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 [...]
Among the monarchs who ruled mankind, Asoka occupies the highest position of honour. This credit has neither been disputed nor denied by any historian of any country. Asoka's place in history has been determined by three main factors, namely, his unique role as a ruler, his remarkable achievement as a missionary, and for his lasting contribution to human civilisation. [...]
Asoka's religion presents two prominent aspects, namely, his personal faith in Buddhism, and his desire to propagate a universal Dharma or Law. His personal religion was Buddhism which he embraced after the Kalinga War. In his Rock Edict at Maski, he described himself as a Buddha-Sakya. His Bhabru Rock Edict shows his faith in the Buddhist Trinity, namely, Buddha, Dharma, [...]