In the 3rd century BC, Ashoka's Maurya Empire fought with another Indian kingdom named Kalinga. The war was described as extremely devastating in its body count. There is a myth going around that the mass killings that came about as a result of the Kalinga War was so bloody that it had prompted Ashoka to convert to Buddhism. This isn't true. Its also not true that he became peaceful after converting to Buddhism. Ashoka was a violent bloodthirsty warlord from the beginning right up until the end. The links posted below talk about the lies surrounding him and how he was far from what he is portrayed as today.
Ashoka, The Not So Great
Ashoka is commonly eulogized in Indian history textbooks as a great emperor and a pacifist. A current television serial is adding to the legend. The problem is that this is all based on very thin evidence and, even a little bit of probing, suggests a very different story.
https://swarajyamag.com/culture/ashoka-the-not-so-great
Ashoka is commonly eulogized in Indian history textbooks as a great emperor and a pacifist. A current television serial is adding to the legend. The problem is that this is all based on very thin evidence and, even a little bit of probing, suggests a very different story.
https://swarajyamag.com/culture/ashoka-the-not-so-great
The Truth About Ashoka
The popular narrative about Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism after the terrible Kalinga war is based on little evidence. Even Ashoka’s supposedly regretful inscriptions include clear threats of violence.
https://swarajyamag.com/magazine/the-truth-about-ashoka
The popular narrative about Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism after the terrible Kalinga war is based on little evidence. Even Ashoka’s supposedly regretful inscriptions include clear threats of violence.
https://swarajyamag.com/magazine/the-truth-about-ashoka

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