Aśoka
At a glance:
- Series: Great Lives from History: The Ancient World, Prehistory-476
- Categories: Government and Politics, Religion, Ethics, Royalty, Rulers, Nobility
- Subcategories: Kings, Queens, Kingdoms, Monarchy, Buddhism, Buddhists
- Curriculum: Asian History, Ancient History
Article abstract: Indian king (r. c. 273/265-c. 238 b.c.e.){$I[g]India and Sri Lanka;Aśoka[Asoka]} Through energetic and enlightened administration of his kingdom, Aśoka spread the Buddhist faith in all directions and, by means of his Rock, Pillar, and Cave edicts, provided India, the districts surrounding India, and, ultimately, the entire world with an example of regal compassion that is as admirable as it is rare.
Early Life
What can be known of the life of Aśoka (ah-SOH-kah) derives from two primary sources: first, the legends that sprang up...
[The entire page is 2302 words long]