Kalinga War

Quick Facts: Who was Kalinga War?

Subject:

Kalinga War

Known for:

The devastating 261 BCE conflict between the Mauryan Empire and Kalinga.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Kalinga War (ended c. 261 BCE) was fought in ancient India between the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka the Great and Kalinga, an independent feudal kingdom located on the east coast, in the present-day state of Odisha and northern parts of Andhra Pradesh. It is presumed that the battle was fought on Dhauli hills in Dhauli which is situated on the banks of Daya River. The Kalinga War was one of the largest and deadliest battles in Indian history.

Career & Major Achievements

This is the only major war Ashoka fought after his accession to the throne, and marked the close of the empire-building and military conquests of ancient India that began with the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. The war cost nearly 250,000 lives. According to political scientist Sudama Misra, the Kalinga janapada originally comprised the area covered by the Puri and Ganjam districts.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The reasons for invading Kalinga were to bring peace and for power. Kalinga was a prosperous region consisting of peaceful and artistically skilled people. The northern part of Kalinga was known as the Utkala (Uttar: North, Kal: Kalinga), they were the first from the region to use a navy and traveled offshore to Southeast Asia for trade.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kalinga War

True or False: “The Kalinga War resulted in Ashoka adopting the policy of non-violence (Dharma), which is historically accurate.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The immense bloodshed witnessed during the Kalinga War caused Ashoka to renounce military conquest and embrace the ethical principles of Dharma.

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