Written by one of the eminent historians this book brings out substantially the chief features of King Asoka's glorious rule. It represents Asoka as a great humanitarian, wise statesman, good administrator, social reformer and upholder of truth, law and order. Nowhere else can we get such an immense wealth of information on the social and cultural milieu in the reign of this monarch. The book is divided into eight chapters. Of these the first six deal with the early life and family of the Emperor, the details of his career as king, his administration, religion, monuments, and the social conditions of the country during this period. The last two chapters contain the text of the inscriptions, their translation and annotation. Chapters II and VII are followed by appendices on the Asokan chronology from the legends and Rock Edicts. Chapter VIII has an appendix on the Script, Dialect and Grammar of the inscriptions. The value of the book is enhanced by the insertion of an index and addenda on some valuable inscriptions and Rock Edicts, fifteen plates and a map of Asoka's Empire.

This first English translation of the Asokavadana text, the Sanskrit version of the legend of King Asoka, first written in the second century A.D. Emperor of India during the third century B.C. and one of the most important rulers in the history of Buddhism. Asoka has hitherto been studied in the West primarily from his edicts and rock inscriptions in many parts of the Indian subcontinent. Through an extensive critical essay and a fluid translation, John Strong examines the importance of the Asoka of the legends for our overall understanding of Buddhism. Professor Strong contrasts the text with the Pali traditions about Kind Asoka and discusses the Buddhist view of kingship, the relationship of the state and the Buddhist community, the king s role in relating his kingdom to the person of the Buddha, and the connection between merit making, cosmology, and Buddhist doctrine. An appendix provides summaries of other stories about Asoka.

Fans have long wondered what happened to Ahsoka after she left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, and before she re-appeared as the mysterious Rebel operative Fulcrum in Rebels. Finally, her story will begin to be told. Following her experiences with the Jedi and the devastation of Order 66, Ahsoka is unsure she can be part of a larger whole ever again. But her desire to fight the evils of the Empire and protect those who need it will lead her right to Bail Organa, and the Rebel Alliance....

Asoka the great, as he is popularly known, was the last emperor of the Maurya dynasty of India. He ruled the major subcontinents in India, extending the lineage of his grandfather Chandragupta Maurya from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east. Also known as the Buddhist emperor, he became the biggest preacher of the religion in the country. He embraced Buddhism after the bloody and brutal war of Kalinga. He is remembered for the pillars and edicts propagating tenets of Buddhism, to spread virtues of honesty, truthfulness, compassion toward all, and for establishing monuments marking several significant sites in the life of Gautama Buddha. Asoka: The Buddhist Emperor of India charts how this exemplary king made history, and explores the transformation of a tyrant and despot to a devotional monk following and spreading the tenets of non-violence and benevolence.

The book presents the English translation of the inscriptions of Asoka , one of the most sincere followers of the Buddha. The objective of the book is to carry the message of Asoka's edicts to the public . Although the translation closely follows the texts of the epigraphic records, it has been made simple so that it is easily intelligible to the general reader.

As far as the gaze could travel, there were piles and piles of corpses. The battle field was strewn with limbs and carcasses of men, horses and elephants. The stench was unbearable and overpowering. The Daya River had turned crimson red from the blood of fallen soldiers and beasts of war. In this silent and completely devastated landscape, Asoka was taken over by a deep sense of grief, guilt and sadness. “What have I done?” he cried, with hands outstretched towards the heavens, begging for mercy… John woke up with a start. Cold beads of sweat trickled down his face and a shiver ran up his spine. It was the same vivid dream. It was so real that he could hear the dying moans of fallen soldiers and smell the putrid stench of death. Come to me. The words rang in his ears. The sixteen year old boy was about to make the most momentous decision in his life. One, that would bring him face to face with his worst fears, and change his life forever…