Kalinga War facts for kids

The Kalinga War was a war fought between the Mauryan Empire and the state of Kalinga. Kalinga was an important kingdom because it controlled the trade routes with Southeast Asia. Because of this, Ashoka, the Mauryan king, wanted to capture it. Therefore he lead his huge army to Kalinga in 262 BC.

According to Megasthenes, the Greek historian at the court of Chandragupta Maurya, the ruler of Kalinga had a powerful army comprising infantry, cavalry and elephants.

Although he won the war, Ashoka realized the futility of war. He saw the bloodshed and suffering of the soldiers' families. He vowed never to fight again. He converted to Buddhism and he dedicated his later life to help his subjects. He left the conquest after winning a war. He wrote inscriptions for wanting that his son and grandson also never to think about war. He decided to observe Dhamma (a common code of conduct). He was also inspired by the teachings of Buddha. He sent many Buddhist scholars to distant lands in order to propogate Dhamma.

Images for kids

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  A view of the banks of the Daya River, the supposed battlefield of Kalinga from atop Dhauli hills, Bhubaneswar, Odisha State

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  Shanti Stupa, Dhauli hill is presumed to be the area where the Kalinga War was fought.

See also

In Spanish: Guerra de Kalinga para niños