📂Table of Contents
Introduction
The Kalinga War of 261 B.C. is considered as the sheet anchor of Odishan history. With it begins the dated history of Orissa. The Mauryan influence over Kalinga not only added a new feather in the already crowned Magadhan imperialism, but it also brought about a radical change in the existing polity of the land. Though the Nandas had established their authority over Kalinga, they had probably altered the existing administrative set up of Kalinga. After Kalinga war, an elaborate system of administration was arranged by Ashoka for this newly conquered province.
Kalinga War
The Kalinga war was a milestone in the splendid career of Asoka. It took place in 261 B.C. eight years after the coronation of Asoka. A detailed account of this war is known from Rock Edict XIII found at Shahbazgarh in Pakistan. Kainga was under the suzerainty of Magadha till Dhana Nanda. Kalinga probably slipped away from the fold of Magadhan imperialism when Kautilya and Chandragupta Maurya revolted against the Nandas around 322-321 B.C. Chandragupta Maurya had never attempted to annex Kalinga during his life time. Bindusara had also not fought with the people of Kalinga. So, it was a historic necessity on the part of Asoka to conquer Kalinga.
Causes of the Kalinga war
The following factors were responsible for the outbreak of the Kalinga war in 261 B.C.
1.3.3.1. Powerful neighbour
The Magadhan Empire during Asoka had surrounded Kalinga in the north, west and south. Tile existence of Kalinga as a powerful neighbour on the border of Magadha was definitely a threat to the power and potentiality of the latter. Thus, Kalinga posed a menace to the grand Magadhan empire. Before Kalinga rose to that extent, Asoka wanted to defeat and capture it.
Imperialistic design of Ashoka
Asoka's invasion of Kalinga in 261 B.C. appears to have been actuated by his imperialistic designs. By the time of Asoka's accession the Magadhan Empire had spread over most parts of India. From the Himalayas in the north to Mysore in the sourth and from the Kabul valley in the north-west to Bengal in the east, the whole territory was under the sovereignty of Ashoka. An independent kingdom of Kalinga, not very far from the centre of gravity of the Magadhan empire, was intolerable for a warlike- king like Chandasoka or Black Asoka.
Economic prosperity of Kalinga
There certain economic factors which had created rivalry between Kalinga and Magadha. Kalinga monopolised the oversea trade in the Indian ocean and gained vast wealth. Her wealth also increased from inland trade. Through the Mauryas had foreign relation with the contemporary Hellenistic powers, they had not maintained commercial relation with them. It may also be pointed out that the Mauryas by that time had not built up a naval power and the Navadhyaksha (Superintendent of Shiping) mentioned by Kautilya in his Arthasastra was in charge of policing the rivers, lakes and seashores rather than building ships for maritime trades. So, the economic prosperity of Kalinga became an eye-sore for Magadha.
Commercial factor
In trade and commerce, Kalinga was a great competitor of Magadha. Important trade-routes from the Gangetic valley to the Deccan and further south passed through Kalinga facilitating her trade and commerce. Though, Magadha had foreign relation and huge internal resources, it suffered from a commercial crisis due to the lack of trade routes. The existence of flourishing Kalinga with her trade and commerce was adversely affecting the economy of the Mauryan empire.
Stealing of Asoka's jewels by the Nagas
According to the description of Lama Taranath, a Tibetan author, the Nagas stole away the jewels of Asoka. So, the emperor became angry and conquered their territory. These Nagas were identified with the seafaring people of Kalinga. In order to take revenge, Asoka invaded Kalinga.
Legend of Karuvaki
A strange story regarding the cause of Kalinga war prevails among the fisherman community of the eastern coast of Odisha. According to this, Asoka invaded Kalinga being infatuated by the beauty of Karuvaki, the daughter of a fisherman and the fiancee of the crown prince of Kalinga. Though this fact appears absurd, but it cannot be rejected outright because from the Queen's Edict, it is known that Asoka had a queen named Karuvaki who was the mother of Tivara, a son of Ashoka.
Religious factor
Religion was another potential factor for Asoka's invasion of Kalinga. Before Kalinga War, Asoka was a devout Saiva. Though, it is difficult to ascertain what was the prevalent form of religion in Kalinga, with tolerable degree of certainty, it can be stated that Buddhism and not Brahminism (Saivism) was prevailing in Kalinga. Asoka might have decided to wage a holy war against Kalinga to teach the Buddhists a lesson.
The nature of the Kalinga War
The much anticipated Kalinga War took place in 261 B.C. which is known from Meghasthenes account that Magadhan army during Chandragupta Maurya, consisted of 6,00,000 men. Definitely, it would have increased during Asoka. So, with that grand army Asoka invaded Kalinga from north, west and south. However, the Kalingans resisted the attack vehemently. The war took place on the bank of the river Daya near Dhauli. The Rock Edict XIII mentions the horror of the Kalinga war.
Results of the Kalinga War
The Kalinga war had far reaching results which made lasting impact on mankind.
Loss of man and material
There was huge loss of man and material in the Kalinga war. In this war 150,000 soldiers from the side of Kalinga were taken as prisoners by Asoka and 100,000 were slain and many others got died out of injuries and epidemic after the war. The war brought miseries not only to those who took to arms but also to a large number of civil population.
Annexation of Kalinga
With the victory of Asoka in the Kalinga war, Kalinga was annexed to Magadhan empire and it constituted its fifth province. The other four provinces of the empire were Prachya, Uttarapatha, Avanti and Dakshinapatha having their capitals at Magadha, Takshasila, Ujjaini and Suvarnagiri respectively. Tosali was the capital of Kalinga and the centre of political activities. Two separate Kalinga edicts of Asoka found at Dhauli and Jaugarh enumerate the pattern of Mauryan administration.
Change from Chandasoka to Dharmasoka
The horror of the Kalinga war changed the mind of Asoka. In Rock Edict XIII, Asoka expresses remorse. This war brought about a great transformation in the heart of Asoka. He was changed from Chandasoka to Dharmasoka with a vow to conquer mankind by conquering the heart of the people and not-to win over them by war.
Acceptance of Buddhism after Kalinga war
The Kalinga War drew Asoka close towards Buddhism. After Kalinga War, he was converted to Buddhism by Upagupta, a Buddhist monk or Nigrodha, the seven year old son of Asoka's elder brother Sumana or Mogaliputtatissa, the president of the Third Buddhist Council.
Spread of Buddhism in India and outside countries
Buddhism suddenly became an all-India religion within a decade of his conversion. He sent Mahendra and Sanghamitra, his son and daughter respectively to Ceylon, Sona and Uttara to Suvarnabhumi (Burma) and further maintained friendly relation with Kings of Greece, Syria, Egypt, Macedonia and Cryne by sending missions of peace.
Paternal attitude towards his subjects
Asoka adopted a paternalistic attitude towards his subjects after the Kalinga War. In separate Kalinga Edicts, Asoka expresses- "All men are my children..." This attitude made him a completely benevolent ruler.
Growth of art, architecture and literature
The war led to the growth of art and architecture unprecedented in the land. Engravement in the edicts, erection of stupas etc. made the Mauryan art unique. The Pali language which Asoka used in his edicts brought cultural unification of India.
Appointment of Viceroy and Ministers
Asoka appointed a prince of royal blood as Viceroy (Kumara) to look after the administration of Kalinga. As per separate RE I found from Dhauli, Asoka appointed a body of ministers to aid and advise the Kumara Viceroy and to check and balance his administrative powers.
Appointment of Dharma Mahamatras
Asoka took keen interest in appointing the Dharma Mahamatras specially for Kalinga. In case of Kalinga, the Viceroy had no authority to appoint them; Asoka did it personally, showing his personal involvement in the administration of the land.
Well organised bureaucracy
Asoka appointed a well organised bureaucracy consisting of Mahamatras, Rajukas, Yuktas, Vachabhumikas, Antamahamatras, and Ithijakamahamatras. The Antamahamatras were ministers of border provinces. Rajukas were in charge of welfare of the Janapadas and had absolute power in matters of reward and punishment.
Conclusion
Thus, the Kalinga war was a land mark in the history of ancient Odisha. It left some permanent legacies. The war gave to this land a civilized administration which could achieve its moral and social uplift. Buddhism became a world religion after the war. Ashoka’s rule also resulted in the introduction of Mauryan art and architecture in Odisha.
Summary
The Kalinga War of 261 B.C. is the sheet anchor of Odishan history. Kalinga’s position as a powerful neighbour and its economic/commercial prosperity were major causes for Magadha's invasion. The war resulted in massive loss of life, but led to the annexation of Kalinga as the fifth province of the Mauryan Empire. Crucially, the war transformed Asoka from Chandasoka to Dharmasoka, leading to his conversion to Buddhism and its global spread. Asoka established a paternalistic administration in Kalinga with Tosali as its capital, managed by a Viceroy and a well-organized bureaucracy including Dharma Mahamatras and Rajukas.
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