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Ashoka's Kalinga War

Type Event Region India Time -261

In 261 BCE, Ashoka, third Mauryan emperor, launched a massive conquest of Kalinga (modern Odisha);…

Timeline

  1. -261Kalinga · OdishaTo complete the Mauryan Empire's southeastward expansion, Ashoka personally led a large army against the still-independent Kalinga kingdom, deploying infantry, cavalry, war elephants, and a navy in a decisive campaign of conquest.
  2. -261Kalinga · OdishaThe war was extremely brutal; Ashoka's Thirteenth Rock Edict states that over 100,000 were killed and captured, and the people of Kalinga suffered greatly, making this the most important turning point of Ashoka's life.
  3. -261–-250Pataliputra · BiharAfter the war Ashoka abandoned further military expansion, ruled by Dhamma, reduced taxes, built roads and hospitals, and sent envoys and his son to spread the dharma to Sri Lanka and beyond, making Buddhism the empire's officially favored faith.

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