Kalinga War Notes: Origin, Causes, Consequence, and Significance

Not all battles that are fought result in glorifying victory and violence. One such war, fought by King Asoka, was the battle that resulted in something different altogether. The famous Kalinga War is regarded as one of the deadliest and most catastrophic battles we know. It was Ashoka’s first and last war that took him to the path of enlightenment and Buddhism. This blog profoundly explores the history of the Kalinga War.

Origin of the Kalinga War

One of the most talked-about wars in Indian history, the Kalinga War was fought between Ashoka, the emperor of the Mauryan empire, and the state of Kalinga, presently located in Odisha.

Kalinga was a prosperous and wealthy nation with talented artists and peaceful people. Until 321 BCE, it was ruled by the Nanda Empire. With important ports for trade and a strong navy, Kalinga controlled its coastline and played a crucial role in trading. The poet Kalidasa referred to the king of Kalinga as ‘The Lord of the Ocean’ in one of his works.

The Mauryan Empire perceived Kalinga as a threat because it could interrupt communications between Patliputra, the Mauryan capital and its possessions in the central Indian peninsula. Hence, that is why Ashoka wanted to conquer Kalinga. But the Kalinga King refused to surrender, which prompted Ashoka to wage a war against the empire.

The Kalinga War was Ashoka’s only major war after ascending the throne. It marked the end of ancient India’s empire-building and military conquests, which commenced with Mauryan King Bindusara. It involved bloodshed and cost a staggering 2,50,000 casualties.

Causes of the Kalinga War

Historians have different views about the causes of the Kalinga War. A general understanding is that the war was triggered due to political, strategic, and economic reasons. The Kaligas’ prosperity faced a threat from the Mauryan control. Ashoka wanted to expand his empire. The causes behind the deadliest battle in Indian history have been elucidated below. 

1. King Ashoka wanted to embark upon the path of his father, Bindusara, and grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya. During the reign of the Nandas, Kalinga was a province of the Magadha Empire. 
2. Kalinga became an independent state after the Nandas were defeated by Chandragupta Maurya. While Chandragupta Maurya and Bindusara attempted to re-conquer it, they were unsuccessful. It was Ashoka who led the charge to reclaim the throne.
3. Since the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, Kalinga was renowned for its military power and trade relations with regions such as Malay, Ceylon, and Java. Kalinga was a prosperous and wealthy region as well. These reasons propelled Ashoka to conquer Kalinga and expand his kingdom.
4. In the 12th year of Ashoka’s reign, he sent a message to the ruler of Kalinga, requesting that his empire be submitted to the Mauryas. However, Kalinga’s ruler refused to submit to the Mauryan Empire. In 261 BC, a deadly war was waged between Ashoka and the state of Kalinga. 

Also Read: Who was the Last Ruler of the Maurya Dynasty?

Strength of the Warring Forces

There were only 60,000 infantry, 1,000 cavalry, and 700 elephants in the Kalinga army. The Greek ambassador Megasthenes, on the other hand, mentioned the Mauryans’ military strength as being around one lakh, consisting of 1700 horses, thousands of elephants, and 60 thousand soldiers. This clearly illustrates that Ashoka’s army was way mightier than that of the Kalinga army.

Main Battle 

The Kalina War was fought with courage on both sides. Due to the war, the battlefield near the Daya River saw massive bloodshed and strong resistance from Kaliga’s soldiers. This is considered one of the deadliest battles in Indian history. Given below is the apt and accurate description of the Kalinga War

1. In 261 BC, the people of Kalinga put up a valiant and brave fight against the Mauryan army. Kalinga transformed into a battleground. The ruler of Kalinga, Kalingaraj, left no stone unturned to defeat the Magadha empire, but their massive army outnumbered and overpowered the army of Kalinga. 
2. Historians recount that the soldiers of Kalinga persisted till their last breath and were close to victory. However, Ashoka and his men overpowered them and emerged triumphant in the battle.
3. The Kalinga War, fought near the Daya River, is still one of the deadliest and largest battles fought in Indian history

Effects of the Kalinga War

Who won the Kalinga War, and what was the result of the battle?, Ashoka emerged triumphant and conquered Kalinga. But there was a twist in the story afterwards. The war significantly impacted the population, both the Kalinga population and the Mauryan Empire. It also became a turning point in the Emperor’s life.

1. The Kalinga War resulted in a massive loss of life and property. 1,00,000 soldiers were killed in the battle, and 1,50,000 soldiers from Kalinga were captured by King Asoka, who later succumbed to death.
2. Ashoka successfully conquered Kalinga. It became the fifth province of the Magadha Empire along with Prachaya, Avanti, Uttarapatha, and Dakshinapatha.
3. However, it was an empty and shallow victory because of the massive loss of life and property.
4. The Kalinga War was the only battle in the world where the conqueror gave up his sword and forbade his kingdom. Ashoka decided to embrace Buddhism and embarked upon a mission to spread Buddhism in India and neighbouring countries.
5. He played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism from the Himalayas to Ceylon and from Greece to Burma. 

About Ashoka’s Transformation After the Kalinga War

The war has left a deep impact on Emperor Ashoka. He was deeply shaken by the death and destruction that the war caused. This remorse is expressed in his Rock Edict No. 13. In the edict, he states that he won the war. Nevertheless, the immense loss of life weighed heavily on him. This was a turning point in his life.

Thus, Ashoka, the Emperor who won the war, renounced further military conquest. Instead, he adopted conquest by Dharma or winning through moral influence, ethical governance, tolerance and welfare. Ashoka focused on promoting peace and worked towards social welfare. He is known for building hospitals, planting trees, digging wells, caring for animals and improving the infrastructure of his time. He also became religiously tolerant. He embraced Buddhism, yet he did not force others to adopt it. Thus, Ashoka transformed from a conqueror to a non-violent ruler who emphasised ethical governance.

Also Read: Top 10 Historical Events in India: Events that Shaped India’s Destiny

Significance of the Battle in Indian History

Even after emerging triumphant, Ashoka the Great was dissatisfied and dejected. He was filled with grief and gloom as he witnessed Kalinga’s deteriorating condition, replete with blood, agony and tears all over him. Kalinga suffered an irreparable loss. Ashoka was drenched in self-centeredness and greed for power, which had blinded him. But after witnessing the agony, deaths and bloodshed on the battleground, his cold heart melted and he amended his path for good.

Post the battle, Ashoka became a follower of Buddhism. He promised that he would never walk upon the path of violence. He ended the military expansion of the empire. The Kalinga war became his first and last war. The empire adopted a new policy of peace and non-violence. Except for the extreme southern part of the Indian subcontinent, Ashoka controlled the entire Indian subcontinent after the Kalinga War.

His Dhamma laws were carved into rocks and stone pillars. Missionaries were sent to other countries to preach Buddhism and Dhamma so that more people could adapt to a non-violent way of life.

Ashoka’s Rock and Pillar Edicts on the Kalinga War

Ashoka’s Rock Pillar Edicts are one of the key historical evidence about the Kalinga war. These are the primary historical evidence of what Ashoka said about the consequences of the war. Particularly,

1. Major Rock Edict No. 13 has the number of people killed and deported during the war. It also represents the historical evidence of his regret for the death and destruction caused by war, and his commitment to dharma.
2. The edicts were written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script. The intention was to let the message reach ordinary people. 
3. The other edicts, or the rock and pillar edicts, consist of instructions related to non-violence and promotion of respect for all religions. It also emphasises public welfare. 

Thus, through these instructions, he ensured that the empire followed a path of peace and moral governance. The Kalinga war was not just a battle for territory. The war was a turning point in Indian history. Although Ashoka won the war, the immense loss of life led him to embrace Buddhism and adopt an approach of non-violence. Today, the war is a reminder of the human cost of conflict.

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