Asoka's Missionaries set up an Edict Pillar at Lauriya Nandangarh, BC 244 (litho)

Asoka's Missionaries set up an Edict Pillar at Lauriya Nandangarh, BC 244. The most important of the Mauryans and one of three outstanding emperors in Indian history was Asoka (BC 273-232), grandson of Chandragupta. The horrors of the Kalinga war, waged early in his reign, made him turn to the peaceful doctrines of Buddha, and by 259 he had become an emperor-monk. Before his death he had been the greatest personal distributor of missionaries ever known, and is one of the few men who have controlled the faith of a large portion of mankind. Part of his method was to set up edict pillars along highways of communication inscribed with his religious and administrative views. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.