Ashoka

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Ashoka (304BC-232 BC) (अशोक) was a very capable ruler and administrator of Mauryan Empire. He was the ruler of the Mauryan Empire from 273 BC to 232 BC. He was the third and the most popular of the Mauryan Kings. He was born in about 302 BC. During his father’s reign he had served as the governor of Taxila and Ujjain which had given him enough experience as an administrator. He succeeded to the throne after his father’s death in 273 BC.

After the massacre at Kalinga in, in 261 BC, he felt deep remorse and became a follower of Buddhism. He had built up a larger empire than any ruler before him had. He contributed a great deal to the expansion of Buddhism. His son and daughter became Bhikshus for the propagation of Buddhism. Unfortunately his successors were not capable. His son Kunal was blind. His grandsons Dashratha and Sam Vrate were weak. Pushyamitra, a minister, killed the last Maurya ruler and usurped the throne. This Brahmin ruler was very cruel. He embarked upon mass persecution of Buddhists. According to the book Dev Vidhan he awarded 100 Dinars to any one producing a head of Buddhist monk. His dynasty ruled for 112 years till another Brahmin named Kanva whose descendants ruled for another 45 years killed its last ruler.

Satvahanas and Andhra Brahmins against Shaka Kshatriyas who were followers of Buddhism carried out similar persecutions.