Cause and results of Kaling war
Answers
Answer:
Causes of the Kalinga War
Historians have different views about the causes of the Kalinga War. The definite causes behind the deadliest battle in Indian history, have been elucidated below-
King Ashoka wanted to embark upon the path of his father, Bindusara, and grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya. During the reign of the Nandas, Kalinga was a province of the Magadha Empire.
Kalinga became an independent state after the Nandas were defeated by Chandragupta Maurya. While Chandragupta Maurya and Bindusara attempted to re-conquer it, they were unsuccessful. It was Ashoka who led the charge to reclaim the throne.
Since the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, Kalinga was renowned for its military power, trade relations with regions such as Malay, Ceylon, and Java. Kalinga was a prosperous and wealthy region as well. These reasons propelled Ashoka to conquer Kalinga and expand his kingdom.
In the 12th year of Ashoka’s reign, he sent a message to the ruler of Kalinga, requesting that his empire be submitted to the Mauryas. However, Kalinga’s ruler refused to submit to the Mauryan Empire. In 261 BC, a deadly war was waged between Ashoka and the state of Kalinga.
Also Read: Battle of Haldighati
Result of the Battle
The result of the battle was clear, Ashoka emerged triumphant and conquered Kalinga. But there was a twist in the story afterwards-
The Kalinga War resulted in massive loss of life and property. 1,00,000 soldiers were killed in the battle and 1,50,000 soldiers from Kalinga were captured by King Asoka, who later succumbed to death.
Ashoka successfully conquered Kalinga. It became the fifth province of the Magadha empire along with Prachaya, Avanti, Uttarapatha, and Dakshinapatha.
However, it was an empty and shallow victory, because of the massive loss of life and property.
The Kalinga War was the only battle in the world, where the conqueror gave up his sword and forbade his kingdom. Ashoka decided to embrace Buddhism and embarked upon a mission to spread Buddhism in India and neighboring countries.
He played a pivotal role in the spread of Buddhism from the Himalayas to Ceylon and from Greece to Burma.
Also Read: List of Anglo Mysore Wars [1767 -1799]
Significance of the Battle in Indian History
Even after emerging triumphant, Ashoka the Great was dissatisfied and dejected. He was filled with grief and gloom as he witnessed Kalinga’s deteriorating condition, replete with blood, agony and tears all over him. Kalinga suffered an irreparable loss. Ashoka was drenched in self-centeredness and greed for power which had blinded him. But after witnessing the agony, deaths and bloodshed on the battleground, his cold heart melted and he amended his path for good.
Post the battle, Ashoka became a follower of Buddhism. He promised that he would never walk upon the path of violence. He ended the military expansion of the empire. The Kalinga war became his first and last war.
The empire adopted a new policy of peace and non-violence. Except for the extreme southern part of the Indian subcontinent, Ashoka controlled the entire Indian subcontinent after the Kalinga war.
His Dhamma laws were carved into rocks and stone pillars. Missionaries were sent to other countries to preach Buddhism and Dhamma so that more people could adapt to a non-violent way of life.
During the region of nandas kalinga was a province of the Magadha empire. Kalinga become an independent state after the Nandas were defeated by chandragupta Maurya . In 261 BC a deadly war was waged between ashoka and the state of kalinga . The vast military strength, wealth and power of kalinga were the main causes of jealousy for the Magadha empire and so , Ashoka wanted to reestablish the magadh power in this state in the 12th year of ashoka region he sent a message to the ruler of kalinga to surrender his empire to the Mauryas