Ashoka

Ashoka, also known as Asoka or Aśoka ( ; , ; – 232 BCE), most commonly known as Ashoka the Great, was Emperor of Magadha from until his death, and the third ruler from the Mauryan dynasty. His empire covered a large part of the Indian subcontinent, stretching from present-day Afghanistan in the west to present-day Bangladesh in the east, with its capital at Pataliputra. A patron of Buddhism, he is credited with an important role in the spread of Buddhism across ancient Asia.

war fought by Ashoka

thumb|300px|Asoka|Aśoka and Moggaliputtatissa at the Third Council, at the Nava Jetavana, Shravasti

ancient Indo-Aryan dialect continuum