent governance centered on morality and the well-being of his subjects.

Ashoka and Buddhism

Ashoka’s personal relationship with Buddhism is inextricably linked to the history of the faith. While he maintained religious tolerance for all sects (including Brahmins, Ajivikas, and Jains), he became a devout follower and patron of Buddhism after his conversion following the Kalinga War. His edicts reflect a gradual deepening of his commitment, moving from simple adherence to active propagation.

He played a critical role in transforming Buddhism from a regional Indian sect into a world religion. He is credited with:

• Patronage: He reportedly built numerous stupas and viharas (monasteries), the most famous being the Great Stupa at Sanchi.
• Convening the Third Buddhist Council: Held at his capital, Pataliputra (modern Patna), around 250 BCE. This council was crucial for clarifying the Buddhist canon and resolving sectarian disputes.
• Dispatching Missions (Dhamma Dutakas): Ashoka sent missions of monks and royal emissaries to neighboring kingdoms and distant lands to spread the Dhamma. The most famous mission was led by his son (or brother) Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka, which became a long-standing stronghold of Theravada Buddhism. Missions were also sent to Southeast Asia, West Asia, and North Africa (Hellenistic kingdoms).

Ashoka Policy of Dhamma

Ashoka’s most enduring legacy is his policy of Dhamma (the Prakrit form of the Sanskrit Dharma). This was not a specific religious doctrine but rather a practical, ethical code intended to guide his subjects toward a moral, socially responsible, and harmonious way of life. It was a synthesis of good practices drawn from various contemporary religions and philosophies, focusing on social conduct and tolerance.

The core principles of Ashoka’s Dhamma include:

• Ahimsa (Non-violence): Abandonment of war and violence, protection of life (human and animal), and a ban on unnecessary animal sacrifices and festive gatherings where killing was involved.
• Tolerance and Respect: Respect for all religious sects, parents, teachers, and elders.
• Good Conduct: Treating servants and slaves humanely, being charitable to the poor, and living truthfully.
• Social Responsibility: Encouraging self-examination, truthfulness, and purity of thought.
• Welfare: Commitment to the welfare of all people, often referred to as his “children.”

Principle	Description	Edict Reference (Example)
Ahimsa (Non-Violence)	Abstinence from injury to living beings; reduction in animal sacrifice and festive gatherings involving killing.	Major Rock Edict I
Samyama (Self-Control)	Temperance, moderation, and control over passions.	Pillar Edict III
Vyavahara (Good Conduct)	Obedience and respect for parents, teachers, and elders; humane treatment of servants and slaves.	Major Rock Edict IX
Dana (Charity)	Giving gifts and charity to the needy and to religious orders.	Major Rock Edict XI
Sarusvachita (Tolerance)	Respect and promotion of all religious sects and ascetic orders (samyak shravana).	Major Rock Edict XII

Ashoka sought to spread this Dhamma through moral persuasion and instruction, using his edicts as a form of public sermon. He believed that by following this universal ethical law, people could achieve happiness in this world and merit in the next. The policy of Dhamma was a sophisticated attempt to unify a vast and diverse empire not through political force, but through shared moral values.