Comment on Indhistory Web site

On the link Asoka, the Indhistory web site titled IH has given some details on Asoka.


According to the content of the site, Asoka ascended the throne in 273 B. C. It is a wrong statement. There is no definite proof about the date of his accession. However, on the basis of a clue on the thirteenth rock edict, it is learned that he undertook the accession in the ninth year. On the basis of the references in Divyavadana, a Buddhist text, we can ascertain that the war took place in 261 B. C. It is again referred there that he acquired the throne with the help of Radhagupta. Radhagupta was the chief minister of Bindusara who had appointed his eldest son Susima as the next emperor on the throne of Mauryan Empire.


The second statement which is against the established sources, it is claimed that he was the most trusted son of Bindusara. It is also not true. The fact was that as an administrator under his father kingship, he proved more successful in Ujjain and Taxila. Both these province capitals were first held by Susima.


Similarly, it is on record on the 13th Pillar inscription that he had made 150000 people as slave. But it is written there that they were injured.


Similarly, it has been claimed that he became total vegetarian. However, it is not conclusion derived at by most of the established historians.


In the same manner, it is claimed that he adopted Buddhism just after the Kalinga war. He had taken nearly two and half year to decide to adopt Buddhism. Such a fact is available in his own inscription on Bhabru Cave inscription. Most of historians have concluded that it was a child monk Nigrodha who motivated him to Buddhism. However, it was Moggasli Putta Tissa, under whom, he worked for promoting Buddhist religion. According to Buddhism sources it was Upagupta who initiated him into Buddhism. However, Asoka had inscribed about his faith on Bhabru Cave inscription but he had no where mentioned his preceptor.


The use of word Dharma as promoted by Asoka is also not in the right spirit. He had got inscribed many Pillar inscriptions (Eight in main), in which he had not mentioned anything about Buddhism.

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The above criticism is done in good faith only. I have personal nothing against the site owner. It is only that being a history student and teacher, I am stating which I have learned and continue to learn from my regular study which my dharma.
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UGC student may derive useful information on the accession and adoption of Buddhism of Asoka.

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Category: Review of a Web site on Indian History.