Question

Why do you think Ashoka was a unique ruler?

Answer 1

Instructions: Explain the following points:

• The king who gave up war
• Spread his message through inscriptions
• Practice of Dhamma
• Elements of Dhamma: ban on animal sacrifcie, proper treatment of slaves, etc.

Answer:

• Ashoka was a unique ruler due to following reasons:
• He was the king who gave up war after winning the war of Kalinga.
• He was the first ruler who took his message to the people through inscriptions on rocks and pillars, written in the Brahmi script.
• He followed the practice of Dhamma and banned animal sacrifice and did not allow ill-treatment of slaves and servants.
• Ashoka made provisions for medical facilities for both human and animals.
• He sent messengers to Egypt, Syria, Greece and Sri Lanka to spread ideas about Dhamma.