Ashoka wasKing274-22 edicts are in33 places over recall his conversion to Buddhism after the Kalinga war
King Ashoka was the third monarch of the Mauryan dynasty in India, Emperor in 274-232 BC, Ashoka's edicts carved on a rock in a cave on Dhauli hill, Not until 1915 was Ashoka re-discovered, Forgotten for nearly 700 years, one of the greatest men in history became known to the world again. After committing frightful atrocities in the Kalinga war he pledged never to wage war again. Ashoka ended the military expansion of the empire, and led the empire through more than 40 years of relative peace, harmony and prosperity. He embraced Buddhism after witnessing the mass deaths of the war of Kalinga, which he himself had waged out of a desire for conquest. A legend has it that the emperor walked the battleground at night. A beggar stepped out, "Mighty king you are able to take so many thousands of lives. Surely you can give back one life -- to this dead child?" Ashoka never raised his sword again. And to this day the river is called Daya -- compassion. Ashoka later repented of the bloodbath, he was so inspired by the teachings of the Buddhist monks and Buddhist philosophies that he used his status to impart this knowledge all over the on a pilgrimage of the holy places associated with the Buddha. His symbol is that of India.
Size: 5019px × 3378px
Location: Nr Bhubaneswar, India
Photo credit: © Tom Hanley / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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