The Kalinga War was fought in 262–261 BCE between Ashoka's Mauryan Empire and the state of Kalinga. The massive casualties led Ashoka to embrace non‑violence and Buddhism.

Buddhism is a major world religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama in the 5th century BCE. Ashoka promoted it throughout his empire, sending missionaries to Sri Lanka and beyond.

The Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE) was the first large empire to unify most of the Indian subcontinent. Ashoka inherited and expanded it to its greatest territorial extent.

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty in 322 BCE. He was the grandfather of Ashoka.

Bindusara was the second Mauryan emperor, ruling from c. 298 to 272 BCE. He was Ashoka's father and continued the empire's expansion into the Deccan.

The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of inscriptions on rocks and pillars spread across the Indian subcontinent. They convey Ashoka's moral and administrative policies, including his support for dharma.

Sarnath, near Varanasi, is the site where Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon. An Ashokan pillar with a lion capital stands there, symbolising his patronage of Buddhism.

The Pillars of Ashoka are a series of monolithic columns erected throughout the empire. They often bear the lion capital and inscriptions from the edicts.

Ancient Indian History

Ashoka

Mauryan emperor from 269 to 232 BCE

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Overview

Ashoka, also known as Asoka or Aśoka, most commonly known as Ashoka the Great, was Emperor of Magadha from c. 268 BCE until his death, and the third ruler of the Maurya Empire. His empire covered a large part of the Indian subcontinent, stretching from present-day Afghanistan in the west to present-day Bangladesh in the east, with its capital at Pataliputra. A patron of Buddhism, he is credited with an important role in the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia.

Source: Wikipedia — Ashoka (CC BY-SA)

Key concepts

How Ashoka connects to the ideas, people and events around it.

Kalinga War
fought
The Kalinga War was fought in 262–261 BCE between Ashoka's Mauryan Empire and the state of Kalinga. The massive casualties led Ashoka to embrace non‑violence and Buddhism.
Buddhism
adopted
Buddhism is a major world religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama in the 5th century BCE. Ashoka promoted it throughout his empire, sending missionaries to Sri Lanka and beyond.
Maurya Empire
ruled
The Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE) was the first large empire to unify most of the Indian subcontinent. Ashoka inherited and expanded it to its greatest territorial extent.
Chandragupta Maurya
grandfather of
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty in 322 BCE. He was the grandfather of Ashoka.
Bindusara
son of
Bindusara was the second Mauryan emperor, ruling from c. 298 to 272 BCE. He was Ashoka's father and continued the empire's expansion into the Deccan.
Edicts of Ashoka
issued
The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of inscriptions on rocks and pillars spread across the Indian subcontinent. They convey Ashoka's moral and administrative policies, including his support for dharma.
Sarnath
commissioned
Sarnath, near Varanasi, is the site where Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon. An Ashokan pillar with a lion capital stands there, symbolising his patronage of Buddhism.
Pillars of Ashoka
built
The Pillars of Ashoka are a series of monolithic columns erected throughout the empire. They often bear the lion capital and inscriptions from the edicts.

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What is Ashoka?

What are the key concepts related to Ashoka?

The main concepts connected to Ashoka include Kalinga War, Buddhism, Maurya Empire, Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, Edicts of Ashoka, Sarnath, Pillars of Ashoka. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.

Which exams cover Ashoka?

Ashoka is part of Ancient Indian History, which appears in the syllabus of UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, NDA, CDS, AFCAT, SSC CGL and 48 more exams.