Year 261 BCE
Fought Between
Ashoka (Mauryan Empire) V/S
Place
Near the Daya River, close to present-day Dhauli (Odisha)
Who Won
Ashoka (Mauryan Empire)
Kalinga was defeated and annexed into the Mauryan Empire.
Background
The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
Ashoka became emperor after a struggle for succession.
By 261 BCE, most of India was under Mauryan control.
Kalinga remained independent and powerful.
Kalinga was economically prosperous and controlled coastal trade routes.
It had strong military and naval power.
Causes of the War
Political Cause – Ashoka wanted complete control over the Indian subcontinent.
Strategic Cause – Kalinga controlled important trade routes to South India and Southeast Asia.
Economic Cause – Kalinga was rich and commercially active.
Imperial Policy – Mauryan rulers followed expansionist policy.
Kalinga’s independence was seen as a threat to Mauryan authority.
Course of the War
The war was extremely fierce and bloody.
It was fought on land and near river areas.
Mauryan army was large and well-organized.
After heavy fighting, Kalinga was defeated.
Large-scale destruction took place.
Casualties (As per 13th Rock Edict)
Around 100,000 people were killed.
About 150,000 people were taken as prisoners.
Many more died due to injuries, famine, and disease.
Families were destroyed and villages burned.
This mass destruction deeply affected Ashoka.
Immediate Impact
Ashoka felt deep sorrow and regret.
He realized the cruelty and suffering caused by war.
He abandoned the policy of Digvijaya (military conquest).
He adopted the policy of Dhammavijaya (conquest by righteousness).
Adoption of Buddhism
After the war, Ashoka embraced Buddhism.
He followed the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
He promoted:
- Ahimsa (Non-violence)
- Tolerance
- Moral values
- Compassion