Asoka

Asoka (268 - 232 B.C):

-It was only in 1837 when James C Princep deciphered a 'Brahmani' inscription than Asoka came to light & became most popular ruler of Ancient Indian history.

-Ashoka was the first king in the Indian history who has left his records engraved on stones.

-The inscriptions on rocks are called Rock edicts and those on pillars, Pillar edicts.

-The Ashokan inscriptions are found in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

-Altogether they appear at 47 places.

-All inscriptions refer to him as devanampiya (beloved of the gods) and piyadassi.

-The inscriptions of Ashoka were written in different scripts.

-In Afghanistan they were written in Greek and Aramaic languages and script and in Pakistan area in Prakrit language and Kharosthi script.

-Inscriptions from all other places are in Prakrit language written in Brahmi script.

-In 260 B.C. he fought the kalinga war, after which he renounced warfare.

-He organised the third Buddhist Council in the 18th year of his (250 B.C) reign at Pataliputra under the presidentship of Mogaliputra Tissa.

-Was converted to Buddhism by Upagupta.

-Sent Buddhist missionaries allover South East Asia. including his son and daughter Mahindra and Sanghamitra to Ceylon.