Asoka DBQ
Asoka:
Ruthless Conqueror or Enlightened Ruler?
Prior to the ruling of Emperor Ashoka, kings, emperors, and rulers were rarely thought to be representations of God. Ashoka was the ruler of the Mauryan Empire which stood in India from 273 BCE to 232 BCE. The Mauryan Empire included most of India's grounds as well as what is now known today as Bangladesh and Pakistan. Once conquering Kalinga, Asoka sought to find a Guru, seeking enlightenment. After sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, Asoka became a more fulfilling leader. Throughout Asoka's life, he had proven himself to be an enlightened ruler by seeking Buddha, creating the Asokan edicts, and acting out on his best interests for his people. Asoka quickly became converted to Buddhism as a result of the Kalinga war. At the conclusion of the war, Asoka sought a Guru due to feeling a great crisis (document C) along with a stirring remorse for his prior actions. He was now setting high ideals for himself, the ideals of power and peace. Once under the Bodhi tree, Asoka gave rich gifts to the poor. Asoka also consulted with local communities about proper governance about good conduct (also document C). By seeking Buddha, Asoka proved his underlying remorse for the war and with his growing understanding, he was able to begin reforming his mind as a political order. Asoka wished to make up for his mistakes with the Kalinga war, therefore reversing his viewpoints and moving forward (document C). Soon after, there was no longer opposing power within the Mauryan Empire, as document B informs, “Furthermore there was now no opposing power withing the empire. The people of the frontier were generally too weak to consider a war against him.” Asoka recognized this and created a series of edicts. Document C was written by historian Michael Wood. Due to the source being a historian, his point of view comes from another persons views, these views being that Asoka was an enlightened ruler because, “Asoka gave rich gifts to the poor.”
Ruthless Conqueror or Enlightened Ruler?
Prior to the ruling of Emperor Ashoka, kings, emperors, and rulers were rarely thought to be representations of God. Ashoka was the ruler of the Mauryan Empire which stood in India from 273 BCE to 232 BCE. The Mauryan Empire included most of India's grounds as well as what is now known today as Bangladesh and Pakistan. Once conquering Kalinga, Asoka sought to find a Guru, seeking enlightenment. After sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, Asoka became a more fulfilling leader. Throughout Asoka's life, he had proven himself to be an enlightened ruler by seeking Buddha, creating the Asokan edicts, and acting out on his best interests for his people. Asoka quickly became converted to Buddhism as a result of the Kalinga war. At the conclusion of the war, Asoka sought a Guru due to feeling a great crisis (document C) along with a stirring remorse for his prior actions. He was now setting high ideals for himself, the ideals of power and peace. Once under the Bodhi tree, Asoka gave rich gifts to the poor. Asoka also consulted with local communities about proper governance about good conduct (also document C). By seeking Buddha, Asoka proved his underlying remorse for the war and with his growing understanding, he was able to begin reforming his mind as a political order. Asoka wished to make up for his mistakes with the Kalinga war, therefore reversing his viewpoints and moving forward (document C). Soon after, there was no longer opposing power within the Mauryan Empire, as document B informs, “Furthermore there was now no opposing power withing the empire. The people of the frontier were generally too weak to consider a war against him.” Asoka recognized this and created a series of edicts. Document C was written by historian Michael Wood. Due to the source being a historian, his point of view comes from another persons views, these views being that Asoka was an enlightened ruler because, “Asoka gave rich gifts to the poor.”