Asoka was the third ruler of the Mauryan empire over 2,000 years ago, and did many things within his rule, both positive and negative, proving him to be a memorable leader of India and causing conflict between historians to this day. He was the first leader to unite all of India into one empire, and helped spread the religion of Buddhism as far as Egypt and Syria. Although Asoka also conquered the entire kingdom of Kalinga, killing many of them, the majority of historians believe he should be remembered for all the good acts he did.

Of the many things Asoka was, one was remorseful. After Asoka had conquered Kalinga, “he felt inside him, a great crisis, a stirring for meaning and remorse” as Document C suggests. Asoka’s Rock Edict XIII stated that the Beloved of the Gods (Asoka) believes that one that does …show more content…
Rock Edict II declared that wherever medicinal herbs did not grow, whether useful to man or beast, would be brought and planted there, and along the roads, wells would be dug and trees planted for the use of men and beast. This proved Asoka to be loyal to his citizens and always put his empire before himself. Document C also says that after finding enlightenment Asoka “consulted with local communities about proper governance, about good conduct,” meaning he put other communities first and taught them the right way to govern.

The final reason why Asoka’s means justified his ends, is that he was devoted to his goals. Asoka wanted to complete his empire for his people to better from it, as the area of Kalinga was a powerful maritime trade area. Asoka then was enlightened the Buddhist monk under the tree, and devoted himself to spreading Buddhism for others to find enlightenment.

In the end Asoka did both good and bad things during his rule, but because he helped so many other people I believe that although Asoka did kill so many people, he saved and/or improved the lives of so many