King Ashoka paved way for good ties

 

Archaeologist Nayanjot Lahiri, who presented a lecture in the city on Ashoka and his regime, said that the king despatched several teams of medical experts to treat human beings and animals in neighbouring countries and improved relations with bordering nations.

 

Calling Ashoka a pioneer in soft diplomacy, she said, “He sent special teams to plant trees in bordering nations. Many of his reforms have fascinated artists, politicians and writers for many generations now.”

 

Talking about Ashoka’s life, Ms Lahiri said, “Ashoka, who killed his siblings to inherit the throne, was attracted to Buddhism and transformed not just his own self, but his empire. After the bloody Kalinga war, in which a lakh of soldiers were killed, he wept where he was to have swaggered. He decided to practice peace and put up edicts in several places across the length and breadth of his empire to spread his message. He addressed people through the edicts and said he could be disturbed even when he was eating to be informed of anything related to the welfare of his subjects.”

 

About Ashoka’s governance, Ms Lahiri said, “Unlike many kings, Ashoka recorded every act of good and bad in his regime. For example, he announced that trees, animals, including fish, should be protected. But there was huge consumption of meat by his citizens. He recorded that even in his royal kitchen three animals, including the peacock and deer, were killed for daily consumption.”

 

She said Ashoka donated rock cut caves, namely the Barabar caves, in Gaya, Bihar, to the Ajivikas, who were considered contemporaries of Gautama Buddha. “He developed cities and improved trade. He laid guidelines for public and personal conduct. He had set an example for noble methods of governance which would be followed in years to come,” she said.