Asoka: The Buddhist Emperor Of India

The chapter entitled ‘The History of Asoka’ will be found to differ widely from all other publications, which treat of that topic. The author has tried to follow the example of the best modern historians, and to keep the legends separate from what seems to be authentic history. All the forms of those stories which have collected are crowded with absurdities and contradictions from which legitimate criticism cannot extract trustworthy history. In dealing with the vexed question of transliteration, the author has shunned the pedantic atrocities of international systems, which do not shrink from presenting Krishna in the guise of krsna, Champa as Kampa, and so on. The consonants in the Indian words and names in this book are to be pronounced as in English and the vowels usually as in Italian. The book is the product of extensive study of King Asoka, who was an avid follower of Buddhism to establish the Buddhist emperor in all over undivided India. In that context, who study India’s ancient history and literature will be a great help.