Ashoka Foreign Relations

Ashoka, the Mauryan Emperor, and successor of Bindusara, was famous for his diplomatic yet peaceful foreign relations. He was one of the most important emperors of the Mauryan dynasty. His ruling period was controversial. According to some sources, it is c. 265–238 BCE, whereas according to other sources, it is c. 273–232 BCE. Ashoka’s foreign policy had exemplary attributes. It was the best way to expand the ideology of his Dhamma. The history shows his connections with various powerful neighbour empires. Ashoka established connections with South Asia and Western countries during his ruling period. The geographical location of Ashoka’s domain helped to develop new foreign relations too. He was an ideal example of nonviolent political diplomacy. The monk-like philosophy of Dhammashoka or Dharmashoka showed the world the importance of kindness and generosity in building foreign relations. Here we will discuss the main facts and features of Ashoka’s foreign relations.

Kalinga War(261 BCE): an Impact on Ashoka’s Administration

The ruler of Kalinga lost the battle against Ashoka. But Ashoka also lost his previous brutal mindset while winning the war. Ashoka’s cruel approach towards people made him Chandashoka. His prison was like hell on the earth. Kalinga War reflects his ruthless approach to conquering new domains. But according to the 13th major rock edict, Ashoka became remorseful about his cruelty in the Kalinga war. The countless deaths due to the war transformed him into a messenger of peace or Dhammashoka. His administrative policy changed when he accepted the new path of Dhamma or Dharma. This attribute of Ashoka contributed to foreign policy also. Buddhist philosophy’s influence, Dhamma, elevated his era to a different level in Mauryan history.

Ashoka’s Philosophy and Foreign Relations

Ashoka renounced further war after the cruelty of the Kalinga War. He choose nonviolence in administration and foreign policy also. This mindset brought a drastic change in the kingdom. His ideology of Dhamma or Dharma brought a new dimension to spread the emperor’s message. Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to various nations outside his realm. Thus he wanted to convey the message of tolerance and nonviolence to foreign countries. Such foreign areas include Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, and Greece in the modern period. The peaceful philosophy became famous in multiple areas other than Ashoka’s kingdom and made unbelievably resilient foreign connections. During his reign, the Mauryan empire had a vast region as a kingdom. Apart from maintaining the huge territory, Ashoka formed cordial relations with foreign emperors.

Edicts: The Sources of Information Related to the Ashoka’s Foreign Relations:

The edicts of Dhamma are sources to find the foreign relations during Ashoka’s reign. And the proofs of the foreign relations are indicators of Ashoka’s chronology in history. Ashoka’s empire had connections with Iran, and the Mansehra edict proves that. The inscriptions in Taxila have some similarities to the inscriptions found in Kashmir. Ashoka’s connection to the West is also prominent in the edicts. He had various foreign relations, including the Antiochus of Syria. Ashoka’s edicts have inscriptions in different languages. The selection of language depends on the regions where the edict exists. Such languages include Greek, Aramaic, Prakrit, etc.

After the Kalinga War in 261 BCE, when he started following Buddhist philosophy, he thought about engraving details in edicts. And one of his regular works was issuing new edicts as a part of Dhamma. Thus Dhamma made a strong base for foreign relations. Ashoka sent delegates of Dhamma to his neighbour countries. Among the most recognisable countries was Syria, where Antiochus II Theos developed a connection with Ashoka’s kingdom. Apart from it, there were Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt, Antigonus II Gonatas of Macedonia, and Magas of Cyrene. There were connections with Alexander. But the identity of Alexander is ambiguous. It can be the Alexander of Epirus or Corinth. Apart from these countries, Ashoka made good relations with Nepal and Khotan. Some cultural traditions had similarities with these foreign locations. According to some sources, Ashoka tied the relationship with Nepal by turning Devapala of Nepal into his son-in-law.

Ashoka made great connections with the South. Gavimath, Maski, Palkigundu, Brahmagiri, etc., are the places in south India where the edicts are available. His influence is visible among Tamil poets also. The king of Ceylon or Sri Lanka had regular communication with the emperor Ashoka. Tissa, the then King of Sri Lanka, admired Ashoka.

Concluding Note:

Ashoka’s dynamic attitude towards administration made positive changes among the people of his kingdom. After accepting Dhamma, his administration became more admirable. The path of nonviolence and tolerance made him famous. Foreign policy to expand the ideology of Dhamma made Ashoka the great emperor. He tried to unite multiculturalism with Dhamma. The seventh major rock edict carries some proof of foreign relations. Ashoka’s foreign policy helped to promote the position of the Mauryan empire. And as a result, after his death, the Mauryan decline started.