Notes on the 3rd Century BC and Ashoka the Great

The 3rd Century BC: A Period of Conflict and Change

• Time known for violence, warfare, and influential personalities.
• Alexander's Successors:
  • Continuous warfare between Seleucid, Ptolemaic, and Antigonid successors.
• Rise of Rome:
  • Conquests of Italian peninsula and conflicts with Carthage.
• India:
  • Revolutionary changes leading to the rise of the Mauryan Empire.

Alexander the Great's Campaign in India

• In 326 BC, Alexander crossed into India via the Hindu Kush mountains.
• Key Events:
  • Demand for submission from Omphis and Porus; Omphis surrendered, Porus resisted.
  • Battle of Hydaspes: Alexander's victory.
  • Mutiny at Hyphasis river halted further conquests.

Rise of the Mauryan Empire

• Chandragupta Maurya:
  • Emerged victorious in 320 BC.
  • Conquered Nanda Empire after initial failures and strategic changes.
  • Alliance with Seleucus by gifting 500 war elephants.
• Bindusara:
  • Continued policies and expanded Mauryan territory.

Ashoka the Great

• Second son of Bindusara; initially not heir due to mother's commoner status.
• Governed and quelled a revolt in Taxila at age 18.
• Governorship in Ujjaini where he met wife Devi, linked to Buddha's clan.

Ascension to Power

• Civil War Post-274 BC:
  • Ashoka emerged victorious in a brief civil war post Bindusara's death.
  • Crowned emperor in 270 BC.

Expansion and the Conquest of Kalinga

• Continued conquests to be Chakravartin (king of kings) and for economic reasons.
• Kalinga War (262 BC):
  • Despite victory, Ashoka was horrified by the carnage.
  • 150,000 captured, 100,000 slain, many more died from famine and disease.
  • Led to Ashoka's remorse and transformation.

Embrace of Buddhism

• Ashoka embraced Buddhist principles of peace and non-violence.
• Conversion:
  • Gradual adoption and support for Buddhism while maintaining religious tolerance.
  • Studied under Buddhist monks, joined the Sangha.

Policies and Governance

• Ashoka's Dharma: Encouraged moral behavior and non-violence.
• Efforts to improve infrastructure: planting trees, digging wells.
• Hosted the third Buddhist council, promoting Buddhism globally.

Ashoka's Legacy

• Ruled wisely, efficiently, with compassion.
• First king to spread Buddhism beyond India, influencing global religion.
• Described by H.G. Wells as a bright star among monarchs.

Conclusion

• Ashoka's reign ended in 232 BC after 38 years.
• His death led to the decline of the Mauryan Empire.
• Buddhism's spread attributed to Ashoka's early efforts.