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How Does Ashoka Use Soft Power

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The Mauryan Empire leaders maintained legitimacy by using Soft Power, because of their influence on other empires and their people. They influenced other empires to support the people who suffer in their empire and to maintain a peaceful land where no one gets harmed and the crime rates are minimal. Amongst the many kings that employed Soft Power in their leadership, ChandraGupta and Ashoka employed Soft Power the best in the empire. ChandraGupta was the first leader in the empire and imposed laws that employed both hard power and soft power. Ashoka was the leader that slaughtered 250,000 men in war at Kalinga and after the war felt guilty for his actions and converted to Buddhism. First of all, Ashoka had written an edict that states, “ that …show more content…

At the same time he influences other empires to not got to war, so that the empire’s people remain happy and the king does not lose legitimacy. Ashoka is appreciated by all his people and influences others to maintain legitimacy without going to war. Second, ChandraGupta had employed soft power to maintain legitimacy by showing his affection to his people. ChandraGupta had written in the Arthasastra that any king that follows him, “shall provide orphans, the aged, the infirm, the afflicted, and the helpless with maintenance,”(ChandraGupta, Arthasastra Book II). ChandraGupta believed that the king should support his people when they are in need. This not only makes the people of his empire happy, but influences others to move to his empire to receive the same support. The people in other empires that are suffering will be motivated to follow him and support him for the good deeds he is doing for his people. The other kings will be influenced to adopt such a rule so that they can also maintain their empire. ChandraGupta then becomes a well known king to all and maintains his legitimacy as leader with support from all his

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As shown in Document D, Asoka created over 30 edicts across India so travelers could see them. The edicts exhibit Asoka’s great deeds, such as planting medicinal herbs where they didn’t grow, digging wells along roads, planting trees, giving prisoners’ relatives time to plead their cases, and stating his opinion on improving the welfare of the world. As stated in Rock Edicts VI and XII from Document D, “I consider that I must promote the welfare of the whole world and hard work… I have done them in order to discharge my debt to all beings… By honoring them, one exalts one’s own faith and at the same time performs a service to the faith of others.” In Document E, Rock Edict XIII describes how the Beloved of the Gods (Asoka) wishes for friendship with the forest tribes of his empire.

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