Why is the monarchy of Asoka considered enlightened?

Why is the monarchy of Asoka considered enlightened?

In ancient times, kings mostly ruled with an iron hand and were considered omnipotent. They were wee thought to be representatives of Gods, and ruled by divine decree. Yet some kings stand out for their benevolence. One such is Emperor Asoka who ruled Magadha in India from 273 BC to 232 BC. His empire includes almost all of India and what is Bangladesh and Pakistan today.


In 261 BC, he fought the Battle of Kalinga, which was to become a turning point in his life. This bloody war left more than 200000 casualties in its wake. Asoka was shocked and greatly saddened by this sight and decided that victory in war was not worth the price to be paid in terms of human misery. He renounced military conquest as a national policy, and converted to Buddhism. Animal and human sacrifices were banned. Missionaries were sent to all parts of his vast empire, and also to foreign lands to spread the message of non-violence and Buddhism. Sri Lanka was one such country that accepted this re religion as a result of Asoka’s efforts.


Emperor Asoka was also an able ruler, expanding trade, undertaking public works, encouraging arts and establishing institutions that worked for the welfare of his people. From an aggressive ruler, Asoka had become a man with a conscience, and thus, is considered the world’s first truly ‘enlightened’ monarch.