Ashoka's Buddhist Missions and Edicts (c.268–232 BCE)

1. Ashoka becomes Mauryan emperor

   Jan 1, 268 BCELabels: Ashoka, Mauryan Empire

   • Britannica
   • WHE

2. Kalinga War transforms imperial priorities

   Jan 1, 261 BCELabels: Kalinga War, Ashoka

   • Kalinga War
   • Britannica

3. Kandahar bilingual edict reaches Greek communities

   Jan 1, 260 BCELabels: Kandahar Edict, Hellenistic communities

   • Kandahar
   • Edicts

4. Minor Rock Edicts begin a public moral program

   Jan 1, 258 BCELabels: Minor Rock, Brahmi script

   • Minor Edicts
   • Edicts

5. Barabar cave dedications show multi-sect patronage

   Jan 1, 258 BCELabels: Barabar Caves, Ajivikas

   • Barabar
   • Edicts

6. Major Rock Edicts broadcast dhamma across frontiers

   Jan 1, 256 BCELabels: Major Rock, Dhamma

   • Major Rock
   • Edicts

7. Dhamma officers extend policy into everyday administration

   Jan 1, 255 BCELabels: Dhamma-mahamattas, Major Rock

   • Dhamma
   • Edicts

8. Rock Edict 13 claims outreach to Hellenistic kings

   Jan 1, 255 BCELabels: Rock Edict, Hellenistic kings

   • Edicts
   • Major Rock

9. Mission to Sri Lanka becomes a lasting turning point

   Jan 1, 251 BCELabels: Mahinda mission, Sri Lanka

   • Britannica
   • Sri Lanka

10. Third Buddhist Council tradition links reform and missions

    Jan 1, 250 BCELabels: Third Buddhist, Pataliputra

    • EBSCO
    • Ashoka

11. Lumbini pillar edict marks sacred geography and tax policy

    Jan 1, 249 BCELabels: Lumbini Pillar, Buddha birthplace

    • Rummindei
    • Edicts

12. Nigali Sagar pillar links stupas to royal sponsorship

    Jan 1, 249 BCELabels: Nigali Sagar, stupa

    • Nigali
    • Edicts

13. Major Pillar Edicts summarize governance late in reign

    Jan 1, 237 BCELabels: Major Pillar, Ashoka

    • Pillar Edicts
    • Edicts

14. Ashoka’s death leaves an enduring inscriptional legacy

    Jan 1, 232 BCELabels: Ashoka, Inscriptional legacy

    • Britannica
    • WHE