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The 'Kalinga War' (Sanskrit: कलिन्ग युध्धम्) was a war fought between the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka the Great and the state of Kalinga, a feudal republic located on the coast of the present-day Indian state of Orissa.

Contents

The War

The Aftermath

References

External links

The War

The war began in the 9th year of Ashoka's reign, probably in either 265 or 264 BC. Ashoka's father Bindusara had previously attempted to conquer Kalinga, but had been repulsed. After a bloody battle for the throne after Bindusara's death, Ashoka tried to annex Kalinga. He was successful only after a savage war, whose consequences changed Ashoka's views on war and led him to pledge never to wage a war. It is said that in the aftermath of the 'Battle of Kalinga' the Daya River running next to the battle field turned red with the blood of the slain; about 100,000 Kalinga civilians and more than 10,000 of Ashoka's own warriors were among those slain.
Dhauli hill is presumed to be the area where Kalinga War was fought. The historically important Dhauli hills are located on the banks of the Daya River, 8 km south of Bhubaneswar in Orissa (India). Dhauli hill with vast open space adjoining it, and has major Edicts of Ashoka engraved on a mass of rock, by the side of the road leading to the summit of the hill.

The Aftermath

Ashoka had seen the blood shed himself with his own eyes. The mangled bodies of men and women, young and old, he could see over two hundred terrible sins. He was the cause of rivers of flowing blood, widows crying over there slain husbands and orphaned children, this made his heart break in unbearable shame and guilt.
Ashoka's response to the Kalinga War is recorded in the Edicts of Ashoka. According to some of these (Rock Edict XIII and Minor Rock Edict I), the Kalinga War prompted Ashoka, already a non-engaged Buddhist, to devote the rest of his life to Ahimsa (non-violence) and to Dhamma-Vijaya (victory through Dhamma). Following the conquest of Kalinga, Ashoka ended the military expansion of the empire and over 40 years of peace, harmony and prosperity followed until Ashoka's death. Dhamma Vijay and not Dig Vijay became the goal of his life.

References

1. Ashoka the Great (r. 272-231 BC), ''Edicts of Ashoka'', Major Rock Edict 13.
2. Radhakumud Mookerji (1988). ''Chandragupta Maurya and His Times''. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 8120804058.

External links

★ Megasthenes: ''Indika''

★ The Edicts of King Ashoka