NCERT HISTORY CLASS-VI
CHAPTER-VII PART-II
A UNIQUE RULER
Ashoka was considered the most unique and famous Mauryan ruler of all time and he also took his messages through inscriptions. All of his inscriptions were welcomed by the people because most of them were in Prakrit and also in Brahmi script.
Ashoka fought a war to conquer Kalinga, the ancient name for coastal Orissa. However, he won in every battle, he was so horrified by seeing the violence and bloodshed during every war. So, he decided to give up war and violence. The only ruler in history who gave up conquest after winning a war. His feeling for people overtook his greediness of conquering.
DESCRIPTION OF MEGASTHENES
Megasthenes, an ambassador of a greek ruler of west Asia named Seleucus Nicator, once visited the court of Chandragupta. He mentioned all his descriptions of what he saw.
About the Emperor;
The ruler is carried in a Golden palanquin around the people occasionally, this event is celebrated by the people with grand royal processions. His elephants were decorated in gold and silver. He was surrounded by armed women, guards on the tree, a flock of trained birds around his head. Also, he is afraid that someone tries to kill him so, he had special servants to taste his food and he sleeps in a room for a maximum of two nights.
About the Capital city;
He describes that Pataliputra is a large and beautiful city surrounded by massive walls, 570 towers with a lot of guards, 64 gates with its keepers. All houses have a minimum of two or three storeys. The palace is made up of wood and stone carvings, surrounded by gardens.
ASHOKA'S DHAMMA
Eight years after becoming a king, Ashoka conquered Kalinga, Lakhs of peoples have died in that war, many were imprisoned. He started thinking about why all this happens, all were captured as slaves, brahmins and monks were killed. So, he decided to follow Dhamma and wanted to teach all his people, also inspired by the teachings of Buddha. He also believed that winning people through dhamma is much better than conquering them. So, he started spreading his teachings through inscriptions in Prakrit. Ashoka's dhamma is not like any sacrifices or worship. Just like a father teaches his children, he had to teach his subjects. Many problems troubled him, conflicts raised in the empire, quarrels among the families, so he decided to solve all these problems
- He appointed officials called Dhamma Mahamatta who taught people about the dhamma.
- His messages were carried through inscriptions.
- He used his messengers to distant lands about spreading Dhamma.
ASHOKA'S MESSAGE
Besides performing various rituals, falling ill, and going on a journey, Ashoka says that people have to observe his messages and follow it
- Being gentle with the slaves and servants.
- Respecting our elders.
- Treating all creatures equally.
- Providing gifts to Monks and the Poor.
- All should respect other's religions.