ASOKA

More than 2000 years ago a great Indian emperor shocked by the pain and suffering caused by war, changed his conception of law and government and emerged as the only ruler in the history of mankind to have realised the carnage and slaughter that is caused due to conquest by war and the contentment caused by conquest of morality or “dhrama vijaya” and to have strictly followed its path during one’s rule.

Asoka was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya , the founder of the Mauryan dynasty. The foundation of the dynasty coincides with the death of Alexander the great in 323 BC has often suggested that probably there was some sort of a war between Chandragupta and Alexander’s general Selucas Nikater .Then again not much of Chandragupta’s reign has survived and all there is are in the writings from accounts of Megasthanes, the Greek ambassador to the Mauryan court. Asoka, however, left himself a record which he hoped would endure forever. They are merely records of moral law and not monuments to commemorate his conquests. He uses them to enforce laws, to find expression for his views , as guidelines for his future generations a lot like the modern day internet. Today probably the best and most detailed source to know about asoka are these edicts and hence our discussion centres around them. They tell us a tale of how a young tyrant prince, guilty of unspeakable atrocities became one of the greatest emperors of united India, of how he ceased to be known as Asoka “the wicked” and was called "Devanampiya piyadasi"( devanampriya-priyadarshi)or "the beloved of the Gods and the one who seeks the god of all"

These inscriptions are in Prakrit, the commonly spoken language and not in Sanskrit, the literary language.
The simple style and the crude language strongly suggests that these inscriptions are actual the words of the emperor. In a sense, from the edicts the character of the man emerges clearly and sharply, wisdom combined with practical shrewdness, tolerance unique in his time and rare in one holding such power combined with the desire to improve the ethical outlook of the common man to turn away and for setting up a sense of kinship among all.

INTERNATIONAL LINKS:
[Kalinga Rock edict XIII]
“I consider dharmavijaya the most important conquest. I have achieved the same repeatedly both here and among the people living beyond our borders. Even in the far lands of Yona ( modern Greece) where the king antiyoka rules [Antichos II] and in the dominion of the four kings named Turamaya, Antikini,Maka and Alikasudara, and to the south among the Cholas and Pandyas in the southern tip of the Indian peninula everywhere heed the instructions of dharma.”

The above passage is of extreme importance not only for the dating of events but also to judge the extent of communications of those times. It has been found that all the above mentioned kings were indeed belonged to the same period in different parts of the world.
The real names of the five kings mentioned above are.
Antiyoka [ Antichos II Theos of Syria (261-246 BC)]
Turamaya [Ptolemy II Philadelphos of Egypt (285 to 247 BC)]
Antikini [Antigonos Gonatas of Macedonia 278 to 239 BC]
Maka [Magas of Cyrene 300 to 258 BC]
Alikasudara[ Alexander of Epirus 272-258 BC]

Its really remarkable to note that the words used in the passages below are the actual words spoken by the emperor.
Here's another one.
ASOKA'S PROGRAMS & ADMINISTRATIONS:
[ROCK EDICT VI]
King Priyadarshi says,
In the past, state business was not transacted or reports made at all hours or the day. I have therefore made arrangements that officials may have access to me and may report on the affairs of my people at all times and in all places- when i am eating, when i am in the harem or my inner appartments, when i am attending to the cattle,when i am walking or engaged in religeous exercises. I now attend to the affairs of the people at all place. And when a donation or a proclamation that i have ordered verbally, or an urgent matter which I have delegated to my high officials, causes a debate or dispute in the council, this must be reported to me immediately, at all hours and in all places. These are my orders.
I consider the promotion of the people's welfare my highest duty and its exercise is grounded in work and constant application. No task is more important to me than promoting the well being of the people."

MEDICAL AID AND WELFARE
[ROCK EDICT II]
Everywhere in the dominions of king priyadarsi, as well as in the border territories of the Cholas, the pandyas, the satiyaputra and the keralaputra provisions have been made for two kinds od medical treatment, treatment for men and for animals.
Medicinal herbs, suitable for men and animals, have been imported and planted wherever they were not previously available.Also there, where roots and fruits were lacking, they have been imported and planted.
[ROCK EDICT VII]
I have ordered banyan trees to be planted along the roads to give shade to men and animals. I have ordered mango groves to be planted. Wells to be dug every half kos and rest houses to be built. I have ordered several watering stations built for the convenience for men and animals.

TOLERANCE:
[KALINGA EDICT II]
Unconquered people along the borders of my dominions may wonder what my disposition is towards them. My only wish with respect to them is that they should not fear me, but trust me; that they should expect only happiness from me, not misery;that they should understand further that I will forgive them for offences which can be forgiven.
[ROCK EDICT XII]
King Priyadarshi honours men of all faiths ,members of religeous orders, with gifts or marks of high esteem. One must always guard one's speech to avoid extolling one's own faith and disparaging the faith of others improperly.The faith of others all deserve to be honoured for one reason or another. By honouring them, one exalts one's own faith and at the same time performs a service tothe faith of others.