Who among the following Mauryan rulers conquered Kalinga?
Ashoka
Understanding the Mauryan Conquest of Kalinga
The question asks to identify the Mauryan ruler who successfully conquered Kalinga. Kalinga was an independent region located on the eastern coast of India.
The conquest of Kalinga is a significant event in the history of the Mauryan Empire, particularly known for its impact on the ruler who undertook it.
Examining the Reign of Key Mauryan Rulers
Let's look at the prominent Mauryan rulers and their major contributions:
- Chandragupta Maurya: He was the founder of the Mauryan Empire. He conquered vast territories but did not conquer Kalinga.
- Bindusara: He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya. His reign saw the expansion of the empire to the Deccan region, but Kalinga remained independent during his rule.
- Ashoka: He was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and son of Bindusara. Ashoka is historically known for conquering Kalinga.
- Brihadratha: He was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty. The empire had significantly weakened by his time, and there was no conquest of Kalinga during his reign; it had already been conquered by Ashoka much earlier.
Ashoka's Kalinga War
The conquest of Kalinga took place in the 8th year of Emperor Ashoka's reign, which was around 261 BCE. The Kalinga War was extremely brutal and resulted in massive loss of life and suffering. This experience had a profound impact on Ashoka. The horrors of the war led to his deep remorse and eventual conversion to Buddhism. After the Kalinga War, Ashoka renounced military conquest and dedicated himself to ruling his empire based on the principles of Dhamma (righteousness).
Therefore, the Mauryan ruler responsible for the conquest of Kalinga was Ashoka.
Revision Table: Mauryan Rulers and Kalinga
| Mauryan Ruler | Relationship to Kalinga Conquest | Key Historical Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Chandragupta Maurya | Did not conquer Kalinga | Founder of Mauryan Empire |
| Bindusara | Did not conquer Kalinga (Kalinga remained independent) | Expanded empire to the south |
| Ashoka | Conquered Kalinga (Kalinga War) | Known for Kalinga War and promotion of Dhamma |
| Brihadratha | Last Mauryan ruler | Ruled long after Kalinga was conquered |
Additional Information on the Kalinga War and Ashoka
The Kalinga War is one of the most significant events associated with Ashoka's reign, primarily because of its transformative effect on him. The scale of destruction and death recorded in Ashoka's own inscriptions, particularly Rock Edict 13, highlights the intensity of the war. This war marked a turning point in Ashoka's life, leading him to embrace Dhamma Vijaya (conquest by righteousness) instead of Dig Vijaya (conquest by military force).
Ashoka's remorse after the Kalinga War is often cited as a prime example of how personal experiences can shape a ruler's policies and philosophy.
Similar Questions
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Important Questions from Mauryan Empire
In whose court was Chanakya a minister?
Which of the following is not correctly matched ?
Which of the following Ashokan inscriptions indicates that he did not abolish the Capital Punishment?
Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
Ashoka was ruler of which of the following dynasty?
