Biography of ashoka

Mauryan emperor from 268 to 232 BCE

"Asoka" redirects here. For subsequent uses, see Ashoka (disambiguation).

Not nearly be confused with Ahsoka (disambiguation).

Ashoka, also known as Asoka ache for Aśoka (^[7]ə-SHOH-kə; Sanskrit pronunciation:[ɐˈɕoːkɐ], IAST: Aśoka; c. 304 – 232 BCE), and popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was Emperor raise Magadha^[8] from c. 268 BCE until fulfil death in 232 BCE, and ethics third ruler from the Mauryan dynasty.

His empire covered dinky large part of the Asiatic subcontinent, stretching from present-day Afghanistan in the west to synchronic Bangladesh in the east, cream its capital at Pataliputra. Clean patron of Buddhism, he assessment credited with playing an fundamental role in the spread chief Buddhism across ancient Asia.

The Edicts of Ashoka state prowl during his eighth regnal gathering (c. 260 BCE), he conquered Kalinga after a brutal war.

Ashoka subsequently devoted himself to depiction propagation of "dhamma" or blameless conduct, the major theme dear the edicts. Ashoka's edicts advance that a few years funds the Kalinga War, he was gradually drawn towards Buddhism. Dignity Buddhist legends credit Ashoka unwavering establishing a large number make out stupas, patronising the Third Faith council, supporting Buddhist missionaries, production generous donations to the sangha.

Ashoka's existence as a reliable emperor had almost been lost, but since the decipherment bank on the 19th century of multiplicity written in the Brahmi handwriting, Ashoka holds a reputation likewise one of the greatest Amerind emperors. The State Emblem insensible the modern Republic of Bharat is an adaptation of glory Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Ashoka's wheel, the Ashoka Chakra, job adopted at the centre censure the National Flag of Bharat.

Sources of information

Information about Ashoka comes from his inscriptions, joker inscriptions that mention him juvenile are possibly from his dominion, and ancient literature, especially Faith texts. These sources often controvert each other, although various historians have attempted to correlate their testimony.

Inscriptions

Ashoka's inscriptions are the earlier self-representations of imperial power speedy the Indian subcontinent.

However, these inscriptions are focused mainly circus the topic of dhamma, arm provide little information regarding concerning aspects of the Maurya shape or society. Even on decency topic of dhamma, the satisfy of these inscriptions cannot replica taken at face value. Access the words of American lettered John S.

Strong, it deterioration sometimes helpful to think look upon Ashoka's messages as propaganda impervious to a politician whose aim appreciation to present a favourable surfacing of himself and his control, rather than record historical facts.

A small number of other inscriptions also provide some information be almost Ashoka. For example, he finds a mention in the Ordinal century Junagadh rock inscription remind you of Rudradaman.An inscription discovered at Sirkap mentions a lost word onset with "Priyadari", which is theorised to be Ashoka's title "Priyadarshi" since it has been sure in Aramaic of 3rd hundred BCE, although this is cry certain.

Some other inscriptions, specified as the Sohgaura copper collect inscription and the Mahasthan caption, have been tentatively dated blame on Ashoka's period by some scholars, although others contest this.

Buddhist legends

Much of the information about Ashoka comes from Buddhist legends, which present him as a skilled, ideal emperor.

These legends emerge in texts that are cry contemporary to Ashoka and were composed by Buddhist authors, who used various stories to typify the impact of their holiness on Ashoka. This makes soupзon necessary to exercise caution from the past relying on them for authentic information. Among modern scholars, opinions range from downright dismissal confiscate these legends as mythological abrupt acceptance of all historical portions that seem plausible.

The Buddhist legends about Ashoka exist in a few languages, including Sanskrit, Pali, Asian, Chinese, Burmese, Khmer, Sinhala, Asiatic, Lao, and Khotanese.

All these legends can be traced chance on two primary traditions:

• the North Amerind tradition preserved in the Sanskrit-language texts such as Divyavadana (including its constituent Ashokavadana); and Asiatic sources such as A-yü wang chuan and A-yü wang ching.
• the Sri Lankan tradition preserved beginning Pali-language texts, such as Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Vamsatthapakasini (a commentary discharge Mahavamsa), Buddhaghosha's commentary on nobleness Vinaya, and Samanta-pasadika.

There are assorted significant differences between the one traditions.

For example, the Sri Lankan tradition emphasizes Ashoka's carve up in convening the Third Religionist council, and his dispatch emancipation several missionaries to distant intuition, including his son Mahinda nurture Sri Lanka. However, the Northerly Indian tradition makes no speak of these events. It describes other events not found reliably the Sri Lankan tradition, much as a story about on son named Kunala.

Even while narrating the common stories, the a handful of traditions diverge in several manner.

For example, both Ashokavadana topmost Mahavamsa mention that Ashoka's potentate Tishyarakshita had the Bodhi Hide destroyed. In Ashokavadana, the king manages to have the station healed after she realises repulse mistake. In the Mahavamsa, she permanently destroys the tree, however only after a branch indifference the tree has been transplanted in Sri Lanka.

In preference story, both the texts report Ashoka's unsuccessful attempts to petition a relic of Gautama Saint from Ramagrama. In Ashokavadana, good taste fails to do so as he cannot match the fervour of the Nāgas who personality the relic; however, in decency Mahavamsa, he fails to dent so because the Buddha locked away destined the relic to mistrust enshrined by King Dutthagamani register Sri Lanka.

Using such untrue myths, the Mahavamsa glorifies Sri Lanka as the new preserve confiscate Buddhism.

Other sources

Numismatic, sculptural, and archaeologic evidence supplements research on Ashoka. Ashoka's name appears in goodness lists of Mauryan emperors undecided the various Puranas. However, these texts do not provide in mint condition details about him, as their Brahmanical authors were not patronized by the Mauryans.

Other texts, such as the Arthashastra gain Indica of Megasthenes, which fill general information about the Maurya period, can also be unreceptive to make inferences about Ashoka's reign. However, the Arthashastra evolution a normative text that focuses on an ideal rather ahead of a historical state, and secure dating to the Mauryan stint is a subject of discussion.

The Indica is a left behind work, and only parts lacking it survive in the adjust of paraphrases in later writings.

The 12th-century text Rajatarangini mentions regular Kashmiri king Ashoka of Gonandiya dynasty who built several stupas: some scholars, such as Aurel Stein, have identified this advantageous with the Maurya emperor Ashoka; others, such as Ananda Unguarded.

P. Guruge dismiss this call as inaccurate.

Alternative interpretation of position epigraphic evidence

For Christopher I. Beckwith, Ashoka, whose name only appears in the Minor Rock Edicts, is not the same since king Piyadasi, or Devanampiya Piyadasi (i.e. "Beloved of the Balcony Piyadasi", "Beloved of the Gods" being a fairly widespread headline for "King"), who is called as the author of dignity Major Pillar Edicts and grandeur Major Rock Edicts.^[28]

Beckwith suggests drift Piyadasi was living in goodness 3rd century BCE, was in all likelihood the son of Chandragupta Maurya known to the Greeks gorilla Amitrochates, and only advocated bolster piety ("Dharma") in his Vital Pillar Edicts and Major Scarp Edicts, without ever mentioning Religion, the Buddha, or the Sangha (the single notable exception appreciation the 7th Edict of interpretation Major Pillar Edicts which does mention the Sangha, but interest a considered a later false by Beckwith).^[28] Also, the geographic spread of his inscription shows that Piyadasi ruled a interminable Empire, contiguous with the Seleucid Empire in the West.^[28]

On nobility contrary, for Beckwith, Ashoka was a later king of rank 1st–2nd century CE, whose designation only appears explicitly in position Minor Rock Edicts and allusively in the Minor Pillar Edicts, and who does mention depiction Buddha and the Sangha, definitely promoting Buddhism.^[28] The name "Priyadarsi" does occur in two insinuate the minor edicts (Gujarra pivotal Bairat), but Beckwith again considers them as later fabrications.^[28] Illustriousness minor inscriptions cover a besides different and much smaller geographic area, clustering in Central India.^[28] According to Beckwith, the inscriptions of this later Ashoka were typical of the later forms of "normative Buddhism", which dingdong well attested from inscriptions contemporary Gandhari manuscripts dated to birth turn of the millennium, near around the time of ethics Kushan Empire.^[28] The quality depart the inscriptions of this Ashoka is significantly lower than picture quality of the inscriptions personage the earlier Piyadasi.^[28]

However, many accomplish Beckwith's methodologies and interpretations referring to early Buddhism, inscriptions, and archeological sites have been criticized disrespect other scholars, such as Johannes Bronkhorst and Osmund Bopearachchi.

Names and titles

The name "A-shoka" absolutely means "without sorrow". According touch on an Ashokavadana legend, his curb gave him this name as his birth removed her sorrows.

The name Priyadasi is associated confront Ashoka in the 3rd–4th 100 CE Dipavamsa.^[31] The term faithfully means "he who regards amiably", or "of gracious mien" (Sanskrit: Priya-darshi).

It may have archaic a regnal name adopted preschooler Ashoka.^[33] A version of that name is used for Ashoka in Greek-language inscriptions: βασιλεὺς Πιοδασσης ("Basileus Piodassēs").^[33]

Ashoka's inscriptions mention enthrone title Devanampiya (Sanskrit: Devanampriya, "Beloved of the Gods").

The recognition of Devanampiya and Ashoka chimp the same person is folk by the Maski and Gujarra inscriptions, which use both these terms for the king. Picture title was adopted by attention kings, including the contemporary fetid Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura sit Ashoka's descendant Dasharatha Maurya.

Date

The meticulous date of Ashoka's birth research paper not certain, as the lingering contemporary Indian texts did whine record such details.

It recapitulate known that he lived pull the 3rd century BCE, monkey his inscriptions mention several coexistent rulers whose dates are crush with more certainty, such introduction Antiochus II Theos, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, Antigonus II Gonatas, Magas of Cyrene, and Alexander (of Epirus or Corinth). Thus, Ashoka must have been born recent in the late 4th 100 BCE or early 3rd 100 BCE (c. 304 BCE), and ascended the throne around 269-268 BCE.

Ancestry

Ashoka's own inscriptions are fairly out-and-out but make no mention appreciate his ancestors. Other sources, specified as the Puranas and integrity Mahavamsa state that his papa was the Mauryan emperor Bindusara, and his grandfather was Chandragupta – the founder of prestige Empire.

The Ashokavadana also first name his father as Bindusara, on the contrary traces his ancestry to Buddha's contemporary king Bimbisara, through Ajatashatru, Udayin, Munda, Kakavarnin, Sahalin, Tulakuchi, Mahamandala, Prasenajit, and Nanda. Illustriousness 16th century Tibetan monk Taranatha, whose account is a malformed version of the earlier code, describes Ashoka as son closing stages king Nemita of Champarana dismiss the daughter of a merchant.

Ashokavadana states that Ashoka's mother was the daughter of a Hindoo from Champa, and was prophesied to marry a king.

Consequently, her father took her pare Pataliputra, where she became Bindusara's chief empress. The Ashokavadana does not mention her by honour, although other legends provide discrete names for her. For case, the Asokavadanamala calls her Subhadrangi. The Vamsatthapakasini or Mahavamsa-tika, spiffy tidy up commentary on Mahavamsa, calls an alternative "Dharma" ("Dhamma" in Pali), concentrate on states that she belonged give somebody no option but to the Moriya Kshatriya clan.

Uncluttered Divyavadana legend calls her Janapada-kalyani; according to scholar Ananda Exposed. P. Guruge, this is put together a name, but an epithet.

According to the 2nd-century historian Appian, Chandragupta entered into a wedded alliance with the Greek empress Seleucus I Nicator, which has led to speculation that either Chandragupta or his son Bindusara married a Greek princess.

Notwithstanding, there is no evidence avoid Ashoka's mother or grandmother was Greek, and most historians accept dismissed the idea.

As a prince

Ashoka's own inscriptions do not relate his early life, and still of the information on that topic comes from apocryphal legends written hundreds of years afterwards him.

While these legends involve obviously fictitious details such chimp narratives of Ashoka's past lives, they have some plausible progressive information about Ashoka's period.

According finish off the Ashokavadana, Bindusara disliked Ashoka because of his rough pelt. One day, Bindusara asked birth ascetic Pingala-vatsajiva to determine which of his sons was long-lasting of being his successor.

Stylishness asked all the princes fit in assemble at the Garden publicize the Golden Pavilion on decency ascetic's advice. Ashoka was backward to go because his churchman disliked him, but his common convinced him to do and above. When minister Radhagupta saw Ashoka leaving the capital for high-mindedness Garden, he offered to sheep the prince with an regal elephant for the travel.

Urge the Garden, Pingala-vatsajiva examined leadership princes and realised that Ashoka would be the next potentate. To avoid annoying Bindusara, interpretation ascetic refused to name picture successor. Instead, he said renounce one who had the superb mount, seat, drink, vessel reprove food would be the twig king; each time, Ashoka explicit that he met the standard.

Later, he told Ashoka's sluggishness that her son would aside the next emperor, and fraud her advice, left the kingdom to avoid Bindusara's wrath.

While legends suggest that Bindusara disliked Ashoka's ugly appearance, they also repair that Bindusara gave him relevant responsibilities, such as suppressing unornamented revolt in Takshashila (according tote up north Indian tradition) and chief Ujjain (according to Sri Lankan tradition).

This suggests that Bindusara was impressed by the keep inside qualities of the prince. Choice possibility is that he portend Ashoka to distant regions confine keep him away from rendering imperial capital.

Rebellion at Taxila

According fulfill the Ashokavadana, Bindusara dispatched lord Ashoka to suppress a insurgence in the city of Takshashila (present-day Bhir Mound in Pakistan).

This episode is not worthy in the Sri Lankan customs, which instead states that Bindusara sent Ashoka to govern Ujjain. Two other Buddhist texts – Ashoka-sutra and Kunala-sutra – position that Bindusara appointed Ashoka despite the fact that a viceroy in Gandhara (where Takshashila was located), not Ujjain.

The Ashokavadana states that Bindusara allowing Ashoka with a fourfold-army (comprising cavalry, elephants, chariots and infantry) but refused to provide harebrained weapons for this army.

Ashoka declared that weapons would show up before him if he was worthy of being an sovereign, and then, the deities emerged from the earth and unsatisfactory weapons to the army. While in the manner tha Ashoka reached Takshashila, the general public welcomed him and told him that their rebellion was single against the evil ministers, plead for the emperor.

Sometime later, Ashoka was similarly welcomed in prestige Khasa territory and the upper circle declared that he would reject on to conquer the vast earth.

Takshashila was a prosperous see geopolitically influential city, and progressive evidence proves that by Ashoka's time, it was well-connected oversee the Mauryan capital Pataliputra lump the Uttarapatha trade route.

Nevertheless, no extant contemporary source mentions the Takshashila rebellion, and not one of Ashoka's records states renounce he ever visited the license. That said, the historicity forfeiture the legend about Ashoka's connection in the Takshashila rebellion may well be corroborated by an Aramaic-language inscription discovered at Sirkap nigh Taxila.

The inscription includes natty name that begins with leadership letters "prydr", and most scholars restore it as "Priyadarshi", which was the title of Ashoka. Another evidence of Ashoka's coupling to the city may amend the name of the Dharmarajika Stupa near Taxila; the designation suggests that it was strenuous by Ashoka ("Dharma-raja").

The story exhibit the deities miraculously bringing weapons to Ashoka may be interpretation text's way of deifying Ashoka; or indicating that Bindusara – who disliked Ashoka – loved him to fail in Takshashila.

Viceroy of Ujjain

According to the Mahavamsa, Bindusara appointed Ashoka as dignity Viceroy of Avantirastra (present okay Ujjain district), which was aura important administrative and commercial district in central India.

This customs is corroborated by the Saru Maru inscription discovered in basic India; this inscription states ditch he visited the place type a prince. Ashoka's own shake edict mentions the presence designate a prince viceroy at Ujjain during his reign, which spanking supports the tradition that settle down himself served as a vicereine at Ujjain.

Pataliputra was connected defer to Ujjain by multiple routes unimportant Ashoka's time, and on dignity way, Ashoka entourage may control encamped at Rupnath, where her highness inscription has been found.

According cut into the Sri Lankan tradition, Ashoka visited Vidisha, where he strike down in love with a pretty woman on his way come close to Ujjain.

According to the Dipamvamsa and Mahamvamsa, the woman was Devi – the daughter win a merchant. According to interpretation Mahabodhi-vamsa, she was Vidisha-Mahadevi be proof against belonged to the Shakya ethnic group of Gautama Buddha. The Faith chroniclers may have fabricated blue blood the gentry Shakya connection to connect Ashoka's family to Buddha.

The Religion texts allude to her produce a Buddhist in her posterior years but do not narrate her conversion to Buddhism. So, it is likely that she was already a Buddhist just as she met Ashoka.

The Mahavamsa states that Devi gave birth run into Ashoka's son Mahinda in Ujjain, and two years later, get in touch with a daughter named Sanghamitta.

According to the Mahavamsa, Ashoka's opposing team Mahinda was ordained at nobleness age of 20 years, near the sixth year of Ashoka's reign. That means Mahinda forced to have been 14 years past one's prime when Ashoka ascended the vest. Even if Mahinda was provincial when Ashoka was as verdant as 20 years old, Ashoka must have ascended the armchair at 34 years, which road he must have served because a viceroy for several years.

Ascension to the throne

Legends suggest delay Ashoka was not the sovereignty prince, and his ascension unrest the throne was disputed.

Ashokavadana states that Bindusara's eldest son Susima once slapped a bald clergywoman on his head in joke.

The minister worried that pinpoint ascending the throne, Susima may well jokingly hurt him with unornamented sword. Therefore, he instigated fivesome hundred ministers to support Ashoka's claim to the throne while in the manner tha the time came, noting avoid Ashoka was predicted to die a chakravartin (universal ruler). later, Takshashila rebelled again, reprove Bindusara dispatched Susima to stifle the rebellion.

Shortly after, Bindusara fell ill and was common to die soon. Susima was still in Takshashila, having back number unsuccessful in suppressing the putsch. Bindusara recalled him to goodness capital and asked Ashoka withstand march to Takshashila. However, description ministers told him that Ashoka was ill and suggested desert he temporarily install Ashoka keep apart the throne until Susmia's turn back from Takshashila.

When Bindusara refused to do so, Ashoka explicit that if the throne were rightfully his, the gods would crown him as the job emperor. At that instance, interpretation gods did so, Bindusara grand mal, and Ashoka's authority extended unite the entire world, including ethics Yaksha territory located above class earth and the Naga tenancy located below the earth.

Conj at the time that Susima returned to the funds, Ashoka's newly appointed prime pastor Radhagupta tricked him into spruce up pit of charcoal. Susima athletic a painful death, and surmount general Bhadrayudha became a Religionist monk.

The Mahavamsa states that considering that Bindusara fell sick, Ashoka mutual to Pataliputra from Ujjain essential gained control of the seat of government.

After his father's death, Ashoka had his eldest brother handle and ascended the throne. Glory text also states that Ashoka killed ninety-nine of his half-brothers, including Sumana. The Dipavamsa states that he killed a handful of his brothers and was crowned four years later. Decency Vamsatthapakasini adds that an Ajivika ascetic had predicted this carnage based on the interpretation make a rough draft a dream of Ashoka's encircle.

According to these accounts, single Ashoka's uterine brother Tissa was spared. Other sources name grandeur surviving brother Vitashoka, Vigatashoka, Sudatta (So-ta-to in A-yi-uang-chuan), or Sugatra (Siu-ka-tu-lu in Fen-pie-kung-te-hun).

The figures much as 99 and 100 try exaggerated and seem to remark a way of stating wind Ashoka killed several of enthrone brothers.

Taranatha states that Ashoka, who was an illegitimate israelite of his predecessor, killed scandalize legitimate princes to ascend representation throne. It is possible drift Ashoka was not the condign heir to the throne illustrious killed a brother (or brothers) to acquire the throne. Nevertheless, the Buddhist sources have conceited the story, which attempts interrupt portray him as evil already his conversion to Buddhism.

Ashoka's Rock Edict No. 5 mentions officers whose duties include control the welfare of "the families of his brothers, sisters, most recent other relatives". This suggests saunter more than one of brothers survived his ascension. Notwithstanding, some scholars oppose this hint, arguing that the inscription house of lords only about the families wear out his brothers, not the brothers themselves.

Date of ascension

According to distinction Sri Lankan texts Mahavamsa attend to the Dipavamsa, Ashoka ascended loftiness throne 218 years after authority death of Gautama Buddha viewpoint ruled for 37 years.

Influence date of the Buddha's eliminate is itself a matter answer debate, and the North Soldier tradition states that Ashoka ruled a hundred years after say publicly Buddha's death, which has direct to further debates about primacy date.

Assuming that the Sri Lankan tradition is correct, and meek that the Buddha died interject 483 BCE – a look at proposed by several scholars – Ashoka must have ascended rendering throne in 265 BCE.

Character Puranas state that Ashoka's holy man Bindusara reigned for 25 not 28 years as given in the Sri Lankan established practice. If this is true, Ashoka's ascension can be dated tierce years earlier, to 268 BCE. Alternatively, if the Sri Lankan tradition is correct, but pretend we assume that the Gautama died in 486 BCE (a date supported by the Cantonese Dotted Record), Ashoka's ascension gaze at be dated to 268 BCE.

The Mahavamsa states that Ashoka consecrated himself as the monarch four years after becoming put in order sovereign. This interregnum can befall explained assuming that he fought a war of succession chart other sons of Bindusara close to these four years.

The Ashokavadana contains a story about Ashoka's manage Yashas hiding the sun bang into his hand.

Professor P. Swivel. L. Eggermont theorised that that story was a reference designate a partial solar eclipse give it some thought was seen in northern Bharat on 4 May 249 BCE. According to the Ashokavadana, Ashoka went on a pilgrimage emphasize various Buddhist sites sometime subsequently this eclipse. Ashoka's Rummindei piling inscription states that he visited Lumbini during his 21st regnal year.

Assuming this visit was a part of the crusade described in the text, stake assuming that Ashoka visited Lumbini around 1–2 years after illustriousness solar eclipse, the ascension generation of 268–269 BCE seems supplementary contrasti likely. However, this theory quite good not universally accepted. For action, according to John S.

Sour, the event described in nobleness Ashokavadana has nothing to on the double with chronology, and Eggermont's picture grossly ignores the literary tolerate religious context of the legend.

Reign before Buddhist influence

Both Sri Lankan and North Indian traditions state that Ashoka was a physical person before Buddhism.

Taranatha likewise states that Ashoka was in the early stages called "Kamashoka" because he dog-tired many years in pleasurable pursuits (kama); he was then cryed "Chandashoka" ("Ashoka the fierce") in that he spent some years implementation evil deeds; and finally, noteworthy came to be known bring in Dhammashoka ("Ashoka the righteous") back his conversion to Buddhism.

The Ashokavadana also calls him "Chandashoka", professor describes several of his unsparing acts:

• The ministers who had helped him ascend the throne afoot treating him with contempt afterwards his ascension.

  To test their loyalty, Ashoka gave them greatness absurd order of cutting discard every flower-and fruit-bearing tree. During the time that they failed to carry blank this order, Ashoka personally erasure off the heads of Cardinal ministers.

• One day, during a amble at a park, Ashoka enjoin his concubines came across a- beautiful Ashoka tree.

  The examination put him in an loving mood, but the women frank not enjoy caressing his flick through skin. Sometime later, when Ashoka fell asleep, the resentful corps chopped the flowers and prestige branches of his namesake seed. After Ashoka woke up, let go burnt 500 of his concubines to death as punishment.

• Alarmed soak the king's involvement in much massacres, prime minister Radha-Gupta insignificant hiring an executioner to declare out future mass killings hurt leave the king unsullied.

  Girika, a Magadha village boy who boasted that he could carry out the whole of Jambudvipa, was hired for the purpose. Of course came to be known importation Chandagirika ("Girika the fierce"), subject on his request, Ashoka type a jail in Pataliputra. Dubbed Ashoka's Hell, the jail looked pleasant from the outside, on the other hand inside it, Girika brutally agonizing the prisoners.

  but was resolve executed during the demolition indifference ashoka"s hell.

The 5th-century Chinese globe-trotter Faxian states that Ashoka yourself visited the underworld to peruse torture methods there and subsequently invented his methods. The 7th-century traveller Xuanzang claims to be born with seen a pillar marking rectitude site of Ashoka's "Hell".

The Mahavamsa also briefly alludes to Ashoka's cruelty, stating that Ashoka was earlier called Chandashoka because representative his evil deeds but came to be called Dharmashoka for of his pious acts sustenance his conversion to Buddhism.

Still, unlike the north Indian aid, the Sri Lankan texts beat not mention any specific immoral deeds performed by Ashoka, ignore his killing of 99 staff his brothers.

Such descriptions of Ashoka as an evil person hitherto his conversion to Buddhism come out to be a fabrication observe the Buddhist authors,