Question

Which religion did Emperor Ashoka accept after the Kalinga War?
1. Buddhism
2. Jainism
3. Christianity
4. Hinduism

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Buddhism

The correct answer is Buddhism.

• Emperor Ashoka accepted Buddhism after the Kalinga War.

• Ashoka (273 BC-232 BC):
  • He was the greatest Mauryan ruler, Governor of Taxila and Ujjain.
  • His rule extended to the whole of the sub-continent except the south.
    • It also included Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Kashmir and the valleys of Nepal.
  • Ashoka crowned himself formally in 269 BC.
  • Under Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire reached its zenith.
  • Ashoka fought the Kalinga War in 261 BC in the 9th year of his coronation.
    • Later, he was shocked by the massacre in the war and, therefore, abandoned the policy of physical occupation in favour of the policy of cultural conquest.
    • Bherighosa was replaced by Dhammaghosa.
  • He embraced Buddhism under Upagupta.
  • He sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) as Buddhist missionaries with a sapling of the original peepal tree.
  • He inaugurated various Dhamma Yatras from the 11th year of his reign after visiting Bodh Gaya and also appointed Dhamma Mahamatras.