The Kalinga war is described in which Rock Edict of Ashoka?
- ARock Edict XIII
- BRock Edict XI
- CRock Edict IX
- DRock Edict XII
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (a) Rock Edict XIII
Explanation
Rock Edict XIII describes the Kalinga war (about 261 BCE), fought eight years after Ashoka's coronation. It says that 150,000 people were carried away, 100,000 were killed and many times that number died, and it expresses Ashoka's remorse. After the war Ashoka gave up conquest by war (bherighosha) for conquest by dhamma (dhammaghosha).
Some other rock edicts:
- Rock Edict I: bans animal sacrifice;
- Rock Edict XII: asks for tolerance among all sects;
- Rock Edict XIV: explains the purpose of the edicts.