NCERT Summary: Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War (Class 6) | Old & New NCERTs for IAS Preparation (Must Read) - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers in history. He ruled a vast empire in ancient India, which was known for its size and strength. His grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya, founded this empire with the help of a wise advisor named Chanakya. Chanakya's ideas were written down in a book called the Arthashastra.

The Lion Capital

• The lions on our currency notes represent a famous stone pillar at Sarnath, where they were carved. Ashoka ordered these inscriptions to be made on pillars and rocks throughout his empire.
• Ashoka's empire included many cities, such as the capital Pataliputra, Taxila, and Ujjain. Taxila was an important gateway to Central Asia, while Ujjain was a key route from north to south India.
• The empire was diverse, with people speaking different languages, eating various foods, and wearing different clothes. There were also villages of farmers and herders, as well as forests in central India where people gathered forest produce and hunted for food.

The Mauryan Dynasty

• The Mauryan dynasty included three important rulers: Chandragupta, his son Bindusara, and Bindusara's son, Ashoka.
• Ashoka's inscriptions have been found in various countries, indicating the vastness of his empire.
• The map shows the Mauryan Empire, highlighting principal cities and places where Ashoka's inscriptions were discovered.

Difference Between Empires and Kingdoms

• Size and Resources: Emperors require more resources than kings because empires are larger and need to be protected by big armies.
• Officials and Taxes: Empires also need a larger number of officials to collect taxes.

Ruling the Empire

• Direct Control: The area around Pataliputra was directly controlled by the emperor, with officials appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, craftspeople, and traders. These officials were responsible for punishing those who disobeyed the ruler's orders. Many officials were given salaries, and messengers and spies were used to monitor them. The emperor, with the help of the royal family and senior ministers, supervised all officials.
• Provincial Administration: Other areas were ruled from provincial capitals like Taxila or Ujjain. While there was some control from Pataliputra, local customs and rules were likely followed. Royal princes were often sent as governors.
• Control of Resources: The Mauryas controlled roads and rivers for transport and collected resources such as blankets from the north-west and gold and precious stones from south India as tax and tribute. The Arthashastra suggests that these resources were collected as tribute.
• Tribute Collection: Unlike regular taxes, tribute was collected as and when possible from people who willingly gave various items. Forested regions were more or less independent but were expected to provide elephants, timber, honey, and wax to Mauryan officials.
• Megasthenes and the Capital City: Megasthenes, an ambassador sent to Chandragupta by the Greek ruler Seleucus Nicator, wrote about the emperor and Pataliputra. He described grand royal processions, the emperor's guards, and the king's precautions, such as having special servants taste his food and never sleeping in the same bedroom for two nights. Pataliputra, according to Megasthenes, was a large and beautiful city with a massive wall, towers, and gates, and houses built of wood and mud brick. The king's palace was also made of wood, decorated with stone carvings, and surrounded by gardens and bird enclosures.

Ashoka: A Unique Ruler

Ashoka was the most renowned ruler of the Mauryan dynasty and is known for being the first leader to communicate his message to the people through inscriptions. Most of these inscriptions were written in Prakrit language using the Brahmi script.

Ashoka’s Conquest of Kalinga

Kalinga, which is present-day coastal Orissa, was the site of a fierce battle led by Ashoka. However, upon witnessing the immense violence and bloodshed during the conquest, Ashoka was deeply disturbed and decided to renounce further warfare. He stands out in history as the only king who chose to abandon conquest after achieving victory in battle.

Ashoka’s Inscription on the Kalinga War

In one of his inscriptions, Ashoka expressed his remorse over the Kalinga war, stating:

• After eight years of my reign, I conquered Kalinga, leading to the capture of approximately 150,000 people and the death of over 100,000.
• This caused me great sorrow. The conquest brings about immense suffering, including the deaths and captures of many, including Brahmins and monks.
• Kind individuals lose their loved ones, which is why I feel this sorrow and have decided to uphold and promote dhamma.
• I believe that winning people over through dhamma is far better than through force.
• I inscribe this message for posterity, urging my descendants to avoid war and focus on spreading dhamma instead.

Transformation in Ashoka’s Attitude Towards War

The Kalinga war profoundly changed Ashoka’s perspective on warfare. The immense suffering and loss he witnessed led him to abandon the path of conquest and embrace the principles of dhamma, promoting peace and moral governance instead.

Understanding Ashoka’s Dhamma

Ashoka’s dhamma was not about worshipping a god or performing sacrifices. He believed it was his responsibility, like a father teaching his children, to guide his subjects towards better living. Influenced by the teachings of the Buddha, Ashoka aimed to address various issues in his empire, such as:

• Conflicts arising from different religions
• Animal sacrifices
• Mistreatment of slaves and servants
• Disputes within families and among neighbors

To promote dhamma, Ashoka appointed officials called dhamma mahamatta to educate people about its principles. He also had his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars, instructing his officials to share these messages with those who couldn’t read. Ashoka sent messengers to spread dhamma to other countries like Syria, Egypt, Greece, and Sri Lanka. He undertook various welfare initiatives such as building roads, digging wells, and establishing rest houses. Additionally, he organized medical care for both humans and animals.

Ashoka’s Messages to His Subjects

Ashoka, the ancient Indian emperor, communicated various messages to his subjects through inscriptions. Here are some key points from his messages:

Rituals and Practices: Ashoka observed that people performed different rituals during times of illness, marriage, childbirth, and journeys. However, he believed these rituals were not beneficial. Instead, he emphasized the importance of practicing goodwill and respect towards others, such as:

• Being gentle with slaves and servants.
• Respecting elders.
• Treating all living beings with compassion.
• Giving gifts to Brahmins (priests) and monks.

Respect for All Religions: Ashoka also highlighted the importance of respecting all religions. He advised against praising one’s own religion while criticizing another. Instead, he encouraged people to understand and respect the core beliefs of different religions, as this would ultimately strengthen one’s own faith.

Relevance Today: The ideas presented by Ashoka in his edicts are still relevant today. They promote values of kindness, respect, and understanding, which are essential for harmonious living in a diverse society.

Elsewhere

The Great Wall of China

• Historical Context: The Great Wall of China was built around 2400 years ago, during the time of emperors in China who aimed to protect their empire from pastoral people in the north.
• Construction and Expansion: The wall was not built in a single effort but was expanded and added to over a period of 2000 years, as the frontiers of the Chinese empire shifted.
• Structure and Length: The wall is approximately 6400 km long and is made of stone and brick, featuring a road along the top for patrols.
• Labor and Surveillance: Thousands of workers were involved in its construction, and watch towers were built at regular intervals of 100-200 meters along the wall for surveillance purposes.

Comparison with Ashoka’s Approach: While the Chinese emperors focused on building a protective barrier against potential threats, Ashoka had a different approach towards neighboring peoples. Ashoka’s attitude was more about fostering goodwill and understanding rather than building walls and fortifications.