Ashoka's Kingdom

Who was Ashoka?

Ashoka was Chandragupta’s grandson.

When Ashoka reached his rule the Mauryan Empire was in its “Golden Age”. Ashoka was planning on being a ruthless ruler like his grandfather but after a brutal battle he realized all these people died for him. So, he turned over a new leaf and became a buddhist.

This means he respected and cherished all of his people or what he now called them – his children. He gave up war and developed four edicts that were spread all around Pataliputra. Ashoka also sent Buddhist  Missionaries to four parts of Asia to spread Buddhism.

Ashoka’s Edicts

• Security – This dealt with enemies of the Mauryan empire.
• General Welfare – This concerned the well-being of his “children.” This meant Ashoka made sure everyone in his empire was well taken care of.
• Justice – This goal was about how people were treated in his empire.
• Buddhist Values – This was about the teachings of buddhism and the way their values were being spread.