The earliest event of Ashoka's reign recorded in his inscription is his
conquest of Kalinga (modern Orissa) in the 8th year of his reign. This turned
out to be first and also the last battle fought by him. The Rock Edict III
describes vividly the horrors and miseries of this war and its impact on Ashoka.
According to this edict one lakh people were killed in this war, several lakhs
perished and lakh and a half were taken prisoners. He felt great remorse for the
atrocities the war brought in its wake.
He thus abandoned the policy of aggression and tired to conquer the hearts of
the people. The drums declaring wars were replaced by the drums announcing
ethical and moral principals with dhamma ghasa. He sent ambassadors of peace to
the Greek Kingdoms in West Asia and several other countries. Within the empire
he appointed a class of officers known as rejjukas who were vested with the
authority of not only rewarding people but also punishing them if required.
He thus abandoned the policy of aggression and tired to conquer the hearts of the people. The drums declaring wars were replaced by the drums announcing ethical and moral principals with dhamma ghasa. He sent ambassadors of peace to the Greek Kingdoms in West Asia and several other countries. Within the empire he appointed a class of officers known as rejjukas who were vested with the authority of not only rewarding people but also punishing them if required.