3rd Mauryan Emperor, Asoka 20.8.2015

Ashoka the Great (304 B.C.E. – 232 B.C.E.), also known asAsoka, was the third ruler of the Maurya Empire  who ruled from 273 B.C.E. to 232 B.C.E. He was the grandson of Chandra Gupta Maurya and son of Bindusara. After a number of military conquests, Ashoka reigned over most of South Asiaand beyond, from present day Afghanistan in the north to Bengal in the east, and as far south as Mysore. An early supporter of Buddhism, Ashoka established monuments marking several significant sites in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, and according to Buddhist tradition was closely involved in the preservation and transmission of Buddhism.

King Ashoka has come to be regarded as one of the most exemplary rulers in world history.