Kalinga War(262 – 261)

Ashoka's bloody conquest of Kalinga that transformed his reign.

Kalinga War

What you need to know

  • Ashoka's conquest of Kalinga
  • Reportedly caused over 100,000 deaths
  • Prompted Ashoka's turn to Buddhism

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The War that Changed an Emperor

p>The Kalinga War of about 262–261 BCE was fought between the Maurya Empire under Ashoka and the independent kingdom of Kalinga on the eastern coast of India. Ashoka's forces prevailed, but the campaign is said to have caused over a hundred thousand deaths and mass deportations.</p><p>According to his own thirteenth Major Rock Edict, the suffering he witnessed filled Ashoka with deep remorse.</p>

Aftermath and Transformation

p>The war marked a turning point not only for Ashoka but for the history of religion. His remorse led him to embrace Buddhism and to renounce war as an instrument of policy, adopting instead the ideal of conquest through <em>Dhamma</em>.</p><p>He devoted the rest of his reign to promoting welfare, tolerance and non-violence, and to spreading Buddhism across Asia through missions and edicts.</p>

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ashoka, kalinga, maurya, buddhism

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