129. Ashoka: The Great Buddhist Emperor of India

This episode of the "Empire" podcast interviews William Dalrymple about his new book, "The Golden Road," focusing on Emperor Ashoka. The discussion begins with Ashoka's background, tracing his lineage back to Chandragupta Maurya and Alexander the Great's interactions with Indian ascetics. It then details Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism following the Kalinga War, his subsequent remorse, and his subsequent role in spreading Buddhism through edicts and missionaries, notably to Sri Lanka. A key takeaway is Ashoka's unique approach to ruling, contrasting his initial conquests with his later emphasis on non-violence and Dharma. The episode concludes with a preview of future episodes covering Buddhism's spread to Afghanistan and China.