Who is Samrat Ashoka?

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Samrat Ashoka hailed from the ancient Maurya Dynasty of Indian Subcontinent. Historians consider him as one of THE MOST impeccable monarchs to have ever ruled a kingdom.

He was the third Mauryan Emperor. Born in 304 BCE, Ashoka became emperor in 273 BCE. However, his actual coronation took place in 269 BCE because of succession disputes that plagued the Mauryan Empire after the death of his father – King Bindusara.

He ruled over Indian Subcontinent till 232 BCE. He fought only one war as Emperor and after that he abolished warfare from his kingdom and led a peaceful life, preaching Buddhism. It was during his post-war rule that he received the title, Ashoka the Great.

However, prior to receiving this title, he was known as Chanda Ashoka (Cruel Ashoka). The only war he fought as the Emperor – the Kalinga War – is known as one of the bloodiest wars in ancient India.

Samrat Ashoka’s succession to throne also has a very interesting history. As we know, he was born in 304 BCE in Patuliputra. He was son of King Bindusara and his mother was Subhadrangi, who was better known as Dharma.

Dharma was a lowly girl by birth. She was the daughter of a Brahmin and not of a King. She was however, very beautiful and fair. According to legends, Dharma was supposed to become the mother of India’s Chakravartin Samrat.

It is because of this, the Brahmin actually brought his daughter to King Bindusara so that the two can get married. The King liked her beauty and took her in and kept her in women’s apartment along with his other queens.

Dharma’s beauty made the other queens of jealous and out of a wicked plot, they all made Dharma a barber girl. Dharma was put at King’s service where she did really well as a barber girl. Soon, Bindusara recognized Dharma as his wife and told her to ask for a wish that he could grant.

Dharma wished to become the mother of King Bindusara’s son. The King agreed and that’s how Ashoka was born. On birth, he was given the name Ashoka Vardhana Maurya.

Ashoka turned out to be a bright child from the beginning. He quickly excelled in weapons and studies alike and soon grew into a warrior general. The Mauryan army liked Ashoka and loved to serve under his command.

The elder brothers of Ashoka weren’t happy about this and they started believing that their father, Emperor or Samrat Bindusara will start favoring Ashoka as the next Emperor of the Mauryan Empire.

The Indian TV Series Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat portrays that Emperor Bindusara and Ashoka had a special bonding. This is however not true. As per historical chronicles, Ashoka was actually looked down by his father because he wasn’t a good-looking child.

Samrat Ashoka hailed from the ancient Maurya Dynasty of Indian Subcontinent. Historians consider him as one of THE MOST impeccable monarchs to have ever ruled a kingdom.

However, the question of Bindusara favoring Ashoka popped in because of Ashoka’s exceptional skills as a warrior and army commander.

He was the third Mauryan Emperor. Born in 304 BCE, Ashoka became emperor in 273 BCE. However, his actual coronation took place in 269 BCE because of succession disputes that plagued the Mauryan Empire after the death of his father – King Bindusara.

Bindusara made Ashoka the Viceroy of Ujjain when Ashoka was only 18 years old. Ashoka went there and met Devi – a merchant’s daughter. The two fell in love and married. Ashoka’s first son Mahindra was born two years later and his daughter Sanghamitra was born 3 years after Mahindra was born.

He ruled over Indian Subcontinent till 232 BCE. He fought only one war as Emperor and after that he abolished warfare from his kingdom and led a peaceful life, preaching Buddhism. It was during his post-war rule that he received the title, Ashoka the Great.

Ashoka was soon called back to Patuliputra but Ashoka did not take Devi and their children. It was not really a good option because Devi who was a merchant’s daughter would become the chief queen of Ashoka and this was not acceptable.

However, prior to receiving this title, he was known as Chanda Ashoka (Cruel Ashoka). The only war he fought as the Emperor – the Kalinga War – is known as one of the bloodiest wars in ancient India.

Fearing that Bindusara would make Ashoka the next emperor of Mauryan Empire, the elder brothers of Ashoka plotted against him and the eldest of them, Prince Susima talked to Emperor Bindusara and convinced the emperor to send Ashoka away to Takshashila so that the militia uprising can be controlled.

Samrat Ashoka’s succession to throne also has a very interesting history. As we know, he was born in 304 BCE in Patuliputra. He was son of King Bindusara and his mother was Subhadrangi, who was better known as Dharma.

Bindusara acted accordingly and Ashoka was sent off to Takshashila. Weirdly enough, the militia responsible for the disturbance actually liked Ashoka and as soon as he arrived there, the uprising ended via mutual talks and without a single drop of blood been spilled.

Dharma was a lowly girl by birth. She was the daughter of a Brahmin and not of a King. She was however, very beautiful and fair. According to legends, Dharma was supposed to become the mother of India’s Chakravartin Samrat.

This unusual event made Prince Susima far more insecure and he convinced Bindusara to exile Ashoka. The result was that Ashoka was sent to Kalinga where he met a girl named Kaurwaki. A love affair between the two started and later Ashoka and Kaurwaki were married. Kaurwaki was Ashoka’s 2nd wife.