LESSON 6.7 Who was Ashoka the Great?
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to: • describe the achievements of a signiýcant historical ýgure • explain the impact this individual’s leadership had on Indian culture.
Tune in What makes a great leader?
SOURCE1 An artist’s impression of Ashoka theGreat
Ashoka ‘the Great’, Alexander ‘the Great’, Catherine ‘the Great’ — throughout history, approximately 105 monarchs have used this imposing title. But what actually makes a ‘great’ leader? 1. List all the different leaders you have had in your life. Consider leaders in all aspects of your life including family, school and any extracurricular activities in which you participate. 2. What characteristics do you believe make someone a great leader? 3. What leadership characteristics do you think you have?
6.7.1 The greatest ruler in world history? Ashoka, known as ‘Ashoka the Great’, was a warrior king who expanded the Mauryan Empire, including the brutal Kalinga campaign. After his father’s death, Ashoka vied with his brothers for the throne — a struggle that Ashoka eventually won. Legend claims that Ashoka may have even killed his brothers during this conþict. Over the next eight years, Ashoka conducted wars of conquest that extended the Mauryan Empire to its furthest limits. His ýnal military campaign was in Kalinga, a kingdom on the north-east coast of India. During this bitter campaign, tens of thousands were slaughtered and the cities of Kalinga sacked after witnessing the suffering from this battle, Ashoka renounced violence and embraced Buddhism. Ashoka dedicated himself to spreading the message of peace through missionaries. The edicts of Ashoka We know a lot about Ashoka’s rule from edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks across his empire. These edicts show that Ashoka cared for people and animals. He provided medical care, planted shade and fruit trees and banned sacriýces and hunting, even though he liked hunting when he was younger. He also stopped burning forests for farming to protect the animals living there and promoted a vegetarian diet to show respect for all living things.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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