Understanding Ashoka's Kalinga War Timing from Edicts

The question asks about the time frame, specifically the number of years after becoming king, when Emperor Ashoka waged war on Kalinga, based on information found in his edicts.

Ashoka, one of the most famous rulers of ancient India, was a prominent emperor of the Maurya Dynasty. His reign is marked by significant events, including the devastating war with Kalinga.

According to historical sources, primarily Ashoka's own inscriptions known as Ashokan edicts, the Kalinga war took place a specific number of years after his coronation.

The information regarding the timing of the Kalinga war is explicitly mentioned in the Ashokan edicts, particularly Rock Edict 13. This edict describes the scale of the conflict, the suffering it caused, and Ashoka's remorse and subsequent conversion to Buddhism.

Based on the details provided in these edicts, Ashoka waged war on Kalinga eight years after he became the king. This event occurred around 261 BCE.

The impact of the Kalinga war on Ashoka was profound. The immense death and destruction led him to renounce violence and embrace the principles of Dhamma, which were central to his later reign and policies.

The Ashokan edicts are invaluable primary sources for understanding Ashoka's reign, his policies, and major events like the Kalinga war. They are found inscribed on pillars, rocks, and cave walls across the Indian subcontinent.

Revision Table: Ashoka and Kalinga War Facts

Additional Information on Ashokan Edicts and Kalinga War

• Ashokan Edicts: These are royal proclamations and inscriptions issued by Emperor Ashoka. They are written in various languages like Prakrit (in different regional dialects), Greek, and Aramaic, and use scripts like Brahmi, Kharosthi, Greek, and Aramaic. They are considered the earliest deciphered writings of India.
• Rock Edict 13: This is one of the most important edicts. It provides a detailed account of the Kalinga war, the suffering caused, Ashoka's deep remorse, and his subsequent commitment to Dhamma. It also mentions the names of contemporary Hellenistic kings with whom Ashoka maintained diplomatic relations.
• Kalinga: An ancient kingdom located in the region that is now Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh. It was a powerful and independent state that resisted Mauryan expansion.
• Significance of the War: The Kalinga war was a turning point in Ashoka's life and the history of the Mauryan Empire. It marked the end of Ashoka's military conquests and the beginning of his efforts to rule through Dhamma, emphasizing peace, non-violence, and social welfare.
• Dhamma: Ashoka's concept of Dhamma was not a specific religion but a moral code and a set of principles that promoted social responsibility, respect for elders, tolerance towards different religious sects, kindness to all beings, truthfulness, and purity of heart.