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Im gay

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Honestly I was on the verge on saying he was a ruthless conquerer but knowing Asokas’s upbringing I ultimately believe he is an enlightened ruler. In the last document it shows how it was tradition to start wars for Asoka father and grandfather, you have to understand that Asoka was sheltered all his life and was only just introduced to reality. In document 2, it fully displays Asoka’s strategic way of thinking and how the conquest of Kalinga would establish the Mauryan empire. Kalinga was an ‘opposing power’ so Asoka believed that in order to stop other empires from attacking his empire he had to stop the empire with the most power to do so. The maritime also was a beneficial source of income for the Mauryan empire. However despite all these benefits witnessing the damage that occurred made him switch to an alternative way of ruling. It’s so much more different saying we should conquer so and do to expand territory than actually seeing it happen. In document 3,  in rock edict XVI it says, “And whatever may be my great deeds, I have done them in order to discharge my debt to all beings”. This shows Asoka’s remorse over the Kalinga conquest and how he is trying to make up for it by incorporating Buddhism into the Mauryan empire. This is why I believe Asoka is an enlightened ruler. -Sheba Panicker

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Asoka facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Asoka

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I think Asoka was both. Ruthless Conqueror - According to Document A Asoka killed about 200,000 people and drove out 150,000 people out of the country. Asoka did the wrong thing 🤬 and make others homeless. It also affected their families. That would be a total of about another 200,000 people affected by what he did. He made so many lives harder. It affected almost everyone. Enlightened Ruler - According do Document C it states that Asoka felt bad for what he did and he seeked a Bhuddist. Then he became nice.

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I think Asoka is an enlightened ruler because in doc c it says that after Kalinga was conquered he felt great remorse and he goes to find a guru. When he finds one he found a feeling of rejection to the path of violence. After that, he gave away his wealth to the poor also

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I think Both                        Meha- adding more to Ruthless conqueror

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I think Both                        Meha- adding more to Ruthless conqueror

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I think he is both
So I think that it is unfair that he was just forgiven. I get that you think that yeah it's ok, just 200,000 people died, but what if you were one of those people? He, himself, said that "only if he can be forgiven". I don't think, after what he did, that he can be forgiven! He made people homeless, he destroyed families, and he killed so many people! After the war, he destroyed a lot of land, so food was scarce.  Without hygiene, which needed money, diseases spread and ANOTHER 100,000 people died (Doc A). I also think that it's unfair that he just killed 200,000 people and then he can decide that he wants to be enlightened and everything will be okay.
Starting to be Both, but adding to ^ I mean, he became a really good guy, like he gave his riches to the poor, and he wanted to be friends with the forest people. But there are bad things to that too! He wanted the forest people to be his friend (aka you have to be my friend) but you HAVE to obey me, or you will be killed (you are my slaves and you have no choice). I think that he did a slightly good thing by conquering Kalinga for it''s war strategies so he could conquer the rest of that area. If he didn't conquer that whole area, it would still be Kalinga and some other areas, and there wouldn't be the India we have today.

Also, some people thought that he was actually a good leader! According to Doc F, Nehru was ore powerful than any other King or emperor. I can see this, because he actually turned around and became a good guy, which wasn't common there and at that time. He was pretty amazing for this.
He was committed to his laws. He made his laws good and fair, and he spread his edicts out all over what is now India. Because he did this, many travelers followed his laws. If they didn't know these laws,  they could go to jail and ruin their life.

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The places Asoka ruled.

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He just killed people for some random thing! He just killed them if they did not listen to him. But then  after
killing so many people suddenly he felt sorry and tried to make it up

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he is nice but mean here is a pic for you

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Every emperor had nice in them but they didn't show it right? and they also didn't realized their mistakes but Asoka realized his mistakes and he felt bad so he seeked a Bhuddist and he gave his wealth to the poor.

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I think he was a enlightened ruler since in the olden day they were brought up to do that. The fact he realized his mistake and turned around was amazing. He helped people so much that they named the wheel in their flag the Asoka Chakra. Many rulers did not even help their people when their family was torn apart.

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I agree with Tajes
It was very nice of him to give wealth to the poor

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Asoka's Chakra has 24 strokes represents a symbol of unity

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I read that Asoka made people forgive him, at least a little bit.

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I think Asoka is a ruthless ruler.
Because killed a lot of people then he was like OH! I am so sorry I want friends. I hope they forgive me. OH! I know they will forgive me because "One who does wrong should be forgiven as far as it is possible to forgive."Then he went to the "forest people" and asks do you want to be friends as long as long as they do what he wants or says.

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I agree with what Dr. Tisinger said because we have laws like no alcohol at a young age so we are not really a free country.

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- Even though he killed 200,000 people, I think he should be forgiven because I think that he

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I AGREE WITH SAMPRI

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I think Asoka was both. First he was just going around killing people and and was a ruthless conqueror. He had killed 200,000 people. But then after the war he started to realize his mistake. He wanted to improve his mistakes. So then he he started giving the poor lots of his riches. He was also ready to be friends with the forest tribe. But the twist to that is that he said that if they would not follow Asoka then they would be killed. So this is why I think that he was a ruthless conqueror and then he was a enlightened ruler.

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I agree with you Raahi because Asoka was a enlighten ruler because  once conquering Kalinga, Asoka sought to find a Guru, seeking enlightenment because he felt bad.

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I think Asoka was an enlightened ruler because he was probably one of the nicest rulers you can find. All the other rulers at that time were most likely very cruel and wouldn't care about the people who he killed. Now you would probably think that this ruler I was talking about is a ruthless conqueror for sure! Although Asoka didn't start a war for no reason, he started a war for a reason. When he took over Kalinga he was probably one of the only rulers who cared about the people he killed. Therefore I think he was an enlightened ruler.

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I think Asoka was an enlightened ruler because he was probably one of the nicest rulers you can find. All the other rulers at that time were most likely very cruel and wouldn't care about the people who he killed. Now you would probably think that this ruler I was talking about is a ruthless conqueror for sure! Although Asoka didn't start a war for no reason, he started a war for a reason. When he took over Kalinga he was probably one of the only rulers who cared about the people he killed. Therefore I think he was an enlightened ruler.

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ruthless conqueror because the people who died leave their family behind and it was harder for them. the grief the families felt must have been huge.

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I think that, like what everyone said, we wouldn't be learning about Asoka nor would their be an Asoka chakra if he didn't change sides

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In Document C, the answer for number 5, it says that Asoka could have continued attacking, but he chose to improve peoples lives.
He was a ruthless conqueror because, in Document A, he killed so many people and what would their family members think about Asoka?

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I think also that he is an enlightened ruler because in Document C  he seeked a guru because I think he felt bad for his actions.

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Acording to Doc E. Rock Edict XIII he says that he is the  "Beloved of the Gods." Meaning that he wants power, wealth, land, and resources

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He is an enlightened ruler.  Why else would India name the Chakra after him?

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I think Asoka is a Enlightened Ruler, after his conquest of Kalinga. Asoka gave away his riches. In this time period the world was ruled by emperors who continually tried to conquer other areas. unlike Asoka who after conquering Kalinga he felt that he needed to fix what he had did.

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I think he was both. let me explain!

Prior to the ruling of Emperor Ashoka, kings, emperors, and rulers were rarely thought to be representations of God. Ashoka was the ruler of the Mauryan Empire which stood in India from 273 BCE to 232 BCE. The Mauryan Empire included most of India's grounds as well as what is now known today as Bangladesh and Pakistan. Once conquering Kalinga, Asoka sought to find a Guru, seeking enlightenment. After sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, Asoka became a more fulfilling leader. Throughout Asoka's life, he had proven himself to be an enlightened ruler by seeking Buddha, creating the Asokan edicts, and acting out on his best interests for his people.

Asoka quickly became converted to Buddhism.

Asoka made each of the edicts focus on different aspects most important to the people of India, or what should have been most important in Asoka's opinion. The edicts explained his political aspirations for his empire, urging others to follow his enlightening example. The map in document D shows that the edicts were scattered throughout India, appearing on dozens of pillars, walls, and/or boulders throughout India, Nepal, and Pakistan (document D). Asoka's purpose was to constantly have the laws announced or presented to the people. Document D easily proves that Asoka takes the level of the commitment to his laws extremely seriously and wants what is best for the people because the laws included edicts concerned with health and the environment, faiths and honors, and promoted welfare, etc. Asoka's edicts expressed his vows to care for his people.

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You get back what you put into the world.

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Jonathan-He was a ruthless conqueror he can't be forgiven for what he did    

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Jonathan-He was a ruthless conqueror he can't be forgiven for what he did    

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If he was so bad then why would they name their flag after him???

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Inn Doc. E he wants to be "Friends" with the forest people but he warns that if they don't listen they will be killed. He is obviously power hungry.

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enlightened ruler because all the other rulers were killing and conquering so he did the same. the difference is he he felt remorse. he even started trying to help the people. he made laws and spread them around India. he was working hard on improving the lives of his people.

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He is a RUTHLESS conqueror.

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I think that it is both because he hurt the people but he felt bad and tried to fix it. I will explain now:
According to Doc. A, 200,000 people died, not only from the war but also from the hunger and disease. He killed so many people that he should not be forgiven. He wanted to be friends with different tribes but only if they did everything he said, otherwise he would have killed them. He wanted to be forgiven because he thought that giving up his riches would show everyone that he was sorry and that everyone should forgive
According to Doc. C, he sat under the same Bodhi tree that the great Buddha sat under and Asoka got enlightenment. He felt remorseful of what he did so he tried to fix it. He even gave up his riches to the poor.

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Sampriti...I agree in a way but I also disagree
Agree- I agree that most kings would definitely not do that. They would just be like oh whatever they are already torn apart there is nothing I can do about it, but this Asoka he was like omg I am so so so sorry I did this is there any way I can fix this? And I agree with you when you said about the flag being named after him.
Disagree- I also think he was a ruthless king because he should have repeated in his mind that think before you do think before you do think before you do think before you do before he did anything. But instead of doing that he just plain killed everybody! He did not even feel bad about till a year or so. And he just killed people if they did not do what they say

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Asoka conquered Kalinga because he wanted better war strategy and to better his economy, but he shouldn't have invaded Kalinga. He probably felt that it was his only choice, but then he turned around

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He is also both because he said in Document E that he would be friends if they worked for him

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Ruthless Conqueror- According to Doc. A, 200,000 people died, not only from the war but also from the hunger and disease. He killed so many people that he should not be forgiven. 

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Doc. A, 200,000 people died, not only from the war but also from the

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Anyone who truly believes he has done wrong deserves to be forgiven. He was enlightened after he had admit he had done wrong.

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I think Asoka was an enlightened ruler because he was probably one of the nicest rulers you can find. All the other rulers at that time were most likely very cruel and wouldn't care about the people who he killed. Now you would probably think that this ruler I was talking about is a ruthless conqueror for sure! Although Asoka didn't start a war for no reason, he started a war for a reason. When he took over Kalinga he was probably one of the only rulers who cared about the people he killed. Therefore I think he was an enlightened ruler.

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I also think he was a ruthless conquerer because you cant just go around killing people without reason. He was greedy and wanted everything, so he got Kalinga. Then he wanted to be friends with the forest tribes because he wanted the forest as well. After that, he threatened to 🤬 anybody who didn't follow his rules. First he killed the people because he was raised to do it. But hitting people and killing them are 2 totally different things. I also think you shouldn't  have trusted him even after he was enlightened by Buddha

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Any

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I think he was Enlightened
because he since he conqueror
Kalinga. They got a water source that they could use for trade and navel purpose (Doc B).  He feel very sorry and he want to be friends with the people(Doc E).
*It may show greediness but compared to other rulers he was nice. On top of that he realized about he mistake.

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Asoka obviously cares about his country  because he established the Rock Edict and the Pillar Edict in Doc. D, this means that he cares about it. BUT he killed these people for the power of this area SO this also makes him a ruthless conqueror.

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According to document A ,he uselessly killed many people and said he should be forgiven. Well why should be forgiven he just killed everything they know. Everything is gone. All your family is dead. He also said if you don't do what I say you will be killed. In WWII Hitler was torturing people and we call him a bad person.  Killing a family member is even more torture than Hitler ever did.  So why is he enlightened and not a bad person/Ruthless Conqueror? Then the  men's work falls  on everybody else.  Then he calls himself the beloved of the Gods which is an arrogant name to call yourself. He is making everybody fear him.  That is what a ruthless conqueror. They call him the Great because they feared him. He would kill them if he did not do what he said that is wrong.

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I think he is an enlightened ruler because he saw his mistakes (killing thousands of people) but if he conquered Kalinga, he would have all of India. He even did good after he killed! wars and bad rulers were normal. He had north India. If he conquered Kalinga he would get south trading routes. that gives Maurya a lot of power. Its obvious that he cares about his country. When they went to Kalinga, he was prepared. he had tons of food for soldiers and elephants. If he hadn't conquered Kalinga, India would be the same as it is now. They wouldn't make money to make google. Kalinga could have some great minds and maybe people who made the concept of zero were from Kalinga. India wouldn't be as successful as it is now. The flag was named after him and he was the first Prime Minister (President) of India. Nothing's new. His conquering was normal.

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I believe Asoka was a ruthless conqueror because he killed hundreds of thousands of people just for power and economics. In Doc. A it states that he killed/deported 350,000 people just to take over Kalinga. He wanted Kalinga just because he wanted important trade routes for money. If he really was an enlightened ruler than he would have set up a truce with Kalinga for the Mauryan Empire to get to the trade routes. Then later he asked for them to forgive him, but if you think about it, would you forgive him if he killed your family and friends? If that happened to me I would never forgive him, no matter what he promised me. He may have changed after the battle of Kalinga, but the damage was already done. He tried to befriend some tribes but threatened to kill them if they didn't do what he said, and yes this was after he "changed." This is my argument and this is why I believe he was a Ruthless Conqueror.

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I think  he is an enlightened ruler in doc B it says that the conquest of Kalinga was of importance both to the strategy and economy  of the Mauryan empire. So he did that to help the strategy and the economy.

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Asoka was both, Ruthless Conquerer and an Enlightened Ruler because, according to Document A, 200,000 people died, just because he wanted wealth, power, and land, and he destroyed Kalinga by tightening or cutting off their food supply, causing half of the 200,000 deaths, and the lack of food caused disease to run rampant. He is both because you can't be enlightened, just because you realize your mistake. He also spread Buddism to according to Document E, to Syria, Greece, Egypt, and Sri Lanka. Also, when he tried to befriend the forest tribes, according to Document E, he said he has power in his remorse, and they have to repent, or else they will have to listen to him, or else they will be killed. Asoka also made major, and minor rock and pillar edicts, and he spread them across his land so that no one would miss out. According to the document “ Asoka: Ruthless Conquerer or Enlightened Ruler” they say that the chakra on the India flag is called The Chakra of Asoka, and he was called the founding after of India. To sum it all up, in my opinion, he was both.

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wars and bad rulers were common. he spread buddhism and he made maurya control all of india. He saw his mistake.

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He was not only an enlightened ruler because he still killed about 200,000 people! I think it's good that he realized his mistakes and gave importance to the other people and helped everyone who got injured after he killed everyone.

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I believe he was both. If somebody would tell me that he was a ruthless conquerer, I would both disagree and agree.
Ruthless Conquerer- According to Document E, it says that the people must do whatever he says or else they would be killed.
Enlighted Ruler- After he conquered all the people, he felt really guilty about his actions and he tried to make himself up. Most emperors wouldn't even try to make a good move.

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I think he is both because he started out as a ruthless conquerer , by getting Kalinga. But he found enlightenment after sitting under the Bodhi tree

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Asoka was a ruthless conquer because he waged war on Kalinga and killed or wounded many people but he changed his ways to be nice and he was the best you could get back then. He realized what he had been wrong and changed his ways. But the families of the people who died would still be really angry. But he gave away some riches. He can't get forgiven by some people. But he had reason because he wanted the trade routes. He tried to be friends with the forest people. But in Doc E he said he threatened them if they weren't doing what he wanted, he would kill them. Basically If you don't obey me YOU SHALL DIE. Plus my parents are really nice(I don't know about you but...) so if the got killed I would get and blow up(not literally).

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Now days if you think about war, war isn't about just about wealth, power, and land. It could also be freedom. Like WWI started by the assination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the nephew of the Austrian Emperpor. Now he was killed by an Siberia man and soon Austria declared war on Siberia. Then quickly Russia and France mobilised their armies and because Germany is allied with Austria Germany attacked with Austria. This is caused by one death and one cause: Revenge. Asoka as example saw a weakness in the Kalingas region and he attacked because he wanted power, wealth, and land. This makes him a ruthless conqueror.

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Enlightened ruler
Personally I think he is both but this is why I think he is an enlightened ruler.
Well first of all he got the flag named after him and that is a big deal. Like really, why would they name the wheel of the flag after him because they hated him so much? would that make any sense to you? Well, it does not to me. And he also did not force people to forgive him he just said please forgive me as much as you can so that means that he is only asking him to forgive him a little or how much you can.

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I think both because he found enlightenment only AFTER he killed like 200,000 people. Also how do we comment on other people's things? Wait so Ray if it was normal like you said to kill a bunch of people then why do you think that he is "obviously and ruthless conqueror"

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Asoka is a obviously a ruthless conqueror because according to Doc. A. He killed 100,000 people in battle and another 100,000 died from disease and hunger. BUT other kings/emperors did this so it was normal at that time. Making this common in war times.