ancient India · Maurya

Kalinga War

Ashoka conquered Kalinga after a destructive campaign. His own inscriptions connect the suffering caused by the conquest with his remorse and later emphasis on dhamma.

UPSC relevance

Very high relevance for Ashoka, Major Rock Edict XIII, dhamma, and the use of inscriptions as historical evidence.

The visual decisiveness bar on the explorer is an editorial study aid, not a troop-strength or casualty estimate.