This article provides a biography of Asoka. Birth and Early Life: Accession: The romantic hypothesis based on Seleukos entering into a matrimonial alliance with Chandragupta Maurya, Asoka's grandfather, which according to Sylvain Levi "introduced a Greek Princess in the Mauryan harem" that Asoka was either the grandson or son of the Greek Princess remains unproved. That he was not the [...]
"Amidst the tens and thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesty's graciousness, and serenities and royal highness and the like, the name of Asoka shines alone almost as a star”-H.G. Wells. Devanampriya Priyadarsi Asoka ascended the throne of Magadha in 273 B.C. He was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and son of Bindusara. [...]
Asoka ruled his empire for about forty years. Coming to the throne in 273 B.C. he died in about 233 B.C. Historical evidences about the last years of his reign did not survive. But, there grew up many legends around him about those closing years of his remarkable career. According to some such legends, Asoka recklessly gave away the wealth [...]