Clues from the Edicts of King Ashoka History Assignment (Essay Sample)
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Unit 2 Discussion: Kingship in Ancient India - Clues from the Edicts of King Ashoka
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Unit 2 Discussion: Kingship in Ancient India - Clues from the Edicts of King Ashoka
Introduction
The first major empire in the history of the Indian subcontinent is the Mauryan Empire (321-184 BCE). But our sources for studying it are few in number or were written by outside observers. For that reason, historians have greatly benefited from the discovery and compilation of the rock and pillar edicts of this empire's third king, King Ashoka (r. 268-232 BCE). Ashoka had these inscribed on rocks and sand-stone pillars in populous areas where people gathered, so that they could read them or, if they were illiterate, hear his officials read them out loud.
Instructions
To prepare for this discussion, you will want to reread the relevant sections in our textbook, review a film and, most importantly, carefully read Ashoka's edicts. After that, for your discussion, answer the following questions, being sure to provide specific evidence from the edicts. Here are the questions:
In ancient times, Dharma meant universal law and duty. For Brahmin priests, it meant a society and religious order founded on Vedic principles and the caste system. For Buddhists, it meant the truths taught by the Buddha, and for kings, it was enlightened governing and just rule. Scholars believe that Ashoka was deeply influenced by Buddhist teachings, but also that he combined those with his own ideas about morality and what a king's dharma should be.
Please explain the essential elements of the dharma King Ashoka sought to promote throughout his land, and whether or not Buddhist teachings were a part of it.
Discuss how King Ashoka presented himself to his subjects.
Try to explain why King Ashoka chose to issue these edicts.
Materials
Chapter 3, Section 3.9
PBS has produced an excellent series on the history of India. The second episode covers some of the history covered in 3.8 (“The Transition to Empire”) and 3.9 (“The Mauryan Empire”) in our textbook. If you would like to view the entire episode feel free to do so, as it covers the life of the Buddha and then the Mauryan Empire. I am asking you to view the last 25 minutes of the film, which begins with Alexander the Great's brief invasion of India and the rise of the Mauryan Empire, but then turns to King Ashoka.
Title of video:The Story of India: The Power of Ideas
Selections from the Edicts of King Ashoka
IMPORTANT NOTE: Your discussion should be based upon the materials given here. Outside sources will not be permitted.
Clues from the Edicts of King Ashoka
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Clues from the Edicts of King Ashoka
Although many Buddhist writings seem to have a total legend of King Ashoka, the account of a remorseless and savage lord who changed over to Buddhism and later set up a rule of righteousness, conclusive chronicled records of his time remains deficient. Many scholars in the historical literature regard King Ashoka, the third ruler of the Indian Mauryan Empire, as one of the most outstanding monarchs in world history. Ashoka ruled between 268 BCE and 232 BCE; a period which saw him became the model of the monarchy in the Buddhist culture. Under Ashoka the Great, India’s human population rose up to 30 million people; a figure significantly higher than any other the existing Hellenistic kingdoms.
During his times, Ashoka advocated for some specific elements and practices that guided and enabled him to control the Mauryan Empire in a competent but cruel manner. Key amongst these were the aspects of unity, respect for each other, security, peaceful coexistence, and policy abiding actions to create a just and humane society.[PBS . The Story of India: The Power of Ideas. n.d. . Accessed September 19, 2017. /thestoryofindia/timeline/2/.]
Ashoka applied military power to develop the empire. He drafted and implemented sadistic rules against criminals. Key amongst these were imprisonment and torture. Ashoka ordered that all prisoners found culpable of criminal offenses should face illusory and unimagined tortures and that nobody, regardless of their political statuses, should ever leave the penitentiary alive. Consequently, most criminals dreaded such terms, creating a state of order in the Kingdom.[Ibid1]
The Dharma policy of Ashoka has always been paralleled to his changeover to Buddhism. Many scholars like Pradhanmantri credit him with the promotion of the doctrines of the Buddhist sect. According to Pradhanmantri, there existed diverse religious conceptions and practices in Mauryan Empire. However, the supporters of such sects as Ajivikism, Jainism, and Buddhism were held in disdain by the Brahmanas sect, who could hardly tolerate other religions. Conflicts between these religious factions then made it hard for the ruler (Ashoka) to ensure peaceful coexistence within the society. Another factor which fueled this state of affairs was the presence of a huge population of foreigners in the northwestern region of the Kingdom. Certainly, maintaining order and creating unity in such a diversely composed society is not an easy task to roll. This explains why King Ashoka chose to use Edicts.[Pradhanmantri. The Story of India: The Power of Ideas. YouTube. December 20, 2013. Accessed September 19, 2017. /watch?v=63Jw0Ky6ZpQ.]
Given the state of affairs in the Kingdom, Ashoka’s only available option was to unify all his subjects through a shared set of beliefs and practices. Unity was the only way to reform the Kingdom. Reasonably, it was against this conception that Ashoka adopted the Dharma policy to eliminate not only sectarian conflicts but also social tension. Dharma was neither a new political philo...
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