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Asoka DBQ

421 Words2 Pages

Asoka: Ruthless, or Enlightened? Asoka was a powerful, yet arrogant leader of the Mauryan Empire over 2,000 years ago. His empire reigned over most of modern India. After years of war over land, Asoka ended violence and turned to the Buddhist religion to influence his new edicts (commands obeyed like laws). The question is, what type of ruler was he; ruthless or Enlightened? Asoka was a ruthless leader due to the fact he was power-hungry and ignorant.

Power-Hungry Leader
One reason why Asoka was a ruthless leader was because he was power-hungry. In his conquering of Kalinga, he killed hundred of thousands of Kalingins to get what he wanted; more land (Doc A). Not only did he kill thousands for his claiming of land, but he claims he gave up violence and decides to live a peaceful and happy life when he …show more content…

How does it take hundreds of thousand of his own people dead for him to realize he should change? How does it take his own enslaved people suffering for years for him to understand that his actions are wrong? Should it had took his supporters, and his society dying for his conquering of land to open his eyes to the fact he is taking human lives? (Frey 161). Many modern notorious villains have done the same thing. Whether it be 2,000 years ago or today, these ‘leaders’ all have one thing in common: Taking lives of individuals, (forcefully or not) to fulfill an ultimate selfish goal. In conclusion Asoka is a ruthless leader due to the fact he was power-hungry and ignorant. Although he could be considered enlightened because he changed his ways, how he got to his positive ending was wrong and egocentric of him. There was other possible ways to get to his positive and nonviolent life without having to kill thousands to get there. Asoka only turned to his enlightened self because he had no more reason to use his immense power. If threatened, he could have easily turned back to his old

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Ruthless of conqueror Imagine being in a time of war, Asoka was a ruthless conqueror of the Mauryan Empire. He let people die because they had something he wanted. Asoka was also a buddhist. He fought for more than he already had.

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Over 2,300 years ago, in India, the leader Asoka ruled the Mauryan Empire from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. Throughout his reign, Asoka conquered a vast area of India. Initially, he was a conqueror, but in his later life, he became a more peaceful ruler. While there is debate about Asoka being an enlightened ruler, Asoka was a ruthless conqueror who punished those who opposed him and killed hundreds of thousands of people on conquests. Asoka’s cruelty can be seen when those who opposed him were brutally punished.

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Is Asoka a ruthless conqueror or is he a knowledgeable ruler? Asoka is one of the most acknowledged rulers of the Mauryan Empire. He ruled most of India over 2,000 years ago. Although he may be the greatest ruler of the Mauryan Empire, Asoka is still a merciless emperor because he has done many remorseful things that shall not be forgiven such as exterminating thousands of people and he has also conquered many lands to enhance his kingdom. Several individuals have been slaughtered by the hands of Asoka.

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Many people who live in India know and worship the leader Asoka, or Ashoka, up to this day. But it is debatable whether he was a ruthless conqueror or an enlightened ruler. Asoka was a leader of the Mauryan Empire in India, from about 268 BCE to 232 BCE. He was born in 304 BCE, and became king at the age of 34, and died in 232 BCE at the age of 72. When Asoka ascended to the throne, he started a conquest called the Conquest of Kalinga.

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My final reason for saying Asoka was an enlightened ruler is because of the rock edicts, the pillar edicts, and the Asoka Chakra. As you will see later on they tell us a lot about who Asoka really was. Evidence shows that the conquest of Kalinga where 100,000 people were

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Throughout the course of history, there have been many powerful rulers who have led supreme empires and kingdoms. The Mauryan Empire, a vast empire in Ancient India, had some rulers who wrongfully used their power. However, Asoka, ruler of the Mauryan Empire from 268 to 232 BCE, was enlightened because he deeply cared for his people, was extremely remorseful of his wrongdoings in his actions, and valued everyone despite their differences or what they have done in the past. Asoka was an enlightened ruler because he was willing to go beyond the unspoken limits to care for his empire and its residents' well being.

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However, his suffering is too intense and moaned in pain at that. His cries of pain resulted in guards getting frustrated and having to beat him

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Ashoka was an amazing ruler, with a light and a dark side. Ashoka ruled the Mauryan Empire 2,000 years ago, from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. Ashoka’s spiritual transformation began after they conquered and added Kalinga to their empire, and he felt remorse and quit violence (BGE). Asoka: ruthless conqueror or enlightened ruler? Ashoka was an enlightened ruler because of the way he cared for his people, and for his fair edicts.

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