Ashoka the Great!

Ashoka the Great was one of the greatest emperors in history

Ashoka the Great was one of the greatest emperors to have ever ruled. He was an Indian monarch of the Maurya dynasty and he ruled most of modern India including modern day Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh from 269 BC to 232 BC. But it is not the size of his empire, nor the long tenure of his reign which places him in a unique and unparalleled position in world history. He is perhaps the only emperor in history who left the path of violent conquests for the cause of peace and harmony, that too after a resounding victory against his enemies.

Ashoka is the second most important person in the history of Buddhism and his postion is second only to Gautama Buddha, the founder of the religion. Before Ashoka, Buddhism was pretty much confined to a small part of the predominantly Hindu population of the Indian sub-continent. He was responsible for the rapid spread of Buddhism from India to the other parts of Asia including China, Bactria, south east Asia and Sri Lanka and that Buddhism on today's date is a major world religion is in fact mostly to his credit.

H G Wells on Ashoka the Great

"In the history of the world there have been thousands of kings and emperors who called themselves 'their highnesses,' 'their majesties,' and 'their exalted majesties' and so on. They shone for a brief moment, and as quickly disappeared. But Ashoka shines and shines brightly like a bright star, even unto this day."

hnd 'their exalted majesties' and so on. They shone for a brief moment, and as quickly disappeared. But Ashoka shines and shines brightly like a bright star, even unto this day."

with metta

Anu