A History of India, Third Edition

THE GREAT ANCIENT EMPIRES

in Indian history the kings of these distant countries are mentioned by
name in the thirteenth rock edict: the king of the Greeks (Yona), Antiyoka
(as mentioned above), Tulamaya (Ptolomaios II, Philadelphos, 285–247
BC), Antekina (Antigonos Gonatas of Macedonia, 276–239 BC), Maka
(Magas of Cyrene, c. 300–250 BC), Alikasudala (probably Alexander of
Epirus, 272–255 BC). The independent states of southern India and Sri
Lanka were once again visited by ambassadors and also some of the tribes
in areas within the empire (e.g. the Andhras). The frequency of inscriptions
in the border regions of the northwestern and southern provinces is an
eloquent evidence of Ashoka’s missionary zeal.
This activity of imperial missions was unique in ancient history. Of
greater consequence than the establishment of direct contact with the
Hellenistic world was, however, the success of missions in the south and in
Sri Lanka. There Ashoka’s son Mahinda personally appeared in order to
teach right conduct. The northwest was also deeply affected by this
missionary zeal. From southern India, Buddhism later travelled to
Southeast Asia and from northwest India it penetrated Central Asia from
where it reached China via the silk road in the first century AD.
Ashoka did not neglect his duties as a ruler while pursuing his missionary
activities. In spite of his contrition after the conquest of Kalinga, he never
thought of relinquishing his hold over this country or of sending back the
people abducted from there. As an astute politician, he also did not express
his contrition in the rock edicts which he put up in Kalinga itself (Dhauli and
Jaugada). Instead of the text of the famous thirteenth rock edict we find in
the so-called ‘separate edicts’ in Kalinga the following words:

All men are my children. As on behalf of my own children, I desire

that they may be provided by me with complete welfare and

happiness in this world and in the other world, even so is my desire

on behalf of all men. It may occur to my unconquered borderers to

ask: ‘What does the king desire with reference to us?’ This alone is

my wish with reference to the borderers, that they may learn that the

king desires this, that they may not be afraid of me, but may have

confidence in me; that they may obtain only happiness from me, not

misery, that they may learn this, that the king will forgive them what

can be forgiven. (Ashoka orders his officers:) For you are able to

inspire those borderers with confidence and to secure their welfare

and happiness in this world and the other world.

Ashoka’s inscriptions also provide a great deal of important information
about the organisation of the empire which was divided into five parts.
The central part consisted of Magadha and some of the adjacent old
mahajanapadas. This part was under the direct administration of the
emperor and, though not much is said about its administration, we may