Ashoka Reign & Important Fact - General Knowledge of Ancient History: The timeline of Ashoka's rule and Important fact about Ashoka.
Timeline of Ashoka's Reign
- Ascension of Ashoka to the throne of Magadha after the death of his father Bindusara in 268 BC. Happened in
- Ashoka expressed his displeasure after the Kalinga victory in the 8th year of Ashoka's reign (Long Rock Edict-XIII). Announced to end the war and walk on the path of Dhamma.
- Accepted Buddhism in the ninth year (Small Edicts - I and II) but he was not that active towards religion.
- In the tenth year, he traveled to Bodhgaya (long inscription / III) and became a full-fledged Buddhist.
- Abolished the practice of state hunting and started Dhamma Yatra.
- In the 11th-12th reign year, he started making oral announcements on Dhamma.
- Established harmony among different religious sects (minor inscription)
- Stopped animal slaughter (Long Edict-I).
- Opened hospitals and planted trees in India and abroad (Long Edict-II)
- Assured his harmony on the borders (Minor Kalinga Rock Edict-II)
- Vows to rule with law and justice (separate Kalinga Rock Edict)
- Tried to stop mutual conflicts in religious sects (Long Edict - XII)
- In the twelfth year (long column article - VI) recorded the first edict and started issuing Dhamma orders.
- In the same year (Long Edict - IV) a public demonstration was held for the spread of Dhamma.
- In the same year provided caves (Guha Lekh - I, II) to the livelihood.
- In the same year (Long Rock Edict-III), the officials were ordered to visit their respective areas.
- In the 13th year (long inscription - V) Dhamma-Mahamatras were appointed.
- The Stupa of the Muni was doubled (Nigliva - obelisk)
- In the 19th year (Guj Lekh-III) the third cave was given to the Ajivikas.
- In the 20th year, by setting up a pillar in the middle of the journey to Lumbini (long pillar article - Nigliva inscription), the end of the sacrifice and the land revenue part was reduced to 1/8.
- Between the 22nd and 24th years, there is mention of the removal of Buddhist monks from Viharas and the recommendation of intensive study by Buddhists and the announcement of the donations of the second queen Karuvaki. In the 27th year of his reign, mention is made of the appointment of Mahamatras to organize charity and look after the activities of various religious sects.
- In the 26th year, issued the first six pillar decrees (long pillar articles - IV), exhorted the district officers to work for the welfare of the people and administer a fair and just government (long pillars - IV and V).
- After the 26th year (pillar inscription of the queen), he recorded about the gifts given by his second queen.
- Issued the 7th pillar inscription in the 27th year (long pillar article - VII).
- Probably in the 27th year (after the Sarnath pillar inscription) he condemned the illegal activities.
More General Knowledge of Ancient History
Important Facts About Ashoka
- Ashoka's most favorite bird was the peacock.
- The families of Ashoka's surviving brothers and sisters are mentioned in the fifth edict.
- According to Rajatarangini, before accepting Buddhism, Ashoka was a follower of Brahmin religion (worshipper of Shiva).
- According to Divyavadana, Ashoka was initiated into Buddhism by Upagupta.
- Ashoka was initiated into Buddhism by a seven-year-old monk named Nigrodha in the fourth year of his reign, it is mentioned in the Sinhalese legends (Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa).
- In the Great Rock Edict V, there is mention of the killing of two peacocks and a deer in the royal kitchen after Ashoka converted to Buddhism.
- The term monk dynamic used in Buddhist literature has been used in the context of being oriented to enter the Sangha.
- According to the first short inscription, Ashoka was an ordinary worshiper for 2 years and 6 months after the adoption of Buddhism.
- A short inscription from Bhabru (Bairat, Rajasthan) in which Ashoka clearly greets the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.
- Edicts engraved on the miniature pillars of Sarnath, Sanchi and Kaushambi prove Ashoka to be a Buddhist.
- Ashoka Sanchi, Sarnath and Kaushambi in short pillar articles warns of expulsion to the monks and nuns who split the Buddhist Sangha.
- The practice named Pabjja (Pravjya-Sanyas), related to the Buddhist Sangha, had become strong enough by the time of Ashoka.
- The victory of Khas Desh (Nepal) by Ashoka is mentioned in Divyavadana.
- Ashoka used Pali language and Brahmi script.
- Prakrit is the language used in Ashoka's inscriptions.
- In the third inscription, Ashoka has considered low expenditure and low collection as part of Dhamma.
- Ashoka has been criticized for following Dhamma Vijay in the Gargi Samhita.
- Pillar inscription no. 7 is considered to be the last declaration of Ashoka's reign.
- According to Divyavadana, Ashoka wanted to gift Kukkutarama Vihara at the end of his life.
- Ashoka's concept of kingship is explained in the sixth rock edict.
- Ashoka had built Srinagar in Kashmir.
- According to Divyavadana, Ashoka established the city of Devpatan in Nepal. According to the description of Taranath, Ashoka had established a city named "Lalitpattan" in Nepal and his daughter Charumati had established a city called Devpattan.
- In the Brahmagiri inscription, it is mentioned that Ashoka spent 256 nights in Dhamma Yatra.
- The definition of Ashoka's Dhamma is taken from the book 'Rahulovavasutta'.
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Ancient History