What were the unusual things about Ashoka and his empire? What of that has continued to influence India and why? Class 7

What were the unusual things about Ashoka and his empire? What of that has continued to influence India and why? Class 7

What were the unusual things about Ashoka and his empire? What of that has continued to influence India and why? Write your opinion in about 250 words. Class 7

Answer:

Some unusual aspects of Ashoka and his empire, along with their lasting influences on India are:

(i) Transformation from Warrior to Peacekeeper: Initially, Ashoka was an ambitious conqueror who expanded his empire through military might. However, after witnessing the devastation of the Kalinga War, he adopted a philosophy of non-violence and peace, influenced by Buddhism. This transformation is unusual for a ruler of his time. The non-violence had one of the factor to get freedom. A prosperous country to be maintained by both through warfare and through alliances not by non-violence.

(ii) Promotion of Buddhism: Ashoka became a patron of Buddhism and actively promoted its teachings throughout his empire and beyond. He sent emissaries to various regions to spread Buddhist philosophy. Today India is not promoting Buddhism religion. We have secular government, any body can follow any religion.

(iii) Edicts and Communication: Aśhoka is often referred to as a 'great communicator' due to his extensive use of edicts inscribed on rocks and pillars. These edicts conveyed messages of dharma or dhamma (moral law) and governance, making him one of the first rulers to communicate directly with his subjects in their language (Prakrit, written in Brahmi script). It is unusual for other religions people. Today the governments practice two or three languages formula, that the people of areas can easily understand.

(iv) Ban Military Expansion: Ashoka's most unusual things was to ban military expansion. He spent a lot of money on construction of hospitals, monastries, dug wells, rest houses and at regular intervals along the main roads of his empire and got fruit and shade trees planted. He banned hunting and established veterinary hospitals. India is not continued to influence Ashoka, the ban of military expansion. It has advanced weapons and modern armed forces. Today the government of India spend a sufficient amount on infrastructures, education, health, defence and social schemes as done in Ashoka's time.

(v) Benevolent and Compassionate Ruler: Ashoka called himself 'Devanampiya Piyadasi'. The first word means 'Beloved of the Gods' and second word means one who regards others with kindness. Ashoka provided help to kingdoms, who were not his part. He helped to provide people and animals of these kingdoms, medical care and other social services. Now India is a democratic country. Government is elected by people, can be changed. Government is run by constitution of India. Indian government help rest of the world at the time of natural calamities.

(vi) The influence of Ashoka's reign continues in india today. The Lions Capital of Sarnath pillar of Ashoka, is India's national emblem today. The Ashoka Chakra, on our national flag symbolising ethical governance and unity in diversity. His ideas of welfare, peace, respects to all religions, truthfulness and non-violence are part of India's moral ideas even today. The strength lies from compassion not through conquest.