The Kalinga War

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.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.
2. 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
3.Economic prosperity of Kalinga
There were 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.
4.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.
5.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.
6.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.
7.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. Though, nothing concrete is
available to the historians regarding the nature of polity in Kalinga during Asoka's invasion·
and also the state of religion in this land, it appears that Brahmanism, as a state religion, did
not prevail here. However, this is a controversial issue.
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. The results
can be discussed as follows:
1.Loss of man and material
Each and every war in history almost results in the loss of man and money. 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.
2.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 for the Mauryan administration in Kalinga. Two separate Kalinga edicts of Asoka
found at Dhauli and Jaugarh enumerate the pattern of Mauryan administration for the
province of kalinga.
3.Change from Chandasoka to Dharmasoka
The horror of the Kalinga war changed the mind of Asoka. In Rock Edict XIII, Asoka
expresses- "In conquering indeed an unconquered country (Kalinga), the slaying, death,
deporting that occur there are considered extremely painful and serious by the
Devanampiya" 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.
4.Acceptance of Buddhism after Kalinga war
The Kalinga War had brought deep feeling or remorse in the mind of Asoka. It drew himself
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 whom
he had killed or Mogaliputtatissa, the president of the Third Buddhist Council. Whatever the
fact might be, Asoka accepted Buddhism after the Kalinga war.
5.Spread of Buddhism in India and outside countries
The transformation of Asoka helped in the spread of Buddhism. Buddhism, which was
confined to the middle of the Gangetic Valley in Pre-Asokan period, suddenly became an all-
India religion within a decade of his conversion. Not only in India, Buddhism also spread to
different parts of the world. He sent Mahendra and Sanghamitra, his son and daughter
respectively to Ceylon, Sana and Uttara to Suvarnabhumi (Burma) and further, he
maintained friendly relation with Kings of Greece, Syria, Egypt, Macedonia and Cryne by
sending missions of peace. Thus, Asoka, being converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga War,
was instrumental for the spread of Buddhism from Greece to Burma and from the
Himalayas to the Ceylon.
6.Paternal attitude towards his subjects
Asoka adopted a paternalistic attitude towards his subjects after the Kalinga War. In
separate Kalinga Edicts (Dhauli and Jaugad) Asoka expresses himself as such . "All men are
my children and just as I desire for my children that they should obtain welfare and
happiness both in this world and the next, the same I do desire for all men...” This attitude
made him a completely benevolent ruler.
7.Growth of art, architecture and literature
An important aspect of the Kalinga War was that it led to the growth of art, architecture and
literature unprecedented in the land. Engravement in the edicts, erection of stupas etc.
made the Mauryan art unique in the annals of ancient Indian history. The Pali language
which Asoka used in his edicts brought cultural unification of India popular among his
subjects
8.Appointment of Viceroy and Ministers
As the Kalingans had exhibited their violent protest against the Mouryan authority in the
Kalinga war, Asoka wanted to give them a healing touch by providing an administrator
tinged with mercy and liberalism. Although, he appointed a prince of royal blood as Viceroy
to look after the administration of Kalinga, he also devoted his heart and soul to the smooth
running of administration in Kalinga. As per the administration gathered from separate RE I
found from Dhauli, Asoka appointed a body of ministers to aid and advise the Kumara
Viceroy of Kalinga and to check balance his administrative powers.
9.Appointment of Dharma Mahamatras
In other parts of his empire, Asoka had given authority to the Viceroys to appointed Dharma
Mahamatras on triennial tours inside the empire to impart religious instruction to the
people. In case of Kalinga, however, the Viceroy had no such authority. Asoka took keen
interest in appointing the Dharma Mahamatras specially for Kalinga. This shows that
emperor Asoka had his personal involvernent in the administration of Kalinga even though
he had appointed Viceroy to look after the administration of Kalinga.
10.Well organised bureaucracy
Asoka appointed a well organised bureaucracy to assist the viceroy of Kalinga. The
important officers during Asoka's time were the Mahamatras, Rajukas, Yuktas,
Vachabhumikas, Antamahamatras, Ithijakamahamatras, Dharma Mahamatras etc.
Antamahamatras were the ministers of the border provinces and the Mahamatras of Tosali
and Samapa probably belonged to this cateogry. For Kalinga, Dhamma Mahamatras were
appointed by Asoka personally. They were employed to look after the spiritual and moral
upliftment of people of this land. As the Rajukas were in charge of welfare of the Janapadas
and were competent enough with absolute power in matters of reward and punishment,
they might have played a dominant role in the administration of Kalinga.
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 with its predominant aboriginal and primitive
population a civilized administration which could achieve its moral and social uplift by its
constant solicitude and work for the welfare of the people. Buddhism became a world
religion after the war. Ashoka’s rule also resulted in the introduction of Mauryan art and
architecture in Odisha.

1. What was the impact of Kalinga war on Buddhism?