Asoka DBQ

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Pages: 1

History knows the leader of the Mauryan Empire, Asoka, as an enlightened leader, but he’s also remembered as a ruthless person. Which side should history really believe? Ruthless. Yes, Asoka may have done kind and compassionate deeds, but that doesn’t cover up that fact that he is ruthless. In the next few paragraphs, evidence will be stated to prove this standpoint. Taking a look at Document A, ‘The Battle of Kalinga’, right off the bat, it states how Kalingans were either killed in battle, died of disease/hunger, or were driven out of the country after battle. This shows how ruthless he could be by killing so many people, trying to conquer them. Obviously he didn’t care about anyone around him, since about 200,000 Kalingans died. Kalinga