The Mauryan Empire and the state of Kalinga, a significant monarchy that governed the trade routes with Southeast Asia, engaged in combat, and it is called the Kalinga War. The Mauryan king Ashoka sent a sizable force to Kalinga in 262 BC with the intention of capturing it. ☛Read more about Why did Ashoka Attack Kalinga

Who started the Kalinga War?

Ashoka, the son of Vindusara , invaded Kalinga in 261 B.C., and in the end, he captured Kalinga. The Kalinga war is one of the most bloody wars in the ancient history of India. In this war, 1,000,000 were killed, 150,000 were captured, and an additional 1,000,000 died as a result of the conflict.

What was the reason behind Kalinga War?

The Kaling controlled trade routes with Southeast Asia and was an important kingdom. That’s why Ashoka wanted to capture it, and he led his army to Kalinga in 262 BC.

Why did Ashoka leave the sword after Kalinga War?

Ashoka was deeply saddened by the death of lakhs of soldiers due to Kalinga War. due to this, he decided to give up the weapons. He adopted the policy for the welfare of people and animals.

Who won the Kalinga War?

Kalinga War began in began c. 262 BCE and ended in c. 261 BCE. Ashoka won the great Kalinga War and ruled Kalinga. However, the devastation of the war changed Ashoka's views on war, and he pledged that he'd never start a war. Ashoka was inspired by the Teachings of Buddha .

What did Ashoka do after Kalinga War?

After the devastating result of the Kaling War, Ashoka was inspired by Buddha and converted to Buddhism. He decided to rule his kingdom through tolerance and peace. He started building up his empire instead of expanding it.

How did the Kalinga War end?

There was a significant loss of life and property during the Kalinga War. 1,00,000 men died in the battle, while King Asoka later died after capturing 1,50,000 soldiers from Kalinga. Ashoka successfully conquered Kalinga.

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Kalinga War – Causes, Outcome and Significance of Kalinga War

By Balaji

Updated on: February 17th, 2023

Kalinga War was fought between Mauryan Empire under Ashoka and the state of Kalinga in Ancient India. Currently, Kalinga includes Odisha and south-eastern Andhra Pradesh. The Kalinga War is thought to take place in the Dhauli Hills in Dhauli, situated on the Daya River banks. The Kalinga War is known as one of the deadliest wars in Indian history.

Kalinga War is a part of the ancient history section of the UPSC syllabus, and aspirants must know about this topic in-depth. That’s why we have covered the causes, outcomes and Significance of Kalinga War in detail.

Table of content

1. Background of Kalinga War
2. Events of Kalinga War
3. Outcome of Kalinga War
4. Aftermath of Kalinga War
5. Significance of Kalinga War
6. Kalinga War UPSC
7. Kalinga War UPSC Sample Questions

Background of Kalinga War

The war fought between Ashoka, the great Mauryan Emperor, and the ruler of the State of Kalinga is known as Kalinga War.

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By the time Chandragupta Maurya passed, the Mauryan Empire had most of modern-day India with its southern reaches and Kalinga staying independent.
Kalinga was soundly located, with trade routes leading to southeast Asia. Kalinga had significant ports and a strong navy.
A kingdom with so much capacity on the fringes of the Mauryan Empire would be problematic as it can disturb the communication lines between the Mauryan capital of Pataliputra and its holdings in the central Indian peninsula.
Chandragupta Maurya had attempted to capture the state but failed. After his death, his grandson Ashoka continued the conquest of Kalinga after coming to the throne.

Events of Kalinga War

There are not many resources available about the exact events and nature of the Kalinga War. but one thing is certain the level of violence and casualties were high.

As per the Rock Edicts of Ashoka, almost 1 lakh people were killed in the Kalinga War, lakhs perished, and a lakh and a half were taken as prisoners.
There is no solid evidence about when the war began, but it ended in the 8th year of Ashoka’s reign in 261 BC.
According to Megasthenes, who was a Greek historian at the court of Chandragupta Maurya, Kalinga’s monarch had a big force that had elephants, infantry, and cavalry.

Outcome of Kalinga War

Ashoka was victorious and hence conquered Kalinga. Even though he captured Kalinga, there was not a single individual left to live as a slave. Lakhs of individuals suffering in the Kalinga war. Orphans’ children were crying, and there were blood streams everywhere. Ashoka witnessed the dead bodies of elephants, soldiers, and horses.

Ashoka felt great regret for the killings, and he left the policy of aggression. Ashoka follows the policy for the welfare of animals and people. Ashoka sent ambassadors of peace to several countries, including greek kingdoms in west Asia.

Aftermath of Kalinga War

Kalinga War had a very deep impact on Ashoka. It was likely the only war in ancient history where a would-be conqueror gave up his sword.

After Kalinga War, Ashoka devotes the rest of his life to ahimsa (non-violence) and to dharma-Vijaya (victory through dharma).
Ashoka also ended his military expansion and focused on the ear of peace, harmony, and prosperity for more than 40 years.
However, Ashoka’s policy brought peace to the land, but in the long run, it destroyed its ability to defend itself from the threats.

Significance of Kalinga War

Conquering Kalinga at the cost of lakhs of lives left Ashoka in great regret and sorrow. Ashoka felt that it is not worth the cost of human life. The death of people, suffering, blood, and tears tormented him constantly; the Kalinga war inspired Ashoka to be a leader who cared about peace and harmony of the people. Ashoka vowed that he would never take up weapons, and he made significant changes in the policies. After the death of the Ashoka Mauryan dynasty and the Mauryan Empire disintegrated in 232 BC.

Kalinga War UPSC

Kalinga War holds significant importance in the ancient Indian history portion of the UPSC Syllabus. That’s why it is important for the UPSC aspirants to know about Kalinga War in detail so that they can answer all the questions asked on this topic. Here we have covered Kalinag War UPSC notes that would help the candidates to answer all the related questions to this topic. Apart from this, candidates can also follow UPSC History Books and other resources for better preparation.

Kalinga War UPSC Sample Questions

Question: Which of the following statements is/are correct?

In ancient India, the Mauryan Empire, led by Ashoka, fought the Kalinga War.
The conflict is said to have occurred on Dhauli hills in Dhauli, which is located on the banks of the Daya River.

Select the correct answer

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a)

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