Ashoka Mindmap

Ashoka:

  • Life of Ashoka
  • Military and political context
  • Significant features of the edicts
  • Ashoka's new version of kingship
  • Ashoka's accomplishments
  • Relationship with other faiths
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  • Created by: Liv1996
  • Created on: 07-04-14 11:17
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  • Ashoka
    • Political and military context of India
      • ·         Ashoka reined from 270 to 232BCE ·         Inherited the throne of the powerful Maurya ·         He converted to Buddhism in 266 ·         Ashoka was the first monarch to rule over a united India ·         Kings belong to the Kshatria social class of warriors
    • Life of Ashoka
      • ·         Born in 290BCE ·         Name meaning- without sorrow ·         Youngest of five sons ·         All of his brothers mysteriously died (assassination?) ·         Gobrich claims he died in 239BCE ·         He took office when he was 16, he was crowned at the age of 21 ·         Bloody victory of Kalinga- more than 100,000 deaths, 150,000 carried away as captives- Rock edicts 13 ·         He revolutionised the Indian version of kingship, left the first dated historical records and transformed Buddhism from a local to a world religion
    • Significant features of the Edicts
      • ·         Archaeologists have discovered 32 of the edicts ·         Historical events- imperial prolamations- to decrees exhorting his people to behave morally ·         Pillar in Lumbini pinpoints the Buddha ·         Edicts never refer to being Buddhist ·         A L Bashman argues Ashoka is not Buddhist at all ·         Ashoka is considered to be the first guide for lay Buddhists
    • Ashoka's new version of kingship
      • ·         Ashoka extended the role to looking after people morally through kindness and social justice ·         Meeting everyday needs ·         A form of socialism before its time ·         Instead of war he brought peace ·         Many of his policies show him to be a pacifist
    • Ashoka's accomplishments
      • ·         Set up medical and vetenary centres ·         Constructed wells and reservoirs ·         Planted trees for fruit and shade ·         Provided welfare services ·         Established rest houses for travellers ·         Torture banned- equal judicial standards ·         Ahimsa- non violence he focused on (no branding cattle) ·         Wide spread of vegetarianism ·         Constructed stupas
    • His relationship with other faiths
      • ·         Supported the institutions of all faiths ·         Rock edict 12 ·         Animal sacrifice – not banned because of Brahmanism 

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