10 Interesting Facts About Buddhist Emperor Ashoka

As you might already know, Ashoka was the first Emperor of India and also its greatest one.

His greatness lies in the fact that he ruled over the greater part of the Indian subcontinent not by force, but through love and compassion for his subjects. This was in stark contrast to the teachings of Kautilya (Chanakya) who outlined force, ruthlessness, and shrewdness as the means to maintain an iron grip over power by the ruler.

In this article, I will highlight 10 interesting and fascinating facts about Ashoka, the prodigal son of India.

Fact #1: Ashokan empire was the largest ever by an Indian king

The Mauryan empire reached its zenith under the able rule of Emperor Ashoka. During his reign, the Mauryan empire stretched from present-day Afghanistan in the northwest to present day Karnataka in the south of India.

In the east, it stretched right up to present-day Bangladesh and some parts of Assam. No other king, including Akbar, could ever bring such a large part of the Indian subcontinent under his rule since Ashoka.

Fact #2: Asoka was a great builder

Ashoka constructed many edicts during his reign throughout his empire. These edicts contain inscriptions for the welfare of his subjects and even animals. These moral preachings were based on the teachings of Buddhism reflecting the compassion and humanism of Asoka’s rule.

His rock edicts are divided into major and minor edicts. Apart from these, he also constructed more than 20 pillars that contain engravings in the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts outlining the duty of the king towards his subjects.

Read more: Pillars of Ashoka

Fact #3: The Lion capital of Asoka has been adopted as India’s national emblem

Ashoka erected many pillars and the top of those pillars adorned capitals with animal motifs. Perhaps the most famous of these is the Lion capital of Asoka at Sarnath. It consists of four majestic Lions on top of a circular base.

At the center of the base is the Dhamma Chakra (also called the Ashoka Chakra) or wheel of religion, which is central to Buddhism. It contains 24 spokes representing the cycle of life and rebirth and liberation from this earthly cycle.

After independence, the Lion Capital of Ashoka was adopted as the national emblem of India. This emblem can be seen on currency notes and coins, and elsewhere.

Read more: Lion capital of Ashoka

Fact #4: Asoka embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga conquest

Ashoka conquered the state of Kalinga after a long-lasting battle in the eighth year of his reign. In this battle, reportedly 1,00,000 soldiers lost their lives across both sides.

When Asoka realized the extent of suffering caused due to his actions, he was overcome with grief and remorse. He gave up battle thereafter. Later on, he embraced Buddhism and spread the gospel of non-violence and peace far and wide through his inscriptions, the construction of stupas, and other monuments.

Fact #5: Ashoka was called Piyadassi

On the inscriptions of Asokan pillars and rock edicts, one can find the words “Devanam piyadassi” or beloved of the gods. Ashoka liked to refer to himself by this salutation.

That this title was well deserved is proven by the fact that Ashoka built hospitals for men and animals, rest houses, preached the message of peace and non-violence, and respect for all religions.

This signifies that Asoka was a secular-minded Emperor and not a religious chauvinist. No wonder, he is considered by many as the greatest ruler of ancient India, unmatched in his contribution to India’s glory days even by the Mughal rulers like Akbar.

Fact #6: Ashoka ruled for almost 40 years

Ashoka had a long reign that lasted from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. The Kalinga war was fought in the eighth year of his reign in 260 BCE. Thereafter, till the time of his death in 232 BCE, Emperor Asoka ruled his vast kingdom without using force or violence.

This phase of his reign was marked by compassion and kindness towards his subjects for which he earned the title of devanam piyadassi or beloved of the gods. Also, the attribute of greatness ascribed to Ashoka is because of his just and secular attitude and not because he had amassed a vast empire or was a killing machine like Alexander.

Fact #7: Ashoka’s son and daughter introduced Buddhism in Sri Lanka

Ashoka’s son Mahendra and his daughter Sanghamitra visited Sri Lanka with a sapling of the holy Bodhi tree (pipal tree) under which the Buddha had gained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in the 5th century BCE.

This act of Ashoka proved critical in introducing Buddhism in the island country.

Fact #8: Ashoka was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya

Chandragupta Maurya started the Mauryan dynasty by overthrowing the last Nanda ruler. Selucus Nicator, the general of Alexander, sent his emissary Megasthenes to the court of Chandgragupta Maurya. Megasthenes is the writer of the famed “Indica” which gave an account of India under Mauryan rule.

After the death of Chandragupta Maurya, his son Bindusara assumed the throne and ruled for about 24 years. Ashoka was the son of Bindusara and grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and assumed the throne in 268 BCE.

Fact #9: Ashoka was the chief proponent of Buddhism

Before Asoka embraced Buddhism, it was a small sect started by Gautama Buddha and limited to some regions in Central India. However, after converting to Buddhism, Ashoka took it upon himself to spread the Buddha’s message to the nook and corner of his empire and even overseas. He is also credited with the introduction of Buddhism in the Kashmir region.

The following famous Buddhist pilgrimage sites owe their origins to Ashoka:

1. Sanchi Stupa (World Heritage Site)
2. Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath
3. The initial stupa at Bodh Gaya and the Vajra seat where the Buddha gained enlightenment
4. Stupa at Kushinara where the Buddha passed away
5. Sariputta Stupa at Nalanda (the famed Buddhist university)
6. Barabar caves
7. Dharmarajika Stupa at Taxila university

Apart from these, many minor stupas and viharas were also built by Ashoka. It can be safely claimed that had it not been for Ashoka and his far-sightedness, Buddhism would not have become a world religion today.

Fact #10: The third Buddhist council was held during Ashoka’s reign

The third Buddhist council was held at Pataliputra (modern day Patna), the capital of Magadh during Ashoka’s reign. It was presided over by the monk Mogaliputta Tissa. The primary objective of the council was the purification of Buddhism from the secondary elements that had crept in over time.

From the above account, it’s clear that Ashoka was a ruler extraordinaire. He ruled over a large part of the Indian subcontinent. More importantly, he ruled without violence or force and focused on the welfare of his subjects who happily lived under his tutelage.